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ProWorld Staff
ProWorld Directors and Project Coordinators are experienced, capable, veteran travelers, and dedicated community leaders. Staff teams are composed of local and international development workers and range in size from 3 to 12 staff members per site. Local staff provide invaluable insight into their country and communities, while international staff relate to the cross-cultural challenges that participants face. For every eight program participants there is at least one in-country ProWorld staff member.
ProWorld staff members are part of every aspect of the program experience, encouraging cultural immersion, providing support, and often becoming friends as well as guides for the volunteer’s journey.
Born in
Following his undergraduate studies Richard enjoyed a brief career as a professional soccer player (
ProPeru expanded in 2002 to include ProBelize and again in 2004 with ProMexico - the combination that forms the core of the new umbrella company, ProWorld Service Corps today. ProWorld Service Corps focuses on integrating Fair Trade into its projects, capturing volunteer-added value and utilizing a sustainable revenue model.
Having recently finished his MBA course as a Skoll Scholar sponsored by the
Keenly interested in the potential for effective development work with volunteer participation, Richard has served on the executive committee of the International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) and is currently the legal representative of the Municipality of Urubamba, Peru in the
Still learning every day, Richard enjoys being inspired by the ProWorld team and the individuals of the communities in which it operates. Spending between two and five months a year on the project sites, Richard enjoys the additional perks of his work such as the opportunity to practice photography and getting his hands dirty at the work sites.
Nick Bryngelson - Director of Operations
Nick Bryngelson was born and raised in a family dedicated to public service and helping others achieve their maximum potential. These commitments to excellence and community service form the foundation of Nick's core values and his role as the Director of ProWorld Operations.Nick holds a Masters Degree in Business and Engineering Management from the University of Colorado as well as a degree in Civil and Architectural Engineering. During his graduate program, Nick was awarded the National Science Foundation fellowship in Community Education and Outreach. Nick has taught engineering, physics, economics and business classes to graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. Individuals in the US and in South America have benefited from Nick's commitment to experiential education.
Seeking to serve our global community Nick and his wife, Precious, sold their possessions and bought one way tickets to Peru in 2000 searching for meaningful volunteer work. Working with multiple international development agencies Nick directed major infrastructure and sustainable development projects in small communities in Ecuador and Peru.
While in Peru, Nick was introduced to Richard Webb and the meaningful community development projects of ProPeru. Recognizing the sustainable positive impact the ProPeru programs have on local citizens and program participants, Nick joined forces with Richard to form the ProWorld Service Corps.
Nick and his family currently reside in Bellingham, Washington splitting their time between the US offices and each of the program locations.
Kenny Ewan – Regional Director, Latin America
Kenny Ewan, from Glasgow, Scotland, came to Peru as a volunteer English teacher in 2002 and loved the country so much that he decided to stay. Before coming to Peru Kenny graduated from the University of Dundee with a B.Sc. in Architecture.
After teaching English in the Sacred Valley he traveled all over South America, before returning to the Andes to work with ProPeru. After two years working as the student affairs coordinator in Urubamba, he became director of the Cusco base, and the semester program, in summer 2005.
He became country director for Peru in 2007, and recently took on the role of Regional Director for Latin America. He is looking forward to continuing his work in Peru, and working with the Belize and Mexico sites.
Her formal studies include literature, history, philosophy, psychology, and applied business skills. Her interests and passions center around learning and creating understanding of various cultures, helping others attain a better life, exploring the wonders life has to offer, and, of course, her family.
In the summer of 2002 he volunteered with ProPeru in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley and has been looking for a chance to come back ever since. After graduating from Brown, Adam worked as a broadcast journalist in New Jersey.
He joined ProWorld in May of 2006. Adam handles ProWorld marketing and alumni relations for the Eastern United States and splits his time between the US and Peru. He enjoys reading, writing, movies, hiking and good food.
Erin McIntee – Program and Placement Advisor
Erin attended
Since completing her studies in '05, Erin has taught ski school in Mammoth Lakes, CA, served as an Americorps *VISTA in Washington, DC and worked in development at The Salvation Army Metropolitan Divisional HQ in Chicago, IL. When not working, she can be found reading, eating delicious food, dancing or being crafty.
