Nancy
Carlson - past Board Member
Nancy is a nurse, artist and community volunteer. Nancy lives in Northfield, MN with her husband, Greg and three daughters. She and her family have traveled to Nicaragua several times and are ISLA scholarship sponsors. Nancy writes, “I am grateful for the experiences ISLA has afforded my family in a myriad of ways – the learning is tremendous. What we have received is beyond measure of what we give.”
Tom
Cooper - Board Member
Tom is a Software Development Manager, Unisys Corporation in Minneapolis, MN. He and his wife Peg live in New Brighton, MN and enjoy weekends at their lake home with their children and grandchildren. Tom has traveled to Nicaragua more times than he can remember. The simplicity and grace of the people that draw him back. “They bring me to a humbler more centered place where I am closer to God.” Tom and Peg are strong supporters of ISLA’s Education Program.
Dwayne Cowdin - Board Member
Dwayne Cowdin lives in Northfield, MN with his wife Lori and three children. He has journeyed to Jalapa numerous times and has served as the team leader/co-leader on a few trips. He most enjoys getting to know the people of Jalapa and finds himself going back each year to re-visit his friends and to work with the construction team. Since that first visit, all of Dwayne’s children have also traveled to Jalapa several times and share his passion for this work and these people. In Northfield Dwayne owns a house painting business.
Dave
Dexter, MD - Medical Director
Dave is a pathologist with the Fairview Health Care System at the University of Minnesota Riverside and Director of the Fairview Lakes Laboratory. Dave also serves as the Medical Advisor of Fairview’s Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program and teaches at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dave lives in Plymouth, MN with his wife Pam and five sons.
For many years Dave has provided his services in ISLA Women’s Health Program. He is an active volunteer in many organizations and his family has hosted several foreign exchange students. Dave says “ISLA has allowed me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people all filled with the spirit of service to their fellow man and who continue to show me that a few dedicated people can spread peace and love in the world. My trips to Jalapa are filled with memories of friends far away; who I know will meet me with joy each time I return”.
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Dan Kramer - Construction
Program Director
Dan is an Electrical Engineer for General Dynamics Corporation. He and his wife, Kay, live in St. Anthony, MN and enjoy traveling both in the US and internationally. They have taken several trips to Nicaragua and Dan has lead many ISLA teams. Dan and Kay are long time supporter of ISLA’s Education Programs. They also enjoy spending time with their two children and two grandchildren. In addition to his work with ISLA Dan volunteers for several other non profit organizations.
Anne Meyer Ruppel - Board Chair
Anne is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in Northfield, MN. Anne has co-lead ISLA teams several times. While she does not speak Spanish, she finds the time and patience to communicate with the people of Nicaragua part of a wonderful process. “We are” she says, “all promoting peace, one trip at a time.” She and her husband Paul, enjoy time with their children, when they home, as well as running and traveling.
Dean
Neuburger - Secretary
Dean is a Process Engineer with Multek Sheldahl in Northfield, MN.
Dean continues to return to Nicaragua because the experiences have been wonderful and he is inspired by the team members and people of Nicaragua. Dean enjoys capturing all this on camera.
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Bob
Mullin - Education Program Director
After 30 years teaching Horticulture, Bob is Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota.
Bob has worked with and mentored children and young people his entire life. When in Nicaragua Bob can be found playing Frisbee with the children and teaching English at the High School. In his spare time he camps, canoes, sails, gardens and visits his children and grandchildren.
Katherine Schill, Treasurer
Kathy is a Financial Analyst with the State of Minnesota. Kathy and her husband, Kevin, live in New Brighton, MN. Kathy has studied and worked in numerous countries in Central and South America. She is keenly aware of the needs of the people in Nicaragua and says, “through our work together, we have much to learn from each other.”
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Lu Lindstrom - Vice Chair of Board
Lu is a retired teacher and lives in Northfield, MN. She and her husband, Bill, have traveled to Jalapa, Nicaragua several times. Lu and Bill enjoy visiting their two adult children and traveling. In addition to serving on ISLA’s board and committees, Lu enjoys volunteering with other organizations and in her faith community.
Rick Panning - Board Member
Rick lives in Shoreview, MN with his wife Elizabeth and two daughters. He is currently the Vice President for Laboratory Services for Allina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota. Prior to this he was the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross, North Central Region, blood services based in St. Paul and has had a successful career in laboratory administration in a number of Twin City health systems. Rick believes the laboratory is a key component of healthcare, helping to assure quality and patient safety. Through ISLA these valuable services are being provided for the people of Nicaragua. Services are being identified to meet patient needs in a cost effective and realistic way considering the resources available.
Michelle Murphy - Board Member
Michelle is a Nurse Practitioner and lives in Northfield, MN with her family. Michelle has been traveling to Jalapa for over ten years to work in ISLA’s Women’s Health Program. Working in Nicaragua has provided her with the opportunity to experience the country and its people, not as a tourist, but as friend and co-worker of those we serve. Michelle says “the work done by ISLA has given me meaningful and long-lasting satisfaction, as well as an appreciation for the positive impact that a small group of people can have when working together”.
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STAFF and CONSULTANTS
Javier
Educardo Aguilar Cordoba - Nicaragua Program Coordinator
Javier and his family live in Jalapa, Nicaragua. Javier has also lived in Colorado and California. Javier began working with ISLA in 2006. Prior to working with ISLA, Javier was an English Teacher and Administrator with a chemical importing firm. Javier's true passion is improving the life of his community through community organizing. Javier is responsible for directing and coordinating all the ISLA programs in Nicaragua. He believes that despite our different cultures, ISLA provides opportunities to learn from each other. He says “We are like the human body that has many parts”.
Jon Kerr - Administrative Director
Jon came to ISLA with experience working in various forms of communication, education and public service. He has worked as a reporter, editor and publisher, and has owned and operated a coffee shop. He has also taught at both secondary and university levels. Jon has a passion for Latin America and Nicaragua in particular and has been traveling there since the mid-1980s. He and his wife, Margaret Youngquist, met through a Nicaragua connection. They live in Saint Paul and have recently purchased property in Nicaragua on Isla de Ometepe.
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