Renee first visited the Soviet Union in 1990 to study at Moscow State University after graduating from Boston University with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. She returned to Moscow in 1992, where she lived until 1998 and founded SRAS in 1996.

As Director of SRAS, Renee leads organizational strategy and program development, working with colleagues and partners to develop new academic opportunities and strengthen existing programs. She also works closely with faculty and study abroad professionals and regularly presents at conferences and universities.

Now based in Woodside, California, Renee travels frequently throughout the Eurasian Corridor and beyond, visiting program sites and looking for new ideas and opportunities in education abroad.