Team

Holly Planells McKenna

Executive Director

Holly Planells McKenna was recently tapped to be the new executive director after serving as ICCR’s Director of Community Engagement since February 2022.

Holly’s interest in global affairs began as a child when she was told family stories of immigration from Cuba, Spain’s Basque Region, and Ireland. Her career is shaped by journalism, having been an upstate correspondent for Reuters for more than 20 years, and now teaching journalism at the University at Albany for the past 16 years. Holly served on the board of the Albany Public Library and the Friends and Foundation of APL. She has authored a book about her oldest son being raised in the country of Jordan without her, after her ex-husband took their son to the country as a young child, violating a U.S. custody court order. Her next book aims to discuss the heritage of her family and their move to America. Holly is originally from Long Island, and resides in Albany with her husband, Chris, with whom she has four adult children together.

DTrae Carter

Director of Community Engagement

DTrae Carter is the latest addition to the International Center of the Capital Region team. He is excited and eager to take on the role of Director of Community Engagement.

DTrae spent the last 15 years designing and directing work for some of New York State’s most significant and essential programs such as Taste NY, Pride of New York, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and NY State of Health. He has utilized this experience to focus on elevating the visibility of and implementing effective visual-based marketing strategies for small to medium sized businesses.

Apart from their professional pursuits, DTrae is an avid traveler and an advocate for cultural exchange. They have journeyed to numerous countries, immersing themselves in different cultures, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Through their travels, DTrae has gained a global perspective that informs their work and personal philosophy.

Barbara Weiler

Programming Assistant

Barbara joined the International Center as a volunteer after attending an informational virtual open house in March of 2022. She was a home host for two Open World visitors from Moldova in May of 2022, and after that she was hooked. That same year she home hosted visitors from Poland and Ukraine, and with the help of her NYC-based son, she also took all three groups on whirlwind day trip tours of the Big Apple. In January 2023, she started working part-time for the International Center as Programming Assistant and looks forward to future adventures in citizen diplomacy. Barbara has an M.A. in Criminal Justice, and has been working in the local criminal justice system for the past seventeen years. When not planning international-related activities or interviewing convicted defendants, she enjoys travel and playing pickleball.

Alexander Jodush

Programming Intern

Alexander is excited to join the International Center of the Capital Region as a Programming Intern.

Originally from Western New York, Alexander graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. Previously, Alexander interned for the Jefferson Educational Society and the St. Bonaventure University Archives. Alexander is currently completing a Master of International Affairs with a concentration in Diplomacy & Global Governance at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany.

Alexander is eager to work toward establishing cross-culture dialogue and for the betterment of the global community. For fun, Alexander enjoys watching classic movies, listening to a wide range of music, and doing yoga.

Nikhil Branam Profile Photo

Nikhil Branam

Programming Intern

Nikhil is very excited to be joining the team at the International Center of the Capital Region as an Intern.

He is originally from Staten Island, New York, but is currently obtaining his undergraduate degree in business, with a minor in International studies at SUNY UAlbany. He is a mixed-race individual, as well as a second generation immigrant. He is on the executive board for two clubs at the University, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), and the Skate Club, where he resides as the vice president and the president respectively.

Nikhil is excited to make connections with a broad view of individuals, and help out wherever he can. When not in class, he enjoys rollerblading, playing soccer, and spending quality time with his family, be it chosen or otherwise.

Jeremy Baker Profile Photo

Jeremy Baker

Programming Intern

Originally from the small southern Caribbean Island of Grenada, Jeremy is currently pursuing a Masters in International Affairs at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany.

With a concentration in diplomacy and global governance, Jeremy’s career passion lies in further bridging developing and developed nations through diplomatic relations for political and economic enrichment. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in political science at UAlbany, Jeremy remained active both on and off campus, serving as the vice president of the Presidential Honors Society and a member of the Rockefellers Dean’s Leadership Counsel, while interning for then Assemblymember Walter Mosley. Currently, Jeremy interns at Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s office at the State Capitol and works as a graduate ambassador for UAlbany. He is the president of the Student International Affairs Association and is a member of the graduate arm of the Rockefeller Dean’s Leadership Council.

Jeremy is enthusiastic about utilizing his experiences to realize a more unified geopolitical landscape. In his free time, he enjoys playing the drums, live music, working out, fishing, and traveling.

Kelly Osei

Communications Intern

Originally from Ghana, Kelly graduated with a degree in History and the study of religions from the University of Ghana. Working with the New Patriotic Party of Ghana, they started as a volunteer before becoming an assistant to the administrator.

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Affairs, specializing in Diplomacy and Global Governance, Kelly aims to foster a more inclusive global community. She has also established a foundation to support education in rural Ghana and have a passion for writing, reading, cooking, volunteering, and watching animations.

Kelly aspires to make a positive impact by embracing diversity and creating a brighter future for all.

Mercedes Wiegel

Programming Intern

Mercedes is very excited to be joining the team at the International Center of the Capital Region as an Intern. 

Originally from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Mercedes is an international undergraduate student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a dual major in International Relations and Sociology. Mercedes is currently in Rome, Italy for a semester abroad where she is focusing on urban studies, ethnography and sustainability. 

Mercedes is excited to use her own international experience to collaborate and interact with people from different backgrounds, while finding common grounds. In her free time she enjoys travelling, cooking, and running.