Amber Crowell Kelleher Appointed New Executive Director of TESOL International Association

by Stephanie Johnson |

10 November 2021 (Alexandria, VA) – The Board of Directors of TESOL International Association (TESOL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Amber Crowell Kelleher, MBA, CAE as TESOL’s new Executive Director, effective 5 January 2022.  Ms. Kelleher succeeds Dr. Rosa Aronson, who has served as Interim Executive Director since March 2020.  A board-appointed committee of professionals from inside and outside the association conducted the search.

A seasoned association professional and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, Ms. Kelleher has worked for organizations serving US-based and international members. She has held the position of president and CEO of the United Way Retirees Association for the past four years. Kelleher has served on several boards of directors, most recently the Asherah Foundation and Friendship Force International. Her early career included consulting roles in international education with the College Board, Linden Tours, NAFSA, and the U.S. Department of State. Kelleher lives in the Metro Washington, DC area with her husband, two teenage boys, and their dog Jack. In her free time, she enjoys running with friends, exploring new places, and sampling different foods.

TESOL President, Gabriela Klečková, stated: “Now, more than ever, the association needs an Executive Director with a unique set of skills and competencies to meet the challenges of the turbulent times in which we live. The Board is fully confident that Amber Crowell Kelleher has the qualities to heighten TESOL’s capability to serve and advance the expertise of professionals who teach English to speakers of other languages in multilingual contexts worldwide.”

“It is an honor to serve the Board of Directors and members of TESOL International Association as your next Executive Director,” expressed Kelleher. “I look forward to joining you in January and partnering together to enhance the visibility of our profession and uphold the vision of TESOL as the trusted global authority for knowledge and expertise in English language teaching.”

Download a copy of the full press release here.

About TESOL International Association

TESOL International Association is a professional community of more than 11,000 educators representing over 150 countries. TESOL fosters the exchange of ideas to advance the expertise of those teaching English while supporting equity, diversity, and multilingualism. For over 55 years, TESOL has strived to advance its mission with programs, publications, and services to expand its global presence and connectivity throughout the field, share its knowledge and expertise, and amplify its voice through advocacy. For more information, please visit www.tesol.org.

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