Experienced Team Leaders Bring Volunteers into the Lives of the People
A dedicated and experienced team leader is an essential component for the success of the Global Volunteers service programs worldwide. Global Volunteers Team Leaders arrive in-country a few days before the teams’ arrival in order to meet with our community partners, coordinate logistics, and prepare work projects. All Team Leaders are Global Volunteers alumni or staff members who have completed our comprehensive team leader training and are skilled in leading diverse groups of people. Here we meet four of our exceptional team Leaders: Wang Bao Li, Jeff Rogo, Barbara Morris, and Louise Mollick. On a service program in Vietnam, one of these Team Leaders will be your guide to volunteering in Hanoi.
Introducing Wang Bao Li
A native of China, Bao Li Wang is Global Volunteers China Country Manager and as of 2019, also one of our team leaders in Vietnam. Bao Li first worked with Global Volunteers as a volunteer when she was a college student. After that, she worked for the Sino-American Society for several years. Then in 2005, Bao Li started out as an assistant team leader with Global Volunteers and worked her way up in program management. Since 2009, Bao Li has served as China Country Manager. Bao Li holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Xi’an Northwest University of Political Science and Law. She says she can’t quite explain how she ended up at a law school, but that she always loved English and she is very happy that she can use her language skills to help others.
Why do you lead teams for Global Volunteers?
“I am inspired by Global Volunteers’ Philosophy of Service, especially the servant-learner concept. No matter how well-educated you are, or how high a social status you have, when you are a volunteer, you do what you’re asked to do because that’s the priority of the local people in need. What I like about Global Volunteers is also that we do not just hand out money to a community and leave, we work hand in hand with the local people to help with their community projects. This is important because I believe promoting understanding and friendship is as important as — or even more important than — having the community project completed.”
What do volunteers say about Bao Li?
“The best! Caring and competent. One of the reasons I return to the Global Volunteers programs.“
– Mary Braunagel-Brown, 10-time Global Volunteer alumna who has served in China 8 times
“Very capable, hardworking, friendly. Helpful in every situation. One of the best! “
– Marta Wallace, 19-time Global Volunteer alumna who has served in China 9 times
Team Leader Bao Li Wang 
Bao Li poses at a cultural museum in China
Introducing Barbara Morris
Barbara is a practicing geriatrician and geriatric advocate in Denver. She and her husband participated on their first Global Volunteers program in Ecuador in 2008. She’s since volunteered in Vietnam, India, Peru, and Tanzania and has been a team leader in Cuba, Montana, South Dakota, and West Virginia. During her free time at home in Colorado, she volunteers with several community-based organizations. In 2020, Barbara will also be leading teams in Vietnam.
Why do you lead teams for Global Volunteers?
“For me, it is very simple: I volunteer with Global Volunteers because of our philosophy of service. I have a deep conviction that the approach of only going where we are asked, and working under the direction of local people is not only the most ethical approach to domestic and international work, but it’s also the only effective approach to waging peace and achieving justice in a sustainable way. I fell in love with the art of volunteering in partnership with local communities and organizations.”
What do volunteers say about Barbara?
“It was a privilege to work under Barbara Morris. Probably the best Team Leader I’ve had the opportunity to work with at Global Volunteers.“
– Helen Blythe , 11-time Global Volunteer alumna
“Spend five minutes with Barbara and you’ll understand why there are Barbara “groupies.” Spend a week with her, and you’ll probably become one!“
– Joan Katz, Cuba volunteer
Team Leader Barbara Morris (right) at sewing circle in Cuba 
Barbara (left) enjoys the sewing circle in Cuba
Introducing Jeff Rogo
Jeff worked as a Volunteer Executive on USAID-funded projects in Armenia and Georgia. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from John Carroll University and an MBA from the University of Tampa. Two of his three “careers” have provided him with the opportunity to work with volunteers. After demonstrating exceptional leadership skills while serving twice on our service program in Italy, Jeff completed his extensive team leader training in 2015 and since 2016, Jeff has led 14 teams in Cuba, Montana, Vietnam, and Portugal.
Why do you lead teams for Global Volunteers?
Jeff chose Global Volunteers because he says it allows volunteers to serve abroad for a short period of time (1 to 3 weeks) without having to commit for many months, like other organizations. At the same time, Global Volunteers sends volunteers consistently, so it is not about what one volunteer can accomplish in a couple of weeks, but about the long chain of support volunteer teams provide to the host communities worldwide.
What do volunteers say about Jeff?
“Jeff is an excellent team Leader. Respectful of the volunteers, organized, personable, even tempered, and conscientious. He wanted to be sure that we met our weekly goals of being of service to the community.“
– Christine Estrada, Montana volunteer
“An excellent leader and good role model for “servant learner.” Lots of fun, while maintaining his leadership role. Jeff takes his responsibilities seriously and is respectful of all.”
– JoAnn Moysey, Cuba volunteer
Team Leader Jeff Rogo 
Jeff leads a team in Cuba
Introducing Louise Mollick
Louise earned a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from Hiram College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. She taught in parochial and public schools for eight years and has served as an ordained minister in long-term care as well as campus and parish ministry for almost 25 years. Louise served in Cuba and India before retiring in the summer of 2017 to devote her time to her four grandchildren and to leading teams for Global Volunteers. Since 2017, she’s led six teams in Montana, Cuba, and Vietnam.
Why do you lead teams for Global Volunteers?
“It’s the idea of being able to promote peace and justice by forming personal friendships. Caring for children through teaching conversational English, and observing the efforts of a long line of volunteers over years of service impact the lives of our community members in amazing ways.”
What do volunteers say about Louise?
“Louise is an excellent team leader who is collaborative, friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely effective at ensuring everyone is productive and immersed in the local culture.”
– Donny Closson, Cuba volunteer
“Louise is an outstanding team leader, one of the best of my 12 trips with Global Volunteers. She rapidly integrated seven diverse individuals into an effective, friendly working team.”
– Don Maher, 12-time Global Volunteer
Louise teaches children in Tanzania 
Louise participates in English conversations in Cuba
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