Alfonso Wieland is a human rights lawyer and author in Lima, Peru. He is one of the co-founders of Paz y Esperanza and currently serves as the National Director for International Justice Mission in Peru, with a focus in combating violence against women and children. With decades of experience working…...
James G. Huff Jr., PhD
James “Jamie” G. Huff Jr. is Associate Professor of Human Needs and Global Resources and Anthropology at Wheaton College. He also serves as the Associate Director of the Human Needs and Global Resources Program. His scholarship explores themes related to rural community development, religion in Latin America, faith-rooted social movements…...
Johnny Llenera, M.Div.
From the beautiful country of Peru, Johnny Llerena is a Provisional Elder of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He earned his Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School in 2021. For five years, Johnny has been the executive coordinator of the Institute for Wesleyan Studies –…...
Vilma Balmaceda, PhD
Dr. Vilma “Nina” Balmaceda is the associate director of the Duke Center for Reconciliation and an administrative faculty at Duke Divinity School, where she teaches Theology and Practice of Conflict Transformation and directs the Certificate in Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation, the Americas Initiative for Transformation and Reconciliation, and the Certificate…...
Ryan Smedes
Ryan Smedes is an international development program design and evaluation specialist with extensive experience in Latin America and beyond. Currently serving as PHI’s Deputy Director, Ryan supports the organization’s mission of promoting justice, peace, and human dignity across Latin America. He previously held senior roles in program design, learning and…...
Roberto W. Chia, MA, LPC
Roberto is a certified mental health counselor by the National Board of Clinical Counselors, and the State of New York. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Roberto now lives in Durham, NC where through his professional practice he serves families and individuals of all ages as they struggle with mental,…...
Ann Jennings-Grisham
Ann and her family live in Medellín, Colombia and have worked with Paz y Esperanza since 2011. Prior to her current role, Ann served as Office Administrator of the Santa Cruz, Bolivia office. Aside from coordinating international volunteers and interns with Paz y Esperanza offices in Latin America, Ann is…...
Jonathan Raber
Jon works to support local leaders in Latin America and the international growth of Peace and Hope. With a degree in Intercultural Studies and International Relief & Development, Jon gained experience as a practitioner in his hometown, Chambersburg, PA. For 12 years he ran a community initiative, bringing people together…...
Vanessa Rodriguez, J.D.
K. Vanessa Rodriguez is pursuing a PhD in Social Ethics at Drew University, while maintaining her practice as an immigration attorney in the D.C. metropolitan area. Vanessa obtained a B.S. in Business Administration at the American University in D.C. and subsequently a Juris Doctorate at the Washington College of Law…...
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen grew up in Lancaster, PA. She later moved to Philadelphia to study at Temple University where she got her bachelor’s degree. After graduating, she moved to Nyack, NY to get her Masters in Divinity at the Alliance Theological Seminary. She currently lives in the Bronx working with the youth in her…...
