World Education Services Inc

New York, NY · Founded 1974

Educational credential evaluation service for international academic qualifications

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Education
Topic
Education
Contact
Esther T Benjamin
Website Contact

About Organization

World Education Services (WES) provides credential evaluation services translating international academic qualifications for U.S. educational institutions and employers. Founded in 1974 and based in New York, NY, the organization operates with 352 employees and $71.0 million in annual revenue. WES evaluates foreign degrees and credentials, helping immigrants and international students access education and employment opportunities in North America.

What They Focus On

Educational Support

Learning opportunities and academic resources advancing knowledge and skills for diverse populations

Community Partnerships

Collaborative relationships with organizations and stakeholders strengthening collective impact

Capacity Building

Infrastructure and resource development enhancing organizational effectiveness and sustainability

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$139.6M

Expenses (2024)

$98.7M

Assets (2024)

$259.8M

Employees (2024)

282

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $139,593,000 $98,706,735 $259,765,506 282
2023 — — — —
2023 $99,938,416 $91,492,697 $233,089,458 283
2022 — — — —
2022 $98,705,023 $85,612,582 $205,422,025 280
2020 — — — —
2020 $104,133,998 $69,013,202 $182,177,798 309
2019 $84,317,218 $65,247,515 $150,333,304 328
2018 $74,012,478 $55,560,407 $107,477,210 273

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Assessment

    Identifying community needs and organizational priorities through data analysis and stakeholder consultation

  • 02

    Planning

    Developing strategic initiatives and allocating resources to address identified needs and opportunities

  • 03

    Implementation

    Delivering programs and services through trained staff, volunteers, and community partnerships

  • 04

    Evaluation

    Measuring outcomes and collecting feedback to improve effectiveness and accountability

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by World Education Services Inc

Core Programs

Primary services and activities aligned with organizational mission and strategic priorities

Community Outreach

Public engagement and partnership initiatives expanding reach and impact of organizational programs

Capacity Building

Infrastructure development and training programs strengthening organizational effectiveness and sustainability

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind World Education Services Inc.

Esther T Benjamin

Esther T Benjamin

CEO and Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $951,029

Close Esther Benjamin CEO and Executive Director Esther T. Benjamin has been a global executive in the public, private, and civil society sectors for more than 25 years. Before joining WES as CEO and executive director, Esther worked with Laureate Education, Inc., a leading global higher education organization. Esther served as the Associate Director for Global Operations of the U.S. Peace Corps, and held senior management roles with the International Youth Foundation and the International Partnership for Microbicides.

Monica K Munn

Monica K Munn

Chief Social Impact Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $402,054

Close Monica Munn Chief Social Impact Officer Monica Munn joined WES in 2019, bringing over a decade of experience leading social impact and economic development initiatives in the philanthropic, social enterprise, and private sectors. Monica oversees WES’ social impact and philanthropic initiatives, including the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, funding partnerships, and corporate philanthropy. Previously, Monica held several positions at the Rockefeller Foundation and worked at Next Street, a social enterprise that drives equitable economic and community development. She currently serves on the steering committee of the Workforce Matters Funders Network.

Abbie J Cowan

Abbie J Cowan

Chief People Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $392,590

Close Abbie Cowan Chief People Officer Abbie Cowan is a human resources executive with decades of experience leading people strategy in the public and private sectors. For the past 10 years she’s been at Atos, a global leader in digital transformation. As Senior Vice President of HR and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Atos, Abbie worked closely with senior leaders and staff around the world. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She is also a certified executive coach and mentor. Abbie received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Warwick and a master’s degree from the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University).

