Meet Our Leadership Team
The dedication of the Leadership Team is amplified by the invaluable helping hands of over 100 volunteers, each year, from 20 to 30 countries!
US Staff
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Founder & Associate Director
Prior to founding Etta Projects, Pennye practiced as a child, family and marriage therapist. She holds an M.A. in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University and a B.A. in Human Services from the University of Tennessee. Pennye was awarded the RESULTS Kitsap Peninsula Global Humanitarian Award for her work with global poverty, and the International Woman of the Year Award by the city of Montero, Bolivia. She was also awarded The Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate for 2017 and was honored to participate in the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies in Oslo Norway.
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Director of Operations
Dino Maccari joined Etta Projects in early 2017. He is Italian but has lived in Bolivia since 2014, where he previously worked at the Nutrition Center "Madre Teresa de Calcuta" (the first initiative undertaken by Etta Projects). He has a Master’s degree in economic development and international cooperation from the University of Murcia, Spain. Today, as Etta Projects Director of Operations, based in Tacoma, WA, Dino oversees community needs assessments, and project outcomes from current and past projects. Dino also builds new projects, writes proposals, tracks impact, and is key in building our annual strategic and operational plans.
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Marketing Coordinator
Dana comes to Etta Projects with extensive experience in marketing, graphic design and events planning. She has worked in non-profit healthcare for 8 years and is responsible for the day-to-day promotion and communications of Etta Projects globally. Dana has an affinity for working with indigenous communities and sharing in their rich culture while brining safe and sanitary solutions throughout Eastern Bolivia. In her Bolivia-based role, Dana worked previously as Communications Coordinator at the Community Transformation. This role focused on overall management of the Community Transformation Center, coordinator with volunteers, groups scheduled, including orientation, yoga and mindfulness activities.
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Thanks to highly skilled volunteers ranging in expertise from graphic design to data entry, we are able to maximize resources being allocated to the direct service needs of rural Bolivian communities. These dedicated teammates are a backbone of our holistic approach, which includes supporting all of our work with education and empowerment, as we grow systemic and lasting solutions.
Bolivian Staff
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Director of Programs
Veronica Pellizzari studied International Law in the city of Trento, Italy. She first joined Etta Projects in 2019 through the Italian Peace Corps Program. The experience with EP made her decide to come back and work as the coordinator of HIV Program and Girls Sexual Health and Empowerment. She took on her role as Etta Projects Program Director in 2022, and oversees all project activities carried out by program staff. This includes community needs assessments, monitoring, and evaluation of past and present Etta Projects programs.
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Tekoatí Manager
Daniel Vildozo serves as manager of all operations at our Tekoatí campus. He holds two masters’ degrees (from Germany and the former Soviet Union) in Rural Development and Plant Physiology. His Bachelor’s degree is in Agricultural Engineering. Daniel’s experience with NGOs includes Ayuda en Acción de España, Heifer International, GTZ Alemania, and the Association of Ecological Producers of Bolivia. He came to Etta Projects in 2020 with over 25 years of experience in rural development, food security, project management, and impact evaluation.
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Manager of Public Health Projects
Dr. Caterine is a family physician, specializing in Community-Family Health and Public Health. For 17 years she has worked as a facilitator of different programs in the Bolivian Ministry of Health, Health Network in Santa Cruz, and development of functions in the local hospital in Montero. In 2011, Caterine became part of our Etta Projects staff, and serves as Manager of Etta Projects' Health Programs, teaching first aid, community health, health rights, and community organization for improved healthcare to local villagers. She was the lead coordinator on our pilot Sexual Health Project.
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Construction Coordinator of Water Sanitation and Hygene (WASH)
Edizon is from Cochabamba, born in the small town of Cliza, but has lived in Santa Cruz for 18 years. He speaks both Spanish and Quechua. After graduating from high school, Edizon went on to study Food Technology and earned a degree as a Food Technician. Edizon worked at USAID as a facilitator of basic health promoters. He began working full time with Etta Projects in 2017 as a liaison for the construction of ecological dry composting latrines. In Edison’s words, "I am fascinated by field work because I was born and raised in the countryside, so I teach and share the knowledge of my experiences with the communities."
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Accounting/ Training Coordinator of Water Sanitation and Hygene (WASH)
Yanine is an industrial engineer and joined the Etta Projects team in 2021 as a trainer and coordinator of the Sanitation and Water projects. She is currently studying accounting and she is now the new accountant at the Montero office.
