Associate Director, Global Operations
Arizona State University | Knowledge Enterprise
Indira Jeffrey is a seasoned global operations leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive economic development with over 25 years of experience across the United States, Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. Currently serving as Associate Director of Global Operations at Arizona State University, she oversees the design and execution of complex international projects that align with ASU’s global research, innovation, and development goals.
In her role, Indira collaborates with cross-functional teams and international stakeholders to implement high-impact programs that reduce risk, ensure compliance, and enhance operational efficiency across ASU’s global enterprise. She serves as a key resource for navigating foreign legal, financial, procurement, tax, employment, and health and safety issues related to sponsored projects and international engagements.
With deep expertise in international business, higher education, project management, and cross-cultural collaboration, Indira has become a trusted strategic partner to both internal and external constituents. Her leadership directly contributes to ASU’s recognition as a global leader in innovation.
Prior to her current role, Indira served as Program Manager for Latin America at Thunderbird School of Global Management, where she led the implementation of Thunderbird’s DreamBuilder program—a global online entrepreneurship training platform for women. She managed stakeholder relationships, vendor coordination, payments, and reporting, and worked closely with regional partners to promote economic empowerment for women in Chile, Peru, and beyond.
Indira is also the Founder and President of Mujeres Latinas Unidas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization launched in 2024. The foundation empowers Latina women across Arizona through initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, financial education, English as a second language (ESL), and mental health. Under her leadership, the organization has supported more than 190 women in its first year through structured community-based workshops and has built a vibrant community of over 26,000 members. Her work with the foundation reflects her unwavering commitment to equity, leadership development, and scalable community impact.
Indira’s professional foundation includes a 16-year career in banking and finance, having held leadership and compliance roles at Charles Schwab, JP Morgan Chase, and HSBC. She ensured regulatory adherence to OFAC, FDIC, and the Bank Secrecy Act while overseeing operations, client services, and risk management. She also founded two startups focused on economic development, international trade, and support for small business owners, nonprofits, and public institutions in areas including aerospace, education, and food and beverage.
Her entrepreneurial ventures include iGlobal Business Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in international expansion strategy, marketing, and cross-border business development. Earlier, she launched Crafted Products Mexicanos SA, where she supported over 200 women entrepreneurs and startups in Mexico with business incorporation, budgeting, accounting, and operational consulting.
Indira has represented Arizona in international trade missions, including the 2017 Arizona–Mexico Trade Mission, and in 2018 she organized the first Binational International Trade Masters Series in Mesa, Arizona. She is an active member of the Global Chamber, Phoenix Minority Business Development Agency, Thunderbird Alumni Association, and Toastmasters International.
Her academic credentials include:
- M.S. in Global Technology & Development (Arizona State University, in progress)
- Global MBA (Thunderbird School of Global Management)
- B.A. in International Trade (University of Guanajuato, Mexico)
- International Business Certificate (Sup de Co La Rochelle, France)
Indira’s leadership is fueled by her passion for building sustainable systems that foster economic resilience, educational access, and human-centered progress. She is dedicated to developing inclusive solutions that create lasting global impact.