Who We Are
 | Mianda BashalaMianda Bashala is an attorney in Keating, Muething, & Klekamp PLL’s Labor & Employment Group, where she helps clients meet their business objectives and minimize liability. Prior to joining KMK Law, Mianda was adjunct professor and served as labor counsel for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Human Resources Division. She earned her Master of Arts in Human Resources from the University of Cincinnati in 2020 and she earned her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2005. Mianda earned her B.A. in Political Science in 2002, summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts. She enjoys traveling around the world, learning about different cultures and new languages, and learning from everyone's story and journey. Her philosophy is Ubuntu - I am because we are. |
  | Alta BeasleySince she grew up and lives in a small rural farming community in Ohio, Alta has a special connection with the agrarian population Tandana works with. It's rewarding for her to be involved with an organization that is making positive changes in the lives of others, which she witnessed firsthand on Tandana Gardening Volunteer Ventures in Ecuador. She is retired but brings to the board a vast amount of knowledge gained from 16 years in human resources, sales and marketing, and customer service. Alta served as a secretary in the Department of Agriculture at Ohio State University, worked for a U. S. Congressman, and owned Oxbow Business Consulting. She continues to do strategic planning and research consulting on a part-time basis. She has a bachelor's degree in Business from Northern Kentucky University. Alta enjoys collecting vintage clothes and accessories. She owns 300 hats from all eras. Alta and her husband own and operate a 143 acre angus cattle and hay farm. She cans and preserves food from the large vegetable garden that she and her husband plant on their farm. |
 | Fatimata Sira DiopOriginally from Mali, Sira has lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years and is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Currently, she is working towards a degree in social work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Sira has strong connections in Mali and anticipates using her network to deal with potential logjams affecting our programs there. She also looks forward to the possibility of serving as a Tandana ambassador to the Malian community and attracting more friends and supporters to our Foundation family. |
 | Dick DuvalAfter he and his wife Kit traveled to Ecuador with Tandana on a gardening Volunteer Venture, Dick Duval was hooked on the foundation and found it only natural to join the Board of Trustees. He believes in Tandana's mission and wants to give back. His years in the real estate business have made him a good team player and team builder. Dick, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, purchases and rehabs old houses and manufacturing properties. His hobbies include golfing, gardening, sketching, painting watercolors, and spending time with his seven grandchildren. |
 | Ken GatesIt seems as if Ken was destined to join the Tandana family as coincidently his first two international trips were to Ecuador and Mali. Ken likes the unique and effective relationships Tandana has formed with the communities with which it works. He saw this firsthand when he accompanied three different groups of students on their group service learning programs to Ecuador for the Orfalea Foundation's REACH Program, of which he was the director for five years. He graduated from Gettysburg College with a bachelor's degree in Biology. Ken grew up in Madison, CT and now lives in Blacksburg, VA, where he is a Program Coordinator at Virginia Tech. His hobbies include skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking. |
 | Peter Glaubitz, TreasurerIn 2014, Peter participated in a Health Care Volunteer Venture. He experienced being part of a group of 20 folks from diverse backgrounds providing much needed healthcare services in remote areas. This made him more committed to being a positive and active member of our “Global Community”, which he has the opportunity to do as part of Tandana's board. Peter has led a successful career in advertising and hotel/restaurant management, ultimately overseeing multiple operations. Later, he operated his own property in Eagles Mere, PA with his wife, Susan. He has been a board member for 14 local, national and international organizations.
