Development Director

Jackie first visited Nicaragua in 2009 to volunteer with an orphan foundation. A few visits later, she was certain she wanted to get more deeply involved in international development. After studying International Communications in Queensland, Australia and graduating from Virginia Tech in 2011, Jackie traveled back to Nicaragua as a summer intern for Manna Project. She quickly fell in love with the culture and community, and stayed involved by becoming a child sponsor and creating an advocacy blog. With a B.A. in Communications-PR & Marketing, she then spent the next 6 years in professional roles focused on marketing, publishing, business development and sales. During these years, Jackie spent most of her free time organizing events for Maryland nonprofits centered around children facing a life-limiting illness. Today, Jackie lives in Baltimore, MD with her boyfriend and dog, and enjoys hiking, gymnastics, snowboarding, waterskiing and international travel.

Finance and Administration

As one of Manna Project's founders, Lori has been a vital part of the MPI team since graduating from Vanderbilt University in 2004 with degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education. Lori's involvement began when she helped charter the organization in January of 2004. In September 2004, Lori and 9 others journeyed to Nicaragua where they founded MPI's first international site. Lori taught preschool and designed and implemented the first art and literacy programs. Lori acted as the Nicaragua Country Director for before creating and stepping into the role of Executive Director. Lori served as the Executive Director until 2016 when she stepped down to focus on her family. She continues to be involved with Manna Project as the Financial Manager and as a board member. She lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and son.

Ecuador Country Director

Born in Haiti, Deborah has over 16 years’ experience in international development and nonprofits in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Haitian Creole and has recently began learning Italian. Throughout her career, Deborah has learned that the best way to help people and communities is to first understand their hopes and dreams; hence intercultural communications is her most developed skill set. Deborah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Economic Development from Sonoma State University and a Master’s of Science in Administration from the University of West Florida.

Villanova University '17, Psychology

Jennifer grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. She graduated from Villanova University in 2017 with a degree in Psychology. She had taken Spanish in school so during her spring semester junior year she decided to study abroad in Spain. It was a great experience and she learned she had a love for learning about other cultures and wanted to continue improving her Spanish. After graduating Jennifer didn’t know what she wanted to do so decided to take a gap year. She choose Manna Project because in addition to being able to improve her Spanish she loved the idea that with the holistic approach she will be working in different fields and exposed to far more.

Nicaragua Country Director

Christina's involvement with nonprofits began when she volunteered for a domestic violence organization while pursuing her BA in Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She went on to spend eight years working with domestic violence victims, incarcerated females, and at-risk youth. Christina received a Master in Public Management from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy and worked for the World Health Organization while living in Italy. In 2009, Christina was first introduced to Nicaragua and went on to spend two years working with the Nicaraguan Ministries of Health and Education in the department of Masaya. Christina is currently pursuing a Master in Public Health at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and was selected to receive the Emerging Global Public Health Scholars Award and the Gillings Merit Scholars Award. Prior to joining Manna Project in 2013, Christina worked as a Research and Evaluation Associate for Safe Horizon, the largest victims' services agency in the US.

Nicaragua Assistant Country 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, providing on-site and organizational support before transitioning to her current role. She is thrilled to be a part of the Manna Project team and for the opportunity to continue working with the communities she has grown to love.

Villa Guadalupe Clinic Administrator

Yami has been working with Manna Project International for over ten years and has become an invaluable part of the work the organization does in the Villa Guadalupe community. She first began working with MPI while the organization was still operating in La Chureca, which was the largest open-air landfill in Central America. She has over fifteen years of experience working in the health field. Yami handles the administration of the Villa Guadalupe clinic, helping with everything from making sure patients receive a kind reception to keeping all of the clinic's files organized and up to date.

Nurse, Cedro Galan Clinic and Villa Guadalupe Clinic

Selma has been part of the MPI team for three years, working as a nurse at both of the organization's health clinics in Nicaragua. She has thirty-three years of nursing experience under her belt. She was first drawn to nursing through her love of helping others and she feels that working with MPI has given her a chance to reach those most in need.

Doctor, Villa Guadaupe Clinic

Lilliam has been working as a general practitioner at MPI’s clinic in Villa Guadalupe since it opened two years ago. She has over ten years of medical experience and her warm personality never fails to put patients at ease. Lilliam knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a doctor so she could help people improve their health and prevent illnesses.   

Gynecologist, Villa Guadalupe Clinic

Karla has eight years of experience working as a Gynecologist at Carlos Roberto Huembes, which makes her an incredible resource for the women of Villa Guadalupe. Karla's favorite part of her job is working with new mothers and getting to witness the joy they experience after giving birth. She also believes that improving women’s health in Nicaragua is critical for the country’s development and feels passionate about improving access to care in underserved communities like Villa Guadalupe. 

Doctor, Cedro Galán Clinic

Wendy decided to become a doctor because she loved the idea of helping others to improve their health. For the past three years, she has been doing just that by providing care for patients at MPI’s clinic in Cedro Galán. With 17 years of experience as a general practitioner, Wendy is a tremendous asset to our staff. She is passionate about providing access to quality healthcare to people with limited resources and feels that the presence of a clinic in Cedro Galán has made a huge difference for the community.

Social Worker & Health Promoter, Villa Guadalupe Clinic

Julio has been with MPI for over ten years. In addition to helping with the administration of the Villa Guadalupe clinic, he also serves as a community health promoter and oversees Manna Project's childhood nutrition program. His favorite part of working at the clinic is going door to door in the community and finding people that MPI can help through the services the organization offers.

Nutritionist, Villa Guadalupe Clinic

Monica has been working as a nutritionist with MPI at the Villa Guadalupe clinic for the past four years, helping to oversee the nutritional care of the children in the child malnutrition program. Monica brings a wealth of experience, with over twenty years of practice as a nutritionist and fifteen years of experience working for the Nicaraguan Health Ministry (MINSA). Monica experienced her own nutrition-related issues as a young girl, which is what first inspired her to get involved in her field. She says that her favorite part of her work is getting to see her patients’ health improve.

Maintenance

Angela has been working with MPI since the organization first began to operate in Villa Guadalupe over three years ago. Angela has become an invaluable part of th clinic team. Thanks to her, members of the Villa Guadalupe community always have a clean and organized space to receive care. Angela says that she loves being able to do her part at the clinic and believes that the community really appreciates the services offered.