Our staff and board of directors provide the skills, experience, and leadership we need to fulfill our vision.
OUR PEOPLE
JULIANNA KONRAD DE PELAEZ
Executive Director
Julianna’s heart was first drawn to Guatemala during a university discipleship program in 2002. Sensing that God had something more for her here, she returned the following year on her own to learn Spanish. While starting the work of Global Shore Opportunities in Guatemala, she met and married her husband Jacobo, a Guatemalan pastor, and together they’ve created a family full of wild and wonderful kids. Julianna leads Global Shore’s operations, encouraging her staff through a steadfast commitment to our vision, a compassionate sense of humour, and incredible baking skills.
LEXI PUTMAN DE PELAEZ
Donor & Partnerships Coordinator
Lexi serves as the bridge between our donors and Guatemalan staff & students. She spends her time translating letters, throwing birthday parties and building connections between our school community and those who support it. Initially joining us as a participant in the Summer Program in 2014, Lexi moved to Guatemala in 2016 and married Jimmy, one of the local pastors. They now have two daughters together. Lexi is energetic and loves people, and we are so happy to have her on the GSO team!
MAX FUNK
Communications and Media Specialist
Max grew up in Abbotsford, BC, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Emily Carr University in Vancouver. He first came to Guatemala in 2017 and immediately felt the call of the Lord to be part of this ministry. After serving as an English Teacher from 2018-2021, Max took on the communications and media role in 2022. He ensures that all GSO-produced content is excellent and beautiful and still finds time to teach a few English classes. He married fellow teacher Erica in 2021; they now have one son and are excited about raising a family in Guatemala.
AMY HUGHES DE PELAEZ
TEFL and Missionary Coordinator
Amy grew up in the Montreal/Laval area. She first came to Guatemala in 2016, moving permanently in 2017. In June of that year, she married Danny, one of the pastors of our local partner church! She has occupied different roles on the TEFL team over the years, but she is teaching our high school students this year. She likes to go out with her family and take her two kids to the playground in her free time. When the kids are asleep, she likes to read a book.
DIANE CHARRON-BISHOP
Canadian Operations Manager
Diane runs our Canadian office. She is a long-time supporter of GSO, along with her husband, Heath, and their two kids, Seth and Eden. Diane helps facilitate short-term teams, processes mail-outs and ensures everything runs smoothly.
BLAKE LANGBROEK
Short-term Opportunities Coordinator (Guatemala)
Blake Langbroek hails from Niagara On The Lake, Ontario. He had the opportunity to do missions in multiple countries, including a trip to Guatemala with Global Shore in 2023. Witnessing the Christ-centered leadership and kingdom culture inspired him to return as an intern with us in 2024. Blake now serves as our on-the-ground host of short-term teams, helping them get the most out of their experience with GSO. He will marry fellow staff member, Jasmin, in December.
DARRYL & LISA FIELD
Acting Directors, GSO USA
Chair, Board of Directors (Darryl)
In 1993, Darryl & Lisa Field were commissioned by their home church in Vineland, ON, to serve in Latin America, working first in Peru and later as missionary staff at a Spanish-language Bible college. Serving GSO, Darryl & Lisa have returned to that first calling in Latin America. That passion never left them as God led them and their four boys on a journey that has led them to relocate in Philadelphia.
Darryl & Lisa spearhead our US office and operations. They believe in the work of GSO and desire to bring their ministry experience—along with Darryl’s senior leadership experiences in for-profit and non-profit higher education—to help GSO educate and grow Christian leaders to ultimately impact the nation of Guatemala.
ROBERT & CAROLYN KONRAD
Member, Board of Directors (Robert),
Founders
Robert & Carolyn Konrad are part-owners of The Shore Group, a family business involved in founding Global Shore Opportunities. Their daughter, Julianna, is the Executive Director of Global Shore. Carolyn’s compassion and Robert’s risk-taking faith have played an integral part in moving the ministry forward at crucial junctures over the years. Robert currently serves as chair of the GSO Board of Directors.
BOB & DEBBIE PUTMAN
Treasurer, Board of Directors (Bob)
Member, Board of Directors (Debbie)
Bob & Debbie Putman have been involved with GSO for several years, both as sponsors and trip participants. Their daughter Lexi works with Global Shore Opportunities in Guatemala as the Sponsorship Coordinator. To the board, Bob brings several decades of accounting experience, and Debbie brings an abundance of enthusiasm and creativity to the board.
ANTONIO & VERENA SANZ
Member, Board of Directors (Tony)
Tony & Verena Sanz connected with Global Shore Opportunities through their son Christoph, who worked with GSO for many of our formative years. They have been long-time sponsors and recurring trip participants; Tony & Verena also served on our TEFL team in 2017. They bring years of service in their local church and volunteer experience with the board of Mission Central in Vancouver.
BETHANY PASMA
Member, Board of Directors
Bethany taught grades 5 and 6 at John Knox Christian School in Oakville, Ontario, for 15 years and has presented multiple seminars on language arts pedagogy for Christian school teachers in Ontario. Bethany loves the Guatemalan people and country, having visited Guatemala several times. We were privileged to have her as an English teacher at CCAF from 2021-2022. She is an avid reader, writer, musician, worship leader, and language learner. We are so glad that she continues to serve Global Shore through her position on the board.
RYAN WALL
Member, Board of Directors
Ryan grew up in Port Burwell, Ontario, where he worked for Sandy Shore Farms—GSO’s founders. He attended Liberty University and graduated with a degree in Intercultural Studies, which included a 5-month internship in Guatemala with Global Shore. Ryan joined the board in 2024 after reconnecting with us on a short-term team. He lives in the Tampa area with his wife, Natalie, who owns a building inspection company and a plumbing company.
JACQUIE MURCIA
Member, Board of Directors
Jacquie grew up in Vancouver, BC. She lives in Burnaby with her husband, David, and their four kids, where they help run Percy John Flooring, one of GSO’s corporate partners. Jacquie visited Guatemala in 2024 and subsequently joined the board later that year. She is passionate about connecting with others, hearing their stories, and helping them realize their best selves. In her free time, she loves outdoor activities with family and friends or alone researching and learning.
KEN & JULIE WALL
Founders
Ken & Julie Wall are part-owners of The Shore Group, a family business central in the founding of Global Shore Opportunities. Ken’s background in law was an invaluable asset in establishing and maintaining the ministry, and his business sense has been a strong contributing voice to decision-making. Julie’s passion for education and heart for development have also been invaluable. She also worked in the ministry’s accounting office for many years.