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Meet the Spirit of Wellness Team
Matthew Collins
Executive Director
Matthew is responsible for daily operations, program development and volunteer coordination at SOW.
He is currently an Automotive Compliance Executive with 28 years of experience working in the automotive industry as a mechanical engineer, manufacturing plant manager, and vehicle safety regulatory manage
Matthew Collins
Executive Director
Matthew is responsible for daily operations, program development and volunteer coordination at SOW.
He is currently an Automotive Compliance Executive with 28 years of experience working in the automotive industry as a mechanical engineer, manufacturing plant manager, and vehicle safety regulatory manager.
After a life-changing illness and time spent healing in Ecuador, a priority shift led him to found Spirit of Wellness to give back to the community that gave so much to him. He enjoys time with family, dogs and international travel.
Carole A. Wright-Cole
Board Member
Carole is the Non-Profit Business Advisor, Fund Raising Manager, and Program Developer at SOW.
She has 40 plus years experience in organizational development and non-profit management. Carol recently relocated from Washington State, USA to San José, Ecuador. She enjoys traveling, mindful cooking and exploring her new home country.
David J. Cole
Board Member
David is the Educational Programs Consultant, Program Developer, and Translator at SOW.
He has been an educator for the past 45 years. His background includes teaching international military students helicopter flight systems. He has taught at settings as varied as private businesses, government agencies, and high
David J. Cole
Board Member
David is the Educational Programs Consultant, Program Developer, and Translator at SOW.
He has been an educator for the past 45 years. His background includes teaching international military students helicopter flight systems. He has taught at settings as varied as private businesses, government agencies, and high schools. David is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a helicopter pilot in Central America.
Heather Bartlett
Social Media Manager
Heather manages the social media for Spirit of Wellness.
She was born and raised in San Diego, California where she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State, San Marcos (CSUSM). She is also a TEFL-certified English teacher.
Heather has spent the last three years living in and hel
Heather Bartlett
Social Media Manager
Heather manages the social media for Spirit of Wellness.
She was born and raised in San Diego, California where she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State, San Marcos (CSUSM). She is also a TEFL-certified English teacher.
Heather has spent the last three years living in and helping non-profit organizations in South America where she's become fluent in Spanish and developed a passion for supporting food security among vulnerable populations.
Heather loves to dance--anything from ballet to salsa!
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Gabriella Stevens
Social Media Coordinator
Gabriella coordinates the social media outreach for Spirit of Wellness.
Gabriella was born in Minnesota but has lived in Ecuador for the past nine years.
All her education has been through home-schooling wit an emphasis on real-life experiences.
She is currently working as an English instructor teac
Gabriella Stevens
Social Media Coordinator
Gabriella coordinates the social media outreach for Spirit of Wellness.
Gabriella was born in Minnesota but has lived in Ecuador for the past nine years.
All her education has been through home-schooling wit an emphasis on real-life experiences.
She is currently working as an English instructor teaching primary students in a private school in Ecuador.
Gabriella loves teaching, learning new things and contributing to the community.
Cathy Collins
Program Director, Ecuador
Cathy is the Program Director. She is responsible for developing and implementing the various Spirit of Wellness programs in Olón.
She has been developing programs and training business teams throughout her corporate career spanning several decades. She developed a passion for volunteer work while in l
Cathy Collins
Program Director, Ecuador
Cathy is the Program Director. She is responsible for developing and implementing the various Spirit of Wellness programs in Olón.
She has been developing programs and training business teams throughout her corporate career spanning several decades. She developed a passion for volunteer work while in law school where she was responsible for updating and running her first program, an emancipation clinic for minors.
Cathy is grateful for this new challenge working in Ecuador with a community so eager to embrace the opportunities paving a path to a bright future.
Volunteer Leaders
Mike From Olón
Mike is always the first one on-site during food distribution day making sure the eggs are ready for our families.
Before making the beautiful coastal town of Olón his home, Mike was an active volunteer in his hometown, where he dedicated his time and energy to making a difference. He served as a leader with the Boy Scouts, mentoring and guiding youth on their path to becoming responsible citizens. Not stopping there, Mike's heart overflowed with generosity as he initiated his own weekly food distribution program to support the homeless.
