IFOB is a volunteer-run organization founded by a handful of former Peace Corps volunteers, and funded by the donations and membership fees of a couple hundred (at the most) generous souls just like yourself.  Most of us (but not all) volunteered, worked, and/or lived in Belize at some point.  Some of us still do.

Day-to-day operations are handled by a small group of people, listed below.  If you'd like to lend a hand, please contact us and let us know.  If you don't have the time to volunteer, but would like to donate -- you can do so online through the link on our home page.

Board of Directors, 2010-2012

Mindy Rowlands - PRESIDENT

Mindy Rowlands served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize City from 1997 - 1999 in Music Education. She worked at the Belize Arts Council as the vocal coordinator aiding in the implementation of a music curriculum throughout the country. Mindy helped train adults and children alike in music and vocal development, resulting in many choirs including the National Children’s Choir. After several years of teaching Elementary Education in Ohio and the United Kingdom, Mindy took a sabbatical to complete her Masters at Nottingham Trent University in Globalization, Identity, Technology. The summer of 2007 she moved back to Ladyville, Belize, with her husband and son, Kai, where it all started, before returning to the United Kingdom in 2009. She enjoyed showing her son all the amazing things about Belize whilst she worked part-time as a music teacher at Toucan School, volunteering at the local orphanage, painting Gyotakus, and, of course, IFOB.

Kristi Drexler – VICE-PRESIDENT

Kristi Drexler served as a Peace Corps volunteer in San Ignacio, Belize, from 1997 - 1999 in environmental education. She assisted with field research at Las Cuevas research station (near Caracol) and helped train Conservation Officers for the Forestry Department in environmental education and co-management of protected areas. She earned a Masters at Ohio University and now instructs courses full-time with American Public University. In Las Cruces, Kristi also manages the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Belize Field School Program, a series of accredited courses in wildlife science, marine biology, primate behavior and ecology, archaeology, entomology and service learning.

Sarah Reynolds - SECRETARY

Sarah Reynolds served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Punta Gorda, Belize from 2000-2002. While in Belize, Ms. Reynolds worked as a professor at the University of Belize-Toledo teaching courses for the University's Natural Resource Management degree program. Ms. Reynolds also worked as a volunteer coordinator for the Belize Red Cross. Upon return from the Peace Corps, Ms. Reynolds attended law School at the University of Chicago. In 2003, she spent an additional summer in Belize City conducting legislation strategy research as a United Nation Development Program intern for Belize's Coastal Zone Management Authority. Ms. Reynolds is currently working as a litigator at Mayer Brown in Chicago.

Maura Varley - TREASURER

Maura Varley served as a PCV in Belize City from 2000-2002, working in youth development as a counselor trainer in high schools. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Arizona and does research in schools related to issues of equity and social justice.

Jill Hepp – MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Jill Hepp served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2000-2002 in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.  While in Belize, she worked with the nongovermental organization Green Reef on coral reef conservation projects and environmental education.    Having completed her Masters of Science in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development at the University of Maryland in 2005, Jill now works with the World Wildlife Fund's wildlife trade monitoring program TRAFFIC.

Katie Meehan – FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR

Katie Meehan served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Belize (2000-2002) and Guatemala (2002-2003), working in environmental education. Following Peace Corps, Meehan earned her master's degree from the University of Oxford in environmental management and Guinness-sampling. She returned to the States to start her current gig: a PhD in Geography from the University of Arizona. Presently, Meehan lives on the beach in Tijuana, Mexico, conducting her dissertation fieldwork on the impacts of household water harvesting on community development and stormwater flows.

Bob and Jo Link – COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Bob and Jo Link served as Information Technology Peace Corps Volunteers from 2000-2002 in Belmopan, Belize, where they taught computer literacy to public school teachers. Jo also taught English to Spanish-speaking refugees from other Central American countries. Bob and Jo were co-editors of the PCV quarterly magazine Toucan Times, and Jo served as head of the Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC). In 2005 Bob served as a Peace Corps Crisis Corps Volunteer providing assistance after Hurricane Katrina. They now reside in Portland, Oregon; volunteer with various organizations; and spend lots of time with their grandkids. Jo holds a Masters degree in Computer Science Education, and Bob holds a PhD in Educational Psychology.

Kristy Hays – SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR

Kristy Hays served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2003-2005 in Dangriga, Stann Creek District. While in Belize she worked with the National Garifuna Council on projects to preserve and promote the Garifuna culture and language. While in Dangriga, Kristy also ran the Outdoor Adventure Club which provided local high school students with the opportunity to hike, canoe, snorkel, and explore Belize. Kristy now works with Special Olympics, Inc. where she is the Senior Manager for Strategic Investments.

Brandon Kitagawa – PROJECT GRANTS DIRECTOR

Brandon served as a Peace Corps Volunteer working on environmental education and marine conservation at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize from 1999-2001.  While living in Belize, Brandon gained an appreciation for the unique potential and challenges of development in Belize.  This led to his return to Belize in 2002 to conduct research on the links between conservation, tourism, and community development as part of his master's thesis in community development.  Brandon credits his time in Belize for directing him towards work that connects local communities to official decision making processes.  He spent almost four years as a community organizer working with neighborhoods in Sacramento and currently works on environmental health and justice policy or a public health organization based in Oakland. While Brandon's professional life has kept him in California, Brandon has remained committed to being connected to efforts in Belize.  He has volunteered with IFOB since 2005 to help coordinate IFOB's small grants program for environmental projects.

Kara Martinez – LIAISON/FIELD COORDINATOR

Kara served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize from '99-'01, where she worked with the Ministry of Rural Development and Cornerstone Foundation in the Cayo District. She currently resides in the Denver metro area where she directs programs for the Denver Justice and Peace Committee, a grassroots nonprofit promoting human rights, economic justice and lasting peace in Latin America through education and advocacy. Kara holds a Bachelors degree in International Relations and a Masters in International Human Rights.

Henry Cunningham – GENERAL DIRECTOR

Henry R. Cunningham, Ph.D. was born and grew up in Belize. He served as a teacher for several years in Belize, teaching at Holy Redeemer School in Belize City and Maskall in the Belize District. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development. Currently, Henry is on the faculty of the University of Louisville and serves as Director of Community Engagement. In this role he helps to carry out the University’s engagement mission. Henry enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures.