Educating and Empowering

Our Team

Cathy Skoula

Cathy Skoula, Executive Director


ed@bluemountainproject.org


Cathy Skoula became Executive Director of the Blue Mountain Project on October 1, 2009. After graduating with a BS in Animal Husbandry from the University of Florida, Cathy Skoula worked with the Peace Corps in D.R. Congo (then Zaire) for four years. Upon returning to the states, she worked in biomedical research managing laboratories at Florida State University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Carolinas Medical Center.
While in North Carolina, Cathy returned to school, gaining masters in business administration and health administration from Pfeiffer University. Using her accumulated experience and new knowledge coupled with an ever-present desire to work in the humanitarian field, Cathy worked for Action Against Hunger for six years. She was country director in Myanmar, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo before becoming the Executive Director of Action Against Hunger - USA. After leaving Action Against Hunger, Cathy worked for the International Medical Corps as their Director of International Operations.
Cathy speaks English and French and has the notions of kiKongo, and kiSwahili. She enjoys hiking, photography, and quilting.

Program Manager


pm@bluemountainproject.org


The Blue Mountain Project is accepting applications for our Program Manager position. Please go to Get Involved for further information.



Linda Ganister

Linda Ganister, Bookkeeper


act@bluemountainproject.org


Linda Ganister first started working for the BMP in the fall of 2006 through her friendship with Board Members Mary Kohak and Kent Shifferd. She has a B.S. in Outdoor Education from Northland College, and an AAS in Accounting from Vermilion Community College. Originally from Pennsylvania, she has lived in Ely, MN for the last 20 years. She worked for Outward Bound for 12 years as a Secretary and then as a Bookkeeper. She currently does bookkeeping for a variety of small businesses including Raven Productions, a publisher of books for kids and of the outdoors. She is also the sole proprietor for the Ely Candle Company.

Haley Moerer

Haley Moerer, Service Learning Program Coordinator


slp@bluemountainproject.org


Haley joined the board after having a life-changing experience in the Service Learning Program. She graduated in 2009 from Ripon College with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a Business minor. She hopes to persue her Masters degree in both International Education and Non-profit Management. She has a little boy named Andrew.

Cori Schimler

Cori Schimler, Intern - Service Learning Program


vol1@bluemountainproject.org


Cori Schimler has joined the Blue Mountain Project as an intern working with Haley. As such she will help plan and coordinate our Service Learning Project volunteers and their activities. Cori is a Ripon College student majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. She plans to obtain her Master's in school psychology and work with children. She wants to share her story about Hagley Gap with as many people as she can.


Ambassadors

Ambassadors are first-world volunteers that spend one year of their time living and working in Hagley Gap in exchange for modest room and board. Throughout their year, they learn about rural Jamaican life from the l.i.g.h.t.s and teach the l.i.g.h.t.s basic job skills. Ambassadors and l.i.g.h.t.s work together to carry out the daily operations of the Blue Mountain Project.
Gwion Parri

Gwion Parri

As our Water Ambassador, Gwion, who is a Chartered Civil Engineer from Wales, will design a clean water delivery system. Prior to joining the Blue Mountain Project he worked on a wide range of construction projects, as a consultant and as a contractor. He enjoys travelling and has worked on paid and voluntary short term assignments in several different countries (England, Egypt, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Uganda). Outside of work he is a keen sportsman, his big passion is rugby but he will have a go at just about anything that involves chasing a ball.
Austin Kennedy

Austin Kennedy

Austin was born and raised in the Boston area and recently graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA with degrees in Economics and Engineering Studies. He has studied in, volunteered in, and traveled to various countries and enjoys learning about new cultures, reading, traveling, and music. Austin's father is from Kingston, and as such Austin is excited to work the Blue Mountain Project to apply his experiences and studies to helping the people of Hagley Gap. Austin will be Sophia’s assistant during his year in the Gap.
Euton Rodney

Euton Rodney

Euton Rodney is our new local ambassador who started working with the Blue Mountain Project on December 1, 2009. He is married to Hanna Rodney. They have three (3) children, two girls, Sashalese, Sanika and a boy, Tavoy. Euton is a coffee farmer and spends most of his time working with the community.


l.i.g.h.t.s (learning, inspiring, giving, helping, teaching)

l.i.g.h.t.s are local Jamaican volunteers that spend one year of their time working for the Blue Mountain Project in exchange for a small monthly stipend. Upon successful completion of one year of service, l.i.g.h.t.s earn a scholarship to further continue their educational goals. l.i.g.h.t.s and Ambassadors work together to carry out the daily operations of Blue Mountain Project.
Kadian Edwards

Kadian Edwards

Kadian is a resident of Penlyne Castle. She is the mother of two young girls. Her Blue Mountain Project responsibilities include facilitating the after-school program in Penlyne Castle. Kadian became a l.i.g.h.t. in July 2008.
Evelyn Shepherd

Evelyn Shepherd

Evelyn is known by the community as “Nikki.” She lives with her boyfriend in the community of Minto. She is a trained Practical Nurse and provides basic health care for the Blue Mountain Project. Evelyn became a l.i.g.h.t. in July 2008.
Kimarley Richardo Walker

Kimarley Richardo Walker

Kimarley, also known as “Corey,” lives in the Hagley Gap community. He has been a volunteer for the Blue Mountain Project for over 5 years and recently became a L.I.G.H.T. in January 2010. He enjoys working for the Project and believes it is a valuable experience for him. Someday, he hopes to become a businessman and have his own restaurant. His hobbies include cooking, dancing, and playing soccer.
Jassica Jeffery

Jassica Jeffery

Jassica Jeffery is a nineteen year old who lives in Brooklodge, Hagley Gap, St. Thomas. She started volunteering with Blue Mountain Project in Janunary 2010. She enjoys interacting with people and her ambition is to become a gynecologist, pharmacist or business owner.