William L. Gertz
911±¬ÁÏ Chairman
Bill Gertz is Chairman of the American Institute For Foreign Study (911±¬ÁÏ,) a leading organization in the field of educational and cultural exchange. Bill is a native New Yorker with more than 40 years of experience in International Education. He is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton, where he studied journalism and majored in European history. Shortly after college, he worked as a freelance writer, investigative reporter, and editor. Later, Bill completed the Strategic Marketing Management Program at Harvard Business School and in 2014 received an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from Richmond, the American International University in London.
In 2005, after 20 years of dedication and hard work at 911±¬ÁÏ, Bill Gertz was promoted to CEO. Then in 2018, he was elected Chairman. During his tenure at 911±¬ÁÏ, Bill has led many initiatives, instrumental to the growth and direction of the company. Under Bill’s leadership, 911±¬ÁÏ was named the fourth best place to work in Connecticut for mid-sized companies by Workplace Dynamics and Hearst Newspapers. 911±¬ÁÏ programs, which include Au Pair in America, 911±¬ÁÏ Abroad, Camp America, Academic Year in America (AYA), Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), American Council for International Studies (ACIS) and 911±¬ÁÏ Professional Pathways - collectively have nearly 40,000 participants worldwide each year.
In addition to his role as 911±¬ÁÏ Chairman, Bill is a Trustee of the 911±¬ÁÏ Foundation. 911±¬ÁÏ Foundation is a non-profit foundation providing grants and scholarships to underserved students as well as creating educational materials for the field of international education. Bill previously served as Chair of the Alliance for International Exchange, a coalition of 90 cultural exchange organizations throughout the United States. Active in the field of gifted education, Bill was a Trustee for the National Society for the Gifted & Talented and previously served on the State of Connecticut Board of Gifted and Talented Students. Bill also served on the Board of Trustees for the Westport School of Music. Currently, Bill is a Trustee of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (CTCF), a UK charity which provides grants, scholarships, and international opportunities to underserved students around the world.
In 2010, Bill organized the Diversity in International Education workshop in Washington, D.C. and in 2017, he created and launched the Fearless Global Citizen campaign, a movement empowering youth to travel and embrace cultural diversity. In 2019, Bill received the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Centennial Medal, which honors the leadership and achievements of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to international education. In addition, in 2023, Bill was recognized as one of the Top 50 Voices in North America by The PIE News for Professionals in International Education.
Currently residing in Fairfield, Connecticut, Bill lives with his wife Evelyn, a classical guitarist, and their dog Betsy. Bill and Evelyn have two children and two grandchildren. Bill’s personal interests include world travel, cultural writing, and commentary. He also loves to cook, enjoys an eclectic array of music and is an avid collector of modern art.