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NamasteDirect Fellows
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Summer 2009
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Annelyse Freyman - Vanderbilt University
 Annelyse Freyman is 21-years-old and was born in Libertyville, Illinois. She is an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University studying Spanish, Psychology, and Business. Annelyse first developed her passion for Hispanic culture when she started learning Spanish as a second language in middle school. Since then she has travelled to 9 different countries in Southern and Central America where she continues to develop her language skills and experience the unique lifestyles of Latin America. Annie also lived and studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina for five months where she worked with HelpArgentina, a nonprofit organization devoted to strengthening Argentine civil society through the mobilization of donors and volunteers from around the world. She is honored to be a Fellow with NamasteDirect this summer and looks forward to learning more about microfinance, a field in which she hopes to someday find a career. Otherwise, she loves to travel, dance, and learn new things.
Annelyse will be traveling to Guatemala as a NamasteDirect fellow this summer. She will work with and monitor clients enrolled in the Namaste Business Development with Microcredit Program. |
Summer 2008
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Abigail Augus - UC Davis
 Abbey is a student at UC Davis working towards her degree in Community and Regional Development. She was first exposed to micro lending while she was working with PRASAD (www.prasad.org) in India. Her work pertained to health care and HIV education, but she had the opportunity to observe the success of Prasad’s self-help groups which are comprised of women in the Tansa Valley. Accordingly, she has focused her research at UC Davis in this field. She will be presenting her findings in the undergraduate research conference at UC Davis in April of 2008. She plans to use her experience as a Fellow to further her personal mission of advocating equal rights and fighting discrimination by continuously raising awareness of global issues and the importance of cross-cultural dialogue.
Abbey is the group captain for the CARE Edubanco groups located in Quiche, Guatemala and is the Legacy Fellow for the Annenberg Foundation. |
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Winter 2008 |
Melyora Trujillo - San Francisco State University
 Melyora recently received her Masters in Public Policy and Administration from San Francisco State University. Her passion for equality and human rights, especially amongst women is unsurpassed. She aspires to work with an international organization that helps women in Latin America. She lived in Oaxaca and Cuernavaca, Mexico, as well as in Madrid, Spain, where she learned to speak Spanish. She lived in Oaxaca during the political revolt which strongly influenced her desire to work towards change in Latin America. Melyora has worked for the Women's Initiative in Oakland and volunteered with the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies.
Melyora is the group captain of the Tres Agaves 100+ Group. |
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Daniel Zoltani- University of Colorado
Daniel recently graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in International Affairs and Economics. After spending his junior year abroad in South America, he was introduced to the concept of microfinance and his knowledge and interest continued to grow. Recently, he traveled to El Salvador and Guatemala to start up a small e-commerce business that supports small entrepreneurs by buying their works for a fair price directly from those who are making quality items, which would be the final stage in the circle of the microfinance process due to the fair prices. Daniel has already had first hand experience in dealing with the micro-entrepreneur. You can visit his website at www.pazimports.com.
Daniel is the group captain of the Patzún 100+ Group. |
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Caitlin Mitchell- Pepperdine University
 Caitlin recently graduated from Pepperdine University, double majoring in International Studies and Spanish. With a vast interest in the underprivileged Spanish-speaking population and women in particular, Caitlin has a tremendous passion and excitement to bring such an opportunity to other women. After volunteering for Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village and taking several service trips to Latin America, she has felt a close connection to these experiences and wants to expand her outreach to women in need. Being able to fluently speak Spanish has also made the experience more rewarding.
Caitlin is the group captain of the Señoras de las Piedras 100+ Group in Retalhuleu, Guatemala. |
| Summer 2007 |
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 John Travis – University of California, Berkeley
John is a senior at UC Berkeley, where he is majoring in Political Science. After graduation, John plans to pursue his doctorate in Political Science and focus his research on Latin American Politics. John spent the first 18 years of his life growing up in Mexico, where he learned to speak Spanish. Prior to attending UC Berkeley, John studied at Santa Barbara City College where he also worked as a tutor and instructional assistant in Political Science and History. In 2006, John was awarded as the Political Science student of the year at Santa Barbara City College. John has also studied and taught English in China and Vietnam. John's interest in non-profit organizations stems from his grandfather, who co-founded the organization Direct Relief International.
