and who we are...
Lee
Shainis, Executive Director
303-996-0275
e–mail: Lee Shainis
As one of cofounders of Intercambio, Lee researched the need for the organization and developed partnerships with related agencies. He designed and led the program’s initial trainings, helped create our teachers’ manual, and facilitated volunteer orientations and in–service trainings. Lee’s prior experience includes developing a volunteer program at a psychiatric treatment center and supervising an after–school program. His other volunteer work included: mentoring developmentally challenged individuals, facilitating writing workshops for prison inmates and assisting at a homeless shelter.
Lee has a BA in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and studied Spanish in Costa Rica, where he volunteered at a home for the elderly. In 2005 Lee was awarded the Community Action Program (CAP) multicultural award and also recognized by the Boulder Daily Camera with a Pacesetter award in the category of Education. In 2004, Lee won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the University of Michigan’s School of Business. In 2001, the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County awarded Intercambio a Nova Award in the Education category. Lee frequently hosts potlucks for 100 of his closest friends. You can also read more at Lee's Blog.
Lesly
Fajardo Feaux, Program Coordinator Boulder/Lafayette
303-996-0275 ext. 3
e–mail: Lesly Fajardo Feaux
Lesly (Fajardo Villalobos) Feaux is the Program Coordinator for Boulder and Lafayette and is responsible for organizing ESL group and home classes as well as student assessments.
Originally from Perú, Lesly worked for the Peruvian government spearheading gender and development programs and was later a consultant for the World Bank on teaching parenting skills for poor rural communities.
Lesly has her degree in sociology from the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal in Lima, Perú, and is currently working on her Masters with an emphasis on gender politics in Perú and Latin America. Her involvements with disparate groups in Latin America eventually lead Lesly to Intercambio. Lesly’s goal is to help create a world in which everyone in society has the same opportunity to become self–sufficient through education.
Brett
Kassels, Program Director Longmont
303-774-8827
e–mail: Brett Kassels
Brett is responsible for Intercambio’s expansion to Longmont, increasing services, building new collaborations and nurturing existing partnerships. Brett primarily works with the immigrant community managing the student side of the Longmont program. He matches volunteers with home students, arranges facilities for group classes and workshops, and manages the Longmont intern and outreach program. Brett is excited to recruit and engage more of the community in Longmont in Intercambio’s volunteer efforts.
Brett was born in Amherst, MA, and grew up working at a Boys & Girls Club in a predominately Latino neighborhood. His passion for Latino culture eventually led him to Guanajuato, Mexico where he facilitated community work projects with Amigos de Las Americas. Brett earned a BS in International Affairs at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. During and after college, Brett worked for Student Conservation Association, where he managed high school volunteer conservation work crews in the North Cascades, the Sangre de Cristos, and the Taconic Mountains. He also followed his fascination with immigration law to an internship in the Federal Courthouse in Boston, MA. Brett’s attraction to diversity, social justice, and service learning steered him to Intercambio.
Vicky
Holdridge, Academic (Volunteer) Coordinator
303-996-0275 ext. 5
e–mail: Vicky Holdridge
Vicky coordinates the volunteer teacher side of Intercambio. She trains all the volunteer teachers, provides teaching resources, in–services, teacher materials and lessons, and practices what she preaches! She learned Spanish and became interested in different cultures by traveling throughout Central and South America. She studied Anthropology at the University of New Hampshire, and earned her Masters in Teaching ESL at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. She has taught ESL in many different settings, including Oxford Junior College in Managua, Nicaragua, and the Family Literacy Program in Boulder, CO. Vicky has a beautiful and mischievous dog named Luna (a.k.a. the escape artist).
Shawn Camden, Program Developer and cofounder
303-996-0275 ext. 7
e–mail: Shawn Camden
Shawn is currently working on developing Intercambio’s own ESL curriculum for teachers and students. He dedicates most of his other time to researching the possibility for Intercambio to expand its model in to other communities where there is a need for an organization like ours. As cofounder, Shawn initially developed a strong connection with the immigrant community through a unique method of outreach. He helped developed the student orientations and the system for matching students and teachers at our school and home classes. He also developed the resource education component of the program. Shawn received his BA in Spanish Language and Literature and his TEFL certification with One World Training. He lived and taught ESL in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina where he was well known for being a mariachi singer and a rock and roll star. He always ponders, “por que soy tan chignon?”
Jenna Saldaña, Development Director
303-996-0275 ext. 6
e–mail: Jenna Saldaña
Jenna joins the Intercambio team as the Development Director after volunteering with Intercambio since 2002. As a volunteer, she teaches English classes, hosts potlucks, and helps with the Fiesta planning. As Development Director, she works on grants and with donors as well as keeps up with newsletters, special events, and the website. Before joining Intercambio, Jenna worked in sustainable development in Nicaragua as a brigade coordinator and as a director of the nonprofit. She lived in Nicaragua for two years, working as a guide and translator for groups as well as teaching English at an American school and the University of Central America. Jenna has traveled throughout Central America and Mexico. She became involved in community development as an AmeriCorps volunteer, working in a low–income school district. She has a BA and MA from Eastern Michigan University and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Resource Development from Regis University.
Also in above photo, cofounder Shawn Camden and volunteer, Cathy Lurie