Joelle Leinbach first studied abroad in Germany with the Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange Program, an experience which later led her to complete a Critical Language Scholarship in Russian. Her study abroad experience, combined with her community-building work in the LGBTQ+ community, sparked her interest in the role of scholarships and scholarship programs in study abroad for underrepresented students.
She began her career in international education as an intern with the Fund for Education Abroad, and continued to be a regular volunteer reviewer with FEA until joining in the more formal capacity of Program Manager. Prior to returning to FEA, Joelle lived in Romania, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan working with applicants for the FLEX, YES, and NSLI-Y programs through American Councils for International Education. She also worked with CET Academic Programs as a Student Services Coordinator and began presenting at conferences with a focus on personalized advising to advance equity and access in study abroad.
Joelle holds a BA in Costume Design and Production and currently lives in Seattle where she enjoys creating her own tea blends and filling her apartment with too many plants.