Team Nicaragua 2011-2012
From left to right:
Front Row: Davis Snead, Samantha Wyatt, Maggie Thomas, Carrie Torn, Anna Gajewski, Fiona Turett, Katie Messick, Christin Stewart, Jesse Zimmerman
Not Pictured: Matt Creeden
Country Director
Katie Messick - Nicaragua Director
Katie received her ndergraduate degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Mary Washington College and then moved to Boston, MA. where she worked for Cultural Survival, an indigenous rights organization. Next she led 3 international youth travel and service programs for her YMCA in the Berkshires. After doing sales and marketing for an international educational travel organization, Education First, Katie joined Peace Corps and served as an Urban Youth Development Volunteer in Paraguay. Katie graduated in May 2011 with a Masters in International Development Policy from Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy. While at Duke, Katie interned for Save the Children and Restless Development in Uganda. Katie became our Nicaragua Director in the summer of 2011 and oversees all of our Nicaragua programs and volunteers.
Program Directors
Davis Snead
Vanderbilt University, ’11—European History davis.snead@mannaproject.org
Davis, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, spent much of his childhood traveling and previously lived in Kunming, China leading English camps. His desire to experience international life while making a real difference, coupled with experience working on a business project in Nicaragua via a ‘Spanish for Business’ course, prompted him to join our team in Nicaragua. After Manna, he hopes to pursuing a career teaching at the university level.
Samantha Wyatt
University of Pennsylvania, '11–Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (Minor in Hispanic Studies) samantha.wyatt@mannaproject.org
Inspired by her interest in international trade and Latin American development and human rights, as well as a passion for travel and adventure, Samantha joins us from Berkeley, California. Previous international experience includes time spent studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her favorite pastimes include singing, running and attempting to cook.
Maggie Thomas
Vanderbilt University, '11–Public Policy
maggie.thomas@mannaproject.org
Atlanta’s Maggie Thomas worked as a public diplomacy intern for the State Department at the US Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador prior to her arrival at our Nicaragua site. Studying abroad in Managua, Nicaragua allowed her to work with Manna, which, coupled with her desire to serve, led her back. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, cooking and enjoying good food. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate school in Political Science and work in either government or the non-profit world.
Carrie Torn
UNC Chapel Hill, '11–Journalism and Mass Communication; Psychology
carrie.torn@mannaproject.org
Carrie, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, is quite the traveler, with study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a summer in Costa Rica leading community service trips for youth, and travel to Ecuador and Western Europe. She joined Manna with a desire to do something fulfilling and rewarding, experience a new culture, and to use her background of culture, women’s health and advocacy to help the community in which she will serve. She enjoys skiing and SCUBA diving.
Anna Gajewski
Macalester College, ’10—Biology, Community and Global Health
anna.gajewski@mannaproject.org
Wausau, Wisconsin native Anna Gajewski is no stranger to Nicaragua, having visited the MPI site earlier this year. After spending the past year working in the biotechnology sector at a vaccine development company, she is very excited to work with the child sponsorship program in La Chureca. Once her time with Manna is completed, she plans on pursuing a Master of Public Health degree. In her free time, Anna loves swimming and running.
Fiona Turett
Washington University in St. Louis, ’09—Mechanical Engineering
fiona.turett@mannaproject.org
After spending a summer in Ecuador with Manna in 2009, Fiona, originally of Rochester Hills, Michigan, knew she’d be back to work with Manna—and now she is, in a different country! She brings a unique background to MPI having spent the last two years working on the space shuttle program at NASA in Houston. In her spare time, Fiona enjoys helping with the high school youth group at her church, spending time with friends, and learning new things. Once her time with MPI is through, she will return to work for NASA.
Christin Stewart
College of Charleston, ’11—Sociology, Spanish
christin.stewart@mannaproject.org
It only takes a quick glance at Christin Stewart’s passport to get a sense of where her passion lies. With a semester in Spain, spring break service work in Jamaica, and extensive travel throughout Europe, it’s pretty clear that Christin, originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has a strong affinity for travel. When not interning with various non-profit organizations, Christin enjoys running and playing field hockey.
Jesse Zimmerman
University of Virginia, ’11—Foreign Affairs, History
jesse.zimmerman@mannaproject.org
Jesse hails from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and has international experience serving in Haiti, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. His love for Latin America and a passion to serve led him to join MPI as a Program Director. After MPI, Jesse plans on pursuing a Master’s of Public Policy in International Development. He enjoys spending free time playing soccer, riding motorcycles, and going to concerts.
Matt Creeden
Vanderbilt, ’08—Public Policy
matt.creeden@mannaproject.org
Matt, originally from Wilmette, IL, has been a Program Director since January 2011. With previous work experience as a trader at an investment bank and as a staffer on a political campaign, he was drawn to Nicaragua to help Manna develop our Microfinance Initiative. He has extensive experience living abroad in Copenhagen and London, and enjoys travel and good music.