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 | Santiago GualapuroSantiago Gualapuro is from the community of Gualapuro near Otavalo, Ecuador. He is the first generation of Kichwa from his community to have accessed higher education. After earning a Bachelor’s in Science in Agricultural Business from the Universidad San Francisco in Quito, he spent some time in Canada where, in conjunction with other Canadian linguists, he authored the first English-Kichwa dictionary. From there, he earned a Masters in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Hispanic Linguistics at Ohio State University, and he is currently a Ph.D. student at Ohio State University. He heard about Tandana after work started on a potable water system in his community, and he is now working together with the foundation to launch prizes for students who write their theses in Kichwa through the Killkashun project, Killkashun meaning “Let’s write.” In his free time, Santiago enjoys reading about science, astronomy, geography, and history and playing soccer. |
 | Joyce Johnson, Secretary |
 | Beau LeflerFrom 2010-2011 Beau joined Tandana as a long-term volunteer in Quichinche, Ecuador. Beau, his wife Amy, and their three children spent the year learning about Ecuadorian culture and forming cross-cultural friendships. They decided to commit themselves to a service-oriented lifestyle, and in 2011 Beau joined the Tandana board. He now teaches law at the University of Hong Kong's business school. He also leads two experiential learning classes every year to the Philippines, where students live with local families and help small businesses. He and Amy are working to instill the values of service in their children. In his free time, Beau likes to go exploring and spend time with his family. His background in law and clear thinking provide an enormous benefit to the organization. |
 | Susan NapierSusan is a retired physical therapist and physical rehabilitation manager from Columbus, Ohio. In 2010, shortly after she retired, Susan went on Tandana's Volunteer Venture to Mali. After this trip, she was completely hooked on the Tandana experience and returned to Mali the following two years. After directly experiencing the positive impact Tandana's work had on the villagers in Mali, she was eager to join the board in 2013. Working side-by-side with villagers on community projects has given Susan's life more meaning. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, attending sporting events and musical and ballet performances. Susan and her husband participated in Tandana’s Spring Family and Friends Volunteer Venture in Ecuador with their twin grandchildren, Max and Yana. All the Napiers highly recommend a multi-generational Volunteer Venture with the Tandana Foundation! |
 | Jill SpikerJill has been on Tandana's board since the very beginning. She and her husband Chris were able to witness personally the impact Tandana has on the lives of others when they went to Ecuador on a Health Care Volunteer Venture. This trip was unlike any other volunteer vacation Jill had ever taken. She felt like she was traveling with her friends and they were visiting family. She was completely amazed to see the relationships Tandana's staff have formed and how these relationships are at the heart of all their trips. Jill lives in Columbus, Ohio and works part-time as an attorney. She enjoys sewing when her three children give her time. |
 | Hope Taft, PresidentHope Taft is President of The Tandana Foundation's Board of Trustees. She has committed most of her life to volunteerism, not only working with Tandana but also with young people in alcohol and drug prevention programs and on various environmental and native plant projects. As the first lady of Ohio, she helped to create the Heritage Garden at the Governor's Residence. Hope has seen the positive changes that Tandana has made in her role as a board member as well as as a participant in Tandana's Volunteer Ventures. When she is not busy with her many community efforts, Hope likes to work in her garden and enjoys helping keep the Little Miami River watershed in good condition. |
 | Bridget VisBridget is Manager, Communications and Marketing of the Food & Forest team at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit. Prior to joining Ceres, she was Public Relations Specialist at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and Technical Content Developer for Eisbrenner Public Relations. Her background is in journalism, and she previously worked for many different publications, including Crain’s Detroit Business, the Cincinnati Enquirer, Patch.com and Hour Media. Bridget has bachelor's degrees in journalism and international studies from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in marketing from Walsh College. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and enjoys going to the farmers' market, exploring the numerous natural areas, and cheering on the Michigan Football team. |
 | Gaëtan Moussa, Ecuador Program ManagerGaëtan is an international development worker with over 10 years of experience. He grew up in Brussels, Belgium. He has worked on social impact projects in many countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Most recently, he was Surgery Program Director for Faith in Practice in Guatemala. He holds a B.A. in International Development from the University of East London and a Master's degree in the interdisciplinary field of human rights from London Metropolitan University. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. Gaëtan brings his global perspective and broad experience to strengthen Tandana's work in Ecuador. |
