X-Culture Global Business Week at the University of Trieste, Italy
STUDENT DEADLINES
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Announcement of the selected students: April 10, 2026
- Payment
- Early-bird rate: $1,995, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $2,195, deadline May 31, 2026
- Students will receive Team Assignments 8 weeks before the event starts.
FACULTY DEADLINES
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Announcement of the selected faculty: April 10, 2026
- If you would like to bring students for a study abroad experience, please contact us directly at global@x-culture.org.
- Payment
- Early-bird rate: $3,195, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $3,395, deadline May 31, 2026
REFUND POLICY
- TBA
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required upon registration to hold your space, which we will deduct from the full payment of $1,795.
**Extension is permitted until May 31, 2026 for VISA applicants only.
**Please communicate your visa status to global@x-culture.org so that we can track your progress.
Sunday, August 2, 2026: Registration and Welcome Reception
- 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Registration Desk
- Students – Lobby, Collegio Universitario Luciano Fonda
- Faculty – Lobby, Savoia Excelsior Palace
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Welcome Reception -University of Trieste Rectorate
- Buffet dinner
Monday, August 3, 2026: Orientation & Introduction to Student Teams
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management
- 9:30 AM – 11:20 PM – Welcome orientation → welcome of the Rector and the faculty members, presentation of the university, the week’s program, and the challenge rules
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Keynote speech → MIB Trieste School of Management Professors / Corporate CEO’s keynote
- 12:30 – 2:00 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM – Company challenges Q&A sessions
- 3:00 – 5:00 PM– Student teams’ work on the company challenges
Faculty Training and Workshop – Part 1
- 5:00 – 5:30 PM– University of Trieste guided virtual tour
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026: Company Site Visits & Concurrent Sessions
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– Company site visits → company presentations, guided tour of the premises, time for students’ questions
- 1:00-2:30 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 3:00-4:30 PM – Plenary session → Prof. Vas Taras (proposed) / other foreign professors living and working in Trieste
- 4:30-5.30 PM– Student teams’ work on the company challenges
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026: Trieste Cultural Visits
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM – Cultural visit → Immaginario Scientifico – Trieste stands as Europe’s remarkable “City of Knowledge”, where over 10,000 researchers converge, and the density of scientific minds reaches about 37 per thousand working residents.
- 2:30-6:00 PM – Museo della Scienza, Miramare Castle by ferry
- 6:00 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Miramare Castle: Built for an archduke, surrounded by exotic plants, and gazing across the Adriatic. Miramare Castle is where art, nature, and history meet in perfect harmony.
Thursday, August 6, 2026: Team Presentation to Faculty
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– First pitch → students evaluated on the presentation style by faculty members
- 12:00-1:30 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 1:30-5:00 PM – Student teams’ work on company challenges – Concurrent sessions for the faculty members
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Friday, August 7, 2026: Team Presentations to Company Executives & Gala Dinner
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management. Gala Dinner location TBD.
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– Presentations to Executives
- 12.00-1.30 PM- Lunch (for Professors only)
- 12:00-6:00 PM – Free time with proposed optional cultural activities in the city centre
- 6:00-11:00 PM – Award ceremony and Gala Dinner
Saturday, August 8, 2026: Student Departures
Breakfast and Hotel Departure
**We reserve the right to make changes as mandated by the program
Research Xackathon:
Program for Professors and Ph.D. Students:
Master Faculty Certification Training
This highly interactive program focuses on experiential learning methods in International Business education, equipping professors with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate X-Culture as a large-scale global experiential learning project.
Faculty will work both independently and collaboratively with peers from universities worldwide, investigating best practices, assessment strategies, and other core principles of X-Culture.
Participants also receive specialized guidance on seamlessly incorporating X-Culture into their curricula. Upon completing the training, attendees are awarded both the X-Culture Master Faculty Certificate and the X-Culture Global Educator Certificate, recognizing their dedication to innovative, experiential teaching.
