By: UWPIAA
We welcome two new members to the UWPIAA Board of Governors, and two continuing members, one in a new role and one re-elected. We’d like to introduce you to them and invite you to add comments to greet the board!
See the rest of the board here, and click on the center of their image for a brief introduction.
Igna Beckers (’98E-BEL),
Alumni Community
I travelled with Cast ’98E (Roads), an experience that has had a lasting influence on how I see the world and the importance of connecting people across cultures and backgrounds. The friendships, experiences and sense of community I found through UWP have stayed with me throughout the years, and I am delighted to now have the opportunity to give something back to the alumni community.
I live in Luxembourg and have built my professional career in an international environment, including my work with the European Investment Bank. Working with people from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds has strengthened my appreciation for collaboration, communication and the value of bringing different perspectives together.
As Alumni Engagement Chair, I look forward to helping strengthen the connections within our global community and to discovering the many alumni with whom we have yet to reconnect. I believe there is an enormous wealth of experience, talent and enthusiasm among our alumni, and I hope to help people find meaningful and enjoyable ways to become involved.
Outside work and the UWPIAA, I enjoy reading, travelling, and, above all, cooking and sharing good food with friends.
Jim Williams (’86C-USA),
Communications
I traveled with Up with People as a member of Cast ’86C, and nearly 40 years later, the people, experiences, and sense of connection from that year are still a big part of my life. I’m excited to return to the UWPIAA Board of Governors as Communications Chair, a role I previously held, and to help once again tell the stories and strengthen the connections that make this alum community so special. My career has taken a few turns—from communications and marketing to the performing arts and higher education—and today I work at the University of New Mexico, where I also earned my MBA and continue pursuing graduate studies.
I’m a native New Mexican, although life took me to Houston and then New York City for several years before eventually bringing me home to Albuquerque. I share life with my partner of 18 years, Bill Brooks, and I still spend much of my free time doing what’s been part of my life since UWP—singing and performing. What I’ve always loved about Up with People is that you can reconnect with someone after years (or decades!) and somehow pick up where you left off. As Communications Chair, I hope to create more opportunities for those connections—to celebrate our alums, share what’s happening across the UWPIAA community, and maybe even help a few people find someone they haven’t talked to since their cast year.
Michele Easter (’91B-USA),
Internal Development
A lifelong commitment to volunteering and community service has always been part of my DNA, a passion only deepened by my transformative year with Cast ’91B. Over the decades, from serving as Cast Rep since 2006 to leading neighborhood associations, parent-teacher associations, and scouting initiatives, giving back has consistently anchored my personal and professional life.
With Rex, my husband of over 30 years, we have raised three wonderful adult children. Family is my cornerstone, and you’ll frequently find me hosting gatherings at our family home in Arkansas. My love for animals is legendary, earning me the nickname “Ellie May” from family, and I share life with our Great Pyrenees, Sadie, and Ragdoll cat, Seamus. A lifelong equestrian, my background includes serving as Executive Director of an equine-assisted nonprofit therapeutic riding center for special needs and at-risk youth. Today, I channel that organizational and leadership experience into my work in corporate meeting planning, executive administration, and operational strategy.
Having previously served on the Board of Governors as Learning Programs Chair, I am excited to transition into the Internal Development role. In this capacity, my focus shifts toward strengthening our organizational foundation, supporting board governance, fostering leadership development, and ensuring our volunteer committees have the operational tools and structure needed to thrive. I look forward to collaborating across our global network to keep the UWPIAA resilient, connected, and purpose-driven.
Heather Reilly (’92A-CAN),
Strategy
I’m a Canadian living just outside of Ottawa, ON. I traveled in ’92A, ’95-’97 PR, ’97A, ’98B, ’99 (projects), ’00E and have served on the UWPIAA board in the roles of ’90s Era Rep (’20-’21); briefly as Alumni Community Chair in ’21; Secretary since ’22, and interim Strategy Chair since ’24; continuing now Secretary and Strategy Chair.
I took a sabbatical from being an elementary school teacher for my cast year in UWP and went back to teaching for two years, then was on the road again with UWP through the closure in 2000. In the fall of 2001, began working for Cirque du Soleil and have been with the company in various positions since then.
Through UWP and Cirque, I have travelled to more than 20 countries and 49 of the 50 U.S. states.
Click here to meet the rest of the board.
Be sure to click on the images to see other board members’ bios, and note that Learning Programs role is now vacant, so please reach out to Igna if you might consider filling it.