Before joining ProPeru she worked as an English teacher, as a Marketing Specialist in a company in Cusco and later as the personal secretary of the Mayor of Urubamba, where she meet Richard Webb and began working with ProPeru in February 2003.
Sarah Schmidt - Urubamba Site DirectorSarah was born in San Diego, California. She received a BA in policy studies and a Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University. While at S.U. she spent a semester studying abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The experience confirmed her desire to see the world and experience different cultures. After graduating, she joined the Peace Corps as a small business volunteer in Sololá, Guatemala. Upon returning to the states, Sarah joined Teach for America in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
After teaching, she was a volunteer group leader with Operation Crossroads Africa in Ghana. She travelled in Western Africa and Central and South America and then joined ProPeru as a project coordinator in May, 2006.
She is happy to be in Latin America again, in a job that combines her interests in development, education, and cross-cultural understanding. In addition to traveling, Sarah enjoys reading, running, biking, and hiking and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder.
Sandra Marcos León – Cusco Site Director
Sandra Marcos León was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She moved to Lima when she was 4 years old, and studied at the SSCC Belén School until she was 16.
She got a major in Business Administration, with a specialty in Marketing, at the Universidad de Lima. Sandra worked with Citibank as a trader until she traveled to get her Masters of Management and Appraisal of Projects at the Maastricht School of Management in Holland.
Since then she has worked for the Dutch foundation Stichting Wees Kind, and the English NGO Madventurer. In 2007 she came to work for ProPeru as a Project Coordinator.
After working very successfully with many different groups of ProPeru volunteers she took on the role of Cusco Site Director in March of 2008. Sandra also has experience as a volunteer working in different projects, hospitals and shelters.
Since the 1990s he has dedicated his time traveling to remote communities in Peru to educate the local populations and introduce sustainable development. Collaborating with his father they wrote two books: "Runi Simi de Chumbivilcas" and "Mitos Cuentos y Leyendas de Chumbivilcas". In 2002 Javier began working with ProPeru.
Over time Jaime’s responsibilities have evolved so that he is now the Agrotourism Project Coordinator and in charge of running ProPeru’s miniprojects. Prior to work at ProPeru, Jaime worked in tourism at a famous local hotel as a waiter, with horses and other odd jobs.
Maegan Zitren - Portfolio Manager - Economic, Environmental and Social Development Projects
Maegan Zitren joined ProPeru in August 2007 as a Princeton in Latin America Fellow. In her capacity as the Economic, Environmental and Social Development Project Manager, she works to organize and place volunteers with partner organizations in Urubamba and Cusco.
Maegan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics with a primary focus in International Relations and a certificate in Spanish from Princeton University, where she was actively involved in the women’s water polo team. While at school, Maegan discovered her passion for Latin America through various courses and extensive travel.
Maegan focused her thesis on how the United State’s foreign policy limited the effectiveness of countries fighting terrorism and drug trade, specifically looking at the narco-terrorist states of Colombia and Afghanistan. Prior to joining ProPeru, she interned at the political consulting firm of PACE Capstone and spent a summer studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Maegan was born and raised in San Diego, California.
Lisbeth Nina P. - Portfolio Manager - Health Projects
Lisbeth Nina P. is trained as a Dental Surgeon. She was born in Cusco and graduated from the Unversidad Andina del Cusco. She also completed a course in Public Health at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima and worked in the Peruvian Ministry of Health’s San Jeronimo Comunidades Locales de Administración de Salud (CLAS) in Cusco in 2007.
She started in January 2008 as ProPeru’s Health Project Coordinator in Urubamba and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. She enjoys improving the health of the Andean communities where she serves. Her research has included the oral health of communities in San Jeronimo and the confidence of patients compared with the attention of health providers.
Becky Heritage - Health Project Coordinator
Becky was born and raised in southern New Jersey. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Rutgers University and an MPH from the School of Public Health at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
While at Rutgers, Becky studied abroad for a summer in Salamanca, Spain, participated in a service learning course in Northern Ireland, and worked at the Rutgers Center for Children and Childhood Studies. While at UMDNJ, she participated in a public health outreach project in the Dominican Republic, confirming her passion for public health work in underserved areas.
