Leadership

Juan Velasco is PV’s Co-Founder. When he’s not supporting PV’s development and growth, Juan is working as a professor at Santa Clara University where he teaches creative writing. Juan publishes poetry, short stories, and fiction in both English and Spanish. Trained in the Zen tradition, he also leads workshops in mindfulness meditation.

Jean serves as the President of the Board of Directors and has been a supporter of Programa Velasco since its inception. She joined the board in 2020. Jean studied abroad in El Salvador with the Casa de la Solidaridad program in Spring 2006 and has remained deeply connected to the country since. Jean works in Chicago as a Nurse Practitioner and has been friends with PV founder Annie Boyd since age 5.

Gary Neustadter, Professor of Law Emeritus, Santa Clara University School of Law. As a member of the Santa Clara University Law faculty, Professor Neustadter has served in a variety of law school and University administrative positions, including Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He has participated and continues to participate in the work of the Law School’s community law center, which serves low-income persons in the community, and has participated in two immersion trips to El Salvador.

Jenn was inspired to join Programa Velasco’s board of directors as Treasurer in 2019 after supporting PV for many years and having known PV founder Annie Boyd for many more years. Jenn has been honored to leverage her background to help support and drive social, emotional, and economic empowerment for the women and families served by PV. Her professional experience is anchored by a BBA in finance, an MBA in management, 20+ years’ experience at a top global financial institution underwriting commercial credit, and 10+ years of non-profit board experience. The opportunity to partner with PV has turned into a passion after visiting the PV families and communities in San Ramón and Tepecoyo and hearing from them all how much a difference PV has made in their lives.

Nancy is an education and community leader. She has a Doctorate in Adult Education and is a Professor Emeritus from College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, one of the largest community colleges in the U.S. Nancy has a lifetime passion for public service, working as counselor professionally for 34 years for the benefit of the residents of the College of DuPage district and spending free time in leadership positions of service, as with her involvement on the Programa Velasco Board since 2016. Nancy’s visit to El Salvador in 2019 connected her more deeply to El Salvador and its people, strengthening her advocacy for Programa Velasco’s mission. 

Laura is the Director of Guidance & Counseling at a Catholic high school in Naples, FL. She has a Master’s in School Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. As a Moderator for her school’s Peer Ministry club, Laura organizes grade level retreats and service opportunities, including an annual mission trip. Laura had the pleasure of knowing and working for BJ Boyd, who is remembered through the Betty Jane Boyd Scholarship Fund. Laura is eager to honor her memory through her service on the PV Board and to PV as a whole. 

Julio is the Chief of the Ignacio Ellacuría Center at the University of Central America, “José Simeón Cañas” UCA El Salvador. He is very motivated to be on Programa Velasco’s board and contribute to its existing projects, especially for women and children, and in general for the most vulnerable families in El Salvador. He hopes to utilize his skills and contribute toward the development, implementation and evaluation of new projects.   Since PV was founded in 2007, Julio has been connected through his work with the Casa de la Solidaridad and now with the Ignacio Ellacuría Center. He has always maintained a close relationship with the organizations and with the participation of national and international university students who have collaborated and accompanied the development of PV projects.

Tiffany is the Director of Grants Accounting and Contract Administration at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Chicago, IL. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Accounting. She has been an accomplished leader within finance and accounting for non-profits for over 15 years. Tiffany has led organization-wide training opportunities and performance improvement projects to inform non-financial staff of financial funding regulations and compliance, educating staff who range from entry level to executive management. Tiffany learned about PV through Jean Reidy and instantaneously wanted to learn more and bring her talents to make an impact with the organization.  

Erica has lived in El Salvador for over 14 years, working in community development and resource management with different organizations, including two years as Programa Velasco’s In-Country Coordinator and volunteering for six years as the President of the Board of Directors for PV’s Salvadoran entity, Association Programa Velasco (APV). Walking with families in their struggle to move forward, particularly with women as they run their own businesses has led her to discover her own passion as an entrepreneur. With her energy and creativity, she has launched a nationwide book sales team with two other women. She is honored to serve currently as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for APV, which ultimately inspired her to take the current direction of her life.