Shamira Madhany

Shamira Madhany

Managing Director Canada and Deputy Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $328,072

Close Shamira Madhany Managing Director Canada and Deputy Executive Director Shamira Madhany joined WES in 2018 after more than two decades of government service in Ontario. Her last position was Assistant Deputy Minister for Health, Education, and Social Policy, in Cabinet Office. She also served as Chief Diversity and Accessibility Officer, ensuring that 62,000 employees met accessibility and inclusion goals. Shamira has extensive experience working with employer associations, licensing bodies, non-profit organizations, and the post-secondary sector. She served as the chief architect of several government programs that enable internationally educated professionals to obtain employment in their fields. Shamira is a guest lecturer at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She also serves on the boards of Windmill Microlending, Touchstone Institute, Herzing College Toronto, and the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TR

Megan Blackburn

Megan Blackburn

Senior Director, Strategy and Planning
Full-time
Compensation: $307,107

Close Megan Blackburn Senior Director, Strategy and Planning Megan Blackburn joined WES in 2019, bringing over 15 years of experience in higher education as well as the public and private sector. Before joining WES as the Senior Director for Strategy and Planning, she worked at Laureate Education, Inc on the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Miami campus and Monash South Africa in Johannesburg. She also spent time in the public sector at U.S. Peace Corps, U.S. HELP Commission, and U.S. Senate.

Niteese Lenton

Niteese Lenton

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $74,224

Close Niteese Lenton Chief Financial Officer Niteese Lenton joined WES in October 2024. She brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience in the automotive and logistics sectors, including a distinguished career at Ford Motor Company in the U.S. and overseas, serving as Finance Director for the Middle East and Africa.  Before joining WES, she was the Group Chief Financial Officer at Averda International, a prominent waste management and recycling company in the Middle East, where she led the finance team, investment strategy, and supported sustainability initiatives. Niteese holds an MBA in Finance from Florida A&M University. 

Armando Roman

Armando Roman

Chief Business Officer

Close Armando Roman Chief Business Officer Armando Roman is a seasoned executive with deep experience in scaling dynamic, mission-driven organizations at the intersection of technology and operations. Prior to joining WES, he served as President and COO of Talent at career.io, where he led global operations and played a key role in exponentially growing its career services business. Armando brings a strong track record of building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and leading through complex change. Born in Peru and based in the New York City metro area, he is passionate about building systems that work, both for the people they serve and the teams that power them.

Sidney R. Hargro

Sidney R. Hargro

Board Chair

Close Sidney R. Hargro Board Chair Sidney Hargro is the executive director of the Leaders Trust. He is the former executive director of Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia and the Community Foundation of South Jersey. He has also served as the Senior Officer of Strategy and Organizational Learning at The Columbus Foundation, the nation’s 7th largest community foundation. He is the author of “Lessons Learned,” a chapter in the Foundation Center’s fundraising guide After the Grant: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Good Stewardship. Sidney served on the Board of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, as well as the boards of regional and national organizations including Wells Fargo Regional Foundation and CDC, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, and the advisory committee of the New Jersey Nature Conservancy. He is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Ohio State University, and the United The

Fanta Aw

Fanta Aw

Board Vice-Chair

Close Fanta Aw Board Vice-Chair Fanta Aw is Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She has been a dedicated member and leader within NAFSA since 1996. From 2013 to 2016, she served as NAFSA’s President and Board Chair. Fanta is a recognized and highly respected figure in the fields of international education and higher education administration. Fanta has dedicated her academic studies and professional career to the American University in Washington, D.C., where she received several degrees. Her accomplishments include a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s in public administration with a specialization in organizational development, and a doctorate in sociology with a focus on international education, social stratification, and transnational migration. At American University Fanta previously held the position of Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment, Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence, and she has been recognized as an award-winning

Feridun Hamdullahpur

Feridun Hamdullahpur

Board Treasurer

Close Feridun Hamdullahpur Board Treasurer A professor of mechanical engineering, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur has served as an educator and leader over the span of a more than 35-year career in research and higher education. In 2021, Feridun retired following ten impactful years as the sixth President and Vice Chancellor of University of Waterloo. Feridun previously served as the Provost and Vice-President Academic and as the Vice President Research and International at Carleton University in Ottawa. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul in Türkiye.

Helen Hayward

Helen Hayward

Board Secretary

Close Helen Hayward Board Secretary Helen Hayward was born and educated in Hong Kong and came to Canada as an international student. She has a successful track record of advising and leading change in high profile and complex environments. In 2018, Helen retired as a National Partner with Western Management Consultants (WMC), a Canadian management consulting and executive search firm. She was previously with Mercer Delta International Organizational Consulting, a consulting firm based in New York. As a Certified Management Consultant, she has consulted extensively with national, provincial, and municipal governments and their agencies. She serves on multiple health care, justice, and education boards.

Kamal Bhattacharya

Kamal Bhattacharya

Board Member

Close Kamal Bhattacharya Board Member Kamal Bhattacharya is a computer scientist and technology executive with a notable career spanning academia and industry. He co-founded and serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Future, a company dedicated to empowering individuals to make positive impacts on climate change. He is also the Vice-Rector for Research & Transfer at IU International University, where he also serves as a Professor of Computer Science. Prior to that he co-founded Advancity, an edtech company, served as Chief Innovation Officer at Safaricom PLC, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, was a commissioner of the Pathways for Prosperity platform, Kenya country manager for IGC, CEO of the iHub in Nairobi and served as Vice President at IBM Research and Director of IBM Research – Africa, where he led initiatives to address key challenges in the region through technological innovation. Bhattacharya holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from Göttingen University in G

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Board Member

Close Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Board Member Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup. He is responsible for leading the Center of Excellence for Assessment and Analytics, developing data-driven solutions and insight to create new value for clients and candidates by driving predictable performance. Tomas is passionate about leveraging people, analytics, and assessment to help individuals understand themselves better and companies better understand their people. He was previously CEO at Hogan Assessments, a leader in personality assessment, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Tomas is also a Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Visiting Professor at Columbia University in New York. He has written 10 books and published over 150 scientific papers on the psychology of talent, leadership, innovation, and artificial intelligence, and has been recognized by the American Psychological Association, the International Society for t

Donna Daniels

Donna Daniels

Board Member

Close Donna Daniels Board Member Donna Daniels is CEO of Possibility Labs, an organization dedicated to creating frameworks for societal well-being. With a background in cultural anthropology, Daniels has experience in higher education, venture capital, market research, social entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Previously, she was Vice President at the Heron Foundation and RSF Social Finance, and Interim Executive Director at Social Venture Network. She has also worked in market research at Iconoculture and as a consultant. A former professor at Duke and Columbia Universities, Daniels specializes in supporting communities of color with hands-on efforts to build a regenerative economy. She holds a PhD from Stanford, an MA from Yale, and a BA from Haverford. 

Caroline Gayle

Caroline Gayle

Board Member

Close Caroline Gayle Board Member Caroline Gayle is an experienced IT, business, and technology transformation leader. She is the Managing Director for the Technology Financial Service Practice at Accenture Canada, where she has spent more than 21 years. She has extensive experience implementing large and small systems projects, as well as 22 years of IT experience in all industries. Over the course of her career, she has earned several awards recognizing her excellence as a leader, women’s advocate, and mentor, including the 2019 Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) Mentorship Award and the Canadian Inspirational Leader Award. Caroline earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies (Mona) and an MBA from Golden Gate University.

Joanna Harries

Joanna Harries

Board Member

Close Joanna Harries Board Member Joanna Harries is the Senior Vice President of Expansion at Endeavor Global, the world’s leading organization working with high-impact entrepreneurs in more than 30 countries. Endeavor identifies, mentors, and co-invests in entrepreneurs that build world-class businesses and grow entrepreneurial ecosystems. The organization has tripled its footprint over the last decade. Joanna has launched Endeavor offices across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Prior to Endeavor, Joanna was an Acumen Fellow working in Mumbai and a brand manager at Unilever. Joanna is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Business and Economics. She has been recognized as a Kauffman Fellow and serves on the advisory board for the Lazaridis Institute

Ajay Patel

Ajay Patel

Board Member

Close Ajay Patel Board Member Ajay Patel, President and CEO of Vancouver Community College (VCC), the oldest public post-secondary institution in British Columbia, is a distinguished leader in the education sector. With a career spanning over two decades, Ajay has been instrumental in guiding VCC since 2019. An esteemed alumnus of VCC-Langara and the University of British Columbia, his expertise extends from competitive sports leadership to academic administration. Recognized as the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer of the Year and a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, Ajay’s contributions reflect his deep commitment to inclusivity and community enrichment. His transformative impact in international education and notable roles in various sports organizations demonstrate his dedication to societal progress. At VCC, Ajay’s strategic vision and dedication to community development and educational excellence are shaping a dynamic and inclusive future on both local and global stages.

