MEET THE NEW TEAM

Get to know the new people who have joined team Esperanza this 2024

Miriam Hernandez González

Director- Tijuana Team- Fundación Esperanza de México

English

Español

Hello, I am Miriam, the new director of Fundación Esperanza. I am 45 years old and am originally from Ensenada, Baja California, a port that is approximately 40 minutes from Tijuana. I have been married for almost 19 years to Jorge A. Cacho (architect) and we have a 15-year-old daughter (Taiyari Marian).

Some things I like are: sharing time with family and friends, nature, dogs, cats and drinking coffee.

I studied Communication at UABC Tijuana, a career in which I developed interest in organizational and social projects.

My work experience includes universities and civil associations such as: World Vision of Mexico (where I was coordinator of a campaign against Child Sexual Exploitation, and attended to community programs, donor and volunteer groups), and the Tijuana Mental Health Hospital (where I was in charge of internal communications, developing a Mental Health awareness magazine for “El Informente” and other activities). I also worked in various government offices, like the Municipal System for Family Development (DIF) where I worked in various positions for almost 12 years such as: Deputy Operational Director, Coordinator of Rehabilitation and Maintenance of buildings, Internal Civil Protection, being responsible for enabling and managing temporary emergency shelters in the city, mass events, Civil Protection, Secretary of Government and Secretary of Welfare.

Likewise, personally I have collaborated with organizations that support women with cancer and the Catholic Church of Tijuana through the Encuentro de Novios Movement, in which, together with my husband, priests and other couples, we give talks to young people who will get married for church.

Being part of Fundacion Esperanza makes me feel pride, joy, and hope because returning to professional development in a civil organization dedicated to seeking the well-being of those who need it is my vocation. I am sure that with the contacts I have from the government and other civil organizations we can greatly strengthen the work of Esperanza.

My life slogan is “leave a mark on others.”

Hola, mi nombre es Miriam y soy la nueva directora de Fundación Esperanza. Tengo 45 años de edad y soy originaria de Ensenada, Baja California, un puerto que se encuentra a aproximadamente 40 minutos de Tijuana. Casada por casi 19 años con Jorge A. Cacho (arquitecto), tenemos una hija de 15 años (Taiyari Marian).

Algunas cosas que me gustan son: compartir tiempo con familia y amigos, la naturaleza, los perros, los gatos y tomar café.Estudié Licenciatura en Comunicación en UABC Tijuana, carrera en la cual desarrollé el interés en proyectos organizacionales y sociales.

Dentro de mi experiencia laboral se encuentran: Universidades, Asociaciones Civiles como: World Vision de México (fui coordinadora de una campaña contra Explotación Sexual Infantil, atención a programas comunitarios, grupos de donantes y voluntarios), el Hospital de Salud Mental de Tijuana (a cargo comunicación interna, desarrollando una revista de concientización de la Salud Mental ”El Informante” y otras actividades), asimismo trabajé en diversas oficinas de gobierno: el Sistema Municipal para el Desarrollo de la Familia (DIF) desempeñándome en diversos cargos (durante casi 12 años) tales como: Subdirectora Operativa, Coordinadora de Rehabilitación y Mantenimiento de inmuebles, Protección Civil Interna, responsable de habilitar y administrar refugios temporales de emergencias en la ciudad, eventos masivos, Protección Civil, Secretaría de Gobierno y Secretaría de Bienestar.

Asimismo, de forma personal he colaborado con organismos que apoyan a mujeres con cáncer y a la Iglesia católica de Tijuana a través del Movimiento Encuentro de Novios, en el que, junto a mi esposo, sacerdotes y otros matrimonios brindamos pláticas a jóvenes que se casarán por la Iglesia.

Formar parte de Fundación Esperanza me llena de orgullo, alegría e ilusión, pues regresar a desarrollarme profesionalmente en una organización civil dedicada a buscar el bienestar de quienes lo necesitan es mi vocación y estoy segura que con los contactos que tengo de gobierno y otras organizaciones civiles podemos fortalecer mucho el quehacer de FEM.