John is the group captain of the Motagua 100+ Group and Legacy Fellow for the Julia Burke Foundation. |
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 Sarah Martin – University of Florida, Gainesville
Sarah is a student at the University of Florida in Gainesville where she is pursuing two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Economics. She also has minors in Latin American studies and Spanish and has studied economic development and international trade as a part of her coursework. Her international studies have taken her to Mexico, Greece, Japan, South Africa and Brazil. Sarah has interned in the field of immigration law and has also served as a legislative intern. She has been named a University Scholar for her ongoing research on immigration. During her ethnographic research in the Yucatan Peninsula Sarah observed the positive effects of microcredit projects on rural artisans in the area and is thrilled to be broadening her experience with microcredit through her involvement with NamasteDirect.
Sarah is the group captain of the Tecpan 100+ Group and a Kimball Foundation Legacy Fellow. |
Spring 2007
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 MIREYA ALMAZÁN – Georgetown University
Mireya recently completed her Master of Public Policy degree at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute with a concentration in International Policy and Development. While at Georgetown, Mireya served as a business consultant for a proposed project in Nicaragua and a research fellow. As a research fellow, Mireya researched and analyzed education programs for the Center for Research on Children in the US. After completing her B.A. in Economics at Harvard University, Mireya taught in an international school in Chile and subsequently worked for the Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools. Mireya is applied her research skills and experience to microcredit, researching the impact of microfinance on microcredit borrowers. She is currently in South Africa mainly working on a project aimed at reducing exploitive child labor there and also furthering her involvement in microfinance.
Mireya is the group captain of the Nachij 100+ Group. |
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 JOEL RAMIREZ – Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Joel is pursuing a Master of Business Administration at UC Berkeley where he is concentrating his studies in social entrepreneurship and social venture financing. He is actively involved with the Global Social Venture Competition as well as the Latino and Hispanic Business Association on campus. Before pursuing his masters, he worked in finance and accounting roles at biotechnology and high-tech companies. For the last three years, he has been a member of Son de la Tierra, the traditional Mexican music performing group at the non-profit East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond, CA. He holds a dual B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Stanford University.
Joel traveled to Mexico in May, 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow and remained in Chiapas for several weeks, as part of the Haas International Business Development Program, to work with AlSol on developing a business education program for its clients. |
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 MICKAYELA BEATTY – Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Kayela is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at UC Berkeley where she is focusing her studies on general management and entrepreneurship. She is also actively involved with the Haas Education Club. Prior to entering graduate school, Kayela spent seven years working in Industrial Engineering and Operations Planning at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. As a part of this role, she lived in Hong Kong for several months where she helped facilitate the launch of Hong Kong Disneyland. Kayela graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering.
Kayela traveled to Mexico in May, 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow and remained in Chiapas for several weeks, as part of the Haas International Business Development Program, to work with AlSol on developing a business education program for its clients. |
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 SHIRIN DEWANI BELUR – Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Shirin is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. She is actively involved in the Net Impact Club and the Global Social Venture Competition. Before beginning her MBA, Shirin spent 5+ years as the Director of Operations for BUILD, a non-profit social venture that uses entrepreneurship to help high school students from under-resourced communities get to college. Shirin has also held positions in marketing and product management at Charles Schwab & Co. and Charitableway.com. She received a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.
Shirin traveled to Mexico in May, 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow and remained in Chiapas for several weeks, as part of the Haas International Business Development Program, to work with AlSol on developing a business education program for its clients. |
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 JAMES PLATTS - Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
James is currently pursuing a dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley s Walter A. Haas School of Business and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Prior to graduate school, James spent almost three years on the economic policy staff in the Executive Office of the President in Washington, DC, working on a number of different issues for the Federal Government, including health care, financial services, and Social Security. Prior to that, James worked for two years as a research analyst for the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. He graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Economics in 2001.
James traveled to Mexico in May, 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow and remained in Chiapas for several weeks, as part of the Haas International Business Development Program, to work with AlSol on developing a business education program for its clients. |
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CARRIE BRODE – University of California, Berkeley
Carrie is a senior at UC Berkeley where she is majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies, with a concentration in nonviolence. She is an editor as well as layout and design director for Peace Power Magazine, a student journal addressing nonviolence and conflict transformation. While at Berkeley, Carrie has also been a volunteer for the Metta Center for Nonviolence and has continued her work as the program coordinator for the Healing Center Foundation in Santa Barbara. Carrie has served as a NamasteDirect intern since 2006, supporting website optimization and design. Carrie traveled to Guatemala in March 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow.
Carrie is group captain for the Comalapa 100+ Group. She is the 2007 Kimball Foundation Legacy Fellow. |
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MEERA CHARY – Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Meera is pursuing her Master of Business Administration at the Haas School of Business, where she also serves as the co-president of the Leadership in Education Club as well as a mentor for young entrepreneurs. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley, Meera served two years for the United States Peace Corps in the Mbarara District of Uganda where she trained teachers, designed and implemented AIDS education, created the community's first nursery school, developed an orphans' advocacy network, and helped to revitalize the educational system. Before beginning her MBA, Meera worked as an outreach program designer for GreatSchools, Inc., creating a unique program to bring K-12 education information to low-income parents. Meera traveled to Guatemala in March 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow.
