Hanna O’Connell

Hanna is the Executive Director of Casa de Amistad, where she previously served as Program Director and designed the organization’s innovative ESL program. Known for its individualized 1-to-1 student-to-volunteer ratio, the program focuses not only on language acquisition but also trains participants in multilingual communication, encourages identity exploration, and fosters meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. Through Hanna’s collaboration, the program has expanded to include nearly 300 students and volunteers each semester, building lasting relationships that have made a significant impact on participants and extended to the community at large.

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With over 10 years of experience living abroad and working in language education, Hanna draws on her own experiences with language learning and immigration to help students actively engage with their new environments. She holds a degree in Organizational Leadership and is pursuing a master’s in TESOL at the University of Georgia, staying current with advancements in language education and multicultural approaches.

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Hanna’s creativity and commitment to community service continue to drive Casa de Amistad’s mission, cultivating vibrant, diverse communities both inside and outside the classroom. She lives in Athens with her husband, a student at Casa de Amistad, her daughter, a volunteer at Casa de Amistad, and their dog, Juniper.