San Lucas Mission Leadership

Edy Morales Alvarez

Director of Coffee

Bio

Edy is originally from San Lucas and grew up in Colonia Spencer. He is currently the Director of the Coffee Program. Edy became familiar with the Mission and the Coffee Program because his father had directed the program before him.

He started working with the Coffee Program as an accountant. He was appointed Director in 2015 and remains very passionate about coffee and the program’s ability to buy coffee from small local growers at a just price.

Leonel Tun

Executive Director

Bio

Leonel is originally from San Lucas Tolimán and is the Executive Director of the San Lucas Mission. His brother, Dr. Rafael Tun, is the Healthcare Director, and his sister-in-law, Emi Tun, is the Charity Director. Leonel has an Industrial Bachelor’s degree and is a certified construction design expert. In 1994, Leonel worked for the Mission potable drinking water program. He later worked for another potable drinking water company in Guatemala City. He returned to the San Lucas Mission in 1996 to teach Visual Arts, which he did for 18 years.

Starting in 2015, Leonel worked in the Mission’s administrative offices while studying at the State University as a Mathematics and Physics teacher. He is also currently training as a business administrator. Leonel is dedicated to the San Lucas Mission and its purpose.

Myvi Juárez

Director of Charity with Dignity

Bio

As a child, Myvi attended the Mission School. In 2018, she earned a technical degree as an accountant. She worked briefly as a bank teller performing various monetary duties. On July 16, 2019, Myvi started working as the Assistant Director at the Charity with Dignity Program at the San Lucas Mission.

Myvi says that working in the Charity Program completely transformed her life. She is proud of the person she is, her achievements, and her love for humanity. But above all, she is grateful to belong to a program where she can serve her community.

Myvi has been working for 3 years in the Charity Program. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Social Work. Myvi also participates in groups that defend the rights of youth and work towards non-violence against women.

Dr. Rafael Tun

Director of Healthcare

Bio

Dr. Tun is the Director of the Healthcare Program. He attended medical school in Guatemala City. He graduated as a doctor and surgeon from University of San Carlos de Guatemala, where he conducted studies in epidemiology and ultrasonography.

Dr. Tun has been working with the San Lucas Mission since 1998 and ensures that he and his staff provide the best medical care possible at an affordable rate for the people of San Lucas.

Guicha Ajcibinac

Director of Women’s Center

Bio

Guicha is the Director of the Women’s Center. Before working at the San Lucas Mission, Guicha belonged to an organization called “Ijac’tz” where she worked with a women’s group for 15 years. There she attended trainings and workshops regarding cooking and tourism. She also ran a small food store to generate extra income for her family.

Guicha prioritizes promoting the value and rights of women, and the accessibility to training and workshops for women in the local and rural areas of San Lucas Tolimán.

Patricia Quiacain

Director of Education

Bio

Patricia has worked at the Mission School for eighteen years. She began teaching 4th grade and continued for nine years and then taught 1st grade for five years.

Patricia is now the Director of the Education Program for the Mission School (Colegio Monseñor Gregorio Schaffer). She ensures the Montessori teaching methods are used to the benefit of every student.

Julio César Morales

Director of Construction

Bio

Julio César is an architect, originally from San Lucas. He is the Director of the Construction Program. Julio César previously worked for several planning and construction companies in Guatemala City, Retalhuleu, and Sololá.

Julio César witnessed his father’s work with the Mission, specifically with the parish buildings, as a child. He enjoys directing the Construction team and providing much needed housing to the people of San Lucas.

Carlos Hernández Tamup

Director of the Visitors Program

Bio

Born in Santa Cruz De Quiché on January 9, 1973, Carlos arrived in San Lucas Tolimán in 1982. In 1999, he was hired in building maintenance for the nonprofit Acción Cristiana as part of the municipality of San Lucas Tolimán, where he worked until October of 2014. Then, in December of 2014, he joined the San Lucas Mission in the role of Director of the Visitors Program, and he continues to carry out his duties with great responsibility and dedication.

Friends of San Lucas Staff

Ann Hagberg

Director of Administration and Finance

Bio

Ann began working part time for Friends of San Lucas in December of 2017 as the Director of Finance after taking an early retirement from her job with the State of Minnesota with Court Administration. She records all donations, maintains the donor database and prepares monthly financial reports. Ann was the first employee hired to assist Terri Wong. Her job has expanded to include all financial duties.

