Staff
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Matt Karkut, Executive Director Matt holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Pomona College in California. He has previously worked in English-Spanish interpretation and translation in the U.S. and South America, English as a second language (ESL) instruction in Europe, outdoor guiding in Central America, and international money transfer technology. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, his experience growing up as a mixed-race Asian-American in the intermountain west informed his world views and motivations to advocate for positive social change and racial equity. Matt is also an avid musician, enjoys learning new recipes to cook, and loves spending time with family and friends.
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Beatriz Garcia, Program ManagerBeatriz was born in the Mexican town of Guanajuato, which is located in the center of Mexico. Her hometown is deeply rooted in Mexican history, culture, and folklore, and for these reasons, she has long been involved in promoting the culture of her country. Back in 2011, she began volunteering for a local afterschool program that provides tutoring services for the sons and daughters of Hispanics who speak Spanish in the San Luis Valley. Through her work she found that many Latin@s in the Valley lack basic resources including access to nutritional food. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Board of Directors at the SLV Immigrant Resource Center, and then, in 2014, she began working for The Local Foods Coalition with the Cooking Matters (CM) program. She is a passionate activist, who cares deeply about immigration issues and social justice.
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Enrique Orozco, Community AdvocateEnrique grew up in a first generation immigrant family from Colombia and knows firsthand the challenges inherent to the lives of immigrants. World travel experience has further solidified his understanding of the global community and conviction that human rights are to be respected in all shapes and forms. His passion for immigrant issues is thus deeply rooted in his identity, and inspires him to be a staunch advocate for the immigrant community and fight for change. He holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Botany from the University of Delaware, and is also an impressive competitive cyclist.
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Board of Directors
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Sergio Perez, PresidentOriginally from Cusco, Perú, Sergio has a deep connection to all the aspects of being an immigrant living in the United States and a passion for helping those going through the immigration process. His firsthand experience immigrating from South America to the U.S. several decades ago informs his leadership as President of the Board of Directors. He works as the Manager of purchasing/fulfillment at Mexican Tile Designs, and in his free time enjoys hiking, socializing, and cooking the best pozole you've ever had.
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Kassandra Carrasco, SecretaryKassandra is the Assistant Director of El Centro de Muchos Colores, the center for Hispanic and Latinx students at Fort Lewis College, as well as the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. A recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, she is connected to national issues of immigration on a deeply personal level. Kassandra was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and she is a first generation college graduate, with Bachelor’s of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a minor in Business. She enjoys cooking for her family and hiking with friends in her spare time.
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Carolina AlonsoCarolina Alonso was born in México and grew up in the U.S-Mexico border region of Tamaulipas and the Rio Grande Valley. She works as an assistant professor of Borders and Languages, and Gender and Sexuality Studies at Fort Lewis College. Carolina moved from Houston in 2016 and resides in Durango with her wife.
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Benjamin WaddellAssociate Professor of Sociology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He is a father, husband, writer, professor, and advocate for social justice. He is a contributing writer for The Huffington Post, The Conversation, and Global Americans. He also has recent publications in Sociology of Development, Latin American Research Review, The Social Science Journal, and Rural Sociology.
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Terry McLaughlinEnvironmental Educator, retired. During her 30 years designing and implementing outdoor educational programs, Terry specialized in working with marginalized populations including former gang members from the Los Angeles area, non-English speakers, and ethnic groups that are usually underrepresented in outdoor recreation. Terry is proficient in budgets, grant-writing and management, as well as developing non-profit boards and working with board members, and is excited to lend her skills to developing Compañeros.
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