Meet Our Team

CEO

Wayne Brewer

I started out professionally as a teacher for 5 years. In 1973, I became a full-time public school administrator and in the same year, I became an area rep for an organization. I stayed in both positions until 1988. But having two full-time jobs was quite difficult, especially since I had taken on the supervision of many short-term programs as well as the Academic Year program. I started my new career with IEF and soon thereafter became the President of IEF and I left the field of high school education. It was a difficult decision.

Our Board of Directors took over ISE and I became the CEO in 1997.  We started SMG in 2004  at which time I became its President.  At that time, all of our partners were using 4 of our AYP companies to pay for their invoices.  SMG was started originally as an organization where all of the international partners could pay all of their invoices into one SMG bank account which was then dispersed into the 4 organizations.  SMG has grown dramatically since then with our key program being “Canadian High Schools.”  This program continues to grow annually.  SMG now has a full team of marketing experts who take nearly 40 trips per year to help market to our agents and to find new agents.  SMG has also taken on the task of helping to train new agents in our SMG programs and in the AYP programs.  SMG has become one of the leaders in marketing, training and operating high school age exchange programs.

Business Development Director

Sasha Brukhnov

In 1996, I was an exchange student from Belarus, unsure what to expect but excited for the experience. Little did I know that the experience would completely change my life. I have been working at ISE/SMG since 2003 in different roles, starting as an intern to most currently the Business Development Director. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization whose mission is educating tomorrow’s leaders by bringing together international teens, host families, and American high schools. Even though I have been working in student exchange for many years, it is never dull, and I am still learning something new every day!

Global Marketing Director

James Mann

I am a marketing professional with a background in communications, marketing, management, public relations and international education. As the Global Marketing Director of SMG and ISE, I have the privilege of overseeing all marketing activities for both organizations. My main goal is to make sure that all of our international partners receive the support they need to successfully recruit and assist students. I am always available to support our international partners and take pride in the services that SMG provides. I understand that our international partners are vital to the success of SMG’s programs and work to establish a personal relationship with everyone we work with. In my free time, you will find me spending time with my family, reading sci-fi fantasy series, relaxing on the beach or watching my favorite sports teams, the New York Rangers, New York Yankees and New York Jets. I am passionate about the work that I do and the experiences that SMG provides for our students.

Director of Operations

Bryan McCready

I was extremely fortunate to land a Finance role with SMG back in 2006, only a few years after its inception.  Not many people choose to stay with their first employer for 13 years, but having done so was a testament to the passion, vision, and leadership SMG continues to exemplify today.  After pursuing an opportunity in the mortgage industry for a few years, I am very excited to return back to the team in a more operations-based role.  I look forward to helping SMG remain an industry leader and one of the premier high school exchange program organizations in the world.  I hold a Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics, an Executive MBA, and am currently studying towards my Certified Management Accountant designation.  In my spare time, I love watching and playing sports, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

CFO

Marcel Maebara

I am from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and I have a background in Accounting, Finance and Engineering. My experience in the Student Exchange industry started in 2004 as J1 exchange participant when I joined ISE/SMG and where I spent the next 10 years. I then ventured into the Investment Banking industry, but always felt connected to this company. It was here that I met wife and today I am a proud father to two little girls. I then may say that this company has a very special part in my life, and in one of those serendipitous moments, my journey led me back here.

What excites me the most about this company is to work alongside a group of kindhearted people, who love what they do and are moved by a purpose and a mission that truly promotes global understanding through a very unique experience that indeed does make the World a better place. It is contagious.

As a typical Brazilian, I am a big soccer fan (Corinthians!) and on my free time I enjoy spending time with my wife and watch my two little daughters helping me grow up.

President, F-1 Private High School Programs

Craig Brewer

It is hard to believe that I have been working in the field of student exchange since 1989. I started out working part-time towards the end of my high school years and continued through college. I began working full-time in 1995. I have had the great pleasure of working on many different types of J-1 and F-1 visa programs. I started the SMG/DMD Private High School Program more than twenty years ago and this continues to be a program that I oversee. We have helped more than six thousand students attend private high schools through this wonderful program. The programs SMG offers truly make a difference in the lives of many students and families and I hope to continue helping people to share cultures and make friendships for many years to come.

Program Director, F-1 Private High School Programs

Diana DeClemente

I have been working in student exchange for over 15 years, this isn’t just a job to me but a mission I am passionate about and believe in which I hope the students, schools, and families all see. I love to travel, see the world, even if it’s just experiencing something new in New York City. One of my favorite parts of my job is reading the student’s applications- reading their goals, interests, seeing their pictures and reading why they want to study in the US motivates me to work harder to help the students succeed! When I am not at work, I am almost always spending time with my family and friends, relaxing at the beach, and staying active.

