The Team at EdEx International

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Barney Eredia is an international education specialist and teacher with more than three decades of experience developing academic pathways for students around the world. He has designed and led successful programs connecting overseas high schools with accredited U.S. institutions, including pioneering 2+2 university partnerships in Japan and creating innovative recruitment pipelines for residential high schools in the United States.

Through EdEx International, Barney has expanded this mission by introducing a comprehensive Dual Diploma Program that blends U.S. accreditation, online learning, and personalized academic support. His work focuses on opening affordable, high-quality American educational opportunities to students in Japan, Vietnam, China, Mexico, and beyond.

Barney’s approach is guided by a deep commitment to student success: from visa preparation and school placement to progress monitoring and 24/7 academic support, he ensures every student has a clear path to achieving their educational goals. His leadership reflects a unique blend of global experience, strategic vision, and genuine dedication to helping young people thrive.

Avanna Bell is an educator, Academic Advisor, and Liaison with more than nine years of dedicated experience in the field of education. Her professional work is anchored in a simple, meaningful mission: to help students forge their own unique paths to success by providing targeted support and committed advocacy. 

As an advisor and liaison, Avanna helps build stronger connections between schools and programs. She also teaches as both an online high school teacher for Boston students and an adjunct college instructor.This daily, firsthand interaction with students gives her a clear and current understanding of the challenges they encounter, allowing her guidance to be both relevant and empathetic. 

Her experience extends beyond advising and teaching into curriculum design, where she has collaborated with fellow educators to develop courses in Creative Writing and English as a Second Language. Through this comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, she focuses on one ultimate outcome: ensuring students transition smoothly into college with genuine confidence and a solid foundation for academic rigor. Avanna’s work is defined by a practical, student-centered commitment to making higher education accessible and achievable. 

As Director of Marketing & Digital Operations at EdEx International, Shaina Hall-Jackson oversees the organization’s administrative systems, digital infrastructure, and global marketing strategy to ensure seamless operations and impactful communication across international markets.

With a strong background in education-focused marketing, web management, and organizational support, Shaina plays a key role in shaping EdEx International’s brand presence, maintaining and optimizing the company’s website and digital platforms, and supporting school partners, students, and families through clear, accessible communication. Her work ensures that EdEx’s programs are presented with accuracy, consistency, and cultural awareness to a diverse international audience.

Shaina is deeply committed to EdEx International’s mission of expanding access to accredited U.S. education worldwide. By combining operational efficiency with strategic marketing and thoughtful digital design, she helps create pathways for students to earn a U.S. high school diploma while remaining in their home countries—empowering schools, educators, and learners to connect globally.

Mikko He is a marketing professional with 20+ years of experience. A former international student who moved to the U.S. at 17, Mikko’s academic success—from high school to a Master’s degree—was supported by EdEx International. She now dedicates her strategic marketing expertise to helping EdEx expand its reach in China, ensuring more students have access to the global education that defined her own success.

  Todd Enslen is an English language education specialist with over 30 years of experience helping students meet their language learning goals. He is currently a professor and head of the Department of International Communication at Hokkaido Bunkyo University in northern Japan and has been teaching as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor mostly in universities throughout Japan. Through his teaching, he focuses on student engagement and building student enthusiasm for language learning.

In addition to his role as an ESL instructor, Todd spent many years working in the Center for Professional Development at Tohoku University developing subject specific teaching materials and workshops promoting best practices in teaching. Todd has contributed to the advancement of teaching and learning at many universities throughout Japan as a teacher trainer and curriculum designer by developing and leading a series of workshops to help university teachers improve classroom practices.

Enabling students to reach their academic goals is Todd’s main mission. That is why the new Dual Diploma Program offered by EdEx International and VHS Leaning is so exciting. It creates affordable pathways to studying at well-regarded institutions of higher education abroad, an aspiration of many.

Natalie Bedacht is an education professional based in Brazil with many years of experience teaching English as a second language and working with students in both Brazilian and international learning environments. She has taught English online and in person, supporting students from different cultural and educational backgrounds.
Natalie holds a degree in Business Administration and has completed a degree in Languages (Portuguese and English). She is also TOEFL-certified, combining formal training with a practical, student-centered approach to language learning.