All experience levels are welcome.
MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE: X-Culture Global Business Week 2026 Trieste Faculty Invitation (TBA)
X-Culture Research Hackathon
Professors and PhD students interested in boosting their research productivity and publication output will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long research hackathon that is integrated into the Symposium program.
Across multiple sessions throughout the week, hackathoners will brainstorm new ideas for publishable research papers, form co-author teams, and receive guidance from experienced scholars on designing and completing the study.
This immersive format accelerates the research process—from initial brainstorming to early drafts—making it a valuable experience for both seasoned academics and emerging scholars.
By the end of the Hackathon, you will leave with a clearly defined paper idea, co-authors, study design, theoretical foundation, a manuscript outline, and a clear step-by-step action plan for completing the study.
MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE: X-Culture Research Hackathons
STUDENTS
- Early-bird rate: $1,995, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $2,195, deadline May 31, 2026
FACULTY
- Early-bird rate: $3,195, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $3,395, deadline May 31, 2026
The Conference Fees include:
- Student dormitory, double occupancy per room at the Ex-Ospedale Militare, University of Trieste
- Faculty hotel, single occupancy at Savoia Excelsior Palace
- Welcome Reception
- All breakfasts and lunches
- Dinners at the Welcome Reception and Gala are included
- All scheduled conference cultural visits, lectures, and guest presentations.
- Daily transportation to and from dormitory or hotel, company site visits and cultural visits.
- Gala and Award Ceremony
Also:
- Participate in business challenges with Italian companies, including webinars, client company visits, and proposal presentations.
- Skills Development by attending cultural events, lectures from professors from all over the world, and networking with like-minded students and professors.
- Building your International Business Skills through Experiential Learning
- Experiencing and learning about Italian history, culture, and sustainability aspirations
- Experiential Learning in Global Virtual Teams
- Conference materials.
- X-Culture Global Business Week Participation Certificate and Recommendation Letter
- A new global network of friends (who are as highly motivated as you are!)
For faculty, the conference fee also includes:
- Research Xackathon led by Dr. Vas Taras
- X-Culture Master Faculty Certification led by Professor Karen Lynden
PERSONAL EXPENSES
What participants will be paying on their own for:
- Travel to Trieste, Italy
- The registration fee does not cover your trip to and from Trieste, Italy. Depending on your location, the airfare can cost you up to $300 if you live in Europe or up to $1,500 if you live abroad (The Americas, Asia, or Africa). Prices may vary depending on the time of booking and airline. It is advisable that you start tracking the cost of your trip as soon as possible to secure the best price.
- Italy’s Visa Processing
- If required, you can check visa requirements here.
- Note that visa processing fees vary by country.
- Dinners
- Only the Welcome Reception and Gala dinners are included in the participation fee.
- Other meals will be at your own expense, with average dinner costs in Trieste ranging from $17 to $50+, depending on the restaurant.
- We encourage you to plan these dinner opportunities with your team and/or newfound friends to explore the city and try new cuisines.
- Other Personal Expenses
- This includes items such as souvenirs, local transportation, snacks, or optional tours.
- Budget around $100–$300, depending on personal preferences
BARILLA
Internationally recognized food company, Barilla is the world’s leading pasta producer and a key player in bakery and sauce products, committed to quality and sustainability.
For more information: https://www.barilla.com/global
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barilla-group/
GENERALI
One of the largest global insurance and asset management providers, Generali offers innovative solutions to individuals and businesses, with a strong focus on sustainability.
For more information: https://www.generali.it/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/generali/
FONDAZIONE ITS
For more information:
LinkedIn:
Dr. Vasyl Taras
Founder, X-Culture
Dr. Vas Taras is a Professor of International Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
He is the Vice President-Administration of the Academy of International Business and the founder of the X-Culture Project. He received his Ph.D. in International HR and International Business from the University of Calgary, Canada.
