Staff

During the past several years, The Pangaea Project has received numerous inquires from individuals and organizations in Portland and around the world who are interested in connecting students to our unique programs. Additionally, we are delighted to hear from a growing number of youth participants who are looking for ways to stay involved with The Pangaea Project after they graduate. Both a blessing and a responsibility, the demand for current student services and new graduate opportunities has outgrown our current capacity, especially in the face of our current economic climate.

In response, the original founders of the organization--Deb Delman and Stephanie Tolk--made a decision during the summer of 2009 to engage in thoughtful restructuring, with a focus on strategic fundraising and sound organizational development. Working closely with the Board of Directors, an interim executive director and several expert advisors, The Pangaea Project has created a new management model that will promote continued efficiency while better positioning the organization for growth. We anticipate our transition period will reach completion by the spring of 2010, at which time The Pangaea Project will deliver a dynamic local and international educational experience to twice as many student participants, offering both high school and community college credit to those who successfully complete the program.

We are proud of The Pangaea Project's tremendous track record for maximizing resources in order to achieve significant results, and we believe the future now holds even greater possibilities for long-term, sustainable impact.
StephanieStephanie Tolk, MSW

Co-Founder, Resource Development Officer

At age 15, Stephanie Tolk was living in a small Connecticut town and surprised her family by announcing her desire to spend a summer abroad with AFS Intercultural Programs. Her travels up to that point included beachside destinations that all resembled one another, but it was the weekends in nearby New York City that offered her a glimpse into the complex, fascinating cultures beyond her neighborhood. That summer, she lived as an exchange student in Greece, and it was that experience that initially inspired a lifetime of travel to almost 40 countries, which has included a year abroad with AFS in the Netherlands, participation in Semester at Sea while studying at the University of Michigan, and service in the Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa.

Stephanie values immensely the ways in which international travel awakens, awes, and enlightens those fortunate enough to go abroad, and she believes that all people should have access to participation in overseas programs. After returning from a metamorphic two years in West Africa, Stephanie knew that her future held two concrete components: she would work towards social change, and she would in some way share this remarkable world with others. While coalescing this knowledge into something concrete, Stephanie earned her Masters of Social Work and volunteered at various agencies in Portland to become a deeper part of the community. Her vision of The Pangaea Project is the natural progeny and perfect symbiosis of her innate sense of social justice and her respect for all people on the planet.

Stephanie Tolk is currently employed part-time as The Pangaea Project's Resource Development Officer, and part-time as a mother to her beautiful baby girl Penelope.

 

RebeccaRebecca Channer

Interim Executive Director

Rebecca Channer is a development consultant and independent contractor, assisting nonprofits, educational institutions, and private businesses in the areas of program management, board development, fundraising, and long-term strategic planning. Over the past twelve years, Rebecca has had the pleasure of working with some of Portland's best and brightest community organizations, including Oregon Health & Science University, Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation, Lewis & Clark Law School, Medical Teams International, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Multnomah Education Service District, and Oregon Mentors.  She gained extensive professional experience early in her career as the associate executive director with Committed Partners for Youth and later as a program manager with Open Meadow Alternative Schools.

Rebecca studied English and African-American history at Rutgers University and Grinnell College, but she places greater stock in the "real world" education she received in Namibia, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Rebecca previously served on the Board of Directors with The Pangaea Project, and she has been a loyal fan and supporter since its early beginnings.

 


Joshua Mead, MSW

Director of Programs

The Pangaea Project is pleased to welcome aboard Joshua Mead. Photo and biography coming soon.



Sarah Kennedy, MA

Program Instructor

The Pangaea Project is pleased to welcome aboard Sarah Kennedy. Photo and biography coming soon.

 

Adisak KaewrakmookAdisak

In-Country Coordinator, Thailand

The Pangaea Project’s In-Country Coordinator for Thailand, Adisak Kaewrakmook, holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from the Rajabhat Institute and a Maters of Arts in Philosophy from Chiang Mai University. A fluent English speaker, Adisak has worked with youth of all ages for over 12 years. He began his career as an English teacher in Chiang Mai and peppered the early years of his career with English-language summer camp coordination.

Adisak moved on to teaching English at a bilingual Montessori school, and for the past six years, he has worked with the Council on International Education Exchange program (CIEE) which coordinates international learning and exchange opportunities with college students. With CIEE, Adisak serves at Field Study Director where he oversees all components including orientation, homestays, excursions, and cultural trainings.

The Pangaea Project is thrilled to have Adisak on board as our In-Country Coordinator as he brings a wealth of knowledge about youth, teaching and training, and his country and culture. In addition, having spent several months in the United States, Adisak also brings a complex understanding of American culture and youth to his role as In-Country Coordinator, and we look forward to a long relationship with him.

 

JuanJuan Sebastian Torres Cevallos

In-Country Coordinator, Ecuador

Juan Sebastian has extensive experience within the Ecuadorian non-profit community, and brings his knowledge of the social justice issues of his country as well as his fluent English skills to The Pangaea Project. After graduating from the Catholic University of Ecuador with a degree in Ecotourism and a focus on ecology, botany and biology, Juan served as Program Coordinator of the Biciaccion Foundation, a Quito-based nonprofit which promotes bicycle transportation in the city. With that organization, Juan led groups of children and youth on bicycle tours of the city, educating about climate change and alternative transportation. In addition, Juan Sebastian has served as a naturalist and a bilingual guide in the Quichwa communities of the Amazon rainforest teaching both locals and tourists about the ecology of the forest, its importance for the planet, and the impacts of human interventions. The Pangaea Project is thrilled to have Juan Sebastian on board so that he can share his knowledge and love for his culture and country with Pangaea Project participants.



Cash NigroCash

International Team Leader, Thailand (2008, 2009)

Cash Nigro, the International Team Leader to Thailand, co-lead the Pangaea Thailand team two years in a row.  She was born, raised, and educated in Portland, and recently received her BA in Anthropology from Portland State University. She has always been passionate about traveling and learning about foreign cultures.  Her travels have taken her to numerous European countries, Mexico, Thailand, India, and Singapore. Cash believes firmly that international travel has the power to transform one's perspective of social and environmental justice, and feels that by traveling, each person can learn their role as a global citizen.  In the future, Cash hopes to continue learning and educating about social justice here in Portland and around the world.

 

SamanthaSamantha Johnson, MAT

International Team Leader, Ecuador (2009)

Samantha Johnson has been working with teens for the last six years in alternative education programs as the crew leader of an environmental restoration youth crew.  Samantha realized that her place in society is teaching, mentoring and supporting all types of students. She earned a Masters in Teaching from Concordia University and hopes to be involved in growing more alternative opportunities for marginalized students. She believes in empowering youth to become leaders in our community and feels that our youth are immensely creative and are motivated to make change. After receiving a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas in Austin, she traveled to Central America to volunteer in the cloud rainforest of Costa Rica. Her passion for studying other cultures and the natural environment has also taken her to Guinea, West Africa, Italy, France, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, and Belize. She feels very fortunate for having the opportunity to experience other cultures and looks forward to supporting the Pangaea students’ growth as they embark on eye-opening adventures.



Luke WhiteLuke

International Team Leader, Ecuador (2009)

Luke White has over three years experience living and working in Latin America. Most recently, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua. His work in Nicaragua ranged from leading youth groups to establishing a community savings and loans program involving adults in the community. In Portland, Luke works with a variety of social service agencies on providing local youth with adult mentors, establishing families in low-income housing and teaching ESL classes.