MEET OUR TEAM
FOUNDER AND CEO
Karen Bates
Karen, our CEO and founder, graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Development.
Born in Mexico City, her mother's experiences as an orphan in Mexico inspired Karen to make a difference.
Experiences while visiting orphanages in Tijuana led Karen and her family to sell their home and move to Mexico to create a nurturing environment for teens.
She currently resides on campus in Solferino, Mexico.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jessalyn Bates
Jessalyn is skilled in team building and risk management. She loves to apply organizational strategies like Agile methodologies and Six Sigma in our organization.
She loves empowering youth and works closely with NPO leadership to foster a nurturing and productive environment.
She is studying sociology at Brigham Young University, and her passion drives the creation of brighter futures for the youth we serve.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Stephanie Grant
Stephanie met the Bates family on a trip they organized to an orphanage in Tijuana.
She was excited to help Karen create this refuge, as she also saw the need after her continued visits to orphanages.
Stephanie has experience creating events and fundraising for nonprofits.
She loves the youth of Mexico and is excited to help create transformational experiences, opportunities, and mentorship for them.
MARKETING DIRECTOR
ART TEACHER
Isa Fuentes
Isa grew up in Mexico and has worked hard to develop his talents in business leadership, media marketing, video editing, art, teaching, design, and photography.
He has helped create art and literacy programs in his community and is passionate about education and creating positive impact on the world.
His experience in creating positive change in a community has been a remarkable asset to our team.
He currently resides on campus in Solferino, Mexico
MARKETING LEAD USA
Jocelyn Vance
Jocelyn's mom is from southern Mexico, and she attended Junior High and High School in Mexico City, where she learned to love the children of Mexico and its culture.
Her aunt built an orphanage in Chiapas, Mexico, and she spent a lot of time visiting and fundraising for it.
When she heard what the Bates family was doing, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.
She currently resides in Nevada with her six children @ourinspiredfamilylife.
MARKETING LEAD MEXICO
ENGLISH TEACHER
Kaique Souza
Kaique has a love of languages and cultures. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Korean. He is currently learning Japanese and Chinese.
He has skills in marketing, design, teaching, guitar, voice, and leadership.
He teaches English classes for Find Your Path Mission, runs the marketing for our Solferino Ropes Adventures, and creates onboarding programs and classes for our volunteers.
He is originally from Brazil and now lives on campus in Solferino, Mexico, caring for the home and animals.
EVENTS TEAM
Ezrie Thaker
Ezrie serves with Find Your Path Mission by organizing and planning fundraisers and building a community of people who have the desire to impact and help others.
She graduated from BYU-Idaho in interdisciplinary studies and resides in Kentucky.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Eliza Tyler
Eliza served as an intern with Find Your Path Mission, and while she was with us helped Kaique create a better onboarding experience for our volunteer groups.
She now helps volunteers with onboarding and education to help them have a transformative experience.
WEBSITE AND UX DESIGN
Michelle Tavares
Michelle has a Master's degree in User Experience (UX) and has 14 years of experience as a professional artist and visual designer.
She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two teenage sons.
ADVISORY BOARD
Marlene Peterson
Marlene is the founder of Libraries of Hope and the founder of the Well-Educated Heart philosophy of learning and life. She created Belle Ame at home to help mothers apply this philosophy, and the Belle Ame campus for visitors to catch the vision of what it looks like in family and community.
Audrey Rindlisbacher
Audrey is the founder of A Mission Driven Mom and author of The Mission Driven Life. She teaches how the 7 laws of life-mission transform lives and create the change this world needs.
Marcie Frogley
Marcie is the founder of Legacy Academy in Idaho. She founded Legacy to create an educational opportunity for children that was centered in Christ, led by families, and rooted in true principles. She believes in heart-centered education that inspires the mind.
Angie Blad
Angie is the founder of the Family Learning Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a teaching degree and is passionate about education that builds faith, family, and community. She has created multiple learning cooperatives and enjoys speaking at educational conferences and mentoring mothers.
Janell Howard
Janelle has a passion for systems. She loves creating beautiful symbiotic systems in her permaculture gardens, and in organizations. She has led commonwealths and taught principles of government. She taught permaculture at Find Your Path Academy in Utah and now teaches courses at her home in Massachusetts.
Join the Team
We'd love your help! Work as a volunteer staff member from wherever you call home.
Learn more about our current needs and staff positions.
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