 | Vicente Pazmiño, Logistics ManagerVicente Pazmino has lived in Panecillo, Ecuador his entire life, and he has dedicated much of his time and energy to bettering his community. Along with his father, Vicente was instrumental in the installation of the Panecillo Regional Potable Water System, which serves five communities. He first met Anna Taft in 1998, when his family hosted her during her first volunteer experience. Vicente has worked with Tandana from the outset, assisting with coordinating service projects, placing volunteers, and making arrangements for scholarship recipients. Thanks to Vicente's strong community relationships, he excels as Logistics Manager, and his dedication to helping others and the integrity of his work are great assets to Tandana. Vicente and his wife, Cecilia Sierra, have four daughters and five grandchildren. |
 | Verónica Pazmiño, Scholarships CoordinatorVerónica Pazmiño is an empathetic Scholarships Coordinator because she has dealt with the same issues scholarship students face. Veronica grew up in Panecillo, Ecuador and developed a love for English, which she got to practice when Anna Taft lived with her family in 1998. Veronica went on to work as an English teacher while continuing her education at the Polytechnic Army University. In 2008, Veró began interpreting for Tandana's health care volunteers and since then has supported Tandana in innumerable ways. Verónica enjoys helping community members with projects, sharing her customs and traditions with the volunteers, and learning more English. Veronica lives in Otavalo with her husband and two children. |
 | Virginia Sanchez, Community Health and Well-being CoordinatorVirginia's knowledge of Ecuador's health system, gained from 15 years as a financial controller for the Ministry of Public Health, is invaluable in her position as Patient Follow up Coordinator. One of the reasons Virginia chose to work for Tandana is because her position allows her to help individuals in rural communities obtain access to medical care. Her favorite part of her job is seeing the smiles on patients' faces after they have finished all their treatments. Virginia has an impressive professional history. In addition to working for the Ministry of Public Health, she managed a pharmacy in Ecuador. Virginia is from Cotacachi, Ecuador, where she enjoys reading, cooking, walking, and spending time with her young grandson. |
 | Margarita Fuerez, Accountant and Program AssistantIn 2007, Margarita received a scholarship from Tandana that helped her finish high school. A few years later, she became Tandana's first university scholarship recipient (studying Accounting and Auditing at the UNIANDES University) and pioneered the community service requirement of Tandana's scholarship program. Margarita began working with Tandana's Electronic Medical Record System in September 2015, and once that work was complete, she has continued to use her sharp mind and cheerful disposition to keep Tandana's programs in Ecuador running smoothly and its accounting in order. She likes working for Tandana because it gives her the opportunity to learn new things. Before working for Tandana, Margarita worked at a childcare center and helped her uncle make crafts. She lives with her father and older sister in Panecillo. |
 | Omar Flores, Program CoordinatorOmar is originally from Nicaragua, he is passionate about education and sees volunteering as a powerful tool for change. After graduating with a degree in Rural Development, accumulating more than 10 years of experience in NGOs, collaborating with indigenous peoples and working with volunteers from many parts of the world, he has become a proactive agent of change in multiple places. As a global citizen he has collaborated with different communities in Nicaragua, Guatemala, United States of America, Chile, Costa Rica and Ecuador, learning from each particular relationship that change comes from within ourselves and that everyone must participate in their own development. Omar will lead groups of Tandana volunteers, promoting cultural exchange, personal development and cultivating culture. |
 | Kuri Moreta, Assistant Program CoordinatorKuri was born and raised in Otavalo, Ecuador and he is a member of the Kichwa Otavalo indigenous community. Kuri has been a supporter of Tandana for over 10 years. He has volunteered to support the Tandana health clinics on many occasions and helped to lead a group of student volunteers. At the beginning of 2023, Kuri joined Tandana full-time as Assistant Program Coordinator. In this role, he facilitates interactions between visiting volunteers and host communities, ensuring a positive experience for everyone. Kuri holds a degree in marketing at the Northern Technical University in Ibarra, Ecuador, and has a professional driver's license. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family. |
Nadyieli Gonzales, Program Leadership FellowNadyieli is a passionate learner with experience living in diverse environments. Growing up in a popular tourist destination (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) she developed a strong interest in exploring multicultural spaces and relationships to understand the world around her. Early on, as a student, she became involved with her community as a language teacher for Human Connections, a local NGO thats supports local and indigenous businesses. And later, following her passion for travel, she studied abroad in Morocco, studying migration to develop an academic independent project. She is an experienced writer and interpreter, having worked as Tandana’s remote Storyteller throughout part of the pandemic in 2020. Nadyieli holds a Politics degree from Whitman College. She hopes to bring an empathetic ear to the Storytelling position. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, days at the beach and salsa dancing. | |
