Meet our Board Members
William A. (Bill) Hilt
Founder & President
Bill Hilt is the Founder and President of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio. After more than 30 years as an educator, Bill continues to champion global education and international engagement throughout the region.
An avid traveler, he has participated in numerous international exchange programs, including Fulbright Programs in 2021 and 2023, and has hosted international visitors through formal and informal exchanges.
Now retired, Bill remains dedicated to expanding global awareness by creating opportunities for dialogue, cultural exchange, and community engagement across Northwest Ohio.
Eleanor Kostecki
Vice President
Eleanor Kostecki is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Toledo and serves as Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio.
Passionate about global education and intercultural understanding, she has played an active role in advancing WACNWO's mission through international programs, distinguished speaker events, and hosting visitors from around the world.
Her expertise in organizational communication, leadership development, and community engagement strengthens WACNWO's efforts to foster informed global dialogue and international collaboration throughout Northwest Ohio.
Robert (Bob) Lakis
Treasurer
Bob Lakis has retired from the United States Navy as a Captain and from working at a civilian nuclear Power Plant as a licensed operator. His career has allowed him to travel to several countries.
After retiring, Bob, along with his wife have travelled to over 110 countries. They enjoy meeting people from other countries and cultures. Being a part of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio is a perfect fit for them as they enjoy home hosting people from other areas of the world. Maintaining contact with some of those who have stayed with them continues to be an enjoyable experience.
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Manal ElSheikh
Secretary
Manal Elsheikh is a lifelong educator and advocate for intercultural understanding. Her career includes teaching in Toledo Public Schools, serving as a translator for newly arrived students, and teaching at the Islamic School of Greater Toledo.
A founding member of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, she has supported its mission from the beginning by promoting education, cultural exchange, and global dialogue. Through hosting international students and participating in exchange programs, Manal has dedicated her life to building meaningful connections across cultures.
Dr. Elizabeth Balint
Membership Chair & Project Manager
Dr. Elizabeth Balint is a founding member and Project Manager of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio. With more than 35 years of experience in international exchanges, grant writing, project management, fundraising, and multicultural programming, she has helped build lasting global partnerships throughout the region.
During her career with the Great Lakes Consortium for International Training and Development, she helped secure more than $11 million in funding and supported exchanges involving thousands of participants across 20 countries. She continues to strengthen WACNWO's international programs and partnerships.
Karen Lakis
Project Facilitator
Karen Lakis is a retired Speech Pathologist who served patients at St. Luke's hospital for over 30 years. She is an active community member in the Perrysburg area since 1986, serving on local Boards, in faith communities, in Perrysburg School programs, and civic organizations.
An avid traveler, Karen and her husband Bob have visited over 110 countries. She is the project facilitator for WACNWO, supporting all Council events. She finds home hosting our international delegations, getting to know and learning from visitors and establishing ongoing relationships to be most rewarding.
Tracee Ellis
Board Member
Tracee Ellis has promoted international exchange and cultural understanding for more than 15 years as Regional Director for the American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES), a U.S. State Department-funded exchange program.
She has helped place more than 200 international students from 42 countries with host families across Northwest Ohio while supporting their educational and cultural experiences.
An experienced international traveler, Tracee is committed to fostering global citizenship by creating opportunities for students and communities to learn from one another.
Kelly Arman
Board Member
Kelly Arman has been an active member of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio since 2013, previously serving as Vice President and Membership Chair.
She is passionate about international education, cultural exchange, and building meaningful relationships with partner organizations around the world. Through her service, Kelly works to increase awareness of global issues while encouraging thoughtful dialogue and community engagement.
She believes that local conversations and international partnerships strengthen understanding and create more globally connected communities.
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Katy Creecy
Board Member
Katy Creecy is a Social Studies educator at Sylvania Southview High School, where she has taught for more than two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Master of Education and teaches World Studies, AP European History, and Contemporary World Issues.
As an advisor to Southview's Global Studies Diploma Program, Katy encourages students to develop a global perspective through academics and international travel. She has led educational experiences throughout Europe, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world cultures.
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Adam Kujawski
Board Member
Adam Kujawski is an Internet infrastructure and interconnection consultant with a background in Internet geography from Texas State University.
An enthusiastic traveler, hiker, and paddler, he has explored destinations across North America, Europe, and Morocco, with a particular interest in rural communities and cultural exchange.
Adam joined the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio Board in 2026 and is committed to promoting global understanding through education, international dialogue, and appreciation of diverse cultures and environments.
Erin Weiker
Board Member
Erin Weiker is an award-winning Social Studies teacher at Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio, with more than 25 years of experience teaching history, comparative politics, and global issues.
She founded Clay's Model United Nations program and has helped develop the school's Global Studies Diploma Program, inspiring students to pursue international education and careers.
Erin regularly leads educational travel abroad and hosts exchange students, believing that global experiences prepare students to become informed, engaged, and responsible global citizens.
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Lucy Long
Board Member
Lucy M. Long directs the independent nonprofit Center for Food and Culture and is retired from teaching at Bowling Green State University, Ohio in folklore, popular culture, American studies, ethnic studies, nutrition, and tourism. With degrees in Folklore (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) and Ethnomusicology (MA, University of Maryland), she focuses on food as carrier of meaning and identity and its role and impact within tourism, heritage, and sustainability, and has published numerous articles in academic journals as well as 9 books.
She was born in North Carolina, but spent much of her childhood in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. As an adult and with her children, she lived in Northern Ireland and Spain, and has travelled extensively, teaching and giving talks on food and culture.
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Sarah Soliman
Board Member
Sarah Soliman (Tutu) has been connected to the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio since its founding as the daughter of founding members Abdel-Wahab Soliman and Manal Elsheikh. Inspired by her family's commitment to cultural exchange, she participated in a student exchange program to Szeged, Hungary, where she developed lifelong friendships and a passion for global engagement.
Now pursuing degrees in Marketing and Human Resources at the University of Toledo, Sarah supports WACNWO through marketing, communications, and outreach. She is dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding while continuing her family's legacy of building meaningful international relationships and strengthening global connections.
Lucas Hoffman
Board Member
Lucas is a French and Spanish teacher at Southview High School, where he teaches French levels 1-AP and coordinates the Seal of Biliteracy program. He co-advises Global Studies Diploma program, coordinates the annual French exchange, and hosts visiting educators.
Lucas taught English in France and has continued his international professional development with studies in Québec City and Madrid. His travels through Western Europe, Canada, and Central America deeply inform his teaching. As Treasurer of OWLA and Vice-Chair of CSCTFL, he advocates for world language education and global citizenship at the state and regional levels.
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Dr. Joanna Weaver
Board Member
Dr. Joanna Weaver is an Associate Professor in the School of Inclusive Teacher Education at Bowling Green State University, specializing in reflective practice and educator development. An interdisciplinary researcher and published author, she works with pre-service and practicing educators to strengthen instruction and student learning through meaningful reflection.
Dr. Weaver presents her research regionally, nationally, and internationally and leads education abroad programs to Thailand, Malawi, Fiji, and Australia, engaging educators in cultural learning and global teaching experiences. As a board member of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, she brings her passion for education, cultural immersion, and global understanding.
Rosemary Alloy
Board Member
Rosemary Alloy serves on the Board of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio and plays an active role in organizing community events.
Through her involvement with a wide range of local organizations, she has developed an extensive network that helps the Council engage a broader and more diverse audience.
Prior to retirement, Rosemary worked in the labor union sector, where she gained valuable experience in advocacy, collaboration, and community engagement.​​