Robin Weekley Bruce
Service with Manna Project: Nicaragua 2005-2006
Current Title and Employer: President, The David Weekley Family Foundation
"My time at Manna Project was one of the most formative years of my life. I was empowered by the autonomy that Manna Project instills in its Program Directors to take ownership, not only of the work we were aiming to accomplish, but of my role within the community at large. This quality has been ever-present in my work since, whether working with big companies on corporate responsibility or running an entrepreneurial MBA program."
Hudson Baird
Service with Manna Project: Guatemala 2010-2011
Current Title and Employer: Executive Director, PelotonU
"Manna Project was the most important thing that happened to me in college. Because of an MPI Spring Break trip my freshman year, I majored in international development, moved to Guatemala after college, and choose a career in social entrepreneurship. The mentors I followed and responsibility I was given were critical in equipping me to now run an education organization."
Katherine Mueller
Service with Manna Project:
Guatemala 2010-2011
Current Title and Employer:
Vice President of Global Payments, INTL FCStone Global Payments
“I am continually inspired by the incredible people who make up Manna Project. Not only do they care deeply about the communities they serve, they care equally about the personal growth of the volunteers who have chosen to invest their time and heart with Manna Project. Manna Project continually inspires me as it not only invests in the development of communities in Guatemala, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, but also in cultivating compassionate, thoughtful, and dedicated leaders."
Chet Polson
Service with Manna Project: Ecuador 2009 - 2010
Current Title and Employer: Senior Financial Economist, FDIC
"My time with Manna Project really opened my eyes to what life is like outside the United States. It helped me become a better global citizen and gain firsthand knowledge of some of the economic issues facing developing countries, which has proven invaluable in pursuing a graduate degree in economics."
Mark Hand
Service with Manna Project: Ecuador 2007-2009
Current Title and Employer: Co-founder, Assemble Coaching & Consulting
“My two years with Manna Project in Ecuador have continued to shape my career. Some of my fellow volunteers remain my closest friends and (hopefully) future coworkers, and some of what we learned - how to interact with other organizations, manage projects, work within a team - has accelerated my career significantly.”
Luke Putnam
Service with Manna Project: Co-founder; Nicaragua 2004-2005
Current Title and Employer: General Surgery Resident, University of Texas Health Science Center
"Manna Project, its communities and its mission, made a huge impact in my life. My MPI experiences empower me to more closely relate with the growing Latino patient population and to appreciate to a greater extent the blessings, opportunities, and privileges we are afforded in the United States."
Maria Domanskis
Service with Manna Project: Nicaragua 2005-2006
Current Title and Employer:
Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
"My initial interest in Nicaragua grew from a visit as part of a college course surveying the economics, politics, and culture of several Latin American countries. Although I thought I was well prepared to understand the challenges faced by Nicaraguans, my year of service with Manna Project opened my eyes to the real challenges faced by those struggling to make ends meet and to provide decent living conditions and education for themselves and their families. When I left, I felt that I had gained more from my time amongst the people of Cedro Galán and Chiquilistagua than I had contributed to their lives and community."
Greg Pasquali
Service with Manna Project: Nicaragua 2004 - 2005
Current Position and Employer: Real Estate Development & Urban Planning Project Manager, Carmel Partners
“I really enjoyed working with a group of ambitious young people with such diverse interests and backgrounds to build places and programs that made great social and physical impact on communities. Now in real estate development, I work with experts in a wide variety of fields to create places that make neighborhoods better and communities stronger. I'm better at and really enjoy collaborating across disciplines thanks to Manna Project.”
Javier Silva
Service with Manna Project: Nicaragua 2012-2013
Current Title and Employer: Executive Director, Lacrosse the Nations
“My time spent with Manna Project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I developed incredible relationships and made memories that I will cherish forever. I'm certain that a part of me will always be involved with Manna Project in one way or another."
Jefferson Deming
Service with Manna Project: Ecuador 2012-2013
Current Title and Employer: Legislative Director for Congressman Bruce Westerman
"My year with Manna Project was a wonderful experience which I will cherish for the rest of my life. Not only was I fortunate enough to spend it with an amazing group of people but I learned a lot about myself both personally and professionally. Having a number of roles taught me how to balance my work load and showed me the importance of being well-organized."