Meet the Team
The People Behind Global Friends
Our team shares a heart for hospitality, friendship, and helping international students and scholars feel welcome in Omaha. Meet the people who help make Global Friends a place of connection, support, and community.
Julie Arant
Executive Director
For several years, Julie has been on a journey that has opened her eyes to people from many nations and made her an “armchair traveler” as the world came to Omaha, Nebraska. It all began when her parents met a special international student at a local store.
The visiting international student and Julie's parents quickly became close friends as God seemed to knit their hearts together. From that point on, Julie and her family began noticing more and more internationals from around the world making their way to the United States, and even to Omaha, Nebraska. What began as simple hospitality ultimately transformed Julie’s life forever.
Anita Carey
Administrative Assistant
Anita grew up in Suriname and loves welcoming people from around the world. She has helped host at Friday home groups for several years and joined our Global Friends staff to help with administrative tasks.
Emmeline Starkjohn
Administrative Coordinator
Emmeline has been connected to Global Friends since before she was born, when her parents volunteered with the organization. She has been actively involved for the past several years and loves meeting friends from around the world and learning about their cultures. She also enjoys sharing Midwest life with international friends, including taking them to her family’s farm.
Emmeline attends grad school in Kansas City and spends her school breaks in the Omaha area.
Nathan Williams
Saturday Home Group Coordinator
Nathan moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2010 and has served with Global Friends since 2014. He loves laughing with friends, learning new words or phrases in another language, or getting the opportunity to help a student find answers to questions.
Nathan loves to travel and has had the privilege to visit a few European countries, Zambia, and the Dominican Republic. He enjoys reading, so if you are looking for a book to read please feel free to ask him for a suggestion.
Don Arant
Refugee Coordinator
Don was given a vision for loving international students and refugees by his parents, especially through his father’s friendship with refugees who had come to Omaha. He enjoys welcoming refugees by providing donated bicycles, groceries, rides, and other practical assistance.
Don loves serving people in tangible ways and helping newcomers feel welcomed and cared for in Omaha.
Current Residents
Current Interns