Ann’s son and daughter have visited the Mission multiple times, as youth and as chaperones with the church youth trips. She visited the Mission when the first adult trip was offered through her church. Ann was blessed to host a dinner with Fr. Greg and friends at her home. The Mission holds a special place in the hearts of her family.

Bill Peterson

Executive Director

Bio

Bill became Executive Director of FOSL in November, 2016 after serving on the Advisory Council for several years. Previously, he has been a teacher (ESL for adult immigrants and refugees in Minneapolis), a minister (20 years in lay ministry focusing on youth and social justice), and a carpenter. He has degrees in philosophy, English education and theology.

Bill first went to Guatemala in 1998, met Fr. Greg in 2008 and began leading groups to the Mission the following year. This is a dream job for him, more challenging and rewarding than anything he has ever done professionally. The opportunity to build on programs that have developed over 50 years is a distinct and humbling honor.

Bill and his wife Em live outside Cannon Falls, MN with Jackson the wonder dog and 10 delightful chickens.

Julie Knopp

Director of Operations & Communications

Bio

Julie brings experience in education, communications, and non-profit management to Friends of San Lucas. Shortly after graduating from college, Julie founded a non-profit called City Stay to facilitate opportunities for Minnesota high school students of all backgrounds to live with new Minnesota families in the Somali, Hmong, and Latino communities. City Stay’s work to break down barriers and increase equity in Minnesota gained international recognition by the BBC, Huffington Post, NPR, and other media outlets, and earned the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Anti-Racism Initiative Award.

Julie also worked as a kindergarten teacher at a Spanish-English dual language school for several years. Julie holds a Master of Education from Hamline University.

Julie joined Friends of San Lucas in 2019. She continues to be inspired by the San Lucas Mission’s talented in-country leadership and their multi-faceted approach to social justice.

Darcy Phillips

Medical Coordinator

Bio

Darcy comes to FOSL with experience working with diverse populations in the United States and internationally. She lived and worked in Granada, Nicaragua for three years through Empowerment International and Seeing Hands Blind Massage, roles in which she developed proficiency in the Spanish language and gained first-hand experience in local program development. Upon returning to the United States, she supported her community as a personal caretaker, running guide with Achilles International and volunteering for the Boulder International Film Festival.

Darcy heard about the San Lucas Mission many years ago and looked for the right opportunity to serve the Mission. As timing would have it, the correct opportunity presented itself in January 2023, and Darcy was hired as the Medical Coordinator. In this role, she works closely with visiting medical groups and local Guatemalan staff to coordinate medical service trips.

Whether walking, meditating or hiking, Darcy’s favorite place to be is outdoors. She currently lives in San Lucas, but also has a special place in her heart for the mountains of Colorado and Granada, Nicaragua.

Ellen Mathiowetz

Director of Visitor Program & Special Events

Bio

Ellen was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and grew up hearing about the San Lucas Mission from family, church and community members. She made her first visit to San Lucas in 2010 and was inspired by the beauty of the country and its people. Ellen attended the University of St. Thomas and developed a passion for social justice through her social work and Catholic Studies degrees. Since then, she has spent her career in community-focused organizations, including as a Community Relations intern for the Minnesota Twins, Event Planning Manager at Feed My Starving Children and Program Coordinator for Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. In each role, she gained experience in group coordination, creative problem-solving and community engagement. Ellen joined the FOSL team in 2022 and as the Director of the Visitor Program and Special Events, Ellen loves interacting with the many supporters of FOSL and serving as a resource to the 1,000+ individuals who visit the Mission each year. Ellen lives in New York City and loves every adventure and experience the city has to offer. She spends much of her free time exploring Central Park, trying out new restaurants or checking out new Broadway shows.

Shelby Schmidt

Director of Development

Bio

Shelby Schmidt learned of Friends of San Lucas in the fall of 2020, when she attended a virtual event learning the perfect way to brew Juan Ana coffee. Her past 5+ years were spent working with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity engaging volunteers and donors. While working at Twin Cities Habitat, she saw the transformational power of homeownership and community engagement. Shelby joined the Friends of San Lucas team in 2022 as the Director of Development. She is excited to work with donors to deepen their engagement with the Mission.

She is continually inspired by the strong community that has been built in San Lucas. The values of the Mission are apparent in all of the locally led programs.

Shelby is originally from Iowa City, but currently lives in Spirit Lake, Iowa. When Shelby is not working she enjoys drinking coffee and adventuring with her husband (Brad) and 4 month old son Alvin. You can often find them on their family farm in Southern Minnesota or enjoying the lake.

Hannah Milkert

Visitor Program Coordinator

Bio

After graduating from the College of St. Scholastica and gaining work experience in the field of Psychology, Hannah spent over a year in San Lucas as a Long-Term Volunteer. You may have seen her if you visited the Mission at various times throughout 2017 to 2019. Through her work in San Lucas, Hannah gained a deep appreciation for and understanding of the work that the Mission does. After leaving the Mission as an LTV, Hannah gained valuable skills and experience as the Coordinator of a nonprofit in her hometown of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Most recently, her work experience was in the trades as a roofing and siding installer where she also did on-the-job interpreting for Spanish-speaking coworkers. Always full of surprises, Hannah enjoys learning new skills and going on new adventures.

Terri Wong

Director of Coffee

Bio

Terri’s introduction to the Mission began with her first trip to San Lucas in 2001 as a chaperone for a youth trip from St. John Neumann church in Eagan, MN. Meeting Fr. Greg and having the opportunity to work beside him with a small group changed the direction and path of her career. That group began to support him and help him raise funds under the unofficial name: Friends of San Lucas.

After Fr. Greg passed, Terri and a small group of friends continued his work and formalized what is now known as Friends of San Lucas. What started as a volunteer position for many years has become a staff position. Terri has enjoyed seeing the changes and the growth of the Mission programs and the continued miracles that happen every day with the help of the Mission staff. Ultimately her driving force has been to work from her heart and to help those in the San Lucas area.

Terri is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of three. Her faith, family, friends and work are what bring joy and dimension to her life.

Ex Officio Members
Msgr. Douglas L. Grams
Msgr. Eugene L. Lozinski

Friends of San Lucas Committees

Executive Committee
Bridget Hermer
Jim Seifert (Chair)
Heather Statz
Rogers Strickland
Bill Peterson*

Finance Committee
Paul Leighton
Sister Kate DuVal
Rick Christiansen
Ann Hagberg*
Bill Peterson*

Development Committee
Paul Leighton (Chair)
Andy Biebl
Bridget Hermer
John McCarey
Rogers Strickland
Shelby Schmidt*
David Vaughan
Bill Peterson*

Construction Committee
Julio Cesar Morales† (Director)
Veronica Ajcot† (Assistant Director)
Jereme Abshire (Chair)
Dave Davis
Steve Haala
Arch Mrkvicka
Rogers Strickland
Bill Peterson*

Education Committee
Patricia Quiacaín† (Director)
Wendy Sicay Xep† (Assistant Director)
Daryl Parks (Chair)
Emily Peterson
Fr. Phil Schotzko
Bill Peterson*
Julie Knopp*

Healthcare Committee
Rafael Tun, M.D.† (Director)
Julio Lopez† (Assistant Director)
Larry Turner (Co-chair)
Jim Seifert, M.P.H. (Co-chair)
Jim Butterworth, M.D.
Sean Duffy, M.D.
Byron McKnight, D.D.S.
Carmen Gramajo-Moser
Paul Wise, M.D
Richard Korentager, M.D.
Tom Garigan, M.D.
Hannah Milkert* (Visitor Coordinator)
Ellen Mathiowetz*
Bill Peterson*

Coffee Committee
Edy Morales† (Director)
Chuck Spaeth (Chair)
Michelle Boris
Kath Burns
Dave Davis
Krisi Fahrendorf
Luke Hermer
Josiah Mooney
Kris Shade
Alli Theis
Jack Wasserbach
Terri Wong*

Visitor Committee
Juan Carlos Hernandez† (Director)
Mynor Tax† (Assistant Director)
Heather Statz (Chair)
Andrea Gibbs
Lori Mathiowetz
Alex Meyers
Pamela Schultze
David Vaughan
Hannah Milkert* (Visitor Coordinator)
Ellen Mathiowetz*

Women’s Center Committee
Guicha Ajcibinac† (Director)
Karina Hernandez† (Assistant Director)
Heather Statz (Chair)
Alex Muff
Erick Rome
Ana Ovalle
Julie Knopp*

* Friends of San Lucas Staff
† San Lucas Mission Staff