
OUR TEAM

HEATHER JOHNSTON
FOUNDER & CEO
Over the past 20 years Heather has personally pioneered the way in building the strategic relationships and providing the relevant perspective that makes USIEA a valued resource to U.S. and Israeli leaders. For over a decade, she has led dozens of trips to Israel comprised of businessmen, Members of Congress, and other distinguished guests and leaders. In addition to leading and facilitating briefings in Washington, D.C. Heather is a world renowned speaker on Modern Israel.
Also, Heather, in partnership with former Mayor Ron Nachman, established the National Leadership Center in Ariel. Today the Leadership Center hosts groundbreaking programs that have given more than 70,000 Israeli and Arab youth the opportunity to meet and participate in a unique experiential learning adventure.
Heather attended Auburn University studying Communications and completed her Masters of Theology degree at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Heather Johnston
CEO & Founder
USIEA
Bob Broadway
CEO & Founder
The Broadway Group, LLC
Bradley Byrne
Special Counsel
Adams and Reese LLP
Former U.S. Representative
Alabama 1st District
Ken Cella
Principal, Client Strategies Group
Edward Jones
Ron DeLeenheer
Former Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Ash Grove Cement Co
Julia Sprunt Grumbles
Former Trustee, UNC-Chapel Hill
Vice Chancellor of Development
(Interim), UNC-Chapel Hill
Corporate Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc (Ret)
Ann Leatherman
Community Volunteer
John Mejia
CEO & Founder
Providence Investments
Dr. Musette S. Morgan
Former Member of Tennessee State Board of Education
Bruce Pearl
Head Coach
Auburn University Men's Basketball
Dr. Phil Roe
Former U.S. Representative
Tennessee 1st District
STAFF

JAHAN BERNS
Chief Operating Officer

JULIE ESCUE
DIRECTOR OF TOURS & EVENTS

ARI SACHER
Senior Policy Advisor

EJ KIMBALL
Director of Policy & Strategic Operations

JOAN LESLIE MCGILL
CHIEF OF STAFF

STACY RYAN
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

CAROLINE ESCUE
EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF TOURS & EVENTS

SHELBY PUTNAM
MARKETING & DESIGN STRATEGIST

TYLER DENNEY
DONOR & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

SHAN FINLEY
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO HEATHER JOHNSTON
