AMBER BOCANEGRA, Ed.D.
VICE PRESIDENT, ARO
Amber is the Executive Director and Primary Alternate Responsible Officer for American Work Adventures. A native of the Central Coast area, Amber has always been a seeker of adventures and knowledge. Raised by parents from Spain and Mexico, she developed an early appreciation for the arts and academics. Speaking Spanish and Catalan at home with her family, fostered her love for foreign languages and in turn, continued her interest in learning Italian, Polish, and Czech. Amber has also lived and attended universities in Poland, Spain, and Italy. Her travels include: Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, China, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Amber holds a Bachelor’s Degree in World Languages and Cultures, a Master’s Degree in Interpretation and Translation, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her academic background and professional experiences provide invaluable insight, program management, and team support to the American Work Adventures Team.
“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.” -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
SHANNON SCOTT
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUPERVISOR
Shannon's role is that of Business and Community Relations Supervisor. With her background in hospitality and recreation management, Shannon has always enjoyed studying and celebrating diversity. Shannon assists in handling program acceptance, program compliance, and program outreach, while exercising discretion and critical thinking skills with program applicants, program information, and business operations. Shannon has always had a passion for culture; meeting new people and experiencing other cultures has always been a dream of hers and she is glad to have found a job where she can fulfill that passion while helping others to do so as well.
“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” -Miriam Adeney
ALEXIS MELVILLE
OPERATIONS OFFICER
Alexis is the AWA's Operations Officer. Alexis assists the AWA team in any and all projects and provides additional support where needed. She was born in Eureka, CA and raised in San Diego. Due to her own mixed heritage, Alexis has always had a cultural sensitivity and awareness that makes her a great asset to our team. Since joining AWA her interest in cultural exchange has only grown and we are glad to have her!
“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” -Nora Roberts