 | Group CoordinatorsA diverse group of experiential education professionals sometimes work on a short-term basis to lead volunteer programs. They plan and lead the program activities, oversee safety, coordinate logistics, facilitate discussions, provide orientation and support to volunteers, and also make sure everyone has fun. Knowledgeable about the area and activities, they serve as guides and cultural liaisons, providing a meaningful volunteer experience. See here for bios of some of our past Group Coordinators. |
 | Moussa Tembiné, Program ManagerMoussa came to Tandana with over 10 years of experience in development with a wide variety of NGOs, including Action Mopti, Amprode Sahel, and PRBP (Projet de Rehabilitation des Barrages et Pistes). He has an academic background in both agronomy and community development, and he is a Superior Agricultural Technician with the Malian Ministry of Agriculture. Having grown up in the village of Kansongho in Dogon Country, Moussa brings deep familiarity with the languages, culture, customs, and social organization of the region. Moussa's enthusiasm for helping villages reach their goals, his skills in project design, and his dedication to providing continual support make this vital work possible. |
 | Housseyni Pamateck, Local SupervisorHousseyni comes from the village of Sal-Dimi and has a degree in Geographical Development from the University of Social Sciences and Management in Bamako (USSG). Housseyni served as an intern for Tandana for two years, working with several Mali Volunteer Venture groups and completing follow-up work on various projects. Housseyni also conducted research on the impact of Tandana's work in different villages during his internship, before taking on the role of Local Supervisor. He has a deep appreciation for the impact Tandana's work has had in his village and many others, and he also understands the importance of getting feedback from villagers. He dedication and cheerful personality increase Tandana's success in Mali. |
 | Kessia Kouriba, Program Assistant and Literacy InstructorKessia is committed to being a role model and a leader for other women. She has worked as a literacy instructor for Tandana since 2014, teaching in several villages in Wadouba, Ségué-Iré , and Ondogou Townships. She enjoys learning about the different cultures and customs in the villages she visits. Prior to working for Tandana, Kessia spent two years working for the Evangelical Development Agency of Mali as a teacher for their Strategic Program for Accelerated Schooling/Gateway Program. Kessia obtained her high school diploma in human science and is from the village of Kansongho. As Program Assistant, she collects feedback from program beneficiaries, compiles and translates posts for Tandana’s blog, and helps to organize meetings and events in the villages. |
 | Hawa Yalcouyé, Scholarship CoordinatorOriginally from Nalou, Mali, Hawa attended primary school in Kilegou, secondary school in Ningari, and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the Faculty of Letters, Languages, and Human Sciences in Bamako. She had not had a chance to use her degree for employment until she became a literacy instructor for The Tandana Foundation in 2019. In 2021, she became coordinator of the new scholarship program in Mali. In this role, she works with educational institutions and students to develop and manage the scholarship program. She is married and the mother of three children. |
 | Moussa Timbiné, Tommo Dah Area CoordinatorMoussa Timbiné (not to be confused with the Program Manager of almost the same name) brought several kinds of teaching experience to his position, including work as a teacher at the school in Temba and as a Dono So literacy instructor for women in the village of Banakane. After receiving training from the Association of Jurists of Mali (AJM), he gave lectures and led discussions on the rights of children, women, and family as well as on the consequences of early and forced marriage, excision, and land problems to help raise awareness of these issues in 10 villages in Ondogou Township. Moussa also works as a civil registrar and serves as a member of the Ondogou Township Council. He served as Savings for Change Coordinator for Tandana and then for Vital Edge Aid and now has become Tandana's Coordinator for the Tommo Dah area. In this role, he organizes meetings, provides follow up, collects data, and supports communities in the area in executing their projects. Moussa is from the village of Ondogou Da and achieved an eighth-grade education. |
 | Aly Ombotimbé, Security Guard and Facilities AssistantBorn in Toupèrè, Mali, Aly Ombotimbé earned his diploma in basic education and then his second-level technician diploma. He worked as a supervisor for construction projects, including the construction of the elementary school in Dani. There, he met the Tandana team and was very impressed with their approach and their way of working with local residents to organize the work on the project. In July 2023, he was excited to join the Tandana team as a security guard and building assistant. In this role, he provides security for Tandana’s Bandiagara office, welcomes visitors, organizes meals and supplies, sends and receives mail, and assists the team with other tasks as needed. |
 | Anouh Tembiné, Literacy InstructorBorn in Kansongho, Mali, Anouh attended school until seventh grade, when he left school due to difficulties finding a place to live. He spent four years working abroad in Ivory Coast and then returned home. Since Tandana began working in his village, he has been involved in all of its activities, helping to welcome the volunteer groups, supporting the Savings for Change program, and serving as a member of the committees that manage the grain bank, community garden, and orchard of Kansongho. Anouh was the first instructor recruited when the literacy program began in 2012 and has been a leader in the literacy team ever since. He is married and has five children. |
