Meet Our Staff
Alex R. Holt
Executive Director
401.421.7181
Alex Holt has served as Executive Director of International House since August 2019. He draws upon his more than 15 years of non-profit management, community building and education experience to oversee International House, fostering a dynamic place for cross-cultural activity in Rhode Island.
Before joining International House, Alex served in a variety of roles at NYC non-profit organizations, both in leadership positions and on the front lines, working with culturally diverse constituencies. He is deeply interested in building programs and spaces where diverse individuals can work towards shared goals and commitments.
Alex received his B.A. from Brown and a Masters in Education from Manhattanville College. He lives in Providence with his wife and son, and is now a fourth generation resident of Providence.
John Walker
Director of Operations
401.421.7181
John Walker first started working at International House of Rhode Island in October of 2015 as the Development and Financial Manager. John is now the Director of Operations and oversees key organizational operations including financial management and building operations.
Before joining International House, John was involved with starting the nonprofit Insight Vision Center in San Diego, CA. Insight Vision Center provided vision examination and vision therapy to low-income children with learning related vision problems. John was also a board member of the San Marcos Arts Council for several years promoting public art and arts education around the city of San Marcos, CA.
John received a B.A. in Kinesiology / Exercise Science from California State University Northridge. He lives in Fairhaven, MA with his wife and two sons.
Liz Liyu Chen
Program & Volunteer Manager
401.421.7181
Liz joined International House in 2023, driven by her passion for connecting with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. She believes that human connection, compassion, and a willingness to learn about others can create a feeling of home. In her role at IH, Liz hopes to foster a sense of purpose and belonging while bringing joy and contentment to people's lives.
Liz discovered her life purpose in promoting intergroup communication and understanding. She founded the Mental Institution Documenting and Destigmatizing Organization at National Taiwan University, spearheading programs to provide mental healthcare resources and destigmatize mental illness. Liz also worked for a non-profit organization to bring better lives to Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan.
Liz has a B.S. in Psychology and a Master's in Social Psychology from National Taiwan University. She resides in Providence with her husband, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science at Brown University.
Executive Transition - Announcement & Job Posting
Alex will be leaving International House in February 2024. See his transition note here.
International House is conducting a search to find the next great Executive Director! You can find the job description and details about how to apply, here.