Elvira Ac Macz, board member Tz’unun
Elvira is from Chico Raxquix, Cobán and first attended the WALC program in 2010. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in education from the Universidad Mariano Gálvez de Guatemala.
Dawn Bowen, board member CCFC
Dawn is professor of Geography at the University of Mary Washington. Dawn teaches classes on international development and the geography of North America and Latin America, and also brings students to Guatemala every spring. She is currently studying international public health. Dawn has been a friend and supporter of CCFC since its founding.
Sara Elvira Caz Si, board member Tz’unun
Sara is from San Marcos Chamil, San Juan Chamelco and first attended the WALC program in 2015. She studies criminal and forensic investigation.
Yolanda Regina Cao Mez, board member Tz’unun
Yolanda is from Secaquib, Tucuru and first attended the WALC program in 2018. She studies social work and agronomy.
Laurrie Cordes, board member CCFC
Currently an Adjunct Professor at Lone Star College in Houston, TX, Laurrie spent over 10 years consulting on structural engineering projects for NASA and the oil and gas industry in Houston, TX, both as a graduate student at Texas A&M University and as an engineer for Stress Engineering Services, Inc. As PTO president and Volunteer Coordinator of her childrens’ schools, she worked to enhance curriculum by infusing “science is fun” activities. Laurrie and her family was part of the mission founding team for LifeBridge Church and currently actively volunteers with Celebration Lutheran Church in Cypress TX, including playing keyboard in the praise band. Laurrie also enjoys cycling and painting with acrylics.
Silvia Leticia Mez Caal, board member Tz’unun
Silvia is from Chamisun, San Juan Chamelco and first attended the WALC program in 2016. She graduated with a degree in social work and sociolinguistic education.
Jenna Morton, board member CCFC
Jenna is the vice-chairperson of the board of trustees of Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jenna Morton is a co-owner of Morton Group, a restaurant development company with venues in Las Vegas, including La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway inside Wynn Resort, La Comida, a Mexican joint in downtown Las Vegas and CRUSH eat, drink, love in the MGM Grand Resort. She is a graduate of Northwestern University. She is the co-chair of After School All Stars Las Vegas. Jenna is the mother of three amazing children and the wife of Michael Morton.
Max A. Noack
Max lives in Cobán, Altaverapaz.
Ixchel Melida Poou Beb, board member Tz’unun
Ixchel is from Chaquibeja, Cobán and first attended the WALC program in 2022.
Jean Warneke, board member CCFC
Jean Kelly Warneke is owner of JB Journeys, a woman-owned travel company which specializes in small group nature and cultural tours. She is a believer that through tourism, we become world citizens. On a chance encounter, she met Rob and John Cahill as they were leading a birding tour in Alta Verapaz. When she told Rob she was from Texas, he asked if it might be near where the golden-cheeked warbler nests. She has since sent a number of Texas birders on tour with John to see where the warbler overwinters. These tours include a stay at the CCFC campus. Many of the birders, like Jean herself, have become supporters. Jean has served on the boards of Travis Audubon Society and the Wild Basin Preserve in Austin Texas. She has traveled extensively. Jean splits her year between Central Texas and Cape Cod in Massachusetts with her husband Bob Warneke.
Marilyn Welker, board member CCFC
Marilyn Welker has worked with numerous nonprofits in Central Ohio which have been focused on social justice and sustainability. Of special importance to her are creating and supporting learning opportunities where people recognize how our lifestyle choices connect us with the social and environmental challenges of our times, so that out of that, together, we can create positive impacts. She currently serves on the board of the Arc of Appalachia, a partner organization with Community Cloud Forest Conservation. She works diligently to create beauty, balance, and biodiversity on her family’s two acres in west central Ohio.
Rob Cahill, board member CCFC
Rob is a founding director of CCFC. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison (B.A.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) Rob is an avid birder. Since coming to Guatemala in 2001, Rob and his wife Tara have specialized in environmental education and agroecology in the Q’eqchi’ Maya context.
Tara Cahill, board member CCFC
Tara is a founding director of CCFC. She is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI (B.A.) and University of Wisconsin at Madison (M.S.) Tara is an ecologist and gardener. Tara has a passion for teaching others to wonder at the intricacies of the living world.