Written by Colin McEvoy | July 16, 2026 | SHARE
After serving as interim executive director for six months, Mason will lead the Institute as it expands its global leadership mission through experiential learning, research and international partnerships.
After leading the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership through a period of growth and transformation as interim Executive Director, Leah Mason has been appointed the Institute's permanent Executive Director.
Mason officially assumed the permanent role on July 1. She served as interim Executive Director for the past six months, a time during which the Lee Iacocca Institute announced its new name and relocated to its new home in the Rauch Business Center.
“Leah has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her time as interim Executive Director, bringing vision, collaboration, and a deep commitment to preparing students for leadership in an interconnected world,” said Cheryl Matherly, Vice President & Vice Provost for International Affairs.
“I am thrilled to see her step into this role permanently and look forward to the continued growth and impact of the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership under her leadership,” Matherly said.
Mason joined Lehigh University in August 2025 as Deputy Director of the Institute & Director of the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), following 15 years in various leadership positions at the Institute of International Education (IIE).
During her time as interim Executive Director, Mason led an exciting period of transformation for the Institute, strengthening its focus on global leadership, experiential learning, and applied scholarship.
"I am honored to lead the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership as we build on its strong foundation and expand opportunities for developing global leaders to navigate complex multi-system global challenges.," Mason said. "Together with Lehigh faculty, staff, students, and global partners, we will continue creating innovative experiential learning opportunities that prepare the next generation of globally minded leaders."
Founded in 1988, the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership cultivates global leadership proficiencies of current and emerging leaders at Lehigh University and beyond through experiential learning programs, education and consulting, and applied scholarship.
The Lee Iacocca Institute includes such programs as IIIP and the Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive (IGEI). Since its launch in 2011, IIIP has placed nearly 900 students in high-quality summer internships across five dozen countries.
A total of 78 students are interning in 19 different countries this summer through IIIP, including Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Montenegro, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and more.
Prior to joining Lehigh, Mason most recently served as Deputy Director of Research, Evaluation, and Learning at IIE, where she oversaw more than 30 annual research and evaluation projects on global mobility, international education, and career readiness for government, corporate, and foundation clients.
Since joining Lehigh, Mason has sought to help expand the Institute’s global reach by building and maintaining partnerships with international organizations, businesses, and academic institutions. These relationships serve as a foundation for creating and sustaining impactful programs and internships that enhance students’ global leadership development.
Mason is also experienced in the classroom, serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University since 2019, teaching graduate students in higher education administration and undergraduate students in education, inquiry, and justice. She earned a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 2011, and a master’s degree in education in 2006.