About Us

Meet the GSS Team

The Global Support Services Team is here to help Penn navigate the complexities and opportunities of international activities. From facilitating smooth global operations to ensuring compliance with international regulations, our team applies global knowledge and expertise to enable your work across borders.

If you need help planning an upcoming international initiative, contact us via email at globalsupport@pobox.upenn.edu. We’ll be ready to advise you with clarity and confidence.

Artemis Velahos Koch

Executive Director, Global Support Services

DeAnna Weise

Director, Global Operations and Compliance

Erica Sebastian

Director, Global People Operations

Sajid Amir

Manager, Global Data and Communications

Erin Walsh

Global Projects Coordinator

Meet the Global Safety Team

The Office of Risk Management & Insurance collaborates with Global Support Services on travel safety and preparedness to support the health & safety of the Penn community.

Jaime Molyneux

Senior Director, Global Safety

Olivia Kamara

Travel Risk and Insurance Manager

Working Groups

As part of our commitment to support the University’s international activities and facilitate collaboration, we coordinate and lead two working groups to address global operational needs and concerns: Global Operations and Support Council (GOSC) and Global Administrators Working Groups (GAWG).

Global Operations and Support Council (GOSC)

The Global Operations and Support Council (GOSC) is a cross-functional group that provides comprehensive support to business officers and project leaders engaged in or considering projects abroad. GOSC is responsible for optimizing existing policy and processing and/or designing new guidelines and resources related to global operations support and compliance. GOSC central administrative members weigh in on issues related to their role at the University, providing advice and/or approval when appropriate.

All 12 schools along with the following UPenn central administration offices are represented on the Council:

  • Global Support Services
  • Corporate Tax, Compliance, and Payroll
  • Export Compliance
  • Office of Risk Management & Insurance
  • Penn Human Resources
  • Penn Business Services
  • Office of Research Services
  • Finance & Treasury
  • Comptroller’s Office
  • Penn Audit, Compliance and Privacy (OACP)
  • Office of General Counsel – OGC

Global Administrators Working Group (GAWG)

Comprised of program administrators across the University, GAWG provides a forum to address existing central processes and develop and share best practices for program administration and business operations abroad. GAWG convenes quarterly to discuss solutions for challenges that inhibit global business logistics and operations.

Specifically, GAWG seeks to:

  • Bring forward compliance concerns and questions that are both common and program specific.
  • Review existing central processes and suggest improvements.
  • Develop or share existing best practices.
  • Address risk management regarding travel, health and safety, as well as logistical support available.

To join our listserv, or suggest a meeting topic, please email globalsupport@pobox.upenn.edu.

Global Safety Advisors

The Global Safety Advisors includes one representative from each school or division.  The Advisors aim to continuously improve and centralize Penn’s approach to international travel safety.  The group meets quarterly to address topics of concern, hear from University stakeholders and disseminate information across campus.  For more information, contact travelsafety@pobox.upenn.edu.

Our Approach

Global Support Services (GSS) supports the administrative and business functions of the University’s international activities. GSS works closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Initiatives to advise and support central organizations, schools and centers on new and ongoing international activities. 

Please see below for a complete list of departments with whom we collaborate on global operations: