Executive Director

Xiao Yin joined the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana (WAC) in October 2010 and has worked across all its program areas, including International Exchange, Speaker Programs, and Education Initiatives. Under her leadership, WAC went through a brand refresh, hosted thousands of leaders from around the world, and created rigorous global education programming for high school students. In 2020, she led WAC to assume the management of Louisville’s nine Sister Cities relationships. 

In her role, Xiao Yin has successfully facilitated programs with diplomats, authors and various distinguished experts on diverse global issues. She and her team are passionate about engaging the community on all matters global, and strongly believes in the soft power of international cultural exchange and its transformative effect on those involved. 

Xiao Yin currently serves on the national board of Global Ties U.S. and was a former board member of the World Affairs Councils of America. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in New York City.

Sister Cities Program Manager

Lydia joined WAC in 2019 as the Program and Events coordinator. Her current role is the Sister Cities and Program Coordinator where she assists all World Affairs Council programming and helps maintain the Sister City relationships with our eight city counterparts and our Sister Cities Committee.

Lydia is passionate about building community, strengthening international connections, and learning from different cultures. Lydia holds a B.A. in History and International Relations from Sweet Briar College (Virginia) graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 2015. She completed her MA in International Development 2017 from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.

Email: lydia.lewis@worldkentucky.org

Exchange Program Manager

Madison Brooks joined WAC in June 2022, bringing a history of work with international populations living in or visiting the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature with a minor in French from the University of North Georgia and a Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies from Augusta University.

Before coming to WAC, Madison worked as the Inclusion Project Coordinator for Catholic Charities of Louisville Migration and Refugee Services, where she worked on a project building connections between immigrants and refugees and U.S.-born citizens.

Email: madison.brooks@worldkentucky.org

Membership & Marketing Coordinator

Bella Beilman joined the world council this February 2024. As a Louisville native, Bella has always been enthralled by the world at large. Before the WAC, Bella was a part of the corporate world, but wanted to make a change and interact more with the community. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics with minors in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and Arabic graduating Chi Omega from the University of Louisville.

Bella is very confident in the City of Louisville and the capacity of Louisvillians to educate themselves and welcome anybody and everybody to our city. Bella is an advocate for discussion and debate, truly believing that all opinions and ideas should have the space to be heard. In her free time, Bella can usually be found at Climb Nulu, cooking and/or baking at home, or exploring the outdoors.

Email: bella.beilman@worldkentucky.org

Exchange Program & Events Coordinator

Toree Doll joined WAC at the start of 2024 after obtaining her Master's of Political Science from the University of Louisville. Toree also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Chinese Language. While in school, Toree's research focused on US foreign policy, economics, civil society and democratic trends in Southeast Asia. Toree has studied abroad in multiple countries in Europe, China, and Thailand, and plans to continue to travel for the rest of her life. Toree is eager to work as the Exchange Program Coordinator for WAC to help build cross-cultural connections and encourage international exchange.

Email: toree.doll@worldkentucky.org