OUR TEAM
AURELIO HERNANDEZ
Guatemala Country 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.
CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ
Guatemala Program Assistant
Claudia Irene Hernández García was born in San Miguel Escobar and received a degree in tourism in 2007.In February 2013 she started working with Global Leaders after processing coffee with her family for 9 years. Claudia values the strengths taught at GL, including leadership, integrity and honesty.Claudia also believes that by stepping out of our comfort zones, we can become global leaders today to help meet people’s basic needs: identity, education, expression, dignity, and respect.
ROSARIO JIMENÉZ SOLIS
Guatemala Program Assistant
Rosario was born in the Antigua Hospital, and she now lives in San Bartolomé Becerra- a village near La Antigua, Guatemala.
Rosario graduated from the University of San Carlos with a Technical Teaching Degree of Secondary Education in Language and Literature. She has worked with Global Leaders since 2018, when she became intrigued by the social activities that GL is involved in. She felt that this position would give her the opportunity to teach students traveling from the U.S. about the culture and history of her country. She also feels that the connection between young Americans and the families, teachers, and staff of Guatemala has the potential to create change in our communities.
JOE FONTANA
Co-Founder and Executive Director
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 playing with her German Shepard, Dax (get it...like Dax Shepard)!
NATALIE STOCKLEY
Journey Leader
Natalie joined GL when she was a student at Poudre High School. While studying at Colorado State University, she interned with Global Leaders, and spent 2 years as our Program Assistant. Natalie is a third-year math teacher and Student Leadership Instructor at Poudre High School! She never looks at this page so we could really write anything about her like…. She loves Taylor Swift.
LISA MAHLER
Public Relations Specialist
Lisa thrives in the presence of youth. Working in theatre across the world gave her a sense of global responsibility to care for communities like the ones she visited. She does just that in her own community by working for Poudre School District helping kids who are struggling in school get back on track to graduate. Lisa works for Global Leaders as a Public Relations Specialist and helps empower youth to be their best selves through our local and global service projects. Lisa is an overall superstar and loves trolls!
SKYLER HALOPOFF
Program Assistant
Skyler joined GL when she was a sophomore at RMHS. She is now studying Spanish and International Development at CSU while working with GL as a Program Assistant. She is passionate about making global connections and working with students to help them find power in their own voices as they create positive change with others. In her free time she loves to travel, hike, play the flute, and read.
DOUG
Educational Expert / Journey Leader
ROBERT LAURIE
Group Leader / Rocky Mountain High School Teacher
Doug came to Global Leaders after 30 years as an etraordinary high school social studies teacher. He has helped lead three Guatemala trips and is excited to be a part of local Colorado service projects. Doug is also a GL Dad his amazing daughter Anna participated in our program for two years. In his free time he enjoys mountain biking.
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.
JOSH RING
Group Leader / Rocky Mountain High School Teacher
MINA DELGADO
Journey Leader
Josh 'Profe' Ring has been a member of the Global Leaders team since 2017. 11 of the almost 20 years of teaching Spanish has been spent at Rocky Mountain High School (Go Lobos!). Josh enjoys teaching Spanish and travelling with his family to the many countries where the language is spoken. Family, travel, food, and drums is his recipe for happiness. Josh spends a lot of time not listening to Taylor Swift.
Aminadab "Coach" Delgado grew up in Mexico City, and came to the US to study. After completing a degree in Spanish and Communications, he fell in love with teaching and coaching. After 17 years of teaching, Aminadab founded Fields of Hope (fofh.org), a nonprofit whose mission is to build soccer fields in impoverished communities to improve children's lives and strengthen families and communities through soccer. Aminadab uses his background and experiences to help students move out of their comfort zones, experience the world with fresh eyes, and become empowered to make a difference wherever they are. As an educator, advocate, and world traveler, Aminadab brings a richness of depth to the Global Leaders team. Our Executive Director calls Coach "...the most inspirational and positive educator he's worked with in 30+ years in education."
DEBORAH GUTOF
Senior Journey Leader
ZOE BASHKIN
Program Assistant
Deborah Gutof has been a senior leader since 2000. She brings a unique element to the program that combines her passions as an artist, educator, parent and athlete. Deb's ability to develop and foster relationships with all people makes her a true asset and ambassador for our GL family.
Zoe is an undergraduate student at CSU pursuing a degree in Environmental Policy. She was a GL student for 4 years and served on the student Executive Board for 2 years. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves climbing, hiking, and camping, especially if it involves rice and beans. She is excited about building community around service and love for one another.