 | Ada Kanambaye, Literacy InstructorAda began as a student of Tandana's literacy class in Sal-Dimi in 2013 and was the best student in her class. In 2014, she became a literacy instructor, sharing her knowledge with other women. Originally from Ouroly Gagnaga, Mali, she attended primary school and left middle school in seventh grade. She now lives in Sal-Dimi. Ada also serves as administrative secretary of the cotton bank of Sal-Dimi, the civil status agent of her village, and president of the women's association Moue toumon yaan. She is married and has five children. |
| Adiaratou Ouologuem, Literacy InstructorBorn in Tedje, Mali, Adiaratou now lives in Ondogou Guinekanda with her husband and two children. She attended primary and secondary school, but was not able to pass the baccalaureate exam on her first try, and when she returned home for the school vacation found that her parents decided to give her in marriage. In 2015, she was a student in Tandana's literacy class in Ondogou Guinekanda. In 2019, she became a literacy instructor and is excited to attain good results for her students. |
 | Aissa Tembiné, Literacy InstructorAissa attended elementary school in Ondogou Dah until sixth grade, when she had to leave school to get married. She was a student at the literacy class in Ondogou Dah in 2017, and in 2019 became a literacy instructor. She is also the adminstrative secretary of both her Savings for Change group and the NEMA women's association of Ondogou Dah. Aissa is married and has seven children. |
 | Bintou Kansaye, Literacy InstructorBintou Kansaye was born in Kani-Gogouna, Mali and attended elementary school until fourth grade when she went to Bamako. She participated in Tandana's literacy program in Kani and was the top student in her class. Later she participated in the instructors' training session and began to share her knowledge with other women. Bintou is also president of the CAFO women's association of Wadouba Township, is in charge of external affairs for the Kani women's association, and has participated in numerous meetings of women leaders. |
Fatouma Kouriba, Literacy InstructorFatouma Kouriba was born in Kilegou but lives in Dimbily, where she is married and the mother of eight children. She dropped out of school in sixth grade, because she did not have a place to live near a school that offered 7th grade. She was a student in Tandana's literacy program and then became an instructor. Fatouma is secretary of the women's group in Dimbily, community health agent in Dimbily, and a Savings for Change replicator. She has been involved in many meetings of women leaders. | |
 | Hawa Siguipily, Literacy InstructorBorn in Kani Gogouna, Hawa earned a certificate of professional aptitude, then returned to her village to be married. She expected to find work as a civil status agent at the mayor’s office, but was unsuccessful. When she first heard that a literacy class would be offered in her village, she got many women excited to sign up for it. After the literacy class, she participated in a women’s leadership workshop and then a literacy instructors’ training session. She completed a month-long internship working with another instructor and now teaches her own literacy class. |
| Ramata Balam, Literacy InstructorBorn in Guinekandah, Ramata earned a secretariat certificate and then moved to Kondiougou to be married. With her family responsibilities, she was not able to seek work outside of her village. She participated in the literacy class in Kondiougou and then a women’s leadership workshop, where she learned how to form a women’s association in her village. She became administrative secretary of the new association, which focuses on indigo dyeing. She is also secretary of her Savings for Change group. After participating in the literacy instructors’ training, Ramata completed an internship assisting an instructor in 2022, and now she is teaching her own literacy class. |
 | Hawa Karembé, Literacy InstructorHawa grew up in Andjine and did not have the chance to attend school as a child. She spent time working in Bamako, where she learned to speak Bambara, then returned to her village to be married. She was the top student in the literacy class in Andjine and then was selected to participate in a women’s leadership workshop. She serves as President of her Savings for Change group, administrative secretary of the Andjine Nantanga women’s association, and representative of the women on the village youth work commission. After attending the literacy instructors’ training, she completed a month-long internship assisting another instructor, and now she teaches her own class. |
 | Shelley Kawamura, Volunteer Program Administrator
Shelley has always been fascinated with cultures that are different than her own. She is amazed by the fact that no matter how different cultures may seem individuals are bound together by their similarities. Shelley shares her enthusiasm for different cultures and travel with Tandana volunteers in her position as Administrator of Volunteer Programs. She is responsible for working with volunteer venture participants and volunteer groups on their travel logistics to ensure they have successful and transformative experiences with Tandana. Prior to working for Tandana, Shelley held several positions at SAGE Global Education. Shelley has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a master's degree in Sustainability Management from Colorado State University. In her free time, Shelley enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, creating new things out of existing materials, reading, and gardening. She lives with her family and two dogs in Windsor, Colorado. |
