Brain Bite Break: Building Cross-Cultural Bridges: How the J-1 Visa Program Supports Global Talent Mobility
American employers are struggling to recruit qualified workers despite high levels of unemployment. When companies need to fill a position, their goal is to hire the best trained and highest qualified candidate. A significant amount of that talent comes from foreign nationals.
The definition of global talent mobility is widening substantially. Now, it is all about putting the person at the center. Sending employees abroad entails more than just moving them from point A to point B. Employees desire a personal and authentic experience, as well as meaning in their life, work, and tasks. The Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) program – often overlooked by corporate mobility professionals – provides the tools and structure that help both the visiting professional and the hosting employee achieve their professional and cultural goals. Please join this session brought to you by the SHRM J-1 visa team to hear from a person who’s “been there, done that.” Marion Anderson, an HR executive from the UK and a J-1 visa program alumna, will share with you some takeaways and impressions from her participation in the program.
Brought To You By: SHRM’s J-1 Visa Sponsorship Program
Gennady Babankov, J.D.
Gennady Babankov, J.D. is a Manager of SHRM Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program. Babankov oversees two private sector exchange programs for foreign trainees and interns and helps develop, implement, and promote SHRM benefits portfolio for global mobility and immigration members.
Babankov has more than 20 years of experience building and managing global education and training programs for students and professionals. He has experience in teacher training, study abroad, cross-cultural training, and language acquisition, and has directed field operations in Russia, Central Asia, Middle East, and the Caucasus.
Prior to joining SHRM in 2019, Babankov managed several education and training programs sponsored by the federal government, including the Flagship Overseas Language Program (U.S. Department of Defense), Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program (U.S. Department of State), and the Open World Program (Library of Congress).
Babankov earned his J.D. degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia.
Babankov has lived in the United States since 1994 and currently resides in Fairfax, VA.
Marion Anderson, CIPD
Marion Anderson, Chartered MCIPD, has led an extensive leadership career in international retail operations working for brands such as Apple, Levi Strauss, Calvin Klein, and French Connection. While in the UK, she decided to undertake a Master’s program at Glasgow Caledonian University in International HR Management which has a SHRM aligned curriculum. So far, this had led her to live and work in Mumbai, Kuwait, Dubai, London, and her native country, Scotland. Marion is currently completing a professional and cultural exchange, sponsored through SHRM’s Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Program, with the award-winning advertising agency Channel Bakers, in Orange County, California in a Global People & Culture leadership capacity.
Lindsay Bongi
Ms. Bongi is the Senior Specialist, Exchange Visitor Program, working with SHRM’s intern and trainee program participants and sponsor organizations. Ms. Bongi comes to SHRM with years of experience assisting young professionals and host companies in the J-1 intern and trainee visa sponsorship process. She has been involved with the Exchange Visitor program since 2012 and in her free time, counsels and monitors J-1 high school exchange students and host families as a Local Coordinator. In addition to her work in international exchange, Ms. Bongi previously has also created a Department of Labor registered culinary apprenticeship program and has experience teaching Talent Management Training and Train the Trainer courses. Her background is in financial reporting and accounting and she spent the early part of her career working for companies such as JPMorgan and America Online. Ms. Bongi earned her MS in School Counseling from Long Island University and her BS in Finance from Pennsylvania State University.