Biology to Business Development: Geoff Moody’s Non-Linear Path to Michigan Language Assessment

Over the past few years, Geoff Moody has guided the commercial strategy at Michigan Language Assessment as the director of marketing and business development. While he now oversees the team responsible for expanding Michigan Language Assessment market reach and institutional recognition, his path here was shaped by two distinct chapters: an initial background in biology and a formative decade spent in Italy.

Rooted in a Biology Degree

Moody’s career trajectory began far from business development and marketing. Equipped with an undergraduate degree in biology from New Mexico State University, his initial ambition was to leverage his scientific training to work in the ecotourism industry in a tropical location. However, his focus shifted following his own study-abroad experiences during college. Navigating a great semester in one country and a difficult experience in another motivated him to pivot into international education administration to improve student journeys.

This transition from science to business was less of a departure and more of an evolution. For Moody, effective marketing requires an intersection of the analytical and the creative. The data-driven mindset developed during his science studies translates directly to marketing analytics, statistics, and understanding the psychology behind consumer behavior. To formalize this shift later in his career, he paired his practical experience with a master’s degree in education administration and an MBA from the University of Washington to sharpen his global business strategy.

La Dolce Vita meets Global Strategy

Moody spent an exciting ten years living and working in Italy, an experience that deeply informed his approach to intercultural communication. He started his career there as an English teacher while learning the language, eventually transitioning to the head of international graduate admissions for the Politecnico di Milano University.

Upon returning to the United States, Moody managed admissions, recruitment, and international partnerships for several higher education institutions. He then moved into the corporate sector, working for other industry players Pearson and IELTS before bringing his extensive expertise to Michigan Language Assessment.   

His decade in Italy underscored a foundational truth he shares with anyone entering global business development: international success hinges on understanding different cultural norms and distinct ways of working. Moody notes that intercultural competence is not something you can simply study; it must be lived by traveling and building genuine relationships with people from different cultures.

Driving Strategy and Culture at Michigan Language Assessment

In his role, Moody has focused on expanding the organization’s global footprint by building long-term partnerships. He points to Michigan Language Assessment’s successful effort to secure official recognition from the Australian Department of Home Affairs as a standout achievement. The initiative required substantial cross-functional collaboration and achieved major milestones for the organization.

Within the commercial team, which encompasses marketing, business development, and recognition, Moody instills a team-oriented culture rooted in five core qualities: trust, respect, honesty, dedication, and open-mindedness.

“Each person on our team has strengths that the organization must leverage to be successful, and each team member is encouraged to develop their skills and abilities to ensure we continue to grow our business,” said Moody.

Conference Season Coffee Choice

During busy conference seasons, his coffee choices reflect his time in the old country. While he prefers a traditional Italian cappuccino, he frequently sticks to black coffee when traveling outside of Italy to avoid poorly made versions—though he notes that flat whites have become a reliable alternative. He also offers a standard piece of Italian food etiquette for his colleagues: never order a milk-based coffee after midday, as the habit is firmly frowned upon by Italians.