 | Bruce Magnusson, Program AdviserBruce is retiring as Associate Professor of African and International Politics at Whitman College. After receiving his B.A. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his first exposure to Africa came as a staff member in the World Bank's West Africa Program in the 1980s, including more than a year at the Resident Mission in Benin in 1985-86. In 1990, he decided to pursue his interests in politics and development in Africa in a Ph.D. program in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. At Whitman College, his work focused on the intersection of democratization, ethnicity, and security in Africa, and he engaged in research in Benin, Ghana, Senegal, and Mali. In addition to publishing on those themes, he co-edited two books that explored the global tropes of Contagion and Spectacle. He also served in a variety of administrative capacities, including department chair, social sciences division chair, and Director of the Global Studies Initiative. |
 | Molly Klarman, Special Projects AssistantMolly began working for Tandana in 2010 as an intern in Ecuador, coordinating several programs including the Health Care Volunteer Ventures and several Group Service Projects. She has also been taking care of administrative details for Tandana since the spring of 2011. Originally from the Boston area, Molly is now in Haiti working for the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation at a rural hospital, where she helps in the foundation's efforts to offer access to quality, affordable health care, educational opportunities, and community development programs. She previously worked for a conservation organization in Belize and on a conservation project in Costa Rica. When she has downtime, Molly’s favorite thing to do is to take long hikes which end at a swimming spot. |
| | Bridget Vis, Communications SpecialistBridget uses her marketing and communications skills to expertly manage Tandana's multilingual blog as well as assist with other projects and fundraising initiatives. She works with translators to get blog posts translated into English, French and Spanish and then posts them on the blog, along with writing some blogs herself. By day, Bridget is a Manager, Communications and Marketing of the Food & Forest team at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit. Prior to joining Ceres, she was Public Relations Specialist at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and Technical Content Developer for Eisbrenner Public Relations. Her background is in journalism, and she previously worked for many different publications, including Crain’s Detroit Business, the Cincinnati Enquirer, Patch.com and Hour Media. Bridget has bachelor's degrees in journalism and international studies from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in marketing from Walsh College. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and enjoys going to the farmers' market, exploring the numerous natural areas, and cheering on the Michigan Football team. |
 | François Chauvet, Language Consultant
Born in Mexico City to French-Mexican parents, François grew up in a bilingual household, where he was accustomed to switching rapidly between languages. He earned a BA degree in History from Mount Angel Seminary and entered the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1984. In addition to serving as a priest, he has worked as a simultaneous interpreter in Spanish, French, and English for more than 40 years. Based in Paris, he currently works as interpreter for the Society of Mary in Europe and is pursuing a master's degree in theology at the Institut Catholique de Paris. As Language Consultant, he provides interpretation, translation, and language-based support to facilitate communication among Tandana's team members and stakeholders. François enjoys the art of working with words, idioms, and expressions to help others fulfill their goals. |
 | Marilyn Peterson, Financial CoordinatorMarilyn became Tandana's Financial Coordinator in May 2016. As Financial Coordinator, she is responsible for the foundation's accounting operations. Her duties include preparing financial reports, maintaining a system of accounting records, reconciling accounts, overseeing accounting procedures and processing payroll. Marilyn brings a lot of professional and educational experience to her position. She has her own accounting/bookkeeping business, Peterson Bookkeeping & Consulting, which she has owned for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University. Her hobbies include spending time with family, doing Jazzercise, going to the beach, reading, gardening, and walking her dog. Marilyn, who grew up in Athens, Ohio has lived in Springboro, Ohio for the past 26 years. She is married and has two grown daughters. |
 | Stephanie Reis, Social Media SpecialistStephanie is currently the Director of Marketing & Operations at Kailua United Methodist Church, one of the Tandana Foundation’s annual supporters. She was originally drawn to the Tandana Foundation by their ability to provide updates on projects and actually show their donors just how the money is being used – something you don’t often see with other nonprofits. She has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing & Advertising from Morningside University, where she also played soccer. Stephanie currently resides on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii and is passionate about all things sustainability and protecting our planet. She enjoys being at the beach, exploring handmade markets, pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities, learning about the island’s culture, and most of all, spending time with her daughter and dog. |
