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. She loves visiting new communities, brainstorming program ideas, and envisioning a bright future for Bocas!
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
Jessica Arthur
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.
Jessica Arthur
Catherine Velarde
Jessica Arthur
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.
Marialena Santos
Magdelayna Quintero
Marialena Santos
Bahia Roja Escuelita 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!
Yorleny Bryan
Magdelayna Quintero
Marialena Santos
Bahia Honda Preschool Teacher
Originally from Chirqui, Yorleny has spent most of her life in Bocas and is a licensed preschool teacher. Her warmth & enthusiasm allow her to create a nurturing learning environment for our preschoolers.
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
Nikeysha Calimore
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!
Guadelupe Ortiz
Nikeysha Calimore
Alda Concepcion
Bocas Teacher
A mom of three who lives just down the road from our Bocas Center, Guadelupe is a great role model for our kids! She has a background in early childhood education and loves teaching art & nature!
Nikeysha Calimore
Nikeysha Calimore
Nikeysha Calimore
Bocas Teacher
Niki loves to share her passion for sports with our kids and keep them active! As a mom of two, she brings a wealth of experience and fosters a culture of gratitude and respect in our center.
Rony Rodriguez
Nikeysha Calimore
Nikeysha Calimore
Bastimentos Teacher
Rony started as a volunteer with us when he was in high school. After graduating in 2023, he did community service in another region of Panama and has returned to join our team! He loves to share his passion for STEM & arts with the Basti kids!
Joankerry Gallacher
Joankerry Gallacher
Joankerry Gallacher
Volunteer Coordinator
Our first VC from Scotland! JK is full of positive energy, loves morning sunrise walks to Wizards Beach, and is pursuing her Master SCUBA diving certification. Her 20+ years of social work experience make her a great leader for our volunteers!
Ericka Carbone
Joankerry Gallacher
Joankerry Gallacher
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!
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