Wendy Jason

wjason11ak@gmail.com
chair@bluemountainproject.org
Chair
Wendy recently completed her MA in Coexistence and Conflict from Brandeis. She lives in Albuquerque where she works with two local nonprofits teaching classes in writing, the arts and conflict transformation in jails, prisons and juvenile detention facilities.

Ruth Jankee

rjankee@yahoo.com
Vice Chair
Ruth is a dedicated professional and convincing advocate with excellent interpersonal skills across social and economic boundaries. She has more then 20 years experience in management in the NGO and private business sector in Jamaica. Ruth enjoys spending time with her family, most of who live in the Kingston area.

Patrick Rashid

patrickrashedmsw@gmail.com
Treasurer
Patrick was born in Kingston, Jamaica and now lives in Iowa. He went to the University of Iowa. Patrick has an undergraduate degree in education and a masters in social work. He is currently an LMSW and work as a therapist and youth counselor. He also owns a gymnastics company called Cartwheels Gymnastics. He has two children (Tavian and PJ).
He has always wanted to do something to help the people of Jamaica and BMP is an excellent opportunity for him to contribute in some way. Patrick - "I am excited and honored to be a part of the organization."

Kent Shifferd, Ph.D.

shifferd@centurytel.net
Secretary
Emeritus professor, Northland College, and former Director of Peace Studies; Editor, Journal for the Study of Peace and Conflict; previously: National Board member of the United World Federalists; Midwest Board Member of Educators for Social Responsibility; a founder and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Institute for the Study of Peace and Conflict; President of Twin Lakes Preservation Association. Dr. Shifferd has also done organizational development work with the Nonviolent Peaceforce, Hand in Hand, Bad River Indian Tribe, Wisconsin Judicare and public schools.

Kathleen Allen

kathyallen700@centurytel.net
Kathy lives with her husband in Ashland, WI. She has spent many years serving Ashland on the city council.

Robert Brunk

bob@brunkauctions.com
Robert is President of Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina. He has published two works on the history and cultures of Western North Carolina, and has had previous careers designing furniture and teaching anthropology at the University of North Carolina.

Sandra Campbell

campbells@ripon.edu
Sandra is a Jamaican native who currently attends Ripon College in WI. She was one of the first two Jamaican Ripon Scholars who was granted a full scholarship. She is an animal enthusiast and enjoys the outdoors.

John Flaherty, MD, MPH

flahjj@gmail.com
John is an emergency physician at NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Illinois. He also holds a faculty appointment at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
He is actively involved in medical education, and has taught medical students, interns and residents in the practice of emergency medicine for the last 25 years. His medical interests include epidemiology, public health and global and international health issues. He has been involved with BMP since December of 2007, and is actively involved with international medical projects in Jamaica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Sierra Leone.
His non-medical interests include fly fishing, fixing old automobiles, making maple syrup and music. He is an avid musician playing folk music on the guitar, harmonica and banjo.

Joe Hatcher

hatcherj@ripon.edu
Joe is a Professor of Psychology at Ripon College in WI.

Dan Kittle

daniel.kittle@wartburg.edu
Dan is from Warren, Ohio. Dan has passion for travel, basketball, working at colleges and his lovely wife, Ashley. Dan has a B.S. from Heidelberg College and a M.A. and Ph.D from Michigan State University.

Mary Kohak, RN-BC

marykohak@verizon.net
A native and resident of greater Boston, Mary holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Boston University and a Bachelor of the Science of Nursing degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Mary has been a practicing nurse for many years, mainly in the hospital setting (and mainly in inpatient cardiology) but has also worked in school, home, hospice and private duty nursing. She is board certified as a geriatric nurse specialist.

Midya McPherson

mcphersonm@ripon.edu
Midya was born and raised in Hagley Gap, Jamaica. She is also attending Ripon College in WI on a full scholarship. She loves music and watching sports.

John Prensner

john.prensner@gmail.com
John is a student in the M.D., Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A native of Wellesley, Massachusetts, John first became involved with international humanitarian relief projects at the age of 15, participating in projects in seven countries over the next decade. Through such projects, John became active with the Blue Mountain Project in 2005, and after matriculating at the University of Michigan Medical School, John helped to form a partnership between the two institutions. John graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University with a B.A. in English Literature and History and induction into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. In other pursuits, John is also an avid musician.

Christine Topinka

roundaboutchris@yahoo.com
Christine currently resides in Bellevue, Wash., with her daughters and partner. She has worked as a family advocate and specializes in perinatal care. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau's Alpha Sigma chapter, a Humanity in Action Fellow and a founding member of the Blue Mountain Project and One America organizations. Her interests include snowboarding, music, cultural dance and travel. Christine hopes to improve the health of children and families living in the developing world through education and empowerment.