Now, here in Ecuador, Mike has continued his inspiring journey of service and leadership were he's joined forces with his neighbors to combat food insecurity, lending a helping hand wherever it's needed most. On any given day, you can find Mike feeding seniors at the weekly lunch program, distributing food at the food bank, assisting in the relocation of displaced individuals, making home visits to check on the well-being of community members, or passionately encouraging others to get involved in our mission.
Leticia from Montañita
In her own words: Hola mi nombre es Leticia Borbor. Vivo en la comuna Montañita-Ecuador. Soy mamá de Odalis Cujilema. Me dedico hacer cosas tejidas y me gusta ayudar a personas necesitadas para que cada una de ellas puedan cumplir sus objetivos. Actualmente estoy de voluntaria en el banco de alimentos de la fundación Spirit of Wellness.
Leticia lives in Montañita, Ecuador and is the mother of one of our youngest volunteers, Odalis. She has dedicated herself to knitting and likes to help people in need so that they can accomplish their goals. She currently volunteers at the foodbank and is part of the initial Intern Program learning the skills to enable her to open a foodbank in her own community.
Mercedes from Montañita
In her own words: Soy Mercedes Yaquelin Yagual soy mama de Camila Del Pezo y Jennifer del Pezo y abeula de Samael Rosales. Trabajo en una tienda en Montañita soy voluntaria de la fu dación y voluntaria del comedor de la fundación Spirit of Wellness.
Mercedes lives in Montañita. She is the mother of Camila and Jennifer and the grandmother of Samael. She works in her family store in Montañita and volunteers at the foodbank and the senior luncheon. Mercedes participates in the Intern Program so that she can gain the skills to begin a food security project in Montañita.
John from Olón
In his own words: Soy John Reyes Reyes vivo en Olón, estudié en la Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena “UPSE” la Carrera de Ingeniería en Gestión y Desarrollo Turístico, Profesión Ingeniero y Chef de Partida, Olón es un paraíso de vida por sus encantos naturales y culturales, siempre me ha gustado ayudar a los demás especialmente personas Adultos Mayores y Niños con capacidades especiales, fui Dirigente de la Comunidad, considero que todos tenemos la capacidad para alcanzar nuestras metas y objetivos. Actualmente colaboró como Voluntario en el Banco de Alimento de Fundación Spirit of Wellness, la misma que busca mejorar la calidad de vida los habitantes de nuestra Localidad.
I am John Reyes Reyes. I live in Olón, I studied at the Santa Elena Peninsula State University "UPSE" recieving the Engineering Degree in Tourism Management and Development, Engineer and Departure Chef Profession. Olón is a paradise of life for its natural and cultural charms. I have always liked helping others, especially elderly people and children with special abilities. I was a Community Leader. I believe that we all have the ability to achieve our goals and objectives. Currently I collaborate as a Volunteer in the Food Bank of the Spirit of Wellness Foundation, the same one that seeks to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of our town.
Tomasa from Olón
In her own words: Soy Tomasa Suárez Reyes, nacida en Olón mujer emprendedora que desde un joven me ha gustado trabajar y depender de si mismo, luchando siempre por el bienestar de mi familia, además he trabajo en mi Comunidad como Dirigente y ayuda social brindando siempre mi colaboración, tengo una tienda desde hace unos 12 años, adicional brindo el servicio de lavandería, siempre me ha gustado aprender de los cursos que se imparten en la Comunidad, actualmente estoy estudiante un Curso de Contabilidad. Tengo departamentos para alquilar por días, meses y año, a precios cómodos donde Usted podrá sentir como en casa, incluye los servicios básicos, como Luz, agua, Internet, en los últimos meses hemos estado colaborando con la Fundación Spirit of Wellness.
I am Tomasa Suárez Reyes, born in Olón, an enterprising woman who since I was young has liked to work and depend on myself, always fighting for the well-being of my family. I have also worked in my Community as a Leader and social help, always offering my collaboration. I have a store for about 12 years, additionally I provide laundry service. I have always liked to learn from the courses taught in the community. I am currently studying an accounting course. I have apartments to rent for days, months and years, at affordable prices where you can feel at home, including basic services, such as electricity, water, Internet. In recent months we have been collaborating with the Spirit of Wellness Foundation.
Carrie from Olón
