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meet the team

JANET ELLIOTT

President & CEO

Under the direction of the ICDLA Board of Directors, Janet is responsible for leading the organization as it creates global dialogue through citizen diplomacy. Janet has been dedicated to promoting ICDLA’s mission and expanding its reach in the Los Angeles area throughout her more than two decades with the organization. She is deeply passionate about the critical importance of building international understanding and cooperation. She is also involved in the local community, serving on the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce’s World Trade Week Committee, and as Chair of the Heidelberg Club L.A. Chapter. She also recently served on the L.A./Beirut Sister Cities Board. When she’s not busy at ICDLA, she enjoys visiting the fantastic L.A. area museums, and traveling - wherever and whenever she has the chance to go.

HO LO

Chief Operating Officer

Ho Lo joined ICDLA in 2001. As Chief Operating Officer, Ho is responsible for maintaining the operations of the organization to meet program goals and projections, and for the organization’s financial reports. He also prepares the financial information for ICDLA's public and private grant applications and provides tech support for the ICDLA office. Ho finds fulfillment in working with ICDLA because it helps him further his goal of creating a more peaceful world. Outside of ICDLA, Ho enjoys the simple things in life, like cooking, barbecuing, fishing and camping. He and his wife also love to explore America.  

DANICA KRECULJ

Director of International Programs

Danica Kreculj is the Director of International Programs at International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles. In this role, she is responsible for arranging and implementing professional exchange programs for international participants taking part in the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the Open World Program, and other fee-for-service initiatives. Her favorite part about working at ICDLA is how rewarding it feels to create programs that change lives, not only professionally, but by bridging cultural barriers, promoting open dialogue, and allowing participants to connect with Americans on a personal level. She graduated from UCLA, majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in French Language and Literature. Her experience working internationally at the United Nations Development Program in Belgrade, Serbia was the catalyst for her interest in the intersection of diplomacy and social justice. She speaks fluent French and Serbo-Croatian, and conversational Spanish. She enjoys traveling, exploring new hiking trails, and playing basketball.

VICTORIA MEZA

Program Officer

Victoria Meza has been with ICDLA since 2018. She started working as the Projects Coordinator before transitioning to Program Officer. As Program Officer, Victoria is responsible for arranging professional exchange programs for international participants taking part in the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). Her favorite part about working at ICDLA is meeting with the participants of the IVLP and exchanging culture. Victoria graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa with a Bachelor’s degree in Korean through the Language Flagship Program and speaks fluent Korean. She spent her senior year abroad studying at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. She has a pitbull-boxer dog named Jojo.

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KRISTINA YUCEL

Communications and Events Coordinator

Kristina Yucel holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Law from Taurida National University. With a rich background of traveling to over 35 countries and working across diverse sectors, she brings a wealth of experiences and a strong commitment to fostering meaningful connections. Through her global volunteer work, Kristina has developed a profound passion for promoting cultural exchange and understanding. She is responsible for the monthly newsletter, membership, planning events, ICDLA website and social media. When she is not managing projects or crafting engaging content, you'll likely find her hiking a new trail, unwinding with some yoga, or spending time with her family.

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Tu Le

Projects Coordinator

Tu Le graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration focusing on Management Information Systems. He worked in corporate I.T. for seven years before joining ICDLA in 2012. Tu enjoys working for ICDLA because he believes in its mission of bettering the world through cultural exchange, and especially loves interacting with visiting citizen diplomats from all corners of the globe. He is fluent in Vietnamese and can also carry a simple conversation in Spanish. In his free time, Tu likes to travel with his wife and daughter, particularly visiting the national parks.

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Odora mccauley

Projects Coordinator

Odora McCauley is a first-generation Liberian immigrant who has resided in eight cities spread out across the US, the UK, South America, and Southeast Asia. Her interest in cultural diplomacy dates back to her early years. She graduated from Kingston University in London with a Master's degree in International Relations. Odora relocated to Los Angeles with only a carry-on and unbridled ambition, eager to join the ICDLA team. Aspects of her job that she finds enjoyable include learning more about the intricacies of the U.S. State Department that support the development of strong international ties, interacting with the burgeoning foreign leaders who visit L.A., and the team's cultural diversity. When she's not planning her next vacation, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, spending time with her loved ones, and listening to podcasts.

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