Who we are

We are six volunteers that are dedicated to the development of small communities in Central America. Three of us have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in Nicaragua, two have managed and funded development projects on their own in Nicaragua, and one member is a professional educator. The organization is the result of our combined desire to improve the quality of life for Nicaraguans.

Jenean Smith

Jenean Smith is currently the Youth Development Program Director for the Riecken Foundation in Honduras. From 2001 to 2003 she was a small business/IT volunteer in the Peace Corps in San Lorenzo, Nicaragua.   During her time in the Peace Corps she worked with community members to create a public library, teaching them basic computer and business skills.   She has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, and a Master's degree in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School of Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Frank Giglio

Frank Giglio is currently working as a consultant for several small & medium size businesses in Monterey, CA. Frank was a volunteer in Peace Corps Nicaragua from April 1999 – April 2002 as a small business advisor in San Lorenzo and Jinotepe. He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from St. Mary’s College of California, an MBA in International Management and M.A. in Environmental Policy with a specialization in Energy Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies located in Monterey, CA.

Jennifer Guevara

Jennifer Guevara worked as a small business Peace Corps volunteer in Santa Lucia, Nicaragua for two and a half years. She worked with groups of women in the start-up and development of their businesses, worked with farmers’ cooperatives to teach basic business skills, established a town library, and completed a latrine-building project for five rural communities. Jennifer has an MBA with a specialization in Hispanic marketing from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Boise State University.

Leslee Peterson

Leslee Peterson is currently teaching middle school in Portland, Oregon. Prior to teaching, Leslee worked for Intel for four years with a focus on Website Training, Marketing Project Management and Business Analysis. Leslee has a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology from Menlo College, and a Master of Arts degree in teaching from George Fox University focusing on effective curriculum development, presentation, and assessment.