Amizade Staff
Eric Hartman, Ph.D is the Executive Director of Amizade. Eric has taught global service-learning courses for the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University in Bolivia, Jamaica, Peru, and Tanzania. He first got involved with service-learning as an undergraduate, when he proposed that a dry and theoretical political science class be organized around cooperating with a community organization to address local issues. That proposal didn’t come to fruition, but it got him connected to a set of opportunities. Eric wrote his dissertation on global service-learning methodology and outcomes at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. He has presented on global citizenship and global service-learning at the American Political Science Association and International Service-Learning Research Conferences. He served as lead author on a chapter contribution to "Learning to Serve: Promoting Civil Society through Service-Learning." Eric can be found jogging and hiking anywhere and everywhere he lives, works, or temporarily stays. He speaks Spanish, a bit of Quechua, and is desperately hoping to improve upon his Kiswahili.
Rebekah Harlan is Program Coordinator for Amizade, based in the West Virginia University (WVU) office. Rebekah accepts all incoming calls and emails, facilitates the application process for all students and volunteers, and negotiates with large volunteer groups in order to determine interests and ensure a satisfactory site placement. She coordinates everything from collecting student health forms to connecting with site directors to establish possible course activities. She is also committed to making the presence and mission of Amizade more prevalent on the WVU campus and in the Morgantown community. Originally from Mechanicsburg, PA, Rebekah attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she received a bachelor's degree in visual communications with a minor in third world development. During her junior year, Rebekah traveled to Tanzania where she connected deeply with the people and culture of East Africa. Her experience in Tanzania inspired her passion to give people across the world the tools they need to meet the basic needs of life in order to help bring about global equality.
Sarah Orgass serves as Business Manager for Amizade based in the Pittsburgh office. Sarah first participated in international service-learning as a freshman at Susquehanna University when she traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Her experiences building a playground and repairing an orphanage inspired her to learn and experience differences in lives all over the world. Sarah was first involved with Amizade as a student in a course in Bolivia. A few years later, she enrolled in an Amizade course in Tanzania to study community development. Sarah holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in social sciences, as well as a certificate in African Studies. Sarah enjoys running, yoga, and the pleasure of holding a book in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
Kat Stackel is the Pittsburgh Regional Outreach Coordinator for Amizade in the Pittsburgh office. Kat was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Houston, Texas. Before entering the Peace Corps, she attended the University of Houston where she earned a B.A. in advertising and communications. In addition to her time in the Peace Corps, Kat has experience working internationally as an adviser for a small business in Costa Rica. Kat’s eye-opening experiences outside the U.S. motivated her to become an advocate for service-learning and global volunteerism. In her work for Amizade, Kat coordinates outreach with area universities, student populations, and Amizade alumni. Kat was awarded a fellowship from the Peace Corps to study at Duquesne University. She is working to complete a master's degree in conflict resolution and peace studies. Aside from her work and studies, Kat spends her time outdoors, hiking, and volunteering.
Whitney Grespin is Administrative Coordinator for Amizade in the Pittsburgh office. In 2004, Whitney was a participant in an Amizade program to Tanzania. She has since traveled to more than 15 foreign countries in various study-abroad programs. These experiences shaped her desire to promote the rewards of global travel and service-learning. She is a student at the University of Pittsburgh finishing a master's degree in public and international affairs. Originally from Hershey, PA, she completed her undergraduate studies at Duquesne University in art history. She is also a member of the Junior League of Pittsburgh and the Girl Scouts of America. Whitney enjoys traveling, reading, art, volunteering, and meeting new people.
Anna Phillips is an Outreach and Publishing Intern for Amizade in the WVU office. In 2007, she was a participant in an Amizade service-learning trip to Jamaica. Anna has developed a campus organization dedicated to global service learning called Students Going Global. She believes that her mission to empower people to change the world will also encourage increased education, acceptance, and global awareness. Anna attends West Virginia University and has a double major in public relations and Spanish. She was raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia by parents who emphasized cultural diversity and opened their home to exchange students. Some of her favorite activities are spending time with her friends and family, being active outside, inciting challenging conversations, and curling up with a book.
