Our Staff Team
Emily Talentino
Catherine Velarde
Catherine Velarde
Executive Director
Emily first joined the team as a volunteer in 2013 while living in MA and working at the YMCA. Since moving to Bocas in 2015, she has been a steadfast leader & helped to grow our programs and services dramatically.
Catherine Velarde
Catherine Velarde
Catherine Velarde
Director of Education
Cath is a dedicated and visionary educator and artist with a passion for unleashing the talents and artistic potential of young minds and creating an inclusive environment for all. Her commitment to positive change, innovative teaching methods, and strong communication skills make her an exceptional mentor, leader, and educator.
Eddy Gomez
Catherine Velarde
Marialena Santos
Captain & Logistics Coordinator
Eddy has been with us since the start! He is our unsung hero working behind the scenes to make sure children get to school, volunteers get to programs, supplies are delivered & more.
Marialena Santos
Catherine Velarde
Marialena Santos
Bahia Roja Lead Teacher
Marialena is the rock star of her community. She is a dedicated and loving teacher to not only the Pre-K and Kindergarten children she teaches but to all of the kids in the community who frequently visit her classroom!
Vanesa Milton
Magdelayna Quintero
Angel Mitchell
Bahia Honda Teacher
Vanesa was our first teacher of our first program. She & her family welcomed Give & Surf into the Bahia Honda community and her calm demeanor continues to comfort & empower the Pre-K and Kinder students she teaches.
Angel Mitchell
Magdelayna Quintero
Angel Mitchell
Bastimentos Teacher
Angel started as volunteer when he was in high school and has now been on our team for over 7 years. He is great male role model for the kids in our Basti after-school program and has a kind, gentle manner with these rambunctious kids!
Claricia Jimenez
Magdelayna Quintero
Magdelayna Quintero
Cristobal Teacher
The matriarch of the community, Claricia is a great model for the youth of San Cristobal. She is dedicated to making sure that the community center (with its computers & internet) are accessible to community members of all ages!
Magdelayna Quintero
Magdelayna Quintero
Magdelayna Quintero
Cristobal Teacher
A single mom of 4, Made treats all of the kids at the Cristobal community center as if they are her own. She's always planning creative new arts projects & other activities to keep kids engaged & learning!
Alda Concepcion
Alda Concepcion
Alda Concepcion
Bastimentos Teacher
For years, Alda has been mentoring and tutoring the youth of Bastimentos and now she's joined our team! Alda has quickly earned the respect of all the kids and they enjoy all the activities she plans for them!
Astrid Downer
Alda Concepcion
Alda Concepcion
Bocas Teacher
A recent college graduate, Astrid studied English including a semester in the Barbados. She leads dynamic English classes full of games & songs that the children all love participating in!
Shayra Marshall
Alda Concepcion
Shayra Marshall
Bocas Teacher
Shayra is fluent in English and Spanish and has a wealth of experience working with kids! The kids love her sense of humor and outgoing personaliity!
Jessica Arthur
Alda Concepcion
Shayra Marshall
Director of Development
Jessica, a dedicated advocate with a J.D., brings her passion for social justice. Since 2015, she has worked with Latin American artisans, demonstrating her commitment to grassroots engagement and sustainable community development.
KJ Hardenbergh
KJ Hardenbergh
KJ Hardenbergh
Volunteer Coordinator
A Studio Art & Psychology major at Colby College, KJ first interned with us in summer 2023. She's now back for a full year as our VC and loves to share her passion for all things outdoors with our volunteers!
Ericka Carbone
KJ Hardenbergh
KJ Hardenbergh
BEST Program Director
Ericka has over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry which she enthusiastically shares with the young adults in our new vocational training programs!
Our Board of Directors
Neil Christiansen
Neil Christiansen
Neil Christiansen
Founder of Give & Surf and President of our Board, Neil's vision and passion is what made this all possible! Neil & his wife Katherine are back living in Bocas full-time and immersing their two beautiful daughters in the local community. Neil now works empowering men globally through Sacred Sons, an organization he co-founded in 2020.
Bill Cotter
Neil Christiansen
Neil Christiansen
Bill is the Director of Programming at Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Before Shoulder-to-Shoulder, Bill was an international school teacher in China, Mexico, and Peru. Bill is based in Costa Rica and is passionate about experiential education, educational equity, and youth leadership.
Andrea Deventer
Neil Christiansen
Andrea Deventer
Andrea, an educator at Morristown Beard School since 1998, is passionate about helping others and is committed to instilling a sense of social responsibility in her students. At MBS, along with directing the Dance Program, she serves as Director of Community Service and is co-advisor for the Peer Group Program. Each year, Andrea superv
Andrea, an educator at Morristown Beard School since 1998, is passionate about helping others and is committed to instilling a sense of social responsibility in her students. At MBS, along with directing the Dance Program, she serves as Director of Community Service and is co-advisor for the Peer Group Program. Each year, Andrea supervises international service trips including a bi-annual trip to Give & Surf!
Georgie Garner
Georgie Garner
Andrea Deventer
Georgie has been actively involved with Give and Surf’s community since she first volunteered in 2017 and is eager to continue contributing meaningfully to the board, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities served. Georgie is passionate about community-centric approaches to improving economic opportunity. Across the U.S. and as a Tea
Georgie has been actively involved with Give and Surf’s community since she first volunteered in 2017 and is eager to continue contributing meaningfully to the board, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities served. Georgie is passionate about community-centric approaches to improving economic opportunity. Across the U.S. and as a Teach for America Fellow, Georgie has worked with underserved student populations on innovative curriculum designs.
Lisa Bisceglia
Georgie Garner
Lisa Bisceglia
Lisa is the Executive Director of Surf for Life and has been hosting groups of volunteers in Panama since 2017. From her days as Volunteer Program Director with Project Wave of Optimisim in Nicaragua to leading teacher exchanges in Honduras to leading many volunteer service trips, Lisa has a soft spot in her heart for Central America and, of course, Bocas del Toro!
Don’t miss out on the latest news and opportunities from Give & Surf. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates, success stories, and ways to contribute to our mission!