Executive Director, F-1 Public High School Program

Stacy Brewer

One might say that I have been immersed in the world of student exchange for almost my entire life. My family hosted our first exchange student when I was about 3 years old! I started working in the field of student exchange about 18 years ago as a student facilitator for the F-1 Private School Program and moved on to the J-1 sector. With a growing need for more choice and flexibility within the student exchange market, I started working with F-1 public schools and I have been overseeing this program for almost 10 years now. It has been a wonderful addition to SMG, allowing students to attend the public high school of their choice, based on their interests and educational requirements. There is such an intense need for these programs in our schools and communities right now; and that is why I feel privileged to be a part of a company that does such great work, bringing students, families and communities together in friendship and understanding every day.

F-1 Public Student Services Facilitator

Jana De Fillipps

About 10 plus years ago, I was offered an opportunity to work in student exchange as a student facilitator in the J-1 department. I had no idea what to expect, but I thought why not? I have a passion for learning about other cultures and traveling. I figured this would be something interesting to pursue. I transitioned to the F-1 Public school department as the student facilitator about 3 years ago and I enjoy seeing how these students grow throughout their various programs. The most rewarding part of this role is reading articles and seeing pictures of all the things the students accomplish from homecoming to honor roll or even scoring the winning goal.

Admissions & Marketing Coordinator F-1 Public High School Program

Mariane Smith

Student Exchange is a huge part of my story. Originally from Brazil, I came to the United States through an exchange program and fell in love with the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, improve my knowledge of other languages, and meet many incredibly interesting people with the most diverse backgrounds.

I am a dynamic communicator with over six years of experience in journalistic/creative writing and production in diverse media outlets, such as online and print newspapers, television, and radio broadcasting. Most recently, I have expanded my experience in the communications field, working with Marketing, Content Creating, and Social Media Management.

I’m thrilled to unite two of my biggest passions, Exchange and Communications, as the new Admissions & Marketing Coordinator at Student Management Group. I’m excited to be a part of SMG, a company with an excellent working atmosphere, plenty of room for learning and growth, outstanding mentoring, and helpful teamwork.

Canada Program Coordinator

Meagan McCready

As the Program Coordinator for SMG Canada, I handle all incoming applications and any student-related questions for our Canadian program and I work with our partners to ensure each student has the best experience abroad. I have worked in International Student Services for the past 7 years and am extremely passionate about the work we do at SMG. I am lucky to work with people all over the globe and to have gained such an extensive knowledge of different cultures and the world we live in. I have a BA in Public Relations with a Business Administration minor from Marist College. In my spare time, I love to travel, read books, and spend time with my husband and puppy.

Office Administration/Admissions

Lois Culmo

Nearly 6 years ago, I was given the opportunity to join this wonderful organization and work on the J-1 program.  In the Admissions Department, I get to know students not only through their applications, but also during Skype interviews.  Students tend to “fear” the interview, but end up knowing that the organization only wants them to be successful during their program.  Being part of the SMG team, there are many tasks to juggle from student applications, arrangements for the FAM trips, manager meetings and keeping the SMG/ISE office running.  The role is challenging, but I love working with this unique group of people.  Outside of work, I love spending time with family, four dachshund dogs, in the great outdoors, and at the beach.

Canada Program Coordinator

Matt Heilbrunn

As the Program Coordinator for SMG Canada, I handle all incoming applications and any student-related questions for our Canadian program, as well as work with our partners to ensure each student has an amazing study abroad experience. I couldn’t be happier working in Student Exchange because it is inspiring to see students of all backgrounds challenge themselves with the cultural experience of spending a year abroad. It’s awesome working with people from all over the globe and to have gained an immense amount of knowledge of different cultures and the world we live in. I am blessed to work with the group of people that I do here in the office. I have a BA in Sports Management from Farmingdale State College and prior to SMG, I worked 3 years with the Long Island Ducks Baseball team in their front office. In my free time I like to spend time with family and friends, play/watch basketball, football, baseball, and hockey, travel, and watch movies.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, F-1 PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

Austin Walter

I have had the pleasure of working in Student Exchange for the first time this past year and could not be happier with the experience that I have had. It is inspiring to see students of all backgrounds challenge themselves with the cultural experience of spending a year of high school abroad. I graduated from SUNY Cortland with a BS in Psychology and have prior work experience in the field of child welfare. As a Program Coordinator for the F-1 Private High School Program, I get the unique experience of following the full process of a student’s exchange experience, from reviewing their application when they apply, to helping manage their program until the time they depart. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching my favorite sports teams, and playing tennis and golf.

SMG PROJECT MANAGER

Tom Policastro

After having spent four years working in international education with ISE and SMG from 2013 to 2017, I’m excited to return to an industry and organization for which I care so deeply. Having previously organized several events on behalf of SMG, as well as coordinating its SMG Canada program, I’m passionate about using that experience to assist my colleagues where needed to facilitate program growth and successful experiences for our students and partners alike. In my free time, I can often be found honing an above average jump shot on the basketball court, or playing a mediocre ukulele.