American Councils for International Education, US. The American Councils’ board has announced that it has chosen Lisa Choate to become American Councils’ fourth, and first female, president and CEO. Lisa joined American Councils in 1987, a time when the organization employed fewer than ten staff and focused its efforts almost exclusively on language programming between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. She worked with the organisation’s founder Dan Davidson to establish American Councils offices in Washington DC and as an early leader of the organization has strongly influenced its tremendous expansion to an organization that now counts over 650 staff, 38 offices, and 100,000 students, teachers, and professionals in over 140 countries as its alumni. Outgoing CEO David Patton said: “I have no doubt that Lisa’s unique skills, vast global experience, dedication to the mission, and remarkable professionalism will ensure continued organizational growth and expanded impact for years to come.”