Mi slogan de vida “deja huella”.

Alma Cristina Mendoza Munguía

Architect- Tijuana Team- Fundación Esperanza de México

English

Español

Hello, I'm Alma! I am now the architect at Fundación Esperanza. I’m 24 years old and I graduated from UABC Valle de las Palmas. I really like social architecture, interior design, landscaping and aquarium design.

Throughout my career I have been able to work in the area of projects and residence, so it has been very useful for the area I am in now. Among my main activities are project development, supervision of finishes, work progress reports, photographic evidence, and support in Esperanza’s purchasing area.

I really like social architecture and alternatives to usual construction methods. I believe that it is important to democratize architecture to raise people's quality of life, evaluating the context of each project and providing solutions that are hand in hand with sustainability without abandoning the needs of the families that live there or the community; not only for the comfort, but for the security of having a decent home and the development of the people who live there, allowing them to participate in the construction of their home to be able to adapt it to them. That is why I believe in Fundación Esperanza's projects, because they bring us much closer to this goal in which people can make their dream of decent housing come true and we are fortunate to witness it.

Greg Harkness

President- U.S. Board of Directors- Esperanza International

Hi, I’m Greg. I am a native Midwesterner, although I spent most of my professional life in New York City. I have always had an academic interest in the border region between Mexico and the United States; this, along with my career as an educator, led me to Esperanza. I have worked with Esperanza for over twenty years and have been on the Board of directors since 2012. I retired from my work in education in May 2022, and I currently live in Italy.

(Pictured left with volunteer coordinator Eduardo Zavala Reyes)

Jeremy McElduff

Secretary- U.S. Board of Directors- Esperanza International

Hey, I’m Jeremy. I live in Kansas City, MO and work at Rockhurst High School as a Spanish teacher and coach. I have worked with adolescents as a coach and teacher for 30 years. When I'm not working I spend time with my family (my wife and 2 children), read, garden and coach/play more soccer. I first came to Tijuana in 2016 and fell in love with the city and the people.

Nich Johnson

Compliance Officer- U.S. Board of Directors- Esperanza International

Moin and Klahowya! My name is Nich Johnson, and I am a proud eighth-generation Pacific Northwestern, born in Spokane, WA, where I have recently returned to after 15 years away–the last five of which were in Hamburg, Germany. I work helping buildings and businesses become more sustainable / ESG-ready, and in my free time I do a lot of hiking, language studies, cooking, and dancing. I was blessed to be introduced to Esperanza via the Seattle University Campus ministry group with Sean Bray and the beloved Paul Milan and later was able to serve / nominally-get-in-Eduardo’s-way as a long term volunteer in the second half of 2015. I am consistently thankful to get to be a part of EI’s mission and team.

JP Pantigoso

Board Member- U.S. Board of Directors- Esperanza International

Hello hello! My name is JP Pantigoso, I was born in Arequipa, Peru and moved to the States when I was 10. I'm a project manager for a tech/manufacturing company in the Seattle area. I love to run, road bike, and spend quality time with my family and friends. I've been involved with Esperanza since 2011, and I'm incredibly thankful to my sister who introduced me to this great org. all those years ago.

Manuel Jimenez

Board Member- U.S. Board of Directors- Esperanza International

Hola, I’m Manuel. I am a first generation Mexican-American who has been volunteering at Esperanza since 2011. The journey started with a youth group I was a part of who took a chance on Esperanza. I took more trips outside of my youth group in college that reignited my love for volunteer work and of course this organization. I never would have expected to be involved in the board. Thanks to my family and Monte/Carole Marti for making this all happen. I have a family of 4 that I hope to someday bring to Esperanza to meet the friends I have made over the years.

To view the rest of team Esperanza, click HERE