Meera is group captain of the San Antonio Palopo 100+ Group. |
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 STEPHANIE KARLA GERSON – University of California, Berkeley
Stephanie received a B.A. in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University and is now a graduate student in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley. She's in the process of editing footage from her 2007 trip to Guatemala (for appetizers, please visit: Steaphanie's YouTube.com playlist).
To learn more about Stephanie, please visit her personal website.
Stephanie is group captain of the Señoras de las Chumatanes 100+ Group. |
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JASMINE MORA – University of California, Berkeley
Jasmine recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a Peace & Conflict Studies major, with a concentration in Human Rights, and a Spanish minor. While a student, she worked at the Human Rights Center on the Berkeley campus. In fall 2005, Jasmine served as a teaching assistant for the introductory peace and conflict studies course. She has studied abroad in Siena, Italy, and most recently participated in a travel study program to Bolivia. While in Bolivia, Jasmine also served as Rotary Ambassador to the cities of Santa Cruz and La Paz. Jasmine was 2006 PPIA Princeton Fellow, and is fluent in Spanish and conversational Italian. Currently Jasmine is teaching middle school in Los Angeles and pursuing a Masters degree in education. She hopes to one day work for either the United Nations or Human Rights Watch. Jasmine traveled to Guatemala in March 2007 as a NamasteDirect Fellow.
Jasmine is group captain of the Santa Cruz del Quiche 100+ Group in Guatemala. |
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Fall 2006
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NICOLE ARBOLEDA – University of California, Berkeley
Nicole recently graduated from UC Berkeley where she majored in Public Health with a minor in Public Policy.
While at UCB, Nicole served as a budget analyst for the Committee on Student Fees as well as a student
representative for the Health Fee Advisory Board. Nicole was a writer and editor for The Public Health Advocate,
a student newsletter that addresses local and international public health issues. Nicole has served as a Teaching
Assistant for the introductory public health course. She has also volunteered as a coach for several youth
sports programs. She spent the 2006 spring semester studying abroad in Valparaíso, Chile. Nicole traveled
to Guatemala in November of 2006 as a NamasteDirect Fellow. She spent the summer after her college graduation interning in the field of domestic microcredit.
Nicole is the group captain for the San Raymundo 100+ Group. She is The Julia Burke Foundation's 2006 Legacy Fellow. |
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CREIGHTON AVILA – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Creighton recently completed a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in finance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
While at UNC, Creighton worked as a research assistant in economic development and in government management. Before beginning his MPA,
Creighton has worked as a teacher and he has also served as Deputy Director of Operations for a political committee in California as well
as working directly in county and state governments. In California, Creighton worked in the communications division at the Office of the
Governor. In North Carolina he has worked on county and city projects, including developing budgets, advising funding allocation, as
well as assisting in accountability and performance projects. Creighton is continuing to demonstrate his commitment to public service, currently working for county government through a fellowship in North Carolina. His undergraduate work was at the University of Southern California where
he completed a joint degree in Political Science and Journalism. Creighton traveled to Guatemala in November of 2006 as a
NamasteDirect Fellow.
Creighton is the group captain for the Señoras de Esperanza Group. He is the Ann Hunter-Welborn and David Welborn Legacy Fellow. |
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Summer 2006
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ELLEN DOBIE – University of California, Berkeley
Ellen is studying at UC Berkeley, where she majors in International Political Economy
with an emphasis on economic development in Latin America. With a strong commitment to
community service, Ellen currently volunteers for the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant as a translator and
legal aide to poor and indigenous immigrants from Latin America who seek political asylum or refugee status.
Through the Haas School of Business, Ellen has traveled through Asia to study international business and economics.
She subsequently served as an Assistant Trader and Researcher with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Her primary focus and passion continues to be economic and community development in Latin America.
Ellen traveled to Guatemala and Mexico as a Fellow in August of 2006.
