Alumni: Where are they now?

This year we launched a new alumni network – AMIGOS Alumni Connect. AMIGOS alumni go on to do some incredible things, so we are excited to announce a new activity called Where Are They Now? where alumni can share updates about their life and achievements.

The below submissions represent the 2022 “Where Are They Now Digital Yearbook.” Each fall, we will welcome new submissions to this digital yearbook. We are excited to share your stories!

Interested in deepening your connections to the AMIGOS community, join the AMIGOS LinkedIn Group where alumni, chapter leaders, staff, and other members of our community can connect through this private group.

Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Mia Cooper (Panama, ’16 & ’19)

Assistant Account Executive – Digital, Edelman

In spring 2022, I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and the Plan II Honors Program, as well as a minor in Global Communications. This fall, I accepted a position at Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm, working every day to tell important stories and connect our world.

Molly Manske (Dominican Republic, ’14, Ecuador, ’15)

Bilingual Addiction Specialist With the Mattie Rhodes Center

In December 2022, I graduated with my Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. I received my undergraduate degree in social work in 2020. I am currently employed at the Mattie Rhodes Center as a Bilingual Addiction Specialist for youth and their families, the majority of the families are Spanish speaking. I see AMIGOS in everything that I do. I would not be where I am and who I am without AMIGOS. AMIGOS has shaped me into the leader, the advocate, and the human I am today.

Suhaly Bautista-Carolina (Panama, ’07, Costa Rica, ’09, Paraguay, ’11 & ’12)

Senior Managing Educator, Audience Development and Engagement, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Prior to her position at the Met, Suhaly held roles at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), Creative Time, and Brooklyn Museum and has worked in various capacities with organizations including The Laundromat Project, ArtBuilt, and ArtChangeUS. She has curated exhibitions and public programs in collaboration with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Art Connects New York (ACNY), FOKUS, and NYC Salt and is one of 50 field leaders profiled in Jasmin Hernandez’ 2021 book, “We Are Here: Visionaries of Color Transforming the Art World.”

Suhaly was recently named a 2021 Women inPower Fellow with the 92Y Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact and is a member of the inaugural class of NYFA’s Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color. She earned her BA and MPA from New York University and lives in her native city of New York.

Kassandra Borba (Nicaragua, ’06)

Loan Officer at Big Valley Mortgage

Recipient of Business of The Year 2022 for Chowchilla, Calif., Chamber of Commerce

Julia Daly (Costa Rica, ’05, Dominican Republic, ’08, Nicaragua, ’09)

Program Manager at Booking.com

In addition to my work conducting technical program management at Booking.com, I was recently elected to the board of Maple Microdevelopment. Working in the travel technology sector is challenging and exciting, but I am equally excited to be involved with an organization taking on the challenge of providing much needed support to communities that lack access to conventional banking and related services in Chile and Uganda.

David Turnbull (Nicaragua, ’02)

Laser-Plasma Interactions Group Leader, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

I was awarded the 2020 “Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award” from the Fusion Power Associates—given annually to persons early in their careers who have shown both technical accomplishment and potential to become exceptionally influential leaders in the field of nuclear fusion research.

Molly Dengler (Nicaragua ’01 & ’03, Honduras, ’11, Dominican Republic, ’13)

Professional Learning Facilitator, World Savvy

I married a Dominican Amigo, Anthony Ramírez in 2015! We moved to Minneapolis after 8 years in the DR (in which I served as the DR Country Director with Global Glimpse) and plan to return to the DR, where we are building a home. Both as a parent and in my professional role, I have been engaging caregivers to rethink traditional models of parent engagement with K-12 schools across the US.

Katie Schexnayder (Bolivia, ’01)

Licensed Realtor

Member of the Global Advisory Group with Houston Association of Realtors and member of the Texas Women’s Realtors- Houston Council.

Joanna Bloomfield (Dominican Republic, ’00, Panama, ’04)

Lead Quality Assurance Specialist, GDIT/ACF

I work with the unaccompanied children’s population and feel proud of the public health team that I have the privilege of being part of.

