Susie Miller – Chair

Susie has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked for many years as a high school Spanish teacher. She later earned her Master’s degree in community counseling and now works in mental health private practice. Susie started the Friendship Circle in Mequon, Wisconsin, and has been active over the years as their Circle leader. She and her husband John have four children. They have both traveled in Guatemala on various mission and insight trips, and Susie has recent experience working on education and development programs in eastern Kenya.

Parker Schenken – Vice Chair

Parker Schenken is a public finance attorney with Taft/Sherman & Howard in Denver, assisting public-sector clients with financing housing, healthcare and public infrastructure projects in Colorado, New Mexico and his home state of Nebraska. Parker is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Parker recently concluded his service on the board of directors of a language immersion charter school in Denver with programs in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, and has traveled extensively throughout Guatemala (where his youngest daughter was born). Parker and his wife Alanna live in the Denver area. Parker enjoys hiking, climbing and skiing, music, and spending time with his family.

María Matilde Olazábal Forcén – Treasurer

María Matilde Olazábal is currently the Impact Managing Partner at Co_Capital de Impacto and the Executive President of FFH Alcance AC. She works to promote initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life for people living in vulnerable and marginalized conditions, as well as to the protection of the environment. At Co_Capital, Maria Matilde drives, strengthens, and monitors the impact-oriented approach of the social enterprises in which the fund invests, ensuring that the positive impact these companies generate on social and environmental issues is maximized. Through FFH Alcance, she has also been negotiating strategic alliances between FFH Alcance and both international and national development organizations, in addition to supporting innovation and the enhancement of comprehensive financial services for microfinance institutions, training programs for trainers, and the development of educational products on topics relevant to people living in poverty. She is a member of various Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards of Civil Society Organizations recognized for their commitment to addressing social and environmental challenges.

Betsy Thompson – Secretary

Dr. Thompson is a retired Assistant Surgeon General and Rear Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) with more than 30 years of experience as a physician, leader, and educator for a wide range of public health organizations. She earned her undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University; M.D. and Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degrees from the University of Colorado; and a Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) in health policy from the University of Michigan. Dr. Thompson has decades of volunteer experience for medical and educational causes and has extensive experience and training in chronic disease prevention and health care quality improvement. She currently splits her time between Nashville, Tennessee and Makawao, Maui.

Anna De La Cruz

Anna is a Seattle-based social impact and gender expert with an emphasis on global health, microfinance and social enterprise. As Chief Impact Officer for Linked Foundation, she leads the foundation’s impact measurement work and guides and implements investment and strategy decisions. Anna also serves as consultant and advisor to global organizations looking to measure and maximize their social impact and improve gender equity. Previously, Anna worked on private sector health delivery as part of the UCSF Global Health Group, managed impact evaluations in Mexico with Innovations for Poverty Action, and helped establish the Financial Access Initiative at New York University. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on International Policy from New York University, and a Bachelor’s with distinction in International Studies from the University of Washington. While Anna has worked globally, Latin America holds a special place in her heart having worked extensively in Mexico, Guatemala and other countries throughout the region.

Lara Diaconu

Lara is an international development and non-profit management professional with specific expertise in organizational development strategy, program development, and resource acquisition. She currently leads fundraising strategy for Caritas Internationalis. Lara lived in Nicaragua for seven years, first leading Catholic Relief Services’ office, overseeing a portfolio of rural development programs including agricultural livelihoods and health, and later leading Global Partnerships’ Managua office. With Global Partnerships, Lara focused on social impact due diligence across the Latin America investment portfolio, and providing technical support for MFIs delivering high impact health services to clients. Lara holds a B.A. in international relations from Grinnell College, an MBA from Yale University, and a JD from Seattle University.

Geoffrey Hoyl

Geoffrey Hoyl is a co-founder, Chairman of the board of directors, and an audit committee member for Keynetics Inc., one of Idaho’s largest private technology companies. Prior to co-founding Keynetics in 1998, Geoff had a thirty-year career in the mining industry. During that time he served as the chief executive of a series of private and publicly held mining companies with operations in the United States and around the world. He has extensive experience in corporate finance, fintech, online fraud control, mining, geological engineering, labor relations, and business operations and management. Geoff lives in Colorado.

Maryann Hunter

Maryann has 34 years of experience with the Federal Reserve System, serving most recently as Deputy Director for Banking Supervision and Regulation, and prior to that, as Deputy Director for Consumer and Community Affairs at the Federal Reserve Board.  She also served as the officer in charge of bank supervision and risk management functions for the Kansas City District of the Federal Reserve. She received her Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government from Penn State University.

Paolo Leiva

Paolo is an Industrial Engineer with an MBA from Universidad Mesoamericana and a Master in Microfinance and Social Development from Universidad de Alcalá de Henares Spain. He is Guatemalan and is the financial planning and analysis director at Acceso, an organization with the mission to create fundamental and lasting positive economic change in the lives of rural smallholder farming families. He brings to Friendship Bridge 20 years of corporate finance background mainly in financial systems, treasury, credits and collection, and financial planning and analysis in diverse industries. He is a social entrepreneur that co-founded Asociación Solidaridad por Guatemala and founded Asociación Emprendimiento Social.

“I support Friendship Bridge because since I first knew about their work and mission,” Paolo says. “I said to myself, ‘I want to be part of that organization.’ I began working in the Credit Committee and the more I learned about the work, the staff and leadership team, and the real contribution to empowering Guatemalan women, the more I wanted to contribute to the organization. Thank you for the opportunity to help my country through this wonderful organization.”

