The Team
Gateway is led by educators, international program administrators, and DC professionals who have spent decades designing experiential learning opportunities in Washington.
Our backgrounds include university program leadership, public policy organizations, cultural exchange management, and international education.
Gateway opens doors to the institutions that matter.
The Gateway Team
Experienced professionals committed to your career growth
Dan Hester
Executive Director
Dan is a seasoned international program architect with extensive experience developing global education initiatives across the United States, Europe, and Asia. A Michigan State University graduate, he has led major programs at USC and MSU, and co-founded Key to Europe, a Brussels-based non-profit supporting training and cooperation in Europe. His early professional formation in Washington, DC set the foundation for a career dedicated to advancing experiential learning and international engagement.
Fernando Lopez-Alves,PhD
International Outreach & Strategic Partnerships Director
Dr. Lopez-Alves is a political sociologist and Director of Global and International Studies at the University of Salamanca. Formerly a professor at the University of California, he has led academic programs in Washington, DC and designed graduate initiatives for institutions in Europe and Latin America. With a PhD from UCLA, he has authored multiple books with leading academic presses, published extensively in scholarly journals, and received major research awards including Fulbright and NEH grants. He continues to advise international organizations and academic networks focused on global affairs
Steve Selby
Professional Development Director
Based in Washington, DC, Steve is an educator and consultant with more than two decades of experience in strategic communication and professional development. He has coordinated policy immersion programs and training workshops for USC, the University of California’s DC program, and Michigan State University. His career includes work with AmeriCorps, USAID initiatives, and national issue campaigns, giving him deep insight into public affairs and advocacy. A graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, he now mentors emerging professionals as they define career directions and develop leadership skills.
Je-Hoon Lee, PhD
International Project Consultant
Dr. Lee is an Endowed Professor at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul and founding Executive Director of NetKAL, where he created a premier leadership fellowship for emerging 2nd-generation Korean American leaders. He has directed programs at USC, led strategic initiatives at Michigan State University, and designs cross-cultural development projects that strengthen civic leadership across Asia and the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Seoul, Seoul National University, Ohio State University, and Michigan State University.
Javier Sierra, PhD
International Project Consultant
Joel Clark, PhD
Experiential Programs Consultant