Meet Our Staff & Interns
Jayne Herring
President & CEO
jayne@worldaffairscouncil.org
Jayne Herring completed her degree in International Studies (Asia focus) and Human Rights (Public Policy Focus) at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in addition to pursuing condensed coursework in London and in Nishinomiya, Japan, at Kwansei Gakuin University. Her experiences in politics, community engagement and donor stewardship have equipped her with a diverse skill set crucial for leading the World Affairs Council of Orange County into its next phase of growth and impact.
Herring has served in various leadership positions, including supporting the ICSC international board of trustees at the ICSC headquarters in New York and internationally, planning and managing meetings, conferences, events, and travel in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. She served as the organizing director for a state-level political campaign, and most recently as Director of Special Events at Pacific Symphony. Her commitment to the arts and advocacy for humanitarian causes has led her to serve as a volunteer assisting resettlement caseworkers at the International Rescue Committee in Dallas, trustee of the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center, and as Board Secretary and Human Rights Ambassador for the United Nations Association of Orange County. Committed to keeping Southern California engaged with foreign policy, she is also a member of Pacific Council on International Policy.Â
Helene R. Veracruz
Chief Operations Officer
helene@worldaffairscouncil.org
Helene Reola brings over 15 years of expertise in operations management, legal administration, and nonprofit leadership to our Council. She holds a Harvard Business Degree (where she was the Executive Vice President of Student Government of all 12 graduate schools overlooking 15,000 students), and an Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern California (USC). Following her advanced studies, she took her expertise to The Hague, where she worked on disarmament initiatives under the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC). From co-founding international B Corporations to streamlining operations as a Chief Legal Administration Officer, she’s driven by a passion for making a meaningful impact. Helene is thrilled to contribute to the growth of the World Affairs Council of Orange County under dynamic and inspiring leadership.Â
Suzanne Parks 
Programs and Events Coordinator
sparks@worldaffairscouncil.org
Suzanne Parks is the Programs and Events Manager at the World Affairs Council of Orange County. A Marine Corps Veteran and trained Protocol Officer with over a decade of experience in diplomacy and international engagement, she has managed high-level events and official visits for senior military and government leaders worldwide.
Before joining the Council, Ms. Parks served as Protocol Officer to the Commander, Naval Surface Forces. She spent most of her career at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, supporting the U.S. Ambassador to NATO and later the U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee. During her tenure, she coordinated official visits involving the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and senior congressional delegations.
Ms. Parks is a graduate of the Protocol School of Washington and the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany, and is a member of the Protocol Officers Association – Protocol & Diplomacy International. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Global Studies from The New School.
2025-2026 Interns & Fellows:
Elyse Hall completed her B.A. at Loyola University Chicago, with focused studies in Sociology, Psychology, and Advocacy & Social Change. While living in Chicago, Elyse worked with several not-for-profit organizations integral to the Rogers Park community, including Centro Romero and Misericordia: Heart of Mercy. In these roles, some of her responsibilities included fundraising, community outreach, and after-school tutoring. Her passion for helping others, combined with her experiences living abroad, has led Elyse to San Diego State University, where she is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Global Politics with a focus on international law and human rights. She is excited to bring her experience to the World Affairs Council of Orange County and help expand international awareness within the community.
Mia Ben-Zvi is a senior at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, with academic interests in international relations, global culture, and conflict resolution. She has explored these areas through research on topics such as feng shui and consumer psychology, Holocaust resistance, and the Israel-Hamas conflict, the latter of which was published by the UCI Center for Ethics and Morality.
She has volunteered in Israel supporting refugee communities and serves as a speaker for Student to Student, educating peers about Judaism and antisemitism. Mia is active in Model UN, Speech and Debate, and Mock Trial. As a member of the business team for Serving Advantage, she helps write grants and manage funds to expand access to tennis programs for neurodivergent youth. She is excited to support global education and outreach as an intern with the World Affairs Council of Orange County.
Aadya Mishra is an undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine, pursuing a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science with a focus on migration, gender, and law. She recently served as a Research Fellow at UCI’s Citizenship Lab, where she examined transnational repression and displacement in the South Asian diaspora. Aadya is the founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Anteater Undergraduate Law Review and works as an Administrative Assistant at UCI’s Student Health Center. Her academic and professional interests center on refugee rights, women’s advocacy, and international policy. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career in legal and policy spaces that advance equity for marginalized communities worldwide
Nathan Millyon is an undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine, studying Business Economics and Information & Computer Science with a focus on financial analysis and data-driven strategy. He serves as a Finance & Data Analyst Intern at the World Affairs Council of Orange County, where he supports organizational financial processes and helps streamline data systems. Nathan is active in the UC Investments Academy, the JPMorgan Career Development Program, and UCI’s Investment & Trading Group. He also volunteers with UNICEF at a local homeless shelter, further developing his commitment to service and community impact. His academic and professional interests center on finance, technology, and operational problem-solving, and he plans to pursue a career in financial analysis and strategy roles.