Medical Direction Committee
 | Julie Anderson, P.A.Julie has been a family-practice Physician Assistant for over two decades, for both Livingston Healthcare in Livingston, Montana and Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome, Alaska. Before that, Julie worked as a registered nurse for 30 years. Julie has been involved with The Tandana Foundation and its health care programs in Ecuador since the first Health Care Volunteer Venture in 2007. In addition to her work with Tandana, Julie shares her time and talents with a number of medical missions around the globe including projects in Alaska and Haiti. Julie has a degree from the Medical School at the University of North Dakota and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. |
 | Esly Caldwell, M.D., M.P.H.Dr. Esly Caldwell currently lives in Cincinnati, OH but has called many places in the US home. After more than 40 years in the medical field, working in internal, family, and emergency medicine, he is currently semi-retired, working in a free clinic and an addiction clinic, and is serving on the American Board of Preventive Medicine in Addictionology. Esly and his wife Judy have participated in four health care trips with the foundation, in addition to numerous other medical missions in Nicaragua, Haiti, Tanzania and Honduras. He not only brings his vast knowledge of medicine, but also his enthusiasm and curiosity for new cultures. In his freetime, Esly enjoys studying history and photography. He also enjoys piloting small airplanes. |
 | Heather Dennison, M.D.Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Ottawa. Tandana's Healthcare Volunteer Ventures have become a family affair, as she has been able to participate with her immediate and extended family over the last several years. She has worked as a Family Physician for over 25 years, giving her a wealth of knowledge to share with communities. She enjoys continuously learning in her field, facilitated through her certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Heather currently serves as an Advisor for Medical Scribes of Canada and is on the the EMR Advisory Committee of the Carlington Community Health Center. |
 | Kate Driscoll, M.D.Kate inherited her love of traveling to Ecuador with Tandana from her father Dr. Mark McGovern. Kate has gone on many Health Care Volunteer Ventures, and on one trip, she was humbled and almost brought to tears by the appreciation of an elderly patient. This appreciation crossed language, cultural, and generational barriers. Kate is a pediatrician living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and she practices at Anderson Hills Pediatrics, Inc. Kate has a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Ohio University and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is a fellow and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. |
 | Peter Graves, M.D.Peter has participated in multiple Healthcare Volunteer Ventures since first traveling to Ecuador in 2015 with his family. He has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Ottawa, where he also received his Doctorate of Medicine, and is certified through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He has over 25 years of experience working as an ER Physician. This experience led him to founding the Medical Scribes of Canada in 2014 as a means of improving Canada's healthcare system, training medical scribes, and providing scribe services for physicians. He currently serves as President of MSC. |
 | Kelly McCosh, P.A.-C.Kelly is passionate about providing high-quality and compassionate care as a Physician Assistant. Kelly first volunteered with Tandana in 2008 and has gone on many Health Care Volunteer Ventures since. Through her work with Tandana she realizes each individual has the ability to make an impact in this world. Kelly, who lives in Lewiston Maine, works for Central Maine Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. She has a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences from The University of Sciences and a master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kelly is a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants as well as Physician Assistants for Global Health. |
 | Mark McGovern, M.D.Mark brings to this committee the knowledge he has gained from over 40 years of practicing pediatric medicine. He went on his first Health Care Volunteer Venture in 2007 and since then he has gone on a trip with Tandana every year. His experiences in Ecuador have been both life-changing and amazing. Before retiring in 2013, he was a professor at the University of Cincinnati and worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Mark has a bachelor's degree from St. Peter's College and a Doctorate of Medicine from Creighton University College of Medicine. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. |
Risk Management Committee
 | Paul DreyerPaul was born in South Africa, moved to the US as a child, and has sought out travel and adventure ever since. Paul has over two decades of expertise in experiential education, leadership development, risk management, and team building, especially in remote and challenging environments. He's worked with a variety of organizations such as the Cottonwood Institute, Where There Be Dragons, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and he currently serves as the CEO with Avid4 Adventure. Paul also instructs first responder courses with the NOLS Wilderness Medicine. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in School Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. |
