Meet Roots and Wing's U.S. Team

Sheri Tor, Executive Director

Sheri has over 25 years of nonprofit leadership and development experience. She has been both Executive Director and Director of Development for several NGOs, including We Care/AIDS, Positive Help, International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN) and Project Rainbow Support. She is also a long-term volunteer with The Trevor Project that is committed to ending suicide among LGBTQ youth. Sheri has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting, Communications, Finance, Psychology, Political Science, Literature and Marketing from UCLA, and is fluent in Spanish.

“I am very happy to be part of an agency as dedicated to helping others as RWI and look forward to working with the entire team, both here in the U.S. and in Central America.” ~Sheri

Erik Swanson, Founder and Director of Operations

Erik spent two years as Director of El Instistuto, La Asuncion in rural Guatemala before founding RWI. In his capacity as director he developed a passion for using education to promote sustainable development, and learned about the importance of creating access to higher education in impoverished communities. Erik is a corporate lawyer by profession, and received his Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law. He currently works remotely for Immix Law Group PC from his Guatemala office, and teaches US Business Law at Francisco Marroquin University. Erik also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound.

“I have gained an appreciation for the potential that exists within all people and have learned that most people long to live up to their potential when given the opportunity.” ~Erik

Tammy Chiang, Director of Marketing

Since 2008, Tammy has helped to expand RWI's volunteer and donation base. She has 10 years of product marketing experience with technology start-ups. Tammy is fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) and is learning Spanish. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration from National University of Singapore and an MBA from Santa Clara University, California.

“If I could change one thing in the world, it would be to give every child an opportunity to receive an education.” ~Tammy

Agus Dillon, Spanish Project Senior Manager

Agus is studying technical, scientific and literary translation at I.E.S. in Lenguas Vivas "Juan Ramón Fernandez" and is taking a diploma course in English literature and cinema. She has translated for several nonprofits and is currently working as a freelance translator.

“Guatemala has the highest rate of malnourished children in Latin America and I strongly believe that education is what Guatemalans need to improve their lives.” ~Agus

Vanina Sloan, Public Relations Senior Manager

Vanina leads the PR initiatives at RWI. Originally from Bulgaria, she is an experienced marketing professional. Vanina graduated with a BBA in marketing in 2005. Her interests include languages, social sciences, literature and traveling.

“RWI is a great organization with amazing and very talented people. I'm thrilled and honored to be part of it.” ~Vanina

Adriana Baranek, Online Positioning Senior Manager

Since late 2009, Adriana has helped increase the number of visitors to RWI's website. She is also in charge of the online positioning of RWI's website amidst charity organizations. Adriana is from Zagreb, Croatia. She has a master's degree in marketing from Zagreb University and 17 years of experience working for a leading bank in Croatia. Adriana is a private entrepreneur.

“Independence is the best gift that you can give to children, and independence is easily achieved with education. It is my honor to be a part of a great team that enables Guatemalan children access to education.” ~Adriana

Jeanne Santos, Partner Relations Senior Manager

Jeanne has been involved with several projects since joining RWI in 2009. She continually works to develop and maintain relationships with our web-based partners. Jeanne has an M.A. in Romance Languages and Literatures from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a B.A. in Spanish from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jeanne is a proud stay-at-home mom of four and part-time Spanish teacher. She also enjoys reading, writing and playing tennis.

“After living in Central America for two years, part of my heart was left behind there. While RWI offers so much to their students in Guatemala, they also offer me the personal satisfaction and pleasure of being able to contribute to their worthy efforts in some small way.” ~Jeanne

Jazmine Rodriguez, Blog Operations Senior Manager

Jazmine is a graduate student in International Development living in New Orleans. She has a BA in Anthropology and International Development and has experience in non-profit fundraising. She is currently studying methods to improve education through new technologies with a focus on Latin America. She writes on these and other topics on the Roots & Wings blog.

