Here you’ll find a little more about our staff, our board of directors and our founders.
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 Short-Term Opportunities Coordinator, Shantelle works with groups interested in visiting, helping them through the application process, preparing them for their in-country experience and helping them transition back home afterwards. Within Donor Relations, Shantelle wears many hats (with excellence): answering donor questions, squinting at spreadsheets, making phone calls and helping our donors stay connected.
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 Waterloo, ON, with her husband Jericco.
KATE KORELL
Donor Relations & Foundations Coordinator
Kate lives in Kitchener, ON and is an Honours graduate from Wilfred Laurier University, specializing in Research Psychology with an English minor. She focused her education on research and data analysis. Kate loves working with people and developing new relationships, and is currently working towards a certificate in Project Management. She has spent the last few years volunteering diligently with Slate Church (a church plant in Waterloo) to launch their entire volunteer management system, coordinating teams, organizing their systems for efficiency and rapid growth. She is well organized, personable and pays great attention to detail, with a fire and passion for the Lord and serving in ministry!
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 around Vancouver, BC, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Max first came to Guatemala in 2017 and immediately felt the call of the Lord to be part of this ministry. Also an English teacher, he is in charge of communications and media, ensuring that all GSO-produced content is excellent and beautiful. Max is an artist, designer, writer, teacher and youth leader. He married fellow teacher Erica in December of 2021 and is excited for his future in Guatemala.
BETHANY PASMA
TEFL Coordinator
Bethany has a passion and a calling for teaching. She taught grades 5 and 6 at John Knox Christian School in Oakville, Ontario for 15 years. There, Bethany fell in love with teaching language arts and became a respected leader of the school’s program for senior elementary students. She has continued to learn and develop as a professional, presenting multiple seminars on language arts pedagogy for Christian school teachers in Ontario.
Bethany visited Guatemala in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and loves the Guatemalan people and country. She is an avid reader, writer, musician, worship leader, and language learner. We are so glad that she is our TEFL coordinator for 2022.
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 became connected with Global Shore Opportunities through their son Christoph who worked with GSO through many of our formative years. While connected as sponsors and trip participants, Tony & Verena also served in our TEFL department through the 2017 school year. They bring years of service in their local church and volunteer experience with the board of Mission Central in Vancouver.
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.