AURELIO HERNANDEZ
Guatemala Country Director
JOE FONTANA
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Aurelio has worked with GL since 2003. Prior to his involvement, he worked with El Centro Linguistico, La Union in Antigua. He coordinates all on-the-ground activities in Guatemala, connecting GL with local partners for service projects and cultural exchanges. He has worked in Tourism and Hotel Management since 1994, and holds a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Francisco Marroquin. Aurelio enjoys working with foreign visitors to Guatemala and believes strongly in the benefits of building partnerships between Guatemala and foreign organizations toward a common goal of creating a better living standard for all Guatemalans.
In 1997 Joe and Jason Morgan-Foster planted the seed of an idea to take students into the world and teach leadership and service learning. Joe's brother Chris collaborated on this idea and Chris grew the program to incredible heights. Global Leaders has become a standard bearer for youth leadership training and service learning. The students who join the GL family become members for life and have consistently given back to their communities.
For 30 years, Joe taught Geography, History and Leadership classes at Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, Colorado, Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California and Poudre High School in Fort Collins. He has been an advocate for student voices and positive action since his career began. He believes by equipping students with education, leadership skills, and empowerment, students are capable of positively changing their world; today, not tomorrow.
Joe is a dreamer and believes in the impossible. This is evident as he is a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He holds a B.A. in Social Sciences and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, both from The Colorado State University.
KYLA WORTH
Program Director
Before Global Leaders, Kyla coached high school basketball during her time at Colorado State University where she studied Human Development and Family Studies with a Pre-Health Concentration. She enjoys working with youth and has found a passion for service over the years. She always says,"The coolest part about my job is getting to learn from the students I work with." GL was a perfect fit! In her free time she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her partner Jared and their two pups!
ARY TUCKER
Program Manager
Ary joined GL in 2014 when she was a student at Poudre High School. She studied Sociology and Family Child Studies at the University of New Mexico. She is currently in her Masters program for Speech Language Pathology. Ary has always had a passion for service which GL furthered. She has experience in working with adults and children with disabilities, serving at-risk youth, and until recently worked as a Montessori teacher. Her favorite part of GL is being able to support students behind-the-scenes as they make incredible change in our community and world.
JAQUI ESQUEQUE
Guatemala Program Manager
Jaqui is originally from Santa Catarina Barahora, Guatemala. Jaqui originally joined GL as a student in 2019 and rejoined in 2023 to join the staff bringing her degree of Administration with her. Over the years she has been with GL she has loved all the opportunities to meet different people and form beautiful friendships. She says "I have learned a lot from each student I meet in the program and over time I've become a better person, helping to bring about change in my community." In her free time, Jaqui loves to bake desserts, drink coffee, and play with her dog Fany.
ABBOTT HOEVEN
Work and Earn Coordinator
Abbott first joined GL in 2017 when she was a student at Poudre High School and is excited to be re-joining as part of the staff this year! She graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles in 2023 where she earned a degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs with a minor in Spanish. Outside of GL Abbott works, as an elementary school Spanish teacher at Mountain Sage Community School. Her favorite part of GL is the value in serving our local community and working with students who share that value. She spent years studying international development and expansive social movements only to find her passion lies in grassroots, local organizing. Having grown up in Fort Collins she finds it so important to have found a way to continue giving back to the community that formed her. In her free time she loves live music, travel, quality time with family and friends, and spending time outside.
CHRISTINA CHAVEZ
Work and Earn Coordinator
ROBERT LAURIE
Group Leader / Rocky Mountain High School Teacher
Robert Laurie heeded the call of the mountains and moved west to Colorado just after graduating high school in suburban Chicago. At Colorado State University, Robert studied English Education, English Literature, and Spanish. He is currently a Language Arts teacher and soccer coach at Rocky Mountain High School, where he is inspired every day through collaboration with student leaders. Robert values relationships and experience and is thankful to be a part of the Global Leaders team and its vision of peace, justice, and service.
An ideal day in the life of Robert Laurie would include a run on the Reservoir Ridge trail, a deep dive into a Shakespeare play, and an adventure in the wilderness with family and friends.