Bud co-founded Global Volunteers, chairs the Board of Directors, envisions the organization‘s future, and leads its daily business affairs. He served as Deputy Undersecretary for the US Department of Agriculture in the first Obama administration, as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, as Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and was in private law practice for 12 years focusing on business and government law. Bud has led dozens of Global Volunteers teams over more than four decades, and has traveled to more than 60 countries and territories. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Hamline University School of Law, a Master’s in Public Affairs concentrating on international development from the Humphrey School, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Bud authored Global Volunteers’ "Philosophy of Service - A Strategy for Development" and the "Essential Services Prospectus". He also wrote "Conclave Conspiracy," a fascinating and entertaining novel about the first lay Pope in 1000 years, and "Lessons for My Sons, or You Know You’re Not Very Good Using Chopsticks When You Find Rice in Your Tea," a series of vignettes, stories, and essays of lessons learned during everyday life over seven-plus decades.
Michele manages the organization‘s marketing strategy and external messages, and directs the marketing staff on volunteer relations, media strategies and website development. She earned a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies/International Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. Before joining the staff in 1990, she served in a volunteer capacity building the organization’s image and visibility while she worked as a public relations consultant. She held communications manager positions at various departments in Minnesota State Government, and in non-profit organizations. Michele also has led over 50 Global Volunteers teams worldwide. She chairs the Board Succession Planning Committee and serves on the Board Marketing Committee.
Sam is a shareholder in the law firm of Taft LLP. He retired from Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association, where he was a member of the firm‘s board of directors. Sam served on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. He is a former litigation section head and firm president. Sam practices principally in the areas of arbitration and mediation, complex civil litigation, appellate law and public utility regulation. Sam has led and participated on Global Volunteers Service Programs in China,and the US, and led an exploratory trip to India.
Todd is President of International Business Development Company, an import-export firm. He has led and participated on Global Volunteers Service Programs in Jamaica, Russia, and China, and participated on exploratory trips to Mexico and Guatemala. Todd has taught urban affairs, political science, international relations, political philosophy, political campaign management, leadership, organizational development, public administration and sociology at the university level, and has lectured at universities in Russia, China, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Todd writes for Rossiske Vesti, a Russian political newspaper and offers commentary for Rusya-Al Youm, the Russian Arabic Television channel for the Middle East.
Stefanie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of St. Scholastica. She currently manages the quality assurance department at a medical device and bio-pharmaceutical testing facility specializing in pre-clinical safety testing. For many years, Stefanie has volunteered at a youth crisis shelter in Minneapolis as a youth crisis counselor and has a certificate in Youth Intervention. As a 16-year-old, she joined her grandparents on her first Global Volunteers service program in Italy.
Deborah Pollard co-founded Arena Technologies LLC and serves as President She began her career as a signals intelligence officer, and served as Director of Operations (DO), and as a unit commander during a remote assignment in the Republic of Korea. Deborah received bachelor of science degree from the US Air Force Academy, and her master’s degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She’s served on two Global Volunteers’ programs in Tanzania.
Mark Ritchie, Minnesota‘s Secretary of State from 2007-2015, recently retired from his position as President of Global Minnesota. He is Minnesota’s appointed Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and serves as Senator Amy Klobuchar’s appointed representative to the National Advisory Board of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. He has served two terms as National Secretary of this Board. Mark is a graduate of Iowa State University and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minesota.
Mark has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota’s State Board of Investment, Minnesota Executive Council, Twin Cities Public Television, Communicating for Agriculture, and the Overseas Vote Foundation. Ritchie is a Life Member of the Association of the U.S. Army, a former Senior Advisor to the Minnesota National Guard, a life member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, and the Army War College Foundation. He also serves as Chair of the Military Historical Society of Minnesota, the organization building a new Military and Veterans Museum for Minnesota.
John is an independent consultant with a decades-long focus on Healthcare Information Technology. His work experience includes management and executive positions with Deloitte, KPMG, and IBM Watson Health, and he has worked with clients that include Catholic Health, NHS Scotland, Pfizer and Aetna. He has a BS/Econ from Wharton, and also maintains certification as a Project Management Professional.John has volunteered as part of Global Volunteers teams in Peru, India, and twice in Tanzania.
Dr. Owdenberg Mdegella is the retired Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, (ELCT) who invited Global Volunteers to serve in Tanzania. He earned his PhD in Divinity in the United States, and has degrees in both Theology and Divinity.
The Honorable Anna J. Msolla is a lawyer in practice in Iringa, Tanzania and Chairperson of the Kilolo District Council.
Bud Philbrook is Global Volunteers’ Co-Founder and CEO. He has served as Deputy Undersecretary for USDA, as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and was in private law practice for 12 years. He earned a Juris Doctor Degree in Law, a Master‘s Degree in International Development, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Michele Gran is Global Volunteers‘ co-founder and Senior Vice President. She manages the organization’s marketing strategy and external messages, and travels to Tanzania in her official role on the Board of Directors. She earned a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies/International Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.
Andrew is Director of the Reaching Children’s Potential Program (RCP) in Tanzania, and has served as Global Volunteers USA Operations Manager, and Director of International Operations. Andrew earned a Juris Doctor Degree in Law and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Communications, and travels to Tanzania in his official role as RCP Director and Tanzania Board Member.
Mindy is Associate Professor at St. John Fisher College where she focusing on global health & service. In 2023, Mindy directed Global Volunteers’ USA Programs and led research projects related to the Reaching Children’s Potential Program. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from St. John Fisher University and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Pennsylvania State University. Mindy also volunteered on service programs to the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, Tanzania, and Peru, served as a Volunteer Team Leader in Montana, and served on the Global Volunteers Board of Directors.
Bud Philbrook is Global Volunteers’ Co-Founder and CEO.
Lynette Aytch is the Director of the Leadership Development Institute at Zero To Three in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Carol Conzelman teaches cultural anthropology at the University of Colorado at Boulder and serves as the Associate Director of the Global Studies Academic Program.
Ruth Curran is an organizational behaviorist, author and speaker, and former Global Volunteers Board Member and former Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Pamela is a highly experienced Organization Effectiveness Consultant focused on organization strategy and design, effective sourcing and selection, change management, succession planning and developing and implementing broad solutions to more effectively manage human capital. She currently is a Director at SSA & Company. She began her career in IT consulting at Cap Gemini, and then transitioned to Management Consulting in 2003. Pamela enjoys travel and has visited many cities across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Tanzania, Mexico and the Caribbean for both business and personal adventures. Pamela’s favorite vacations are those spent with Global Volunteers visiting the village of Ipalamwa Tanzania in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the village of Pommern, Tanzania in 2012; and the St. Lucia program in 2014.
Dr. Goldman practiced pediatric medicine and is the retired Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Amanda Hasley is a certified family nurse practitioner receiving her Master of Science in Nursing at Regis University.
Alyssa Kornowa is a Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate at the Center for Family Safety and Healing, Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Robi Kronberg is the retired Coordinator of Special Education Program, Center for Urban Education, University of Northern Colorado.
Diane Marsch is a neonatal nurse and infant care specialist as well as a neonatal resuscitation program instructor in Oregon.
Jacqueline Wilson is a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and nutrition consultant. She formerly was an extension educator in Chicago through the University of Illinois - Urbana Champagne.
Dr. Henry Wambuii is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, teaching and researching in the developing world.
Deborah Pollard co-founded Arena Technologies LLC and serves as President.
Melinda Staveley is a retired Registered Nurse who has worked in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as hospital administration in California.
John Taylor is an independent consultant with a decades-long focus on Healthcare Information Technology.
Lisa Adriance, PhD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a leadership role at Western Washington Medical Group, Department of Psychology. She has a background in social work and 25 years of experience providing psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, consultation, and training. She is also adjunct faculty at Washington State University, College of Medicine.
Leslie Apony Leslie Apony is a dedicated professional and community leader with over 40 years of experience across technology, leadership, management, human resources, finance, and event coordination. She is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz in business, management, and computer science.
Patricia Burke is a School Social Worker for Cheyenne Mountain School District, She has a Master‘s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico.
Cathleen Cox holds a PhD in Biophysics and teaches physics at Lake Tahoe Community College. She also volunteers as a court appointed advocate for youth in foster care.
Ruth Curran is an organizational behaviorist, author and speaker, and former Global Volunteers Board Member and former Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Penny Louise Flavin retired from healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner serving in several capacities.She earned a Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from Emory University, and degrees as Doctor of Nursing Practice, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Practitioner from Metropolitan State University.
Rebecca Harms graduated from the University of Dayton and is a retired legal assistant.
Frank Harrington is a retired nurse from Santa Clara County, California, and a 37-year veteran of 12-step recovery programs.
Alyssa Kornowa is a self-employed Doula and a Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate at the Center for Family Safety and Healing, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University.
Catherin Mayer, a retired Psychiatrist in private practice, graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison; and the Denver Institute of Psychoanalysis.
High Neville is a retired psychologist and educator specializing in school special education. He holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Wayne State University.
Hannah Nguyen is a Psychiatry Fellow at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center.
Dana Pepp is a self-employed consultant with a Master‘s Degree in Social Work from UCLA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Nikki Resnick works at a chiropractic office that focuses on natural medicine while finishing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Fordham University and interning at Hempstead Middle School, supporting students’ mental health and development.
Carrie Rewakowski is a Professor of Nursing at Le Moyne College, and is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She holds a PhD in Nursing, and a Master’s of Science Degree in Community Health Nursing Education from Binghamton University.
Sapna Srivastava, Ph.D has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology sector. She has focused on companies which are developing novel therapeutics for diseases with significant unmet medical need. Her experience ranges from being a biotechnolgy stock analyst in leading investment banks like Morgan Stanley and Goldman, to a career in the corporate sector as a Chief Financial and Strategy Officer for biotechnology companies like Intellia Therapeutics. She currently serves as an Independent Board Director and Advisor for multiple public and private biotechnology companies. She has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from New York University and a B.Sc from St. Xaviers College, Bombay.
Jeanne Villa is a Master Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner in private practice. She earned a Bachelor of Science, Therapeutic Recreation Degree from Cal State University Northridge.