Julie Reddy

Julie Reddy

Board Member

Close Julie Reddy Board Member Julie Reddy is the former Chief Executive Officer of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), where she held senior management positions since 2012. She previously served in senior management and leadership roles for over 30 years in the international and South African education, skills development, and civil society sectors. Over the years, Julie has worked at numerous national and international entities, including the National Skills Authority and the Human Resource Development Council in South Africa. Julie has participated in or worked on various UNESCO and other global initiatives. She is currently a UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning International Juror for its Learning City Award and a director on the board of the Groningen Declaration Network. In 2022, the Minister of Basic Education designated her the Deputy Chair of the South African National Commission for UNESCO. Her appointment to the World Education Services Board of Trustees b

Paolo Varias

Paolo Varias

Board Member

Close Paolo Varias Board Member Paolo Varias is a registered nurse who is currently serving as Associate Director of Clinical and Support Services for Niagara Region in Southern Ontario. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Philippines and a Master of Science in Aging and Health from Queen’s University in Canada. He is currently pursuing McGill University’s International Masters for Health Leadership. He has studied the impact of universal health care programs and contributed to an international USAID project. Before becoming Associate Director, Paolo held several leadership positions in long-term care facilities. He also has broad knowledge and experience in managing and leading health operations in primary healthcare and public health. He was a former Fellow of Health Policy Development Program (HPDP) and a current surveyor at Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). In 2014, he immigrated to Canada and began the process of becoming licensed as a nurse. He received his

Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams

Board Member

Close Aaron Williams Board Member Aaron Williams has extensive experience in the strategic design and management of assistance programs in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to his role as Director of the Peace Corps, he was for 22 years a diplomat and senior official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he reached the rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of directors of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, and ChildFund International, as well as the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs’ Advisory Board. Aaron has also served on the board of directors for the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, CARE, the National Peace Corps Association, and the Institute for Sustainable Communities. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

JV

John Vermaaten

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $560,251
CT

Cheryl Toto

Chief Operations Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $492,302
BS

Biren Shah

Chief Technology Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $425,522
PF

Paul Feltman

Deputy Executive Director, Gtb
Full-time
Compensation: $418,058
HS

Holly Sanders

Chief Transformation Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $392,323
EW

Ernest Wurzbach

Sr. Director Of Technology
Full-time
Compensation: $325,501
BK

Brian Kostantin

Sr Director Of Sales, Mktg & Cs
Full-time
Compensation: $305,144

Milestones

1974

Organization Founded

1974

Establishment of the organization to serve community needs and advance mission

2021

Program Expansion

2021

Expanded services and outreach to reach more beneficiaries and strengthen community impact

2024

Revenue Peak

2024

Reached $139,593,000 in annual revenue demonstrating organizational growth

2024

Partnership Growth

2024

Developed strategic partnerships with organizations to leverage resources and expand reach

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Ongoing programs and services reaching communities through mission-aligned activities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AW
Aaron Williams Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AP
Ajay Patel Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AH
Audrey Hendley Chair 2.00 hrs/week
CG
Caroline Gayle Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DD
Donna Daniels Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
FA
Fanta Aw Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
FH
Feridun Hamdullahpur Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
HH
Helen Hayward Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
JH
Joanna Harries Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JR
Julie Reddy Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KB
Kamal Bhattacharya Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PV
Paolo Varias Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SJ
Shakti Jauhar Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SR
Sidney R Hargo Vice Chair 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$5.8M

