LEADERSHIP
John Giere †*
Interim President
John is honored to lead JVC forward in its mission. John joins in this role after a 30-year career in the high-tech sector where he served as CEO for two software companies. John's long-standing connection with JVC began after graduating from Georgetown University and serving two years as a Jesuit Volunteer in Dangriga, Belize. John has spent three years as a Board member for JVC and previously served on the Board for Jesuit Volunteers International (JVI). A devoted husband and father, John enjoys biking and traveling in his free time.
Anissa Rose
Director of Human Resources
Anissa is responsible for managing the human resources department including benefits administration, staff recruiting, payroll and policies. Previously, Anissa worked within a large Christian school and appreciates the value of service focused missions. After setting the intention of finding a new way to work towards creating a world of goodness, Anissa found JVC!
Wendell Smith
Interim Director of Finance and Administration
Wendell is responsible for managing the financial activities of JVC and making sure that we effectively and efficiently serve all our constituencies – staff, agencies, volunteers, and supporters.
Laura Strubeck †*
Director of Programs
Laura is responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight for the formation and service program. She served two years as a JV during the 2008-2010 program years. In her first year, Laura served at Sarah House, a hospital hospitality house in Syracuse, NY followed by her additional year with San Diego Youth Services in San Diego, CA.
Rob Roa *
Director of Recruitment
Rob is responsible for providing strategic oversight of recruitment efforts for prospective JVs. With the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines Foundation and a Jesuit education, Rob worked for one year with rural sustenance farmers in Tacloban, Philippines to support and develop an innovative, sustainable, and cooperative agribusiness model. Now, he looks forward to guiding and supporting other young leaders committed to seeing their faith in action.
recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org
Shivany Trujillo *
Director of Admissions
Shivany serves as the Director of Admissions at JVC, helping prospective volunteers and agencies navigate the admissions process from completing the application to an agency being matched with a Jesuit Volunteer. Prior to joining JVC, Shivany worked in Higher Education, specifically Housing and Residence Life. Shivany is a graduate of Saint Louis University with a B.A. in Urban Affairs and Political Science. She also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with a concentration in Non-profit Management. Outside of work, Shivany spends most of her time with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Shivany enjoys crafting and sewing, reading, travelling, and listening to podcasts.
admissions@jesuitvolunteers.org
Kevin Beebe *
Director of Development
Kevin provides oversight for all fundraising efforts to secure philanthropic support that advances the mission and vision at JVC. Kevin served two AmeriCorps terms, in Sacramento and Baltimore, before moving into the fundraising field, where he worked in the arts and education fields before joining JVC in 2021.
development@jesuitvolunteers.orgSTAFF
Maggie Odigie
Finance Associate
Maggie is responsible for various finance tasks including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and handling general finance questions and concerns for volunteers and/ or staff. She aligns with the work JVC does in underserved communities and is proud to contribute to the organization’s mission. Outside of work, she enjoys reading creative nonfiction essays and literary fiction, writing poetic prose, and playing Sonic video games with her son.
Carter White †*
FJV Engagement Manager
Carter is responsible for supporting our community of Former Jesuit Volunteers (FJVs), building relationships and developing partnerships to provide ongoing resources to alumni of the program. In 2017-18, Carter served as a JV in San Diego at Academy of Our Lady of Peace, working on their campus ministry team.
fjvs@jesuitvolunteers.org
Monica Valenzuela
Senior Manager of Strategic Communications
Monica is responsible for the promotion of JVC with attention to the entire JVC community, including prospective Jesuit Volunteers, donors, former Jesuit Volunteers, and current Jesuit Volunteers. She leads Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) strategic communications to amplify JVC's strategic priorities and commitment to JEDI.
communications@jesuitvolunteers.org
Chris Bargeron
Admissions Manager
As an Admissions Manager, Chris supports the screening and placement process for all incoming Jesuit Volunteers and agencies. He is also responsible for providing formational support to the volunteers placed in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Chris served in a similar program to JVC, Dominican Volunteers USA for two years prior to joining on JVC staff. In his first year, he served at Heartland Alliance, a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago, IL, teaching English to newly arrived refugees. In his second year, he served in Catholic Charities Atlanta Refugee Resettlement as an employment specialist.
admissions@jesuitvolunteers.org
William Poling
Senior Program Manager for Evaluation & Assessment
Since joining JVC in 2018, William has managed multiple communities of volunteers serving internationally and across the United States. Having volunteered and worked in many JVC-esque roles, from international non-profits to public schools in the U.S., William draws from such experiences in offering perspective and fostering growth among Jesuit Volunteers and the stakeholders that surround them.
Ben DeGarmo
Senior Program Manager
Ben works to accompany volunteers through their transformative year by providing program content specific to their cities and working with the Agency Partners there. Ben has been with JVC since 2015, previously working with D.A. Blodgett - St. John's Home, a residential treatment campus, in Grand Rapids, MI. Ben is based out of Detroit, MI.
Ashley Ledet †*
Area Manager - Central
Ashley is the Area Manager for the South and oversees the communities in New Orleans, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Albuquerque. While based in New Orleans, she accompanies volunteers on their JV journey and offers support through relationship building, retreat facilitation, and agency connection. As a 2014-2015 JV in Harlem, Ashley served at St. Ignatius School in the Bronx.
Bronwyn Gilman †
Recruiter
"I'm a desert dweller at heart, grew up in Arizona, and I'm still trying to make peace with the heat. But hey, it's all part of the adventure! I proudly went to Grand Canyon University (Go Lopes!), and my journey led me to spend a year in Cleveland, OH, where I wore multiple hats as an employment specialist and assistant art director. I'm a chess aficionado, board game enthusiast, and a whiz in the kitchen. Oh, and did I mention I have a 140 lb dog who's basically Eeyore in dog form? His name is Forrest"
recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org
Sophia Jaunet †
Recruiter
Sophia Jaunet is based in Birmingham, AL and is excited to be recruiting throughout the South! She is an FJV who served as a volunteer coordinator at a youth resource center in Billings, MT from '20-21. She really enjoys working with young people, traveling, and connecting with prospective JVs!
recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org
Casey Driscoll †
Recruiter
Casey Driscoll is responsible for recruiting in the Northeast Region and is based out of Wrentham, MA. He is a graduate of Villanova University and a former Jesuit Volunteer who served as the Outreach Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baltimore, Maryland from 2022 to 2023. Outside of work, Casey's interests include traveling, playing ultimate frisbee, eating Eggo waffles, and watching Boston sports teams win championships. Casey looks forward to accompanying prospective JVs as they discern a year of service!
recruiting@jesuitvolunteers.org