Staff
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Matt Karkut, Co-Executive DirectorMatt holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) 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 polyglot, enjoys learning new recipes to cook, and loves spending time with family and friends.
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Enrique Orozco, Co-Executive DirectorEnrique 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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Carolina Diaz Ovalle, Legal Assistance CoordinatorA political asylum seeker from Colombia, she has been involved in advocating for others ever since her father was kidnapped when she was only 15 years old which led her to fight to protect other Colombians affected by armed conflict. Eventually, she fled the violence in her country and in 2016 arrived in Durango, where she has lived ever since. Today, Carolina continues to be committed to helping others, whether raising her family or fighting for the rights of her community.
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Ayelen Maldonado, Program AssistantBorn in Córdoba, Argentina, Ayelen pursued a degree in Economics and Business Administration at the National University of Córdoba. Deeply passionate about human and minority rights, Ayelen was an active participant in political movements in Argentina before moving to Durango in 2020. Her own experiences with migration, filled with considerable challenges and obstacles, have profoundly motivated her to assist others through her role at Compañeros. Ayelen relishes the summer days, spending her time paddleboarding on Lake Nighthorse, doing yoga, and and hiking.
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Benjamin Waddell, Accredited RepresentativeBenjamin Waddell holds a PhD in Sociology and is a professor at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He specializes in development, international migration, and crime, and is a contributing writer for publications such as The Huffington Post, The Conversation, High Country News, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Week. At Compañeros, he supports the Legal Service Program as an Accredited Representative.
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Board of Directors
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Joel Berdie, Board ChairJoel is a Colorado kid to the core with a passion to be with the people. After years of work as a case manager for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and community work in Chile, Spain and Oaxaca, Mexico, Joel is a bilingual Licensed Social Worker offering crisis support, case management, and mental health counseling to unhoused individuals and Spanish speakers in Durango. Joel breathes a harm reduction and trauma informed approach into his work, and balances it out by playing in the mountains, desert and on the dance floor.
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Brenda Chavez Alonso, Member at largeBrenda Chavez Alonso moved from Mexico City to Durango in 2020. She attended Mexico’s Autonomous University of Hidalgo and the University of Lleida in Spain. Brenda graduated as a lawyer in 2014 and worked in Mexico City for five years. She is a victim advocate with the Sexual Assault Services Organization and is passionate about her work, especially about providing sexual violence prevention education in Spanish for the Latine community. In addition to her work, she has volunteered with other organizations in Durango, such as Compañeros and the Rainbow Youth Center. In her free time, Brenda enjoys watching women’s soccer games, cooking Mexican food, and spending time with her wife, Carolina.
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Silvana Torres, Member at largeSilvana is originally from Piura, Peru and like many people she has gone through an immigration process, which is why she identifies with the problems and needs of the Latino immigrant community in the USA. She has a degree in Accounting and Auditing, working in recent years in internal auditing in the banking industry in her home country. In addition to working, she enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and helping the community.
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Tirzah Camacho, Member at largeTirzah Camacho (they/she) is a long-standing community organizer, activist, and visual artist who’s been living and working in Southwest Colorado for the past 25 years. They have a formal background in the arts, southwest studies, health equity, intersectional justice, and prevention methodologies. In more recent years they’ve worked for philanthropic, financial, and civic systems-change initiatives mobilizing intentional inclusion tactics and equitable, trust-based resource redistribution. They’ve held fellowship positions for the Smithsonian and the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing via the National Collaborative for Health Equity. Camacho is most happy when connecting people, ideas, and resources to build power - that, and hanging out with their beloved teenager and mini-schnauzer.
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