“RWI is unique because it empowers youth to learn and create change from within their communities. Community development must be led by the people to truly create the change they want to see in the world.” ~Jazmine

Lindsey Dixon, Senior Writer/Editor

Lindsey is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an alum of Teach For America. She has an A.A.S. in technology, a B.A. in English, an M.S. in secondary English education and is pursuing an additional graduate degree in international education development at Columbia University Teachers College. Lindsey writes and edits articles for RWI's blog, as well as managing its blogging team and using her WordPress skills for the greater good.

“I truly believe education is a human right that must be afforded to everyone, regardless of race, class, or nationality, before the world can ever hope to know peace.” ~Lindsey

Ed Wooldridge, Webmaster/Volunteer of 2010

Ed worked in the nuclear technology field for 20 years before retiring and volunteering with RWI. In 2003 he graduated Summa Cum Laude with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems and an A.A.S. in Computer Network Administration. For Ed, his family is the most important thing in his life.

“I agree 100% with Erik's approach to helping the people of Guatemala through the education of Guatemala's young people. Education is essential to a better future for the people of Guatemala.” ~Ed

Shadi Mirza, Senior Writer/Twitter Lead

Shadi received a MA in Literacy, Technology, and Professional Writing in 2006 from Northern Arizona University. Since then, he has worked in a variety of fields, including copywriting and education, before settling with his wife in South Korea. Shadi is currently in his second year of teaching in a small town in the eastern part of the country.

“To me, there's nothing better than doing work without asking for anything in return - it's the best thing we can do to connect with our local and global communities.” ~Shadi

Anabel Merchán, Translator

Anabel studied Translation Studies at the Universidad de Málaga and the HU Berlin, in Spain and Germany. She works as a translator, proofreader and technical writer, but her passion is teaching. In the past eight years Anabel has been involved with several non profits in Europe and the U.S., volunteering as a teacher of literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

“Coming from a humble family, I could go to college and study abroad thanks to the scholarships that I was granted. Roots and Wings creates opportunities for young Guatemalans who dream of a brighter future, like I did. I believe that a better tomorrow for Guatemala starts with the education of their youth today” ~Anabel

Kristen Keller, Blogger

Kristen has alternated working as a student and teacher of English. She studied literature at Gonzaga University, taught language courses in Guatemala, and returned for another round, finishing her master's and teaching composition at Washington State University. The work of the student and interest in language haven't stopped with school; she continues to practice her Spanish and hopes to pick up other languages down the road.

“Hay que luchar. I heard this phrase from one boy, but I learned it – what it means to push hard and push forward – from many people. And I think that's the way luchando works best, with a lot of people pushing with and for each other.” ~Kristen

Patrick McGrady, Blogger

Patrick McGrady graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Latin American Studies. He studied for a semester in 2008 at Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica (C.I.R.M.A.) in Antigua, Guatemala. Patrick currently teaches English as a second language in Olancho, Honduras.

“Through education, and education alone, I believe that we can fix the big problems that plague our world; because an educated nation is a prosperous nation.” ~Patrick

Steve Long, IT Volunteer

Steve has over 10 years experience working in the Information Technology (IT) field. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD). Steve is currently pursing a degree in Computer Information Systems at Delaware Technical and Community College. He is an Honors graduate of the Computer Learning Center programming curriculum.

“I believe the best thing that can be given to a mind is the opportunity to obtain an education, and I applaud RWI's efforts in doing so for the people of Guatemala!” ~Steve

Edwin Lunandy, Design Consultant

In between freelance assignments, Edwin finds time to help RWI with website and promotional materials. Edwin has been a graphic designer since 2005. He's worked at several architectural companies in the U.S. and Indonesia. Edwin has a bachelor's degree in architecture.

“What sets RWI apart is how truly appreciative they are. I felt welcomed and supported by their very dedicated team of volunteers.” ~Edwin

Chaitanya K Thatipamula, Web Designer/Team Lead

Kumar has over 6 years of IT experience. He is currently working as a J2EE web developer for a startup company. He is a Sun certified Java Web component developer. Kumar provides website layout, HTML and CSS help to RWI.

