Bahia Simons-Lane
Executive Director
Bahia Simons-Lane brings more than a decade of experience in international education, nonprofit leadership, and alumni engagement to her role as Executive Director of International Student Conferences (ISC). A lifelong believer in the power of people-to-people diplomacy, Bahia leads ISC’s mission to empower students from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China to build lasting ties through student-led exchange.
Before joining ISC, Bahia served as Executive Director of the U.S. Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme Alumni Association (USJETAA), where she supported a network of over 36,000 alumni and built partnerships with governments, universities, and grassroots organizations to deepen U.S.–Japan relations.
A proud JET alum herself, Bahia taught in Gunma Prefecture from 2005 to 2007 and later served as ALT advisor to the prefectural board of education. She also helped revitalize the Florida JET Alumni Association, expanding outreach and growing local ties with Japan-related communities.
Bahia’s background blends strategy with heart. She has held roles in nonprofit management, communications, education research, and international programming. Her past work includes serving as a research assistant at Florida International University’s Office of Global Learning and working in communications, marketing, and program design for organizations focused on cross-cultural education and engagement.
Bahia holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz; an M.S. in International and Intercultural Education; and an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction: Language, Literacy, and Culture — both from Florida International University. She serves on the boards of USJETAA and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), and she continues to champion young leaders through mentorship, community organizing, and career development programs.
Contact
International Student Conferences, Inc
1015 15th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-992-6691
Email: info@iscdc.org