Emma Byrne is an Outreach and Writing Intern for Amizade inthe WVU office. In the spring of 2008, Emma was a student in Amizade’s course in Petersfield, Jamaica. She was impressed by the philosophy of community-driven service in the course and in the larger Amizade organization. Emma is extending the knowledge she gained through this Amizade course to help develop and support a budding 4-H Youth Development program in Mexico through a partnership with the Universidad de Guanajuato. As an intern, Emma is responsible for writing Amizade publications like the monthly newsletter. She also assists with outreach on the WVU campus, where she studies English and secondary education. Emma is also active on campus as a 4-H member, peer writing tutor, coffee shop barista, and a member of the WVU Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. She was raised in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and enjoys adventure-seeking with family and friends.
José Fernando Oquendo is a graduate assistant working in Amizade's WVU office. José is in charge of outreach within the WVU community. He also assists with processing applications, updating the donor and contact database, and organizing activities for Amizade’s domestic programs. José believes that helping others is a responsibility of all humans, and that the best way to help others is to construct knowledge together. José served as the facilitator for the Amizade Service-Learning course “Contemporary Issues in Native Communities” in the Navajo Nation during the summer of 2008. Originally from Medellín, Colombia, he came to WVU to complete a masters degree in foreign languages. He decided to pursue a doctorate in the Technology Education program and is currently writing his dissertation on learner autonomy. José is also the Vice-President of WVU’s Latin-American Student Organization. In his free time, José enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the movies, cooking, and walking.
Paola Scommegna is a Communications Consultant in Amizade's Pittsburgh office. She has more than two decades of experience as writer, editor, and consulting communicator for national nonprofits working in advocacy, education, and international development. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a masters degree in global education from American University. Paola's father was an exchange student from Italy who met her American mother at a picnic for international students. Paola has traveled in India, Nepal, Thailand, The Philippines, Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico, and parts of Europe. Her daughter is a student in Amizade's semester in the South American Andes.
Amy Scanlon is a Development Consultant in the Pittsburgh office of Amizade. Amy has over a decade of experience as an organizer, fundraiser, and volunteer for progressive organizations. She earned a B.A. in international studies from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, a Diplôme d'Etudes Françaises from the University of Nice in France. She earned an M.A. in peace studies from the University of Notre Dame, where she was selected as a prestigious Kroc Scholar. In addition; she also earned an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University. Amy has traveled throughout Europe, Australia, Guatemala, Japan, Senegal, and Thailand. Amy enjoys bowling, fishing, and planning international travel.
Daniel Weiss, PhD is Amizade’s founder and currently serves as a consultant.
He began Amizade in 1994 to provide opportunities for individuals and groups to be able to take part in educational, environmental, health, welfare, and other service projects around the world.
He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. He worked full time with Amizade until 2001 when he bacame executive director of Amazon Africa Aid, an organization he helped co-found that was dedicated to supporting the work of the Fundação Esperança, a nonprofit health and education organization. In 2008, he moved to Vila Velha, Brazil, to work for the PCLB Foundation establishing a health clinic in an impoversihed region of that city.
Weiss teaches service learning courses in international development for Amizade, including our semester course in Brazil. He is also involved in strengthening the Amizade Auschwitz program. Over the years, Weiss has been very active in other causes including serving as the president of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (MI) and helping found Abraços, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth at risk in Rio de Janeiro. Weiss has been honored by the US State Department, Arab Gulf Fund of the United Nations, Firestone Company, Volvo USA, the Points of Light Foundation, and Giraffe Project. He currently lives in Vila Velha, Brazil with his wife Geli, Amizade Brazil Site Director.
Francisca Geli do Nascimento Oliveira is Amizade’s Brazil Site Director. She was born in Santarem, Brazil and participated on the second Amizade program in Brazil in 1996 as a volunteer. She was hired as an assistant program director in 1997 and became Amizade Brazil Site Director in 2004. During this time, she also worked at the Fundação Esperança, a nonprofit health and education organization. Geli holds a bachelor’s degree in tourism from the Instituto Esperança de Ensino Superior (IESPES). She currently lives in Vila Velha, Brazil, with her husband, Daniel Weiss, Amizade’s founder.
Michael Sandy
Consultant
Richard Kiely, Ph.D.
Academic Director
Jean Carla Costas
Bolivia Site Director
Matthias Brown
Jamaica Site Director
Billy Kane
Northern Ireland Site Director
Tamara Haspels
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