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Our Team

Richard Schmaltz, Executive Director. Richard is from Ontario, Canada where he led and administered elementary, middle and secondary schools. Richard became the executive director in January, 2011. He and his wife Susan have helped Safe Passage for over a decade, first as volunteers, then in founding and guiding the Early Childhood Education Center. Read more about Richard here.

 

Guatemala Management Team:

Mariella de López, Administrative Director. Mariella has worked for Safe Passage for many years and was formerly as adviser to Guatemala's First Lady, Wendy de Berger.

Vinicio Chavez, Educational Reinforcement Program Director. Vinicio has been at Safe Passage since the early days, working closely with Hanley Denning and supporting every student that passes through our doors.

Marc Wuthrich, Finance and Human Resources Director. Marc is from Switzerland and began his work with Safe Passage as an accounting assistant before moving in January 2008 to his current director's role.

 

US Development Team:

Barbara Davis, Comptroller & US Office Manager. Barbara has been with Safe Passage since 2003, and moved to her current role as Comptroller in 2009.  Barbara has a degree in Business Administration and has extensive experience in accounting, finance, programming, and office management in both the public and private sector.

David Holman, Outreach & Communications Coordinator. David holds a master's degree business administration and is fluent in Spanish. David is a writer, photographer, and founded a chain of eco-tourism stores in Bolivia with his wife Rommy. 

Michelle Smith, Associate Director of Development. Michelle is a Latin American scholar with strong experience in both the non-profit and private sectors.

Karen Bolmer, Administrative Assistant. Karen first became a supporter of Safe Passage in 2003, traveling to Guatemala in 2005 as part of a support team. She joined the US office team as a part-time assistant in 2008.


Meet our Board of Directors.