Board of Directors
FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Deedee Risher
Secretary of the Board
Dee Dee Risher is an author, writer, and workshop leader. She edited The Other Side and Conspire! magazines, and worked on issues of homelessness at Project HOME. She is a trainer for Roots of Justice, and a founder of Philadelphia’s Alternative Seminary, as well as the Vine and Fig Tree community.
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
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Laura Wilson
Board member
Laura Jean Wilson brings her considerable experience in the securities industry to support several community-based non-profit organizations. Her goal is to offer contributors who partner with their resources serious and meaningful impact. She is committed to social transformation that empowers those on the margins. The spiritual journey and a life of service are important touchstones for her. So is dancing!
Jennifer Schlegel, PhD
Board member
Educator, activist, ally, and unapologetic Lutheran Christian who seeks the divine and the human in everyone she encounters. She enjoys coming alongside people and joining in to do good works. Jennifer is a professor of anthropology at Kutztown University.
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Advisory Council
Betsy Friend
Betsy has worked for over 40 years as a Clinical Social Worker, primarily in the Philadelphia, PA area. Over her career, she has specialized in marriage and family therapy. She is an activist for several social justice issues and supports loving our neighbors next door and around the world. Betsy and her husband, Howard, are the original founders of Wellspring Karitas, and she continues to manage its domestic banking transactions.
Carolina Gonzalez Aldama
Carolina was born and raised in Morelos, Mexico. She has a passion for learning and a degree in business administration. Carolina has helped Wellspring Karitas communities with her computer and marketing skills. Currently, she is helping ALEM develop management systems to inventory wheelchair parts and the mothers at La Estacion's community center to start a new business. She brings an enthusiastic, positive attitude to all of the projects and is eager to help others.
Tracey E. Smith
Tracey Smith was an international finance consultant to the motion picture industry for 25 years. She raised 3 children and focuses now on feeding ministries.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Industrial and Systems Engineer (ITESM CCM), with studies in Self-Sustaining Development (IIS UNAM) and Risk Communication in Environmental Health (UASLP). In 2003, he started EcoSite as an initiative to link research and development of technological solutions with priority needs in indigenous and rural communities in Mexico. Since 2016, he has coordinated the INCA Network (National Water Quality Inventory) and various programs for safe water in schools and socio-environmental entrepreneurship.
He is currently an ally of the Environmental Fund of the Community Foundation.
Juan Manuel Ledón Roig
Executive Director
EcoSite Mexico
Clean School Water
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Nuvia Balderrama Vara
Coordinator, Casitas de aqua
(Safe Drinking Water Program)
