Meet the People Who Make Things Happen

Amb. John Berry (Ret.)

President

   

Amb. Berry joined the American Australian Association as President in 2016. He came to the job well prepared after serving as the 25th US Ambassador and President Obama’s personal representative to Australia. Prior to that, John served in multiple senior government positions, earning three unanimous Senate confirmations, including: the head of “HR” for the Federal government as Director of the Office of Personnel Management; the “COO” of the Department of Interior as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget; the head of 40% of Federal law enforcement as Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement at the Treasury Department; and Legislative Director for Rep. Steny Hoyer.

John has also been a leader in the non-profit sector, serving as the Director of the Smithsonian National Zoo; The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Government Relations for the Smithsonian Institution. John has accomplished many firsts, most notably, the first openly LGBT US Ambassador to a G20 country and while at OPM, he was the highest ranking LGBT executive official in US history. He has stood atop both poles – north and south, visited all of the world’s continents, as well as all of the states of both the USA and Australia. His most favorite recognitions of the many received have been the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, a lion named “John” in his honor and a mountain in Antarctica called the “Berry Bastion.” He is married to his partner of over 25 years, Curtis Yee.

Erin Gray

SVP Business Engagement, Partnerships & Development

   Erin joined the American Australian Association in October of 2020 as SVP Business Engagement, Partnerships & Development. Erin oversees the AAA Business Council, strategic partnerships and leads corporate sponsorship and fundraising efforts. Previously Erin ran the G’Day USA program under the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will continue to oversee the G’Day program as it transitions to fall under the umbrella of the AAA. Erin is based in Los Angeles, CA.

Libbi Swan

Director of Government Affairs, Arts & Operations

   Libbi is currently Director of Government Affairs, Arts & Operations where she oversees the Arts and Education pillars of the Association along with managing operations. Her work experience spans a variety of sectors including government, legal, communications and the arts and has previously held positions at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), The Capitol Theatre Sydney and within the Australian Government. Libbi holds a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Media & Communication from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Musical Theatre from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Originally from Queensland, Libbi joined the AAA in 2018 and is based at the AAA headquarters in New York City.

Laura Leventhal

Director of Partnerships, Programs & Brand

   Laura Leventhal joined the American Australian Association as Director of Partnerships, Programs & Brand where she oversees strategic partnerships, The Business Council, and AAA Programming and events. Laura is an experienced marketer and relationship builder with a background in traditional, experiential, and digital.Laura previously managed Production & Communications for the G'Day USA Program. Laura brings expertise from a variety of sectors including Entertainment, Non-Profit, and Government. Laura is based in Los Angeles.

Rollette Lusanta

Director of Technology

   Rollette joined the Association in July of 2010. His responsibility includes managing Technology Infrastructure of the Association as well as the office vendors, company insurance and benefits. Rollette is also responsible for managing the Association’s Student Exchange Visitors Program of the Department of State. He has held multiple backup roles inside the Association, such as Events, Finance, Operations and Education programs and has been very flexible in helping out the Team. Before joining the Association, he worked as a Systems Manager, managing the IT system of the company's multiple sites in the US and in the Philippines. Rollette has a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

Charlotte Barstow

Events and Communications Manager

   Charlotte recently joined the American Australian Association in the role of Events and Scheduling Associate. While supporting the President, she also works closely with the COO and Director of Business and the Arts to implement the Association’s annual events program and communications strategy. Charlotte came to the AAA headquarters in New York City after two years at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC. Prior to that, she studied and worked with the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection in Charlottesville, VA, promoting Indigenous Australian Art in the USA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Studio Art from the University of Virginia.

Isabella Ropert

Events, Membership & Development Manager

   Isabella joined the American Australian Association in November 2020 as Events, Membership & Development Manager. Isabella provides event support and implementation for Association marquee events and management of general events. She also focuses on development of donor research, support outreach and solicitation and handles the individual membership management. Isabella came to the AAA from a similar position at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Prior to this, she spent a year in working in business marketing and teaching ESL in the small city of Wuhu, Anhui Province of China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Chinese Studies and Anthropology from the University of Sydney.

Carly Corbett-Frank

Education Program Manager

Carly is the Education Program Manager for the American Australian Association where she oversees the administration and coordination of the growing Graduate Education, Veterans’ Education, and Arts Fund programs. She also focuses on strengthening the AAA Alumni network through different events and programming. Currently based in the New York City office, Carly holds experience in international higher education admissions processes, application review, and recruitment strategies. Carly holds a Bachelor of Arts in International and Peace Studies from Manhattan College and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from Pace University.

Maddy Warrell

Events & Scheduling Associate

Louisa Teo

Regional Director, New England

   Based in Cambridge, MA, Louisa Teo oversees the American Australian Association's programs in New England, including the ANZAC Day commemorative service and reception and the Association's annual Boston dinner. She is a graduate of the Boston University Questrom School of Business and Sydney University. She joined the American Australian Association in 2008 and since 2015 has also served as Secretary of the Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation.