Our Team - Staff

THIERRY ZOMAHOUN
Chief Executive Officer

An expert in International Cooperation, Thierry is a passionate international development professional who has devoted his entire life to advancing the causes of poor and marginalized populations in developing countries and to eradicating the devastating effects of poverty. His professional track record includes 17 years of grassroots development work in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Over nearly two decades, he rose from Country Program Advisor, Country Representative and Regional Director to a global non-profit corporate executive position.

As a Microfinance and Human Development Specialist, Thierry strongly believes that Microfinance, in combination with health initiatives, is the most sustainable strategy for alleviating poverty in developing countries and achieving a greater social impact in the lives of disadvantaged populations around the world. Thierry is a development practitioner who has focused his work on women, children and youth developmental issues. He has prided himself on policy work including girls’ education and youth development in Africa, women’s participation in local development in Asia, and Microfinance and Health.

Thierry has an M.Phil in International Development Studies from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, a Graduate Specialization Diploma in Development Studies (Project Management) from the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (IUED), Switzerland, a Masters’ Degree in Arts studies and a B.A. in American Civilization from the National University of Benin (West Africa). Thierry is currently a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation.

JOHN CALDERON
Director, Marketing and Development

John is a marketing, communications and business development professional with over fifteen years of experience in a variety of sectors, including AEC (architecture/engineering/construction), non-profit, high-tech and publishing.

He has held management and executive positions with a number of leading companies in their respective fields including Reed Construction Data, ASI Technologies Inc., Hayward Gordon Limited and IPS Automation. He is the former publisher of Daily Commercial News, Canada’s largest construction newspaper, and has served as a business development consultant to other publications including the Construction Law Bulletin, YYZ Lifestyle Magazine, Ontario Nursing and Success in Soccer Magazine.

John has also worked for or consulted with foreign government offices in Toronto including the Consulate General of Mexico (Foreign Agricultural Worker Program), Colombian Consulate and Colombian Trade Commission.

John enjoys working with associations, charitable organizations and chambers of commerce. Past clients include Soccer Without Borders, Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, Canadian Association of Women in Construction, Ontario Football Alliance, Boxing BC and the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. He is a strong proponent of volunteerism and corporate philanthropy and frequently provides his services on a pro bono basis to charities and associations.

John holds a business degree from York University and a Certificate in International Business from Humber College.

MATTHEW LEGGE
Manager, International Health Programs

Matthew has worked and volunteered with Community Based Organizations and International NGOs in five different developing countries. The programs he has been a part of have primarily focused on health, but his field experience has also included working with indigenous women's cooperatives doing micro-lending and skills training in rural Guatemala.

Having worked primarily for small and medium sized organizations, Matthew has developed strong multi-tasking abilities. His wide range of responsibilities have included: project design and oversight; partnership research and development; monitoring and evaluation of projects; staff and volunteer recruitment, training, and management; organizational positioning and strategic planning; budget preparation and report writing. He has also helped prepare communications materials and program, edit and promote NGO websites. He holds his degree from the University of Toronto. Matthew is a fluent Spanish speaker. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation.

KARIN ZHANG
Accountant/Bookkeeper

Karin has extensive experience working as an accountant in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

She worked in a retail company in China as an accountant before immigrating to Canada. After coming to Canada, Karin managed the accounts of a hotel and went on to work for an accounting services company to maintain the accounting books for clients. Karin now does accounting and bookkeeping for GEMS of Hope.

Karin holds degrees in Chinese Language and Literature (Shandong University, China), Financial Accounting (Shandong Business College, China), and Computerized Accounting (Metro College, Toronto).

SERGIO GONZALEZ
Country Director, Guatemala

Sergio has worked in senior level positions, including as Executive Director, in both the insurance and microfinance industries for over 30 years. He has overseen the growth and enhanced the effectiveness of multiple non-profit organizations. Sergio holds his masters degree from the University of San Carlos, Guatemala. He also holds multiple Microfinance and Management certificates from institutions in Guatemala and Israel. Sergio has been the treasurer of the Central American Microfinance Network KATALISYS, and has been on the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Microfinance Network REDIMIF. He has participated in, and presented at, microfinance conferences and events throughout the Americas.

Sergio has taught subjects such as Business Administration and Financial Mathematics at the University of Galileo, the University of San Carlos, the Institute of Advanced Studies Suger Montano, and the Technical Institute of Capacity Building and Productivity.

HEBE LLERENA
Country Project Coordinator, Guatemala

Hebe is passionate about international (community) development and has many years experience with women and gender issues, at-risk youth, vulnerable groups, and ethnic minorities within Latin America and Canada.

As a Program Manager in Argentina, she successfully managed 240 development projects for INCLUIR, working with vulnerable youngsters through business and social entrepreneurship skills building. She has also worked as a Social Entrepreneurship Trainer at the National University of Jujuy, where she trained hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs in spotting market gaps, costing and pricing strategies, financial literacy, basic accounting, business plans and marketing. She also trained 500 non-profit organizations’ leaders in grant-seeking, proposal development, logical framework analysis and strategic planning. As a Project Manager for a grassroots Andean women’s association, she was in charge of the promotion of micro-credit programs.

Hebe holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Liverpool (England), an MSc in Management of Development from the University of Turin (Italy), and a Post Graduate Certificate in Local Economic Development from the Weitz Center for Development Studies (Israel). Her Bachelor degree is in Accounting. Hebe has also received a national distinction from the Argentine Senate and Israeli Embassy for her achievements in community-development.

PATRICIA HERNANDEZ
Country Project Coordinator, Dominican Republic

Patricia has worked for various non-profit organizations and has strong experience in project management, monitoring and coordination using the lenses of gender and social development. Patricia has developed studies in the areas of Cooperation, Globalization and Development, Gender, and Community Participation. She holds a degree in Business Management.