FNE International team
Meet the Team

The People Behind FNE

A dedicated and diverse group of professionals and volunteers united by a shared commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.

On the Ground

Team

Our dedicated team members working directly with communities in Nicaragua, Peru, and Dominican Republic.

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

Elissa Lara Sampson

Elissa Lara Sampson

Country Director Nicaragua/SPTLN Coordinator

Karla Hernandez

Karla Hernandez

Programs Coordinator

Conchita Montes

Conchita Montes

Programs Advisor

Rita Urbina

Rita Urbina

Programs Assistant

Lourdes Ojeda

Lourdes Ojeda

Library Coordinator

Alba Reyes

Alba Reyes

Crafts Coordinator & Tutor

Wilmer Morales

Wilmer Morales

Mathematics Tutor

Danilo Morales

Danilo Morales

Consulting Agroecologist

Jose Santos Hernandez

Jose Santos Hernandez

Chief of Security

Francisco Rodriguez

Francisco Rodriguez

Finca Girasol Supervisor

Leyla Torres

Leyla Torres

Dreamers Coordinator

Marcela Olivas

Marcela Olivas

Dreamers English Coordinator

Huguette Ulloa

Huguette Ulloa

School Counselor

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

Elvitana Roberto

Elvitana Roberto

Founder & Director, FUCPE DR

Pedro Mercedes

Medical Coordinator DR

🇵🇪 Peru

Dr. Francisco Morales Zapata

Dr. Francisco Morales Zapata

Peru Medical Coordinator Assoc. Wiñaypaq

Flor Reaño Segura

Flor Reaño Segura

Program Coordinator, Chiclayo LATIDOS

Leadership

Board of Directors

Our board brings diverse expertise and a shared passion for creating lasting change in communities across Latin America.

Michael Cipoletti

Michael Cipoletti

Founder & Executive Director

MBA, MPH

Veronica Gonzalez Annicchiarico

Veronica Gonzalez Annicchiarico

Board President

Interpreter

Melissa Costa

Melissa Costa

Director of Operations

Teacher

Emily Ward

Emily Ward

Board Member

Operations

Tristan Neeb

Tristan Neeb

Board Member

Executive

Travis Kumph

Travis Kumph

Board Member

Hospital Administrator

Carl Carroll

Carl Carroll

Board Member

Public Health Expert

Jerrilyn Rothenberg

Jerrilyn Rothenberg

Board Member

Special Education

Michael Malavet

Michael Malavet

Board Member

Physician Assistant

Jim Dougherty

Jim Dougherty

Board Member

Project Management

Meghan Samyn

Meghan Samyn

Board Member

Speech Pathologist

Yuri Benjamin

Yuri Benjamin

Board Member

Teacher

Andre Crawford

Andre Crawford

Board Member

Paddy McCarthy

Paddy McCarthy

Board Member Emeritus

Teacher

Cheryl Bruke

Cheryl Bruke

Board Member Emeritus

Special Education Specialist

Tom Bennett

Tom Bennett

Board Member Emeritus

Retired Physician College Professor

What Drives Us

Our Shared Values

These principles guide everything we do as a team.

Integrity

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in all our work and relationships.

Respect

Our relationships with partners are balanced and illustrate mutual respect for their knowledge and leadership.

Solidarity

We stand together with our partner communities, working hand-in-hand to create lasting change.

Want to Join Our Team?

We're always looking for passionate individuals to help us create pathways out of poverty.