Becky first joined ProPeru in 2006 as a summer NGO intern in Cusco, working for a family planning and reproductive health organization and a Ministry of Health clinic. She loved her experience so much, that she returned to ProPeru in the summer of 2007 as a program coordinator of health internships in Cusco. She is excited to be back in Peru, since January 2008, working as a health program coordinator with ProPeru in Urubamba.
Due to his knowledge of Quechua, Spanish; and deep familiarity with the rural communities surrounding the Sacred Valley , Nico was recently hired as a project coordinator. Nico is an avid hiker, soccer player and Wyno dancer. His wife and their two daughters are dear members of the ProPeru community.
Please be wary of people saying they've come to pick you up. You may also be approached by drivers offering you a fare.
If for some unforeseen reason or circumstance they are not at the airport please call them at the number provided to you in your congratulations packet.
There are public phones inside the airport, they accept Soles coins or telephone cards, ranging from ten soles on up or international phone cards with a Peru access. These can be purchased at the Telefonica booth on the first floor or from small snacks kiosk next to the stairs.
Upon returning to the States he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Thought and Political Economy (STPEC). His love of the Spanish language and his desire to explore more of the world led him to a ProPeru internship in September and October of 2004.
He fell in love with the highlands of Peru and became interested in development work. When a staff intern position with ProPeru opened the next summer he jumped at the chance.
He then progressed to the full-time position of Student Affairs & Project Coordinator for the Cusco semester and NGO internship programs. In December of 2006 he moved to the same position with ProBelize and in April of 2007 he became ProBelize Country Director.
Nicole Andrewin - Social & Economic Development Project Coordinator
Nicole grew up in Florida and later attended the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Nicole was always interested in Belize as a child and at the age of twenty had the opportunity to travel to Belize to work on an organic farm in a remote Kekchi Mayan village. There, she learned about sustainability and the traditional Mayan culture.
After five years in Belize she got married and moved along the coast to the only traditional Creole village left in Belize, Gale’s Point. There her daughter Indira was born. In the village, Nicole was a very active member of the local conservation team, which worked to protect the hawksbill turtles and the manatees abundant in that region. She also volunteered countless hours assisting with the village council, and helped run a drum school which helped the culture continue to thrive.
In 2005 she left Gale’s Point and moved to San Ignacio in search of better education for her daughter. Nicole has worked with many medical teams and volunteer groups over the past 15 years in Belize. In 2006 she joined ProBelize as a project coordinator.
Michael Martin - Environmental & Construction Projects Coordinator
Michael Martin has been working with ProBelize for nearly 4 years. He worked as an environmental advocate in Northern California and had traveled to Belize on numerous occasions over the last 11 years before permanently moving there 4 years ago.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Michael brings over 30 years of experience in environmental conservation, permaculture technology, organic farming, and construction development to the ProBelize team. His skills in group management and team building have contributed to the on-going success of many of ProBelize's projects.
Adrian Bartley - Health Project Coordinator
Adrian Bartley was born in Belize City into a family of 12. He grew up in rural communities in the Belize and Cayo districts. From early childhood he enjoyed learning about the way things work and and playing outdoors. He finished high school in 2003 with a technical diploma and went on to Junior College after a break, and is currently working on a degree in Environmental Science.
Prior to joining ProBelize, Adrian worked with the government of Belize under the Ministry of Health as a Public Health Inspector for over a year. He was trained as a preventative health official as well as an inspector and was responsible for thirteen communities in the Cayo District and half of Belmopan, Belize's capital. His experience has given him a passion for public health and he plans on pursuing further qualifications.
Upon leaving his position in the Ministry of Health, he was hired by ProBelize as the Health Project Coordinator, and he has been a part of the ProBelize team since November 2007.
Yesenia Yacab - Office Manager
Yesenia was born in San Ignacio, Belize to a united and God-fearing family that helped her grow spiritually and morally. As a child she enjoyed studying and dancing which helped her find a unique place in the community.