Highest Paid

$997K

Esther T Benjamin

Compensated Officers

13

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Esther T Benjamin CEO & Executive Director $951,029 $45,497 $996,526 40
John Vermaaten Thru 123124 Chief Financial Officer $560,251 $58,337 $618,588 40
Cheryl Toto Chief Operations Officer $492,302 $58,337 $550,639 40
Paul Feltman Deputy Executive Director, Gtb $418,058 $48,060 $466,118 40
Biren Shah Chief Technology Officer $425,522 $24,150 $449,672 40
Holly Sanders Chief Transformation Officer $392,323 $33,482 $425,805 40
Monica K Munn Chief Social Impact Officer $402,054 $22,412 $424,466 40
Abbie J Cowan Chief People Officer $392,590 $24,374 $416,964 40
Ernest Wurzbach SR. Director Of Technology $325,501 $43,302 $368,803 40
Megan Blackburn Sir. Director, Strategy & Planning $307,107 $45,883 $352,990 40
Shamira Madhany Managing Director, Wes Canada $328,072 $13,383 $341,455 40
Brian Kostantin SR Director Of Sales, MKTG & Cs $305,144 $22,763 $327,907 40
Niteese Lenton As Of 10724 Chief Financial Officer $74,224 $7,081 $81,305 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$4.7M Grants Given
50 Organizations

Top Grantees

50 total
VI
Vilcap Inc. WASHINGTON, DC
$605K
TS
The St Bernard Project Inc. NEW ORLEANS, LA
$500K
TP
Techstars Partners 2021 LLC BOULDER, CO
$403K
BS
Building Skills Partnership LOS ANGELES, CA
$385K
UG
Upwardly Global SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$350K
CF
Center For Civic Policy (Fiscal Sponsor For New Mexico Dream Team) ALBUQUERQUE, NM
$200K
AB
African Bridge Network Inc. NEWTON, MA
$180K
TC
Techequity Collaborative MARTINEZ, CA
$175K
NF
National Fund For Workforce Solutions WASHINGTON, DC
$150K
TN
The New York Immigration Coalition Inc. NEW YORK, NY
$145K
+40 more grantees
Vilcap Inc. The St Bernard Project Inc. Techstars Partners 2021 LLC Building Skills Partnership Upwardly Global Center For Civic Policy (Fiscal Sponsor For New Mexico Dream Team) African Bridge Network Inc. Techequity Collaborative National Fund For Workforce Solutions The New York Immigration Coalition Inc. Action Research Collaborative Inc.(Driver's Coop) Community Services Agency (Comsa) Asian Community & Cultural Center Better Future Forward City Of Tulsa Documented Funders Together To End Homelessness Inc. National Association Of System Heads The Pivot Fund Inc. Fwdus Education Fund Inc.(National Dignity For Families Fund) Jobs For The Future Inc. National Governors Association Center For Best Practices Welcoming America Afrikana Artists Athletes Activists Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative Cominudad Maya Pixan Ixim Culturingua Fordham University (Her Migrant Hub) Grannies Respond Abuelas Responden Inc.
Vilcap Inc. The St Bernard Project Inc. Techstars Partners 2021 LLC Building Skills Partnership Upwardly Global Center For Civic Policy (Fiscal Sponsor For New Mexico Dream Team) African Bridge Network Inc. Techequity Collaborative National Fund For Workforce Solutions The New York Immigration Coalition Inc. Action Research Collaborative Inc.(Driver's Coop) Community Services Agency (Comsa) Asian Community & Cultural Center Better Future Forward City Of Tulsa Documented Funders Together To End Homelessness Inc. National Association Of System Heads The Pivot Fund Inc. Fwdus Education Fund Inc.(National Dignity For Families Fund) Jobs For The Future Inc. National Governors Association Center For Best Practices Welcoming America Afrikana Artists Athletes Activists Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative Cominudad Maya Pixan Ixim Culturingua Fordham University (Her Migrant Hub) Grannies Respond Abuelas Responden Inc.

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Disregarded Entities

1
Wes Holdco LLC
New York, NY
Holdings Of Strategic Investments And Other Mission Aligned Investments
DRE
Assets: $4.0M

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with World Education Services Inc

Phone

(212) 219-7307 800-361-6106

Social

Visit Website
1 State Street Fl15 New York, NY 10004