OUR PEOPLE

JVC staff works tirelessly to create a just, inclusive, and equitable world that honors the dinity and diversity of all. Whether supporting our volunteers on the ground, fundraising to keep agency costs as low as possible, or recruiting the next generation of young leaders, our staff keeps JVC’s core values of spirituality, community, simple living, and social justice at the forefront of our work.  

† Former Jesuit Volunteer 
* Jesuit Educated

Jesuit Volunteer Corps is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. Please check the JVC News section of our website for information on our latest precautionary measures we have taken as an organization. As of March 16, all JVC staff is working remotely, we apologize for any delays in communication at this time.

LEADERSHIP

John Giere †*

Interim President

John is honored to lead JVC forward in its mission. John joins in this role after a 30-year career in the high-tech sector where he served as CEO for two software companies. John's long-standing connection with JVC began after graduating from Georgetown University and serving two years as a Jesuit Volunteer in Dangriga, Belize. John has spent three years as a Board member for JVC and previously served on the Board for Jesuit Volunteers International (JVI). A devoted husband and father, John enjoys biking and traveling in his free time.

Anissa Rose

Director of Human Resources

Anissa is responsible for managing the human resources department including benefits administration, staff recruiting, payroll and policies. Previously, Anissa worked within a large Christian school and appreciates the value of service focused missions. After setting the intention of finding a new way to work towards creating a world of goodness, Anissa found JVC!

Wendell Smith

Interim Director of Finance and Administration

Wendell is responsible for managing the financial activities of JVC and making sure that we effectively and efficiently serve all our constituencies – staff, agencies, volunteers, and supporters.

Laura Strubeck †*

Director of Programs

Laura is responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight for the formation and service program. She served two years as a JV during the 2008-2010 program years. In her first year, Laura served at Sarah House, a hospital hospitality house in Syracuse, NY followed by her additional year with San Diego Youth Services in San Diego, CA.

Rob Roa *

Director of Recruitment

Rob is responsible for providing strategic oversight of recruitment efforts for prospective JVs. With the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines Foundation and a Jesuit education, Rob worked for one year with rural sustenance farmers in Tacloban, Philippines to support and develop an innovative, sustainable, and cooperative agribusiness model. Now, he looks forward to guiding and supporting other young leaders committed to seeing their faith in action.

recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org

Shivany Trujillo *

Director of Admissions

Shivany serves as the Director of Admissions at JVC, helping prospective volunteers and agencies navigate the admissions process from completing the application to an agency being matched with a Jesuit Volunteer. Prior to joining JVC, Shivany worked in Higher Education, specifically Housing and Residence Life. Shivany is a graduate of Saint Louis University with a B.A. in Urban Affairs and Political Science. She also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with a concentration in Non-profit Management. Outside of work, Shivany spends most of her time with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Shivany enjoys crafting and sewing, reading, travelling, and listening to podcasts.

admissions@jesuitvolunteers.org

Kevin Beebe *

Director of Development

Kevin provides oversight for all fundraising efforts to secure philanthropic support that advances the mission and vision at JVC. Kevin served two AmeriCorps terms, in Sacramento and Baltimore, before moving into the fundraising field, where he worked in the arts and education fields before joining JVC in 2021.

development@jesuitvolunteers.org

STAFF

Maggie Odigie

Finance Associate

Maggie is responsible for various finance tasks including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and handling general finance questions and concerns for volunteers and/ or staff. She aligns with the work JVC does in underserved communities and is proud to contribute to the organization’s mission. Outside of work, she enjoys reading creative nonfiction essays and literary fiction, writing poetic prose, and playing Sonic video games with her son.

