Who we are
Sandy Forbes
Chair of the Board
Advocate for international high school exchange students with American Field Service (AFS) in Chester, PA -- a global organization striving to build the foundations for peace in young people. Analyst, teacher, native plant enthusiast, and strong supporter of women's rights.
Howard E. Friend Jr.
President Ex-Officio
An ordained Presbyterian minister; founder and lead consultant of the Parish Empowerment Network; teacher, spiritual mentor, speaker and author.
Erik Friend Drake
President and Executive Director
Originally from Northeastern US, Studied Business Administration at the Union Institute. Has been living in México since 1988, first working with automotive worker-owner cooperatives, and part-time with delegations of the Lutheran Church and since 2002 with Fundación Comunidad and a co-founder of ALEM in 2004.
David Funkhouser
Treasurer of the Board
An ordained Episcopal minister; beginning with Peace Corps volunteer service in Colombia, a lifelong engagement with Mexico, Central and South America.
Deedee Risher
Secretary of the Board
A Freelance journalist and author.
Linda Stevenson
Board member
Professor of International Relations, Latin American, and Women's Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania; has lived in Cuernavaca and Santiago, Chile; seeking to do justice and walk humbly with God
Brian Gibson
Board member
Social studies teacher, musician and song writer; advocate and activist in Chester, PA; sponsor of his school’s Gay Straight Alliance.”
Jim Hatfield
Board member
Retired civil engineer; involved with multiple Latin American mission organizations, all with a unifying missional theme that we are invited to partner with communities; guided by Matthew 25: 35-40: “... for truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Laura Wilson
Board member