His research and work revolve around cross-cultural and global virtual teams and experiential approaches to international business education and development. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of International Management, the International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, the European Journal of International Management, and Cross-Cultural Strategic Management, and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of International Business Studies, Academy of Management Review, and Journal of World Business.
Vas has lived, worked, and studied in half a dozen countries and has experience as an academic, manager, entrepreneur, and business consultant.
Dr. Leilani Baumanis
Conference Chair
Dr. Leilani Baumanis is the Academic Program Coordinator and Professor for the International Business Management Program at the College of Business and Management at Lynn University.
She earned her Doctorate in International Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and has over 25 years of teaching experience with a focus in active learning, cultural intelligence, and study abroad opportunities.
Since 2013, Dr. Baumanis has played a vital role in X-Culture. In 2017, she joined the Executive Team and contributed to the development of the X-Culture Global Business Symposium, a week-long international conference bringing together 200 of X-Culture’s finest students and faculty. Additionally, Dr. Baumanis leads the X-Culture Academy, a global virtual team program that concentrates on college-bound students aspiring to enhance their international business skills through collaboration with like-minded students from across the globe.
Timothy Muth
X-Culture Client Management
Tim Muth has taught various Business courses at the Florida Institute of Technology since 2007. He has been involved with X-Culture since 2012. Tim spent over 25 years in various executive management positions working for a Fortune 500 technology company. He has worked in, or traveled to, over 50 foreign countries. Tim holds degrees from Florida State University and Wake Forest University.
Tim has won numerous teaching awards. In 2023, he won Florida Tech’s highest teaching award (the Kerry Bruce Clark award for Excellence in Teaching). In 2019, he was named one of six faculty members to receive the prestigious Master Teacher award. A scholarship named the “60th Anniversary Professors” was established to honor the Master Teachers. In 2020 and 2021, he won the Student Government Association “Professor of the Year – College of Business” award.
Tim is actively involved with several non-profit groups. He leads a non-profit organization (Hearts Out to Haiti) that provides support for educational programs in two remote mountain villages.
He coordinates the Business Challenges and Student Professional activities at the X-Culture Global Business Week.
Karen Lynden
Conference Faculty
Development Lead
- Karen Lynden teaches at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, supporting the International Business and Management concentrations. Her teaching philosophy is centered on experiential and project-based learning.
- As an active member of the X-Culture project team, Karen directs the Coaching Program, in addition to supporting roles. She has been teaching with Global Virtual Team programs since 2014 and has had over 1,000 students complete these projects successfully in her courses across multiple higher education institutions.
- Karen brings with her 20+ years of higher education and industry experience. Organizations have relied on her to develop global and domestic teams while managing a broad portfolio of client accounts. A primary focus of her industry experience includes creating and facilitating organizational development training programs. Karen’s research interests include; global virtual teams, cross-cultural team and management topics, and organizational training and development.
X-Culture Global Business Week at the
University of Trieste, Italy
X-Culture and the University of Trieste
are proud to present
The 2026 X-Culture Global Business Week in Trieste, Italy
Dates:
Sunday, August 2 – Saturday, August 8, 2026
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Notification of acceptance: April 7, 2026
Number of Participants:
150 Students, 20 Ambassadors, and 15 Professors
Location:
University of Trieste
MIB Trieste School of Management
Largo Caduti Nassiriya 1, Trieste
X-Culture and the University of Trieste are excited to invite the best X-Culture students from around the world to the 2026 X-Culture Global Business Symposium Italy!
In this week-long professional development event, participants will have the opportunity to complete and compete in a consulting project challenge with a local international company, attend professional development and academic sessions, and experience cultural visits and events, all while collaborating with other X-Culture students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1924, the University of Trieste is an internationally oriented public university, widely recognized for the quality of its research, its strong multidisciplinary approach, and its long-standing tradition of international cooperation. With more than 20,000 students, a vibrant academic community, and a strong global outlook, the University represents a dynamic hub at the crossroads of science, business, and society. The University of Trieste is research-driven and multidisciplinary, consistently ranked among the leading Italian universities for research quality. Its academic structure spans a wide range of disciplines, including economics and management, engineering, natural sciences, physics, life sciences, and social sciences, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and innovation.