After graduating, she was hired at a local non-governmental humanitarian organization holding the post of Office Manager. There she enjoyed working with the accounts but most of all she loved helping out in humanitarian activities.
After a year with the organization, she found out about ProBelize. Yesenia believes ProBelize is just the right place for her love and passion for accounting and humanitarian services.
Kacki Kammann- Mexico Country Director
Kacki was raised in East Tennessee in the
Upon graduating, she completed a summer internship in
She missed being abroad, so became TEFL-certified and went to teach business English in
Kacki has recently received her Masters in International Education from the
Agustin Escobar – Project Coordinator
Agustin was born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico. He spent five years traveling and working throughout the United States where he learned to speak English fluently.
On his return home to Oaxaca, he worked with Manos de Ayuda for seven years, which is an organization that brings medical groups to Oaxaca to volunteer their services in small villages throughout the state of Oaxaca. Agustin started working with ProMexico in March 2006 as the Project Coordinator.
He has many contacts in local NGO’s to provide a wealth of project options for volunteers. He enjoys spending time with his son and driving his black VW bug.
Scott Leroy - Asia Regional Director - India Country Director
Scott Leroy is on to his third ProWorld site after directing ProPeru’s Urubamba site and setting up, launching and directing ProMexico's site in Oaxaca. Scott grew up in Connecticut and later attended Boston College where he studied History and International Studies.
As an undergrad he spent time in Quito, Ecuador where he studied Spanish and fell in love with travel and life in Latin America. After graduating from BC he went back to Quito where he spent two years volunteering.
His experience in Quito nurtured a passion for development work prompting him to pursue a Masters Degree in Cooperation for International Development in Barcelona, Spain. While in Spain, Scott led an inter-cultural exchange program, refining an interest in working with students and volunteers in an international setting.
Andy Northrop - Thailand Country Director
Andy attended Michigan State University for his Bachelors degree in Psychology. During his final year he engaged in advocacy and outreach efforts to Hmong Refugees of northern Laos relocated to his home state of Michigan.
After his undergrad career, Andy traveled through the South Pacific and Southeast-Asia acquiring a greater understanding of international development issues and a more diverse view of the world. Continuing his pursuit of international/cultural exposure, Andy set out to South Korea as an ESL instructor.
Following his time in Korea, Andy attained a M.A. in Sustainable Development from the School for International Training. His grad school career led him into field work which explored Guatemalan culture via in-country homestays, coastal resource management work in the Netherlands Antilles where he implemented a national tourism policy to sustain national park conservation efforts, and extensive research into sustainable eco-tourism in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
His graduate level experience, knowledge and love for Thailand brought him to ProThailand Service Corps in 2007. Andy speaks a little Korean, a little more Thai, and a lot more Spanish. Andrew spends his time when he can hitting the mountains snowboarding, absorbing coastlines scuba diving or surfing, exercising, playing guitar, reading, and, most importantly, eating delicious food from various countries.
Kasama Moonmai - Project Coordinator
Kasama is a Thai vegetarian woman in her thirties. She holds a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication from Chiang Mai University where she also completed a Masters Degree in Women’s studies.
Before joining ProThailand, she worked for the Tourism Authority of Thailand as a tourist officer. Prior to that, meeting people from various corners of the world confirmed her desire to travel and experience different cultures. She spent almost 2 years in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe during that time.
After she came back from Denmark, she completed a Masters Degree in Women’s Studies and worked as an editor for Child-Friendly magazine for The Life Skills Development Foundation where she became interested in development work. Apart from working, Kasama devotes her time to reading, gardening, clubbing, yoga, and traveling.
Seasonal Staff – All Sites
Former ProWorld participants, local professionals, and other dedicated development workers join the ProWorld team during busy seasons. The staff team is an integral part of accomplishing the ProWorld mission and providing rewarding experiences for participants. Academic Professors
Program courses are taught by local and foreign professors approved and accredited by Jacksonville University in Peru, Galen University in Belize, and Western Washington University in Mexico. Small class sizes enable professors to share in both the student’s course work and their daily projects. Serving as advisors and mentors, professors challenge students to explore new perspectives and achieve their academic potential.