Ellen is group captain for the San Pedro Sacatepequez 100+ Group. She is a Bob and Sherrie Ilse Legacy Fellow. |
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 RYAN GREENE
– Stanford Graduate
School of Business
In 2006, Ryan completed the joint Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in
Education program at Stanford University. During his graduate work, Ryan was active in the Leadership
Development Platform, the Partnerships for Education club, and as a student appointee to the Stanford University
Board of Trustees Committee on Alumni and External Affairs. Also while at Stanford, he served as a mentor to an
elementary school student in the I Have a Dream (IHAD) program and spent his summer working in urban K-12 education
reform with The Broad Foundation. Prior to starting graduate studies, Ryan worked with The Boston Consulting Group
(BCG) in Atlanta, Georgia, and Monterrey, Mexico. His undergraduate work was at the Georgia Institute of Technology
where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. Ryan traveled to Guatemala and Mexico as a Fellow
in August 2006.
Ryan is the group captain of the Señoras
de Chiapas 100+ Group. He is a Bob and Sherrie Ilse Legacy Fellow. |
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Spring 2006
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 MICHELLE BEROLZHEIMER – Vanderbilt University
Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University with majors in both English and Spanish. She then spent five years in New York City working in the advertising field. For the past several months, Michelle has dedicated her time and skills as an active volunteer for NamasteDirect, assisting in its communication and outreach efforts. She visited Guatemala as a Fellow in March of 2006.
Michelle is the group captain of the Nebaj 100+ Group. She is a Robert Graham Legacy Fellow. |
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 IRIT
EPELBAUM – Stanford Graduate
School of Business
Irit recently completed a Master of Business Administration at Stanford University.
Irit, who is originally from Bolivia, received her Bachelor degrees in
Economics and International Studies from Yale University and subsequently
worked as a research associate for Cornerstone Research in New York City
for several years before starting the MBA program at Stanford. Irit is
the co-founder of Bring a Smile to a Bolivian Child, an organization that
works to provide the necessary resources for the survival and healthcare
of children in Bolivia. Having a deep interest in microfinance, Irit has
previously worked as an intern for Banco Industrial, focusing on microcredit
in Bolivia. She visited
Guatemala as a Fellow in March of 2006.
Irit is the group captain of the Señoras
de Sololá 100+ Group. She is the William D. Smythe Family Foundation Legacy Fellow. |
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 SAMUEL
GOLDMAN – Stanford Graduate
School of Business
Sam recently completed a Master of Business Administration at Stanford University. He is founder and CEO of d.light design, a company dedicated to affordable and
sustainable lighting and power solutions for underserved rural areas without access to electricity.
He received his Bachelor degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from
the University of Victoria, BC, Canada before leading a climate change
bicycle caravan 9000 km across Canada and then entering the Peace Corps.
While serving with the Peace Corps in Benin, Sam founded a West African
non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the environment, rural
income generation, and overcoming malnutrition through promoting the extremely
nutritious and underexploited plant, Moringa oleifera. He visited
Guatemala as a Fellow in March of 2006.
Sam is the group captain of the Señoras
de Quiché 100+ Group. He is a Bob and Sherrie Ilse Legacy Fellow. |
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 ALLYSON
LIPPERT – Stanford Graduate
School of Business
Allyson recently completed a Master of Business Administration at Stanford
University. She received her Bachelor degrees in both Business Administration
and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Allyson has a long-standing interest in microcredit, and as an undergraduate
student she undertook field research in Samoa and subsequently wrote an
honors thesis entitled “The Impact of Microfinance on the Macroeconomic
Growth of Samoa.” As she is also an artist, Allyson additionally
used her experience in Samoa as inspiration for a series of paintings.
Allyson worked for two years with the Boston Consulting Group before starting
the MBA program at Stanford. She visited
Guatemala as a Fellow in March of 2006.
Allyson is the group captain of the Señoras
de las Montañas 100+ Group. She is a Bob and Sherrie Ilse Legacy Fellow. |
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 WES
SELKE - Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Wes recently completed a Master of Business Administration from the Haas
School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley where he
focused his studies on international development and social entrepreneurship.
His volunteer work in poor, rural regions of Mexico and inner-city Chicago
have given Wes a passion for making a difference in the lives of those
living in poverty through sustainable business models. As a result, he
returned to graduate school planning to pursue a career in microfinance after graduation, which he has done. Wes is now a portfolio officer for Good Capital. Prior to his MBA program,
Wes spent six years in Chicago working in corporate finance and equity
research. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University
of Michigan and was born and raised in Rochester Hills, MI. Wes traveled
to Guatemala as a NamasteDirect Fellow in March of 2006.
Wes is the group captain for the San Juan Sacatepequez
100+ Group. He is a Kimball Foundation Legacy Fellow. |
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Fall 2005
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 TIMOTHY
LOVE –
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tim completed a Master of Public Administration at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 and has been working as a consultant since graduation. He received his Bachelor degree from
the University of North Carolina at Asheville where he majored in Political
Science. Tim has worked as an analyst and research assistant in various
departments of county government in North Carolina. Before becoming a NamasteDirect
Fellow, Tim’s interest in international development led him to be
a summer intern for the United Nations Department of Economic and Social
Affairs where he researched opportunities for rural development through
private and public sector partnerships in the context of Madagascar. Tim
traveled to Guatemala as a Fellow in November of 2005.
