As PEG celebrates its tenth anniversary, we are excited to share news of some exciting and positive changes in the way we do this work. The biggest of those is that we have recently hired Sarah Robinson as the new Executive Director. PEG is a small organization, so that’s not a full time job, but with Sarah’s leadership, in partnership with founder and president David LaMotte and the PEG Board, we have high hopes for the future.
Sarah and her host mom in Guatemala
Sarah is originally from Columbia, SC. She studied Spanish and Christian Education at Presbyterian College, where David first met her when she was a student. After she graduated, she spent a year as a Young Adult Volunteer in Guatemala living with a host family and working with women’s groups through the Presbyterian Church.
Sarah has been living in Asheville for the past three years, where she started up her own non-profit, Hands and Feet, which has recently been accepted as a new Young Adult Volunteer site.
PEG has always taken pride in saying that 100% of donations go to projects, unless the donor specifies that some portion can go for administration, and that commitment is not changing with Sarah’s hiring. Obviously, we are no longer an all-volunteer organization, but we will continue to pay for administration costs only through funds designated by donors for that purpose, and we are confident that we will have the support we need to move forward with some bigger plans.
PEG is also thrilled to be welcoming two new Board members in the new year.
Ana Lara is a senior at Warren Wilson College, where she is double majoring in Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology. In her college career, she has been honored for her commitment to social justice, service, and leadership. Ana is from Guatemala but has lived in the United States for 8 years.
After graduation, Ana’s goal is to continue to educate herself around issues of human rights violations to then return to Guatemala to do work around these issues, especially as it relates to women’s rights, the future of children, and the remaining work towards healing after Guatemala’s 36-year Civil War.
Ana says, “I’m thrilled about joining with PEG given that it’s an organization that holds my values in terms of the importance of education and access to education. I believe that education gives individuals the tools to engage in critical reflection, which then allows individuals to be agents of transformation.”
Stephanie McLeskey is the chaplain at Mars Hill University, and an ordained minister through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. She is married to artist Ken McLeskey, and they have a one-year-old daughter named Libby. Stephanie is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry through McAfee School of Theology, with a focus on the connection between spiritual practice and social justice.
She is excited to be joining PEG in part because of the passion of those already involved, and in part because she finds the targeted approach toward education exciting and intriguing.
Stay tuned for more news as we move forward. 2014 was a great year for PEG (click here for notes on a few of the projects we’re most excited about), and 2015 looks like it’s going to be even better!