Brandi Mason

Brandi Mason, PCC is a Personal and Executive Coach who helps female leaders advance their careers sustainably. She is an ICF-certified coach with over 1,000 hours of coaching experience and founder of the 4455 Leadership Institute. Brandi’s history with Friendship Bridge is personal. As a former member of the organization’s leadership team, she led an international team of 14 staff and 250 volunteers to oversee the development of the artisan program, communications, and fundraising. Earlier in her career, Brandi worked in investment banking, served on the board of the Microfinance Club of New York, and was the volunteer coordinator for Deutsche Bank’s Global Social Investment Fund. Brandi holds a B.A. from George Washington University and an International Diploma in Management from the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, she leads two Girl Scout troops and lives in the foothills of Boulder, CO with her husband, two daughters, and an assortment of beloved pets.

Steve Miller

Steve Miller is a business and finance lawyer with over 40 years of experience in private practice. He was a member of the Denver based law firm Sherman & Howard L.L.C. from 1983 to 2023 where he was head of the firm’s business and real estate group and a was a member of its executive committee for over 20 years. He is currently general counsel for a family office. Mr. Miller is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Northern Iowa. Before entering law school, Mr. Miller practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with a national C.P.A. firm where he specialized in tax and accounting matters for manufacturing concerns and financial institutions.

Teresa Moczygemba

Teresa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Memphis State University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Texas A&M University and has teaching experience in both disciplines. For the past few decades, she has dedicated herself to philanthropic endeavors. In 2007, Teresa and her husband, Brice, established an engineering scholarship that provides financial assistance to deserving students pursuing a career in civil engineering. Teresa got involved with Friendship Bridge in 2008 to provide support for some of the most impoverished inhabitants of this hemisphere. Since then, she has visited Guatemala sixteen times including seven Insight Trips and has chaired four annual Friendship Bridge fundraising events. Teresa and Brice have been members of the Friendship Bridge Legacy Circle since 2018. Currently, Teresa is involved in the restoration of upland bird habitat on the Moczygemba Rewild Ranch in South Texas.

Alexandra Neville

Alexandra has a Bachelor’s degree in English and French from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has over 20 years of experience in financial services marketing, working with global firms, including Charles Schwab and Janus Henderson. Most recently, Alex served as Chief Marketing Officer for 361 Capital, a Denver-based alternatives asset manager (now a division of Hamilton Lane), where she was recognized as Chief Marketing Officer of the Year globally by WealthManagement.com. She currently serves in a senior advisory capacity for an alternatives asset management firm based in Minnesota. She and her husband, Shawn, live in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Carolina Roca

Carolina Roca is an Economist with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. She makes her home in Guatemala and is a senior partner at IDC, a Guatemala consultant firm where she focuses on the areas of finance, institutional development and innovation, and public sector reform. In addition, Carolina is an active member of the community where she has served as President of the Foundation for Women’s Development, a small NGO granting credits and training to women’s micro-business projects, and is presently a board member of FUNDASISTEMAS, Entrepreneurs for Education and Vital Voices Guatemala. Prior to IDE, Carolina served as Vice-Minister of Energy and Mines, Vice Minister of Public Finance, Technical Secretary of the Economic Cabinet and Director of External Financing. In addition, she was the Commissioner of the Guatemalan Tax and Customs Administration from 2005-2008, serving two different government administrations.

“I support Friendship Bridge because I share its mission, values and developing strategy,” Carolina says. “Fostering sound entrepreneurial opportunities for families and strengthening women’s self-esteem are key factors to take families and communities out of poverty in Guatemala.”

Paul Schreder

Paul Schreder is an investment consultant at CAPTRUST in Denver, providing investment advice for non-profit and ultra-high net worth investors.  Paul is a CFA Charter holder, and has a Masters degree in Finance from the University of Denver and a BS in Business Administration/Finance degree from Colorado State University.  Paul is a member of the Economic Club of Colorado and is a previous board member of Special Olympics Colorado.  Paul splits his time in Denver, Evergreen and Grand County, Colorado.  He enjoys travel and spending time outdoors with his family, dogs, and friends.

Rolando Yon

Rolando is a finance and executive leader with over 18 years of C-level experience across Latin America, working with public, private, and multinational corporations. He currently serves as Group CFO at PAKKA, an India-based company expanding into the Americas and committed to environmental sustainability. PAKKA manufactures and commercializes compostable and biodegradable food packaging alternatives, aiming to significantly reduce global plastic use. His academic credentials include a master’s in management from Harvard University, an MBA from ULACIT, and a BSBA in Finance and Economics from Suffolk University. He has also completed postgraduate studies in Strategic Management & Organizational Behavior at Harvard University and Management of Technology at MIT.

Prior to his current role, Rolando was Interim CEO and CFO at Corporación San Diego, one of Guatemala’s leading sugar mills and energy producers. He has also held CFO positions at Corporación Liztex, Corporación PK, and Capgemini, gaining extensive experience across sectors such as agriculture, energy, textiles, real estate, manufacturing, and financial services. Rolando is recognized for his expertise in strategic planning and execution, digital transformation, mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and operational optimization. He is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and brings a strong background in finance, operations, strategy, technology, and shared service center management.

Founders

• Connie Ning
• Ted Ning
• Mimi Schlumberger

Board of Advisors

• Chris Dunford
• Karen Larson
• Sandy Younghans