Tim is the group captain for the Señoras
de Nahaula 100+ Group. |
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 DELPHINE
SHERMAN -
Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Delphine completed a Master of Business Administration at the Haas School of Business in 2006. Delphine has
long been active in working at the intersection between economics and social
principles. During her time at Berkeley, Delphine worked in various leadership
roles, including as the Corporate Development Chair for the Global Social
Venture Competition and as a Board Fellow for the Ronald McDonald House.
Delphine’s interest and involvement in international sustainable
development led her to Sri Lanka as a microfinance and marketing consultant
previous to her participation with NamasteDirect in Guatemala. Delphine
received a Bachelor degree from Dartmouth College where she majored in
economics. She traveled to Guatemala as a NamasteDirect Fellow in November
2005.
Delphine is the team captain for the Señoras
del Tolimán 100+ Group. |
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Summer 2005
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 MAREK
ADAMO – University of San Diego
Marek completed a joint Law degree and Master in Business Administration
at the University of San Diego in 2005. He currently works as an attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a law student, Marek was a member of
the International Law Society and competed on the Appellate Moot Court
National Team. His undergraduate studies were at UC Berkeley where he majored
in economics. At Berkeley, Marek served as executive director of Cal Students
for Educational Outreach, a student group that provided free SAT tutoring
to students in underserved high schools. Marek traveled to Guatemala as
a NamasteDirect Fellow in August of 2005.
Marek is the group captain of the
Chicacao 100+ Group.
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 BRYNNA
JACOBSON - University of San Diego
Brynna completed a Master degree in Peace and Justice Studies
at the University of San Diego in 2005. Her undergraduate studies were at the University
of California, Berkeley where received her Bachelor degree in Peace and
Conflict Studies. Brynna’s academic foci have included human rights,
international relations, peace building, conflict resolution, nonviolent
social change, environmental justice and sustainable development. Regionally
she has long been interested in the Americas, both academically and personally.
Brynna has traveled to Guatemala on several occasions, including as a NamasteDirect
Fellow in August of 2005 and as part of NamasteDirect groups in November
of 2005 and August of 2006. Brynna is NamasteDirect’s Fellowship Program Manager.
Brynna is group captain of the San
Martín 100+ Group. |
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 MARY
FOLEY - California Institute of Integral Studies
Mary has been active in issues affecting women and Central America since
1990. She first traveled to Guatemala as a sixteen year old to volunteer
in a hospital and improve her Spanish skills. At the age of nineteen, Mary
spent six months in El Salvador working for a rural development NGO. Since
then, Mary has worked extensively with survivors of political and sexual
violence in the United States. She recently completed a M.A. in Philosophy,
Cosmology and Consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies,
and now serves as a Program Coordinator there. Mary visited Guatemala as
a NamasteDirect Fellow in August of 2005.
Mary is group captain of the Nahuala
100+ Group. |
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 VALENCIA
SUHENDRA - University of California, Los Angeles
Valencia is from Jakarta, Indonesia and at the time of her Fellowship, was a student at Foothill
College. She transferred to UCLA where she is majoring in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting. Valencia
has always had a passion for helping poor people in both small and large
scales and she sees NamasteDirect as sharing this vision. Valencia traveled
to Guatemala in August of 2005 to observe the lives of women who have been
helped by NamasteDirect’s microcredit program.
Valencia is group captain of the Lake Atitlán
100+ Group. |
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Spring 2005
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 KARELIA
VARGAS - Foothill College
Karelia is a student at Foothill College where she is majoring in international
business. She has plans to transfer soon to Santa Clara University or Loyola
Marymount. Karelia visited Guatemala in April of 2005 as the first NamasteDirect
Fellow and subsequently visited in November to again meet with NamasteDirect
microcredit borrowers.
Karelia is group captain of the Ixil
100+ Group. |
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 JESSICA WELBORN – Santa Barbara Graduate Institute
Jessica is a NamasteDirect Advisory Board member who has also taken on the responsibilities of being a group captain. Jessica is currently a Ph.D. student of Perinatal Psychology at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She has spent substantial time traveling and volunteering in Central America. Jessica has visited NamasteDirect borrowing groups in Guatemala in April and November of 2005.
Jessica is the group captain of the Villa Canales 100+ Group and the Chimaltenango 100+ Group.
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