Dr. Shenita Freeman (Dominican Republic, ’00)

Chief Scientist/Chief Technology Strategy Officer GTRI

I serve in a dual role as Chief Scientist of the Health Emerging and Advanced Technologies Division of GTRI and Chief Technology Strategy Officer for the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Anna Lindberg Cedar, MPA, LCSW, LICSW (Costa Rica, ’98 & ’03, Brazil, ’99, Honduras, ’00)

Burnout Prevention Hacker / Founder l Workshops For Real Life / Therapy For Real Life

I founded Workshops For Real Life to make research-backed burnout prevention concepts more accessible. Workshops For Real Life builds on my work as a therapist and host of the Therapy For Real Life Podcast. I love to adapt therapy concepts into self-care skills that anyone can use in daily life because I can apply the same public health principles that Amigos instilled in me from the very beginning of my career. Learn more here.

Anne Yang (Brazil, ’98)

Senior Manager, SEA L&D at BCG

Organized and executed a Regional Training Day in Bali for 800 staff which included a bike-building team activity. The 300 bikes built were gifted to less privileged children in the local community.

Joshua Edwards (Mexico, ’95, ’96, & ’06, Dominican Republic, ’97, Nicaragua, ’02)

Visiting Assistant Professor, Pratt Institute

In 2022 two of my books were published, The Double Lamp of Solitude (Rising Tide Projects) and The Exhausted Dream (Marfa Book Company), and so was a co-translation I did with Lynn Xu of Lao Yang’s Pee Poems (Circumference Books).

Jesse Levinson (Paraguay, ’95, Mexico, ’96, Honduras, ’97, Brazil, ’99)

Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State

After my first summer with AMIGOS delivering vaccinations (Paraguay, ’95), I knew already that a career involving public service and travel would be my path. Later AMIGOS summers took me to Mexico, Honduras, and Brazil. After college, I joined the U.S. Foreign Service and recently completed 20 years of service. My career has taken me to Islamabad, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Rio de Janeiro, and Bogota. AMIGOS broadened my perspective, helped me learn two languages, and gave me leadership lessons that I still carry.

Alexandra Burns (Paraguay, ’95)

Program Specialist for Mathematics Implementation at Curriculum Associates

This past year, after nearly two decades of teaching high school mathematics, I transitioned careers and now work for an education curriculum company. I have a heart for education, and math in particular, and I love how in my new role I can help teachers be better math educators.

Ann Warner Ault (Costa Rica, ’93, Honduras, ’94, Brazil, ’95, Paraguay, ’98)

Assistant Professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature, The College of New Jersey

I recently worked with colleagues at The College of New Jersey to create the TCNJ Spanish for Professional Purposes Certificate Program, which consists of four distinct undergraduate Spanish certificates: Spanish for Healthcare, Business, Counseling, and Law and Justice. Each of the certificates builds students’ Spanish language and intercultural skills as well as their cultural humility so they can interact respectfully and appropriately in Spanish in their chosen professional area, to provide legal, business, medical, or mental health services to monolingual Spanish speakers in the U.S. My four summers with AMIGOS definitely helped to inspire this work!

Luca Venza (Paraguay, ’93)

Founder & Managing Partner, Lotus Partners

Launch a nanotechnology startup with smart security inks for anticounterfeiting applications. Worked 6 years in Energy, and 10 years in development managing peace and governance funds.

Gillian Alexandra Harwin (Ecuador, ’92, Paraguay, ’93, Mexico, ’94)

Musician/Producer/Artist

Winning Apollo Amateur Night at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem USA was a childhood dream come true. I also do concerts for people with terminal illness, ICU patients and the disabled with a wonderful organization called Musicos Por La Salud.

Lee Erin Leonard (Brazil, ’92)

Artist

Just received a $10,000 grant from the City of Denver’s Art & Venues program to install the Stiles African American Heritage Gardens in 5 Points.

Rakesh Patel (Ecuador, ’91)

CEO, Neighborhood Healthcare

Selected as one of the 500 Most Influential People in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal

Steve Schafer (Paraguay, ’90)

VP Qual Insights at Brado

My first novel, The Border, was published a few years ago. It was released in all Barnes & Nobel stores. I even saw it in an airport once. It was an immigrant story with a message of empathy and became a finalist for the Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award. In support of it, I’ve spoken with several thousand high school students across many states (the novel is YA).

Mark Sitarz (Ecuador, ’88)

Fire Chief/Emergency Manager

I have been a Firefighter for over 24 years with 9 of those as the Fire Chief. It all started in Ecuador in 1988 and my drive to help others. I am so thankful to be able to continue that passion for service each day. Thank you, AMIGOS.