Trieste is internationally recognized as a City of Science, hosting an exceptional concentration of prestigious research institutions, including the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Elettra Synchrotron, and several international and European research centers. This integrated research ecosystem strengthens the University of Trieste’s role as a suitable environment for initiatives that connect academic excellence, innovation, and real-world business challenges, in line with the objectives of the X-Culture program. Located in northeastern Italy, at the intersection of Italy, Slovenia, and Central Europe, Trieste has historically played a strategic role as a port city and commercial hub. The city’s development has been shaped by centuries of international exchange and by its former role within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, an influence that remains visible in its institutional culture, urban structure, and architectural heritage.
Situated along the Adriatic Sea, Trieste offers a distinctive coastal setting, with a well-known seafront promenade integrated into the urban fabric. The city combines a strong scientific and academic tradition with a long-established maritime and commercial orientation. Its geographic position and historical background contribute to an environment that supports international collaboration, cross-cultural interaction, and academic mobility, making it a coherent and appropriate host location for the X-Culture Global Symposium.
Why the University of Trieste for X-Culture?
The University of Trieste offers a stimulating and welcoming environment where global perspectives, academic rigor, and real-world problem solving naturally converge. Hosting the X-Culture Global Business Symposium 2026 reflects the University’s core values of openness, responsibility, and international engagement, and its commitment to educating future leaders capable of navigating complex global environments. Participants will experience a unique academic and cultural context, combining high-level education, applied research, and intercultural teamwork, in one of Europe’s most distinctive international cities.
The X-Culture Global Business Symposium is an event that brings participants together, chosen from the best of the best. Students from around the world form international teams, meet initially online and finally in person, to finalize their work in solving a real business problem. Since 2010, over 100,000 students from 115 countries and 701 universities have participated, and 16,846 international teams have been formed. Previous Global Business Symposium events have taken place in Miami, United States in 2017, Macerata, Italy in 2018, Calgary, Canada in 2019, Lublin, Poland in 2023, Chaing Rai, Thailand in 2024, and Vaasa, Finland in 2025.
The selection process is competitive, with a limit of 150 students. Preference will be given to student applicants who have demonstrated excellence in past X-Culture programs, with consideration given to maximizing geographic and cultural diversity.
Important Dates
STUDENT DEADLINES
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Announcement of the selected students: April 10, 2026
- Payment
- Early-bird rate: $1,995, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $2,195, deadline May 31, 2026
- Students will receive Team Assignments 8 weeks before the event starts.
FACULTY DEADLINES
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Announcement of the selected faculty: April 10, 2026
- If you would like to bring students for a study abroad experience, please contact us directly at global@x-culture.org.
- Payment
- Early-bird rate: $3,195, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $3,395, deadline May 31, 2026
REFUND POLICY
- TBA
Conference Program
Sunday, August 2, 2026: Registration and Welcome Reception
- 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Registration Desk
- Students – Lobby, Fonda College
- Faculty – Lobby, Savoia Excelsior Palace
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Welcome Reception -University of Trieste Rectorate
- Buffet dinner
Monday, August 3, 2026: Orientation & Introduction to Student Teams
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management
- 9:30 AM – 11:20 PM – Welcome orientation → welcome of the Rector and the faculty members, presentation of the university, the week’s program, and the challenge rules
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Keynote speech → MIB Trieste School of Management Professors / Corporate CEO’s keynote
- 12:30 – 2:00 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM – Company challenges Q&A sessions
- 3:00 – 5:00 PM– Student teams’ work on the company challenges
Faculty Training and Workshop – Part 1
- 5:00 – 5:30 PM– University of Trieste guided virtual tour
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026: Company Site Visits & Concurrent Sessions
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– Company site visits → company presentations, guided tour of the premises, time for students’ questions
- 1:00-2:30 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 3:00-4:30 PM – Plenary session → Prof. Vas Taras (proposed) / other foreign professors living and working in Trieste
- 4:30-5.30 PM– Student teams’ work on the company challenges
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026: Trieste Cultural Visits
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM – Cultural visit → Immaginario Scientifico – Trieste stands as Europe’s remarkable “City of Knowledge”, where over 10,000 researchers converge, and the density of scientific minds reaches about 37 per thousand working residents.