Carter White †*

FJV Engagement Manager

Carter is responsible for supporting our community of Former Jesuit Volunteers (FJVs), building relationships and developing partnerships to provide ongoing resources to alumni of the program. In 2017-18, Carter served as a JV in San Diego at Academy of Our Lady of Peace, working on their campus ministry team.

fjvs@jesuitvolunteers.org

Monica Valenzuela

Senior Manager of Strategic Communications

Monica is responsible for the promotion of JVC with attention to the entire JVC community, including prospective Jesuit Volunteers, donors, former Jesuit Volunteers, and current Jesuit Volunteers. She leads Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) strategic communications to amplify JVC's strategic priorities and commitment to JEDI.

communications@jesuitvolunteers.org

Chris Bargeron

Admissions Manager

As an Admissions Manager, Chris supports the screening and placement process for all incoming Jesuit Volunteers and agencies. He is also responsible for providing formational support to the volunteers placed in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Chris served in a similar program to JVC, Dominican Volunteers USA for two years prior to joining on JVC staff. In his first year, he served at Heartland Alliance, a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago, IL, teaching English to newly arrived refugees. In his second year, he served in Catholic Charities Atlanta Refugee Resettlement as an employment specialist.

admissions@jesuitvolunteers.org

William Poling

Senior Program Manager for Evaluation & Assessment

Since joining JVC in 2018, William has managed multiple communities of volunteers serving internationally and across the United States. Having volunteered and worked in many JVC-esque roles, from international non-profits to public schools in the U.S., William draws from such experiences in offering perspective and fostering growth among Jesuit Volunteers and the stakeholders that surround them.

Ben DeGarmo

Senior Program Manager

Ben works to accompany volunteers through their transformative year by providing program content specific to their cities and working with the Agency Partners there. Ben has been with JVC since 2015, previously working with D.A. Blodgett - St. John's Home, a residential treatment campus, in Grand Rapids, MI. Ben is based out of Detroit, MI.

Ashley Ledet †*

Area Manager - Central

Ashley is the Area Manager for the South and oversees the communities in New Orleans, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Albuquerque. While based in New Orleans, she accompanies volunteers on their JV journey and offers support through relationship building, retreat facilitation, and agency connection. As a 2014-2015 JV in Harlem, Ashley served at St. Ignatius School in the Bronx.

Bronwyn Gilman †

Recruiter

"I'm a desert dweller at heart, grew up in Arizona, and I'm still trying to make peace with the heat. But hey, it's all part of the adventure! I proudly went to Grand Canyon University (Go Lopes!), and my journey led me to spend a year in Cleveland, OH, where I wore multiple hats as an employment specialist and assistant art director. I'm a chess aficionado, board game enthusiast, and a whiz in the kitchen. Oh, and did I mention I have a 140 lb dog who's basically Eeyore in dog form? His name is Forrest"

recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org

Sophia Jaunet †

Recruiter

Sophia Jaunet is based in Birmingham, AL and is excited to be recruiting throughout the South! She is an FJV who served as a volunteer coordinator at a youth resource center in Billings, MT from '20-21. She really enjoys working with young people, traveling, and connecting with prospective JVs!

recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org

Casey Driscoll †

Recruiter

Casey Driscoll is responsible for recruiting in the Northeast Region and is based out of Wrentham, MA. He is a graduate of Villanova University and a former Jesuit Volunteer who served as the Outreach Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baltimore, Maryland from 2022 to 2023. Outside of work, Casey's interests include traveling, playing ultimate frisbee, eating Eggo waffles, and watching Boston sports teams win championships. Casey looks forward to accompanying prospective JVs as they discern a year of service!

recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org

OUR BOARD

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is governed by a board of directors deeply committed to the mission, values, sustainability, and impact of JVC.  Every member of the board has had their life positively affected by JVC, whether through their own service or the service of friends and family.  Board members bring a wealth of experience as leaders in the corporate, non-profit, and Jesuit worlds that shapes their support of JVC’s mission.

Denise Bennett-Walls †*

Chair

Colleen Magnus †*

Vice Chair, Nominations Chair

Bridget Perry †*

Program Chair

Marty Rodgers

AUDIT CHAIR

Ann Greiner †

Development Chair

Nancy Johansen †*

Treasurer and Finance Chair

Joseph McKellar †

Secretary and Governance Chair

Joan Hogan Gillman *

Former Chair

Carlos Esparza, SJ *

Member

John Giere †*

Member

Kate Haser †

Member

Chris Green †

Member

Marcia Lee Taylor †

Member

Scott Santarosa, SJ †

Member

Marisa Hernandez-Stern †

Member

Tony Harris

Member

Phil Boroughs, SJ

Member