Samantha Schoech (Panama, ’86, Ecuador, ’87)

Book Editor, San Francisco Chronicle and AMIGOS South Bay Coordinator

Samantha Schoech (Panama 1986 and Ecuador 1987) lives with her husband and their 16-year-old twins in San Francisco. She’s been in publishing for most of her multi-decade career. She just accepted a position as the Program Manager of the Peninsula and South Bay Chapter of AMIGOS!

Eric Avera (Dominican Republic, ’85)

Science Department Chair / Episcopal High School (Bellaire, TX)

In May 2021, after teaching physics and engineering at Episcopal High School for 25 years, I applied for the position of Science Department Chair and was selected to do so. This work requires a lot more than I realized, but it is very fulfilling, and I have grown tremendously as a result.

Marten Vanpelt (Mexico, ’85)

CMO Plante Moran

I have spent the past two years transforming my firm’s marketing strategy and organization.

Jim Lynch (Mexico, ’84, Ecuador, ’85)

Risk Manager, Grant Thornton

I was recently promoted to Risk manager in the Center of Excellence at the firm of Grant Thornton. Recently my wife and I hosted our 14th annual canned good drive for our local food pantry. And I have a wonderful life – a beautiful wife and three grown children.

Douglas Palmer (Honduras, ’80, Ecuador, ’82)

Solutions Architect, GDIT

Recently retired after 30 years serving the US Judiciary, the last 11 as the Clerk of Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Beatrice Segal (Mexico, ’79, Honduras, ’80)

Therapist

I recently retired from working 20 years with children in a special program with an emphasis on getting them ready to return to general education classrooms. Now I am expanding my private therapy practice with a specialty in couples therapy.

Lani Rice Marquez (Nicaragua, ’76, Honduras, ’77, Paraguay, ’78–’80)

Knowledge Management Director, URC

After my 5th summer with AMIGOS, I graduated from college, worked for a year, and then got a Master of Public Health degree, building on my experience with vaccination and health education programs in AMIGOS. Next year I will reach 40 years working with the same company, a USAID contractor. Recent accomplishments are that I edited Improving Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Case Book and became a grandmother.

Steven “Skip” Radwany (Nicaragua, ’76, Honduras, ’77 & ’78)

Medical Director, Grace House Akron; Adjunct Professor of Medicine OSU, U Arizona, NEOMED

Married 43 years to former Amigo, Dr. Julia Baron Radwany, we have 2 children and 4 perfect grandchildren. I’ve practiced internal medicine for 36 years emphasizing hospice and palliative medicine for 30 years. My focus has been on educating physicians in this specialty and growing access to essential services provided by interdisciplinary teams. Worked with AMIGOS in Nicaragua ’76, immunization: Honduras ’77 and ’78, dental then water well construction.

Thomas Leavens, MD (Nicaragua, ’76)

Physician (Retired)

Have done medical relief work in Latin America for decades and now do multiple trips yearly.

Edwin C. Amos, III (Ecuador, ’76)

Physician

I have been practicing neurology in West Los Angeles and am a Clinical Professor of Neurology at the UCLA School of Medicine where I work with students and residents. I perform neurology consultations at the Venice Family Clinic and am active in the Order of Malta (Catholic Church) providing medical services and guidance locally and during the annual Lourdes Pilgrimage.

Donald Jones (Nicaragua, ’75)

Chair, Cardiff Ocean Group

Work with VC, PE and Fortune 500 companies in digital health and technology enabled healthcare services. Senior Advisor with McKinsey, Operating Partner with Takeda Digital Ventures and founder of IMPACT, a Virtual First Healthcare Provider Association. Former COO of AMR, the largest EMS provider in the world, and EMME, largest private medical practice in Mexico. Deeply involved with a large pediatric specialty facility in Tijuana, Mexico, serving all populations. Creator of the $10M Qualcomm Tricorder XPrize for a consumer device that makes 15 medical diagnosis.

Anne B. Moss (Guatemala, ’74)

Akron Children’s Hospital (Retired)

Recently retired after 45 years of emergency nursing and trauma program management. I’m spending time with my husband and six grandchildren. I’m enjoying traveling and crafting.

Inese Freimanis Alvarez (Colombia, ’74)

Growth and Community Engagement Coordinator at Molina Healthcare of S Carolina

As Community Engagement Coordinator I have planned and participated in more than 50 events this year. Events that I planned and executed included diaper giveaways, school supply giveaways, and Thanksgiving turkey giveaways. More than 2000 people in the Upstate of SC have attended these events. I received the Molina Spotlight Award in 2021 for my leadership in the Upstate. I am an AMIGOS alum- Kent, Ohio Chapter, 1976.