- 2:30-6:00 PM – Museo della Scienza, Miramare Castle by ferry
- 6:00 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Miramare Castle: Built for an archduke, surrounded by exotic plants, and gazing across the Adriatic. Miramare Castle is where art, nature, and history meet in perfect harmony.
Thursday, August 6, 2026: Team Presentation to Faculty
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– First pitch → students evaluated on the presentation style by faculty members
- 12:00-1:30 PM – Lunch → organized catering for students and professors
- 1:30-5:00 PM – Student teams’ work on company challenges – Concurrent sessions for the faculty members
- 5.30 PM onwards – Team time/Dinner on your own.
Friday, August 7, 2026: Team Presentations to Company Executives & Gala Dinner
Location: MIB Trieste School of Management. Gala Dinner location TBD.
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM– Presentations to Executives
- 12.00-1.30 PM- Lunch (for Professors only)
- 12:00-6:00 PM – Free time with proposed optional cultural activities in the city centre
- 6:00-11:00 PM – Award ceremony and Gala Dinner
Saturday, August 8, 2026: Student Departures
Breakfast and Hotel Departure
**We reserve the right to make changes as mandated by the program
Business Challenges Presented
by Local Partner Companies
Barilla: Internationally recognized food company, Barilla is the world’s leading pasta producer and a key player in bakery and sauce products, committed to quality and sustainability.
For more information: https://www.barilla.com/global
GENERALI: One of the largest global insurance and asset management providers, Generali offers innovative solutions to individuals and businesses, with a strong focus on sustainability.
For more info: https://www.generali.it/
For more information:
LinkedIn:
Research Xackathon: Program for Professors and Ph.D. Students:
Master Faculty Certification Training
This highly interactive program focuses on experiential learning methods in International Business education, equipping professors with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate X-Culture as a large-scale global experiential learning project.
Faculty will work both independently and collaboratively with peers from universities worldwide, investigating best practices, assessment strategies, and other core principles of X-Culture.
Participants also receive specialized guidance on seamlessly incorporating X-Culture into their curricula. Upon completing the training, attendees are awarded both the X-Culture Master Faculty Certificate and the X-Culture Global Educator Certificate, recognizing their dedication to innovative, experiential teaching.
All experience levels are welcome.
MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE: X-Culture Global Business Week 2026 Trieste Faculty Invitation (TBA)
X-Culture Research Hackathon
Professors and PhD students interested in boosting their research productivity and publication output will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long research hackathon that is integrated into the Symposium program.
Across multiple sessions throughout the week, hackathoners will brainstorm new ideas for publishable research papers, form co-author teams, and receive guidance from experienced scholars on designing and completing the study.
This immersive format accelerates the research process—from initial brainstorming to early drafts—making it a valuable experience for both seasoned academics and emerging scholars.
By the end of the Hackathon, you will leave with a clearly defined paper idea, co-authors, study design, theoretical foundation, a manuscript outline, and a clear step-by-step action plan for completing the study.
MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE: X-Culture Research Hackathons
Pricing and Inclusions
Students:
- Early-bird rate: $1,995, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $2,195, deadline May 31, 2026
Faculty:
- Early-bird rate: $3,195, deadline April 30, 2026
- Regular registration rate: $3,395, deadline May 31, 2026
The Conference Fees include:
- Student dormitory, double occupancy per room at the Ex-Ospedale Militare, University of Trieste
- Faculty hotel, single occupancy at Savoia Excelsior Palace
- Welcome Reception
- All breakfasts and lunches
- Dinners at the Welcome Reception and Gala are included
- All scheduled conference cultural visits, lectures, and guest presentations.
- Daily transportation to and from dormitory or hotel, company site visits and cultural visits.
- Gala and Award Ceremony
Also:
- Participate in business challenges with Italian companies, including webinars, client company visits, and proposal presentations.
- Skills Development by attending cultural events, lectures from professors from all over the world, and networking with like-minded students and professors.
- Building your International Business Skills through Experiential Learning
- Experiencing and learning about Italian history, culture, and sustainability aspirations
- Experiential Learning in Global Virtual Teams
- Conference materials.
- X-Culture Global Business Week Participation Certificate and Recommendation Letter
- A new global network of friends (who are as highly motivated as you are!)
For faculty, the conference fee also includes:
- Research Xackathon led by Dr. Vas Taras
- X-Culture Master Faculty Certification led by Professor Karen Lynden
Personal Expenses
What participants will be paying on their own for:
- Travel to Trieste, Italy
- The registration fee does not cover your trip to and from Trieste, Italy. Depending on your location, the airfare can cost you up to $300 if you live in Europe or up to $1,500 if you live abroad (The Americas, Asia, or Africa). Prices may vary depending on the time of booking and airline. It is advisable that you start tracking the cost of your trip as soon as possible to secure the best price.
- Italy’s Visa Processing
- If required, you can check visa requirements here.
- Note that Visa processing fees vary by country.
- Dinners
- Only the Welcome Reception and Gala dinners are included in the participation fee.
- Other meals will be at your own expense, with average dinner costs in Trieste ranging from $17 to $50+, depending on the restaurant.
- We encourage you to plan these dinner opportunities with your team and/or newfound friends to explore the city and try new cuisines.
- Other Personal Expenses
- This includes items such as souvenirs, local transportation, snacks, or optional tours.
- Budget around $100–$300, depending on personal preferences
The 2026 Global X-Culture Italy Leadership Team
Dr. Vasyl Taras
Founder, X-Culture
Dr. Vas Taras is a Professor of International Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
He is the Vice President-Administration of the Academy of International Business and the founder of the X-Culture Project. He received his Ph.D. in International HR and International Business from the University of Calgary, Canada.
His research and work revolve around cross-cultural and global virtual teams and experiential approaches to international business education and development. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of International Management, the International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, the European Journal of International Management, and Cross-Cultural Strategic Management, and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of International Business Studies, Academy of Management Review, and Journal of World Business.
Vas has lived, worked, and studied in half a dozen countries and has experience as an academic, manager, entrepreneur, and business consultant.
Dr. Leilani Baumanis
Conference Chair
Dr. Leilani Baumanis is the Academic Program Coordinator and Professor for the International Business Management Program at the College of Business and Management at Lynn University.
She earned her Doctorate in International Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and has over 25 years of teaching experience with a focus in active learning, cultural intelligence, and study abroad opportunities.
Since 2013, Dr. Baumanis has played a vital role in X-Culture. In 2017, she joined the Executive Team and contributed to the development of the X-Culture Global Business Symposium, a week-long international conference bringing together 200 of X-Culture’s finest students and faculty. Additionally, Dr. Baumanis leads the X-Culture Academy, a global virtual team program that concentrates on college-bound students aspiring to enhance their international business skills through collaboration with like-minded students from across the globe.
Timothy Muth
X-Culture Client Management
Tim Muth has taught various Business courses at the Florida Institute of Technology since 2007. He has been involved with X-Culture since 2012. Tim spent over 25 years in various executive management positions working for a Fortune 500 technology company. He has worked in, or traveled to, over 50 foreign countries. Tim holds degrees from Florida State University and Wake Forest University.
