EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Willamette University, B.A. Spanish; B.A. International Studies

Born in Utah, Mark was raised by the mountains with the drive to explore and learn. Starting young, he has spent years studying, working, and exploring Europe, the Caribbean, Central, and South America - building connections, asking questions, and soaking up new perspectives. Mark's work is focused on equity and inclusion, experiential education, and diverse learning opportunities - with experience supporting young adults in civic engagement, purposeful travel, and the love of learning. Mark is passionate about exploring root causes of inequities in our community, working to identify and positively impact them. Mark is currently the Executive Director for Wonderfolk, developing and implementing programming in Oregon and Colorado. He loves skiing, surfing, backpacking, and anything with a ball. 

DIRECTOR OF IMPACT & EVALUATION

Portland State University, B.A. Social Work; Masters of Social Work

Emma is a first-generation student graduating this spring from Portland State University. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Social Work, with a double minor in Criminology/Criminal justice and Civic Leadership, and expecting to receive a Masters of Social Work in spring 2020. She studied abroad in Spain in 2017, her first time abroad and was such an amazing experience. Her program was very similar to Wonderfolk’s. With this lived experience, she really hopes to use what she has learned in the mentorship program with future students who participate in the fellowship. She is extremely excited to be a part of the program and brings her perspective and dedication to help this program to keep moving forward!

OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Oregon State University, B.S Merchandising Management, Business Administration 

Diana is a first-generation student graduating from Oregon State University in the Spring of 2022. Born in Yucatán, Mexico and raised in the beautiful city of roses, Diana brings her extensive knowledge of Portland resources to the program. As the Social Media Manager for the POC in Business Club at OSU, she is committed to creating a safe space for BIPOC students through educational opportunities and community healing. Social justice and the drive to close opportunity gaps between marginalized communities is deeply engraved in her roots. She is excited to work with the team and create amazing memories with the students! Diana loves to explore food trucks around the city.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Proud alumni of Wonderfolk’s 2024 cohort and a first-generation American, Ellie is thrilled to continue deepening her involvement in an organization that has shaped her growth and affirmed her values. Wonderfolk has played a meaningful role in Ellie’s development as a leader and a learner, inspiring her to serve with purpose and engage more deeply with her community. Growing up in the Portland metro area provided Ellie with extensive knowledge of local communities, resources, and meaningful ways to engage youth in service. Graduating from St. Mary’s Academy with the class of 2025, Ellie is eager to apply her experiences and passion for anthropology and social policy toward addressing systemic inequities, amplifying diverse voices, and cultivating genuine, lifelong connections across communities. Outside of her community involvement, you'll find her blending her love of photography with exploring the outdoors, enjoying quality time with her family, or exploring new music.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS MANAGER

Rich Hunter is a proud Portland, Oregon native with over 15 years of experience dedicated to serving youth and communities through a variety of leadership roles. He is the founder of @vypdx, an organization focused on providing empowering programs for young people. Rich has a deep passion for building inclusive communities and fostering growth in youth and families. His work emphasizes the importance of mental health and overall well-being, empowering individuals to thrive in both personal and professional areas of their lives.

Rich is also a talented recording artist, having released several albums that showcase his unique sound and uplifting messages. Through his music, he aims to inspire and uplift audiences, spreading positivity and hope.

Rich finds peace and renewal in nature. He loves quiet moments spent at the beach, and he enjoys engaging in outdoor activities such as archery, swimming, and paddleboarding. Whether he’s immersed in nature or dedicating his time to helping others, Rich’s life is a reflection of his commitment to personal growth, community-building, and creating a better future for youth and families.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Diamili S. Tuz Bojorquez is the Communications Coordinator at Wonderfolk, she supports the communication team on social media platforms and designs visuals for our curriculums ensuring the content is engaging and relevant to the youth we serve. A proud alumni of the Wonderfolk program, Diamili first joined as a participant in 2020 and graduated as valedictorian from Benson Polytechnic High School in 2023. She is now pursuing a degree in Business Management at California Lutheran University, applying the skills and knowledge she's gaining in real time to support Wonderfolk’s mission.

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

University of Denver, B.A. English and Spanish, Minor Leadership Studies; M.A. English

Asia’s love of listening to the stories of her community was enhanced by writing and studying languages in her home of Colorado.  She spent her entire life in the colorful state until 2015, when she studied abroad and traveled outside of the United States for the first time. Combined with this newfound passion for traveling and her previous experiences in helping students gain access to higher education, Asia was determined to make sure others had the opportunity to travel, too.  After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she taught English in Southern Spain—a year that was also spent improving her Spanish, learning Portuguese, and crossing even more countries off her list like Portugal, England, Scotland, and Morocco.  In her spare time, she loves to play soccer, sing with friends, and constantly be near water in the summer.

Portland State University B.S. Sociology + Masters of Social Work

Ethan is a Portland, Oregon native with expertise in counseling, education, poverty, race, culture, and social justice. He has 10 years experience in various counseling roles and is currently finishing his MSW while managing Open School East’s Counseling Department. Ethan is a husband, father, mentor, and someone who genuinely believes in people’s capacity to thrive. He enjoys running, snowboarding, and spending time with friends, family, and community. Ethan loves everything Wonderfolk offers youth and aspires to contribute all he can to support and enhance the amazing work being done.  

Yale University, B.A. African American Studies, Film Studies; New York University, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, Masters of Documentary Journalism

Faith is a creative producer, environmental justice advocate and documentary filmmaker passionate about sharing contemporary stories from diverse communities. A self-described “professional nerd,” her studies at Yale University and the New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute focused on representation in media and inspiring global citizenship. Faith comes to Wonderfolk with extensive experience working with inner-city youth as a summer camp counselor and program coordinator, residential assistant at the high school and college level, and program director of Oregon-based non-profit Soul River Inc. She credits a scholarship that afforded international service-learning experiences with changing her life and helping develop a sense of community responsibility. Previous experience includes Discovery Communications, Columbia Sportswear, and freelance marketing consulting.

Tia Gurtner (They/She) lends experience in Finance,  Operations, and Development in community benefit partnerships and nonprofit’s strategic partnership expansion endeavors. They are dedicated to creating sustainable prosperity for communities around the world, and nurturing long-term partnerships through advocacy and education.

Laura has over a decade of experience studying, writing about, and exploring how new technologies can be used to build a better, more equitable world. She is thrilled to be a member of Wonderfolks' board because she strongly believes in the power of service learning and cultural exchange to build stronger communities and individuals. Laura's work is driven by a desire to tell impactful stories, elevate diverse voices and dig into the complexity of the myriad challenges we face around the world. She has worked globally – within nonprofits, foundations, social enterprises, academia and more. Laura loves running around outside (hiking, swimming, skiing, you name it), exploring the new-to-her nooks and crannies of Portland, and curling up at home reading.

Ami Goswami is a strategic thinker, problem solver, and creative individual. With 14 years of experience in public education, Ami is now focused on supporting the education workforce, community engagement strategy, and cultural curation.

Her approach to work emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and iterative development, promoting a culture of innovation and problem-solving. A classically trained Bharatnatyam dancer, Ami is a queer, first-generation Indian American who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has called Portland home since 2018.

When she’s not project managing, engaging with communities, and curating cultural events, you can find Ami teaching and performing Bollywood, singing karaoke, and playing Nintendo Switch with her partner, taking long walