Elizabeth Howald's passion for global education began at Boston University, where she earned Bachelors degrees in International Relations and Religious Studies and a Masters degree in Islamic Studies and Education. Prior to joining Primary Source, Liz served as a Projects Officer for Human Rights and Good Governance Education at UNICEF Australia, worked as a research associate at Facing History and Ourselves, and was an editor of Social Studies curriculum for grades K-6 at Houghton Mifflin Co. She also sat on the board of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Massachusetts (ADCMA) and acted as lead consultant for the ADCMA Education Outreach Initiative.

More recently, Liz taught US History and Ethics and World Cultures to 9th and 11th grade students at Heritage Hall, an independent school in Oklahoma City. In addition to working as a Program Director at Primary Source, she also serves as the secretary of Humanitarian Notes, a non-profit organization that produces music that entertains, educates, and raises HIV/AIDS awareness in Africa.