Since the beginning, her focus has been on strengthening the water and sanitation committees in rural communities, aimed at improving public health in sustainable ways. Specifically, she has worked with 124 families who received Dry Ecological Latrines in the Buena Vista region, and is now expanding to the San Pedro region. Yanine also circles back to support communites where Etta Projects has already installed water systems.
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Coordinator of Public Health Projects
Fiorella Burgos has been a physiotherapist and kinesiologist for 7 years, as well as being trained as a paramedic, and volunteer forest firefighter. She started working with Etta Projects in 2021, when she helped train our Community Health Promoters, and assisted with our Sexual Health program for young women. Today she is one of the coordinators of our Chronic Disease Prevention and Healthy Lifestyle project.
In her free time, Fiorella is passionate about outdoor activities, like hiking and mountain biking.
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Maintenance and Groundskeeper, Tekoatí campus
Joining Etta Projects staff in 2016, Don Alfredo is a familiar face on our Tekoatí campus, and knew these lands long before we were established on the property. Don Alfredo can speak Spanish, Quechua and Portuguese, but even more impressive is his knowledge of the local plants and species. For nearly 20 years, prior to coming to Tekoati, Don Alfredo was an Amboro National Park Guard, responsible for educating citizens on respecting the natural world for future generations and confronting poachers, commonly found throughout Bolivia. As the eyes and ears of Tekoatí, there is not a single plant that Don Alfredo cannot identify. Originally from the Chuquisaca in Bolivia, Don Afredo now calls Buena Vista his home and can be seen around the property helping out in the many areas of his expertise.
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Maintenance Infrastructure, Tekoati campus
Luiz began working for Etta Projects in 2015 when we organized a community water project in his hometown. He went on to train and learn the skills needed to become a qualified electrician and plumber. When it became difficult to find consistent work in his village, Luiz became enchanted with the Community Transformation Center, after attending a workshop and quickly asked about employment. The rest, as they say, is history. Today he now only maintains our campus buildings but is the person in charge of the technical and material construction of our water systems. Don Luiz is a proud father of 3 beautiful children. He is always curious about trying new vegetarian food at Teakoatí and he is always practicing his English with our international volunteers.
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Comedor Manager, Tekoatí Campus
Marlene, who has been with Etta Projects since 2017, is from the nearby village of Santa Barbara, where she lives with her husband and children. Each day she commutes on foot to our Tekoatí campus, where she prepares delicious meals for the groups who gather. Marlene enjoys listening to music while cooking, and at mealtimes we can both smell and hear her working her magic. Her meals are nutritiously well-rounded, often using food from our own garden. Marlene is especially famous for her empanadas con queso.
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Agricultural and Environmental Coordinator, Tekoatí Campus
Fernando was born in Buena Vista, where from a very young age he worked in the fields helping his parents in the farming business. He is the youngest of 6 siblings. He likes the countryside in general, but he especially enjoys working with honey bees.
This year he finished his degree in Business Administration and became part of the Tekoatí team in charge of production and other tasks thanks to his knowledge of nature and the inhabitants of the region. He is the youngest on the team and likes to read motivational books. He has many manual skills, speaks Quechua, and is an excellent driver of vehicles on the difficult roads of the region.
In the past, Fernando volunteered in Tekoatí for three months before joining the Etta Projects team.
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Videographer
Ernesto M. Anaya's journey into filmmaking began unexpectedly. While his initial passion was music, a suggestion from his high school teacher, Mr. Jones, nudged him towards the world of film. This gentle push, combined with Ernesto's own curiosity, led him to explore the art of visual storytelling.
Over time, Ernesto began to see the parallels between music and film, recognizing how they could complement each other. This realization led him to work on projects that combined both elements, such as music videos and live concerts.
Ernesto believes in the importance of adaptability and staying open to change, especially in an ever-evolving field like filmmaking. His experiences have taught him that while technology can offer new avenues, the heart of any story remains its human element.
Today, Ernesto M. Anaya continues to explore the intersection of film, music, and technology, always with an eye towards genuine storytelling and a deep respect for the craft.