“RWI is doing an excellent job in creating educational opportunities to the people of Guatemala. I am very happy to be a part of this great team and organization.” ~Kumar

Meet Roots and Wing's Guatemala Team

The RWI field office is located in Pasac, Nahualá, Sololá, in our Roots and Wings Learning Center and employs four staff members who come from the local community. From that vantage point, they are able to respond in a culturally sensitive way to both the students who participate in RWI's educational programs and the development needs of the region.

Cristóbal Guarchaj, Executive Director

Cristóbal has been a part of RWI since it was founded in 2006. Among his many responsibilities, he is on the selection committee for RWI's University Scholarship Program and he organizes the monthly Community Development Meetings attended by RWI scholars and youth from around the region. Cristobal has a teaching degree in Rural Elementary Education and is currently studying psychology at the Rafael Landívar University of Quetzaltenango.

Dora Cristina Guarchaj Tahay, Computer Teacher

Dora teaches RWI's Computer Literacy Program. Dora's teaching degree is in Elementary Bilingual Intercultural Education.

Quote: "It is my privilege to be able to teach the children in their own language [K'iche] to facilitate the teaching-learning process in our communities."

Catarina Cecilia Cotiy Ixmatá, Office Administrator/Tutor

Catarina tutors in RWI's After-School Elementary Tutoring Program. Cecilia has a teaching degree in Rural Elementary Education and she is studying toward her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Community Development.

Quote: "One of my most important roles in the tutoring program is to share with the children the joy and importance of reading, so that in the future they will be great critical and analytical thinkers."

Diego Chox Chox, Bookkeeper/Tutor

Diego tutors in RWI's After-School Elementary Tutoring Program. He is responsible for the day-to-day financial administration of the office, which includes generating financial reports and controlling the budget. Academic Degree: Technician in Business Administration.

Quote: "In the tutoring program, I have been able to raise the children's awareness of the importance of reading every day so that in the future they are intelligent, critical and analytical people."

Our Board of Directors and Advisory Board

Board of Directors

• Erik Swanson
  Committee: Budget/Finance
  Profession: Attorney, Immix Law Group PC
• Kevin Espirito
  Committee: Nominating Committee
  Profession: Manager of Employee Community Engagement, Microsoft
• Cristobal Guarchaj
  Committee: Executive
  Profession: Director, Raices y Alas Guatemala
• Tammy Chiang
  Committee: Communications
  Profession: Volunteer, Roots & Wings International
• Angela Brown
  Committee: Fundraising
  Profession: Director, Spokane Public Schools
• Rod Achtmann-Mendoza
  Committee: Budget/Finance
  Profession: Microsoft
• Jess Arnsteen
  Committee: Fundraising
  Profession: Founding Shareholder, BuyWell Coffee

Advisory Board

• Giancarlo Ibárgüen
  President
  Universidad Francisco Marroquín
• Robert Goldman
  Professor of Law
  American University
  Washington College of Law
  Louis C. James Scholar
• Anders Kompass
  Representative
  Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala
• Juan Luis Aguilar
  Founding Partner
  Aguilar & Aguilar

Contact Our Team Members

• U.S. Executive Director: Sheri Tor
• Guatemala Executive Director: Cristobal Guarchaj
• Director of IT & Operations/Founder: Erik Swanson
• Director of Marketing: Tammy Chiang
• Donor Relations: Sheri Tor
• Public Relations: Vanina Sloan
• Partner Relations: Jeanne Santos
• Adwords: Adriana Baranek
• Blog: Lindsey Dixon
• English/Spanish Translation: Agus Dillon
• Webmaster: Ed Wooldridge

Can't decide who to contact? Email us at info@rootsandwingsintl.org or call us
at ++1 503-564-8831 (PST).