Program Director
Evan is from Silver Spring, Maryland and is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland College Park (Go Terps!) where he studied Spanish and International Relations, with a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. He has previously volunteered in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Cuba, and has had several internships related to international development, human rights, and migration. In his free time, he loves playing basketball (or any sport really), listening to jazz, and watching cartoons. Evan is excited to get to know Shandia and build lasting relationships in the community!
Executive Director
Dana’s interest in nonprofit work was sparked while pursuing her B.A. in International Development at Clark University, where she had the opportunity to intern at various nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran Social Services of New England. She first joined MPI Nicaragua in 2014 as a Program Director after receiving her M.A. in Community Development & Planning. During her first year in Nicaragua, she fell in love with the communities that MPI serves and was impressed by the organization’s holistic and sustainable approach to development. After a year of working in MPI's educational and business development programs, Dana decided to extend her contract to work with MPI as a Senior Program Director for two more years before joining staff as the Assistant Country Director for MPI Nicaragua. After the Nicaragua site unfortunately had to close in 2018, Dana transitioned to a Development Manager role, providing support for fundraising and recruitment efforts as well as continuing to provide administrative support on the ground. She became the Development Director in Fall 2022, and is thrilled at the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Manna Project team! She lives in Nicaragua with her husband and two children.