| Ken GatesIt seems as if Ken was destined to join the Tandana family as coincidently his first two international trips were to Ecuador and Mali. Ken likes the unique and effective relationships Tandana has formed with the communities with which it works. He saw this firsthand when he accompanied three different groups of students on their group service learning programs to Ecuador for the Orfalea Foundation's REACH Program, of which he was the director for five years. He graduated from Gettysburg College with a bachelor's degree in Biology. Ken grew up in Madison, CT and now lives in Blacksburg, VA, where he is a Program Coordinator at Virginia Tech. His hobbies include skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking. |
 | Shannon OngaroShannon calls Bozeman, Montana her home but extensive traveling has made her a citizen of the world. She has been involved with Tandana from the organization’s early stages and was instrumental in developing the Mali Volunteer Venture Program. Shannon has also contributed greatly to Tandana's work in Ecuador. Shannon is an Adjunct Professor at Montana State University. She previously worked for The Traveling School as a teacher, Academic Program Director, and a Visiting Senior Educator, where her many responsibilities included creating emergency and evaluation plans. She also served as the president of TTS's Board of Directors. Shannon has a bachelor's degree in Biology from Humboldt State University, a master's degree in History from Montana State University, and a master's degree in Creative Writing from Naropa University. |
 | Danika RobisonDanika has served as Tandana’s volunteer coordinator intern, the lead coordinator for many Tandana programs, and is currently on the program committee. She spent several semesters working for The Traveling School in South America and Southern Africa, where she taught history, Spanish, and global studies. Danika is passionate about creating meaningful and accessible educational opportunities. She worked with Anna to begin a collaboration with REACH, a youth development program from Southern California, to bring motivated scholarship students to participate in Tandana programs in Ecuador. Danika has a bachelor's degree in international affairs and government from Skidmore College, and is currently studying public administration at Middlebury Institute for International Studies. Her experience with Tandana served as a catalyst for building her understanding of the vibrant and resilient indigenous culture and history of the area. She is grateful for the many opportunities to introduce students and program participants to the amazing friends of Tandana that share their unique knowledge and stories with visiting volunteers. |
Program Committee
 | Shannon CantorShannon began working for Tandana as a Program Leadership Fellow in 2016, and served as Program Coordinator in 2017 and 2018. She has led a huge number of Tandana volunteer programs in Ecuador. She likes being part of Tandana because of the emphasis the foundation places on forming relationships, reciprocal learning, listening to community members when deciding which projects to undertake. Shannon has a M.A and B.A. in Comparative Literature as well as a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in International Arts from Penn State University. Prior to joining Tandana, Shannon held several different positions at PSU. She worked at the Museum of Anthropology, was a writing tutor at the university's Learning Center, and was a Research Fellow in the Department of Comparative Literature. She also spent a summer working as an English professor at the Universidad de San Francisco in Quito. Shannon is from Williamsport, Pennsylvania but she now lives in Ecuador. She enjoys reading, writing, playing music, and taking walks. |
 | Emily Della FeraEmily has worn many hats since starting with Tandana in 2014 as the ESL intern. Nine months just wasn't enough, so she signed on in 2015 as the Summer School Coordinator and held the position for three more summers after that. Between 2015 and 2018, she led numerous volunteer programs, served as an interpreter for healthcare providers, and helped out however she could with the foundation. Now that life has finally brought her back to Philadelphia, she has joined the Program Committee to share her experience. Despite living in the city, Emily loves being in nature. In her free time, you can find her exploring new places or playing rugby. |
| Lizzie FalconerLizzie first started working with Tandana after graduating from University of Oregon in 2011 with a double BA in International Studies and Spanish. As Program Coordinator Intern for the Foundation, she saw what was possible in community development when people work together to achieve community-led goals. After Tandana, she worked for various schools and small non-profit organizations, which led her to the Monterey Institute of International Studies, where she received a Master of Public Administration. During this time, she honed her monitoring, evaluation, and program management skills. In January 2017, she moved to Bolivia to work with Catholic Relief Services and has been working with them ever since in six country offices across Latin America and Southern Africa. Currently, she manages the Organizational Change and Learning team for their new operations systems. An eternal student, Lizzie loves to expand her knowledge to become a better development practitioner. When she’s not learning something new, she loves hiking, cooking, writing, and running. |
Paul Dreyer(see above) | |
Shannon Ongaro(see above) | |
Danika Robison(see above) |