Tim has won numerous teaching awards. In 2023, he won Florida Tech’s highest teaching award (the Kerry Bruce Clark award for Excellence in Teaching). In 2019, he was named one of six faculty members to receive the prestigious Master Teacher award. A scholarship named the “60th Anniversary Professors” was established to honor the Master Teachers. In 2020 and 2021, he won the Student Government Association “Professor of the Year – College of Business” award.
Tim is actively involved with several non-profit groups. He leads a non-profit organization (Hearts Out to Haiti) that provides support for educational programs in two remote mountain villages.
He coordinates the Business Challenges and Student Professional activities at the X-Culture Global Business Week.
Karen Lynden
Conference Faculty
Development Lead
- Karen Lynden teaches at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, supporting the International Business and Management concentrations. Her teaching philosophy is centered on experiential and project-based learning.
- As an active member of the X-Culture project team, Karen directs the Coaching Program, in addition to supporting roles. She has been teaching with Global Virtual Team programs since 2014 and has had over 1,000 students complete these projects successfully in her courses across multiple higher education institutions.
- Karen brings with her 20+ years of higher education and industry experience. Organizations have relied on her to develop global and domestic teams while managing a broad portfolio of client accounts. A primary focus of her industry experience includes creating and facilitating organizational development training programs. Karen’s research interests include; global virtual teams, cross-cultural team and management topics, and organizational training and development.
Maddalena Dulio
X-Culture Lead Ambassador
Maddalena Dulio works as Team Coordinator at the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce in Milan, Italy. She graduated with an MSc. in Foreign Languages and International Management at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. She has participated in several international experiences involving cross-cultural counselling services, market and business development, and event management.
She is fluent in English, German and Italian. She has been part of the X-Culture family since 2014, being a former X-Culture student, X-Culture Coach, Head Coach, and X-Culture Lead Ambassador.
She was the Conference Assistant and the Lead Ambassador of the X-Culture Business Week in Chiang Rai (Thailand – 2024), Lublin (Poland – 2023), Calgary (Canada – 2019), and Macerata (Italy – 2018).
Carlos Cardona
X-Culture Lead Ambassador
Carlos holds a degree in International Business with a concentration in French from the University of La Verne, California, where he developed a strong foundation in global business strategies, cross-cultural communication, and international market dynamics.
As a former X-Culture student, Coach, and Senior Coach, Carlos gained extensive experience in global virtual collaboration, international project management, and leadership development. His journey with X-Culture provided him with hands-on experience in guiding diverse, multicultural teams to successfully complete complex business projects.
From 2017 to 2021, Carlos served as the X-Culture Coaching Coordinator, where he was responsible for overseeing the global coaching program, mentoring new coaches, and ensuring the effective management of student consulting teams worldwide. In this role, he played a pivotal part in enhancing the quality of team performance and project outcomes across various international business challenges.
Srishti Konduparthi
X-Culture Lead Ambassador
Srishti Konduparthi is an honors undergraduate student majoring in finance, minoring in music, and pursuing a HR management certification at the University of Central Florida.
She completed the X-Culture project as part of her dual enrollment International Business course at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2021. After graduating high school, she decided to take a gap year and joined the Coaching Program and has been a part of X-Culture ever since.
She has served as the Webinar Coordinator for the X-Culture Coaching program; an Ambassador for the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference in Lublin, Poland and Chiang Rai, Thailand and as the X-Culture Assistant at Academy of International Business conferences in Atlanta, Georgia and St. Louis, Missouri. She co-authors the company challenges with Professor Tim Muth for various X-Culture symposia.
X-Culture Global Symposium
Through the eyes of a student
X-Culture Global Symposium 2019: Calgary
X-Culture Global Symposium 2023: Lublin
X-Culture Global Symposium 2024: Chiang Rai