Charissa Nelson (Colombia, ’74, Guatemala, ’75, Honduras, ’76, Nicaragua, ’77, Guatemala, ’79, Ecuador, ’80 & ’81)

Retired Elementary School Teacher

I volunteer with an international vision care project and a local volunteer library. I have been volunteering in translation projects for international organizations. I have 2 little grandboys who I spend time with. Life is good.

Nancy Hendryx (Nicaragua, ’73, Mexico, ’82)

Tour Guide, Discover Qatar

Going on 14 years in Qatar, from Spanish teacher to Tour Guide

Stefanie Feldman (Honduras, ’73, Colombia, ’74)

Medical Director, Bella Nova

Former board member ReSurge formerly Interplast Nepal, india, Peru, Honduras, Brazil, Albania, Tibet, and others
Westminster free clinic volunteer
Former chief dept of plastic and reconstructive surgery Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills CA
Volunteer with operation smile (Kenya, Morocco, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other countries

Vernon Mar (Guatemala, ’73)

Biotech Research Scientist (Retired)

Completed a 40 year career in biotech research

Michael Paul Kercheval (Colombia, ’72 & ’73, Nicaragua, ’74 & ’75)

Executive Director, CU Real Estate Center

I was honored to be elected chairman of the school board for Empower Community High School in Aurora, Colorado. This meshes nicely with a new role as Treasurer for Project REAP, a real estate industry diversity initiative about to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Lynn Kristine Nussle Krog (Guatemala, ’71, Paraguay, ’72, Nicaragua, ’73–’76)

Retired Trauma Nurse Coordinator

I made up for time lost to Covid isolation by traveling to Mexico City, Greece (with old AMIGOS friend Diane Dakin), Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Amsterdam, Scotland, and Ireland, plus multiple trips to California and the East Coast in 2022. Also celebrated the wedding of daughter Kiersten in July. I am happily retired. When I’m not traveling, I live in Seattle.

Diane Dakin (Honduras, ’71, Paraguay, ’72, Guatemala, ’73 & ’75)

Retired

AMIGOS jump-started my interest in medicine which led to a career in Family Medicine and being able to “do it all” with “my” families from obstetrics to Death with Dignity. I retired from the Group Health Cooperative (now Kaiser) practice in Olympia, WA in 2016. I received the honor of WA Family Medicine Physician of the year in 2017 from the WA AAFP chapter. Since 2016 I have worked locums in Urgent Care. I’ll nervously retire from that in 2023. Sabbaticals in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Borneo, Indonesia allowed me to teach and volunteer in other healthcare systems. My children are well-launched in their own non-medical careers and Stephen and I have been married for 42 years and together 50! It remains to be seen how I will “evolve” (to steal a phrase from Serena Williams) into my next life phase.

Douglas Paul Avakian (Nicaragua ’71)

Captain, American Airlines (Retired)

I have spent over 50 years in aviation beginning with my first solo flight in August 2, 1972. Since then I retired from American Airlines in August 2019 with 35 years of service. I was privileged to fly over Nicaragua, where I served for the AMIGOS program.

Randall L. Kleinman (Honduras, ’69)

Owner, Law Offices of Randall L. Kleinman, LLC

After my summer in Honduras a lifetime ago (1969), I went to Tulane undergrad and law school. I am still working at a profession I love. AMIGOS was run by Guy Bevil at the time, an inspiring gentleman I will always fondly remember.

Randall Berger (Honduras, ’69, Guatemala, ’70)

Freelance Actor and Writer

I was in AMIGOS in 1969 and 1970 from Santa Barbara. In 1973, I emigrated to Australia. I have been married for 45 years and have three adult children. I have a great career as a creative writer and an actor in stage, film, and television.

William (Bill) Sibley (Guatemala, ’68 & ’69)

Writer

A versatile writer from Texas, Sibley’s work has spanned from writing dialogue for television’s Guiding Light to serving as a contributing editor at Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine to plays produced Off-Broadway and regionally. Author of a dozen screenplays, three novels, one newspaper column, and a freelance journalist. Sibley’s fourth work of fiction is under way. (Spent 2 summers with AMIGOS in Guatemala, 1968 and 69). Visit his website to learn more!

Mary Janet Grosser (Honduras, ’65 & ’66, Guatemala, ’67 & ’68)

Retired

Just recently became Grandma of 7 and Great-Grandma of 9! Turning 75 very soon!