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.
SHANTELLE VERA
Ministry Director for the Canadian Office
As Ministry Director for the Canadian Office, Shantelle wears many hats, including working with teams that visit, planning fundraisers & events, overseeing the Canadian staff, engaging with donors, and other responsibilities associated with running the Canadian Office! Shantelle has a Bachelor’s degree in International Development with a Spanish minor and a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Organizational Leadership. Shantelle resides in Kitchener, ON, with her husband, Jericco.
JULISA STUART
Donor Relations Coordinator & Office Administrator
Julisa has long been connected with GSO, teaching English with us from 2011-2015. While living in Guatemala, she met her husband, Pancho. Julisa works at the GSO office in Port Burwell, helping to maintain relationships and communication with donors and partners in GSO fundraising efforts. Julisa is a people person who loves to chat, play volleyball, or watch the Raptors. If you’re in the area, stop by the office and say hi one of these days!
LEXI PUTMAN DE PELAEZ
Sponsorships & Missionary 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. 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 and is excited about raising a family in Guatemala.
AMY HUGHES DE PELAEZ
TEFL Coordinator
Amy grew up in the Montreal/Laval area. She first came to Guatemala in 2016, making a permanent move 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. In her free time, she likes to go out with her family and take her two kids to the playground. When the kids are asleep, she likes to read a book.
DARRYL & LISA FIELD
Acting Directors, GSO USA
Member, 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
Chair, 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 through 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.
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.