Valued Contractors - US & Bolivia
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Trainer and Psychologist
Gabriela is a psychologist with training in clinical and behavioral psychotherapy for adolescents and adults. She has 4 years of experience in psychological assessment and intervention in anxiety spectrum problems, depression, emotional dysregulation, self-awareness, vocational guidance, and social skills training. She is one of our most valuable contractors as she trains young girls through our Girls Empowerment program and provides psychological support for some of our Sexual and Reproductive Health program participants.
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Natural Medicine Trainer
Dr. Simón Beltrán Rodríguez is a naturopathic doctor who is also President of the Association of Naturopathic Doctors of Eastern Bolivia - ANORBOL. He has been practicing his profession for 26 years and has a very deep knowledge of the use of medicinal plants. He also speaks Quechua and has a special gift for communicating easily and effectively with all people. Etta Projects is honored to collaborate with Simón on dynamic trainings which he has a special gift for making both informative and fun!
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University of Minnesota Researcher
Vanessa is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Macalester College (Saint Paul, MN, USA) and an Adjunct Instructor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs (Minneapolis, MN, USA). Vanessa was first introduced to Etta Projects in 2015 when she studied abroad in Bolivia for a semester. In 2019, Vanessa returned to Bolivia to assist Etta Projects in developing and implementing a sexual and reproductive health training program for adolescents in the region. In 2023, she received a Fulbright Research Award to return to Bolivia, evaluate Etta Project's contraceptive implant initiative, and complete her doctoral fieldwork, which explored the barriers adolescents face in accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare in rural communities. In 2024, Vanessa will again return to Bolivia to assist in a two-year study examining the prevalence of gender-based violence in rural communities and developing a training program for Etta Project's CHW to support victim/survivors. When she is not supporting Etta Project's research efforts, Vanessa enjoys hiking and climbing in Bolivia's breathtaking Cordillera Real, drinking mate de coca, perusing the open-air vegetable markets, and learning about Bolivia's political history. Vanessa received a BA in Sociology and Spanish (Colorado College), a MA in International Development Studies (University of Minnesota), and will be graduating with her PhD in Comparative International Development and Education with a graduate minor in Global Health in December 2023 (University of Minnesota).
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Self-defense coach
Five years ago, the Femme Sinistre women's jiu-jitsu team was born with the ideology of the fight against gender violence, making a pact for every woman and girl in Bolivia, promoting sorority with a voice, and striving for the empowerment of women. The leader of this amazing team is Claudia López Rosse, and since 2021 she and her team have been supporting Etta Projects, inspiring youth and young people to self-defense as a means of caring for themselves.
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Coordinator of Sexual & Reproductive Health Program
Dr. Juan joined Etta Projects in February 2024 to support our efforts in tackling SRH issues in the neighboring city of Minero. He has a master’s degree in Family Health and Public Health. He was the Director of the Obispo Santiestevan Health Network for four years, as he was in charge of all the health programs and clinics in the region. He is also a certified health trainer by the Health Ministry, which is why his presence in our team is so invaluable.
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HIV Prevention Trainer
Ernesto lives and works in Montero and has overseen the Municipal HIV Program for many years. He is an activist for the rights of People Living with HIV, and thanks to him and others, law 3729 was passed in Bolivia, which protects people who contract the virus and provides free treatment to them. He is a very passionate, dynamic person with a great passion for his work. Ernesto collaborates with Etta Projects in HIV prevention through trainings in high schools as well as with other high-risk groups. Ernesto’s classes include offering condoms as well as HIV rapid tests.
Board of Directors - US & Bolivia
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Board Chair
Barb Willock earned her BA in 1986 and MFA in 1989, both from the University of Washington. She retired in 2011 from a local daily newspaper where she had worked 20 years in the editorial department. Barb performed nearly every job in the newsroom except reporting and photographer, her last being page design (layout). She has volunteered with Etta Projects for many years, most of which as secretary, and traveled to Bolivia as a volunteer with the Dental/Vision teams four times. In addition to her work with Etta Projects, she is a board of director of the League of Women Voters/Kitsap as well as Enl!ghten Kitsap. She and her husband, George, live in Southworth, and she enjoys reading, knitting and traveling.
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Board Member
Joe is a retired leadership coach, consultant, and trainer. In his most recent role with MultiCare Health System, he had the privilege of working with some of the most talented and dedicated health care professionals in the world. Post-retirement, he is involved in several ventures including adjunct faculty at Eastern University. He also runs a small consulting practice, mostly working with non-profit organizations. He is privileged to be able to do work that is in complete alignment with his life’s passions. In addition to work, he enjoys spending time with his family, and enjoying the great outdoors hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and biking.
