Our People

Our People

GIVE would just be a logo without our host community partners, local staff and leaders, and guides. Our host communities have been the driving force behind our positive impact and the lifelong inspiration for more than 6,000 past volunteers turned global citizens. When identifying projects, we unite with our host communities around initiatives that inspire its members to act, and then work alongside local leaders to form a long-term plan of action that empowers their communities.

Our volunteers work side-by-side with host community members on volunteer projects, guided by local leaders and educators as well as GIVE staff, to provide additional hands to achieve the community’s goals. Through providing hands-on, eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between our volunteers and host community members, we aim to activate global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ultimately ignite sustainable change worldwide.

Meet the faces behind the movement

GIVE is essentially a vessel carrying our volunteers towards something greater than themselves.  As such, this ship only goes as far as the people steering it, and we’re lucky enough to have the greatest crew on the planet.

HQ Staff

Jake Allison

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Jake has spent the last decade creating impactful trips that foster global citizenship through international travel. He has initiated volunteer programs in 9 countries across 5 different continents with over 8,000 participants and has traveled to over 85 countries. In 2011 he founded GIVE with the intent of offering university students opportunities for personal growth and development while leaving a positive and enriching impact on the places and communities they visit. To date, GIVE has completed numerous projects overseas, focusing on capacity building through developing physical, human, and social capital.

“I believe international travel and immersive experiences are profoundly educational and should be leveraged to achieve positive outcomes for the traveler and the places they visit. Through compassion and entrepreneurship we can invoke positive systemic change; and I passionately apply this to all work and life endeavors.” – Jake Allison, LinkedIn

Carly Schade

Operations Manager

Bio coming soon!

Julia Nitti

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Bio coming soon!

Katence Olson

Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Bio coming soon!

John Miller

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Bio coming soon!

Daniel Trevor

Head of International Operations

Bio coming soon!

Sydney Eisenberg

SOCIAL MEDIA & SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Bio coming soon!

Tanzania

John Miller

Regional Coordinator

Mcheni “MC”

Education Coordinator

David Chogo

Director of Green Paw Adventures

Ibrahim “Ibro” Bakili

Logistics Coord & Project Manager

Hannah Kenzie

Guide

Khamis Alawi

Guide

Ibrah “Boi” Momo

Permaculture Coordinator & Guide

Sophie Petersen

Guide

Juma Valantia

Local Legend & Jack of All Trades

Meet The Staff

in Thailand!

Thailand

Mooky Musikapong

Regional Coordinator

Amelia Armstrong

Guide

Tidarat “Ann” Jitsook

Elephant Experience Coordinator

Dang “P’Tat” Intong

Driver Extraordinaire

P’Au Sripermpoom

Guide

Hannah Isakowitz

Guide

Chaue “Tony” Palae

Logistics Coordinator & Guide

Veronika Funke

Guide

Meet The Staff

in Nicaragua!

Nicaragua

Mike Cesario

Regional Coordinator

Alvaro Sanchez

Guide & Project Coordinator

Mario Monteil

Education Coordinator

Amber Parucha

Guide

Meet The Staff

in Laos!

Laos

Touy Kommamuang

Logistics Coordinator

Brandon Streb

Guide

Carly Schade

Regional Coordinator

Phon Malakham

Guide

Jessica Hillman

Guide

Mr. Good

Guide

Dave Boongullaya

Permaculture Director

Nepal

Pasang Sherpa

Founder & Guide of Green Paw Adventures Nepal

Bikash Magar

Guide

Geljen Sherpa

Logistics Coordinator & Chairman of GIVE Nepal Foundation

Pranuj Shrestha

Guide

Hall of Fame

Matt Geddes

Co-Founder

Ken Cohen, Ph.D

Risk Management Consultant

What To Read Next:

What Sets GIVE Apart?