Fanta Aw, PhD, is a transformational leader in international and higher education administration. She currently serves as the executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, having previously held its presidency from 2013 to 2016. NAFSA is the world’s largest and most comprehensive international education membership association with over 11,000 members at more than 4,000 institutions in 145+ countries. NAFSA is dedicated to the advancement of international education and exchange.

Dr. Aw is dedicated to addressing pivotal issues. She often serves as a keynote speaker, sharing her expertise on various topics, including internationalization; international educational exchange; student success; intercultural communication; diversity, equity, and inclusion; women in leadership; global mobility trends; geopolitics; public policy; and immigration. She is also a champion for innovation and transformation in the realm of higher education. She speaks to the importance of humanity coexisting with artificial intelligence and the social responsibility of educators in preparing and nurturing the next generation of empathetic leaders.

Prior to joining NAFSA, Dr. Aw dedicated more than three decades to American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., where she earned a BS in accounting, an MA in public administration with a specialization in organizational development, and a PhD in sociology with a focus on international education, social stratification, and transnational migration.

During her extensive tenure at AU, Dr. Aw held several leadership positions, including being the vice president of undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence. She has been recognized as an award-winning lecturer while holding the title of Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer at AU's School of International Service. In 2023, her significant contributions to AU were honored with the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award. Dr. Aw also actively participates as a member of the Global Advisory Board of Times Higher Education, a member of the board of directors of World Education Services, and as an Advisor on the Expert Council for the Talent Mobility Fund. She previously chaired the ETS TOEFL board and was a member of the Intercultural Management Institute Advisory Board.

Originally from Mali, Dr. Aw has lived in both East and West Africa as well as the United States, gaining a broad and diverse cultural perspective. Her passion for global experiences has led her to explore over 60 countries. Her knowledge has been acknowledged by major global media outlets, such as CNN, Agence France Press, USA Today, the Washington Post, the Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio, the Middle East Broadcast Corporation, the Washington Business Journal, WAMU, Washington Diplomat, and China Daily.