Prior to MultiCare, he spent 14 years in various roles at World Vision International. The highpoint of his career was creating and managing a master’s degree program in partnership with Eastern University that was offered in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. During the life of this program, 700 World Vision leaders were able to obtain a master’s degree in organizational leadership and make an impact in their World Vision offices, communities, churches, and countries. During his 15 years with Southern California Edison, he completed his graduate work in Business Management and made a mid-career shift to HR/OD work. This is where he began to discover his passions and areas of giftedness.
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Board Treasurer
Yoli has been the Medical Director of the Child Abuse Intervention Department at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, WA for the past 15 years. She graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and did a Family Practice residency in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yoli came to the Northwest to work at a Migrant Health Clinic in Oregon. She has given numerous lectures and trainings in child abuse issues as well as drug endangered children. Yoli has volunteered in Bolivia with Etta Projects.
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Board Secretary
Tiffany was the original project manager at Comedor de Niños Etta Turner. From there she worked on small humanitarian aid projects in Bolivia for the next 4 years.
While living in the United States, she became a nurse and has worked in multiple areas, including mental health, maternal child health, and overall public health. Currently Tiffany is a nurse home visitor with a nurse family partnership under the local Health Department in her home city of Erie, PA.
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Maria has been President of the Board of Directors of Etta Projects Bolivia for 8 years. Pilar has a degree in Nursing and has worked first as Supervisor of the Health Network of the Obispo Santistevan Province for 14 years, and then by merit-based competition she reached the position of Network Manager for 13 years. She is now a Councilwoman in the Municipality of Montero and is in charge of the Human Development Commission, which covers health and education. She has supported Etta Projects programs for many years and has trained our Community Health Promoters in rural communities. She is well known for her deep commitment to the health of the people of the Integrated North of Bolivia.
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Board Member - Bolivia
Marielena joined Etta Projects in 2007 when we were running the two "Comedores" (nutritional centers) in Montero. Ever since, she has been part of our Board in Bolivia, supporting us with important insights and ideas. She is the social worker for one of the two nutritional centers, the "Comedor Etta Turner", as she's in charge of supervising and supporting the families of children with the most needs.
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Board Member
Sandra is a familiar face on the board since 2022, driven by a love for community and a life that's anything but ordinary. Born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, she set foot in the US at a young age, and Washington has been her home for the past quarter-century.
Sandra's academic journey wound through local schools and landed her at the University of Washington, where she immersed herself in the worlds of finance and management.
During her time at Amazon, spanning many years, Sandra thrived as a Program manager, orchestrating projects that spanned the globe. These days, she's embraced the role of an entrepreneurial business consultant, a field that aligns perfectly with her knack for strategy.
Sandra's involvement with Etta Projects is personal; it's woven into her heart through her connection with her birthplace and her passion for giving back. Learning about Etta Projects sparked her enthusiasm, propelling her into the realm of volunteering. Her dedication opened the door to the board, where she now channels her expertise and wholehearted dedication to making a real difference.
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Board Member
Melissa is new to Etta’s Board but brings experience in technical/grant writing, non-profit/business management, academic research and community education. She is deeply invested in social change and the global empowerment of women. Her research and volunteer passions include power dynamics, feminist theory and political discourse in literature. She currently works as an office administrator in higher education.
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Board Member
After working 30 years in the correctional field, Kalen joined the Etta Projects’ board in January 2023. He graduated from Washington State University in Pullman with a degree in criminal justice. He attended Etta fund raisers over the past 20 years and volunteered at various events. Moved by Etta’s story and the Project’s Bolivian mission, Kalen is excited to begin a new chapter of his life as an Etta Board Member.
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Board Member
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Board Member
Kris has been working with Etta Projects since 2007 when he joined the Michigan Tech University chapter of Engineers Without Borders. He worked closely with Etta Projects until he graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He spent the next eight years working in the corporate world in design engineer, support engineer, and sales engineer roles before stepping away from his career and backpacking South America for a year with his wife. During that time, they spent three months volunteering at Etta Projects' CTC campus in Buena Vista, Bolivia. Since his time in South America, Kris has experience leading operations for multiple early-stage tech startups as well as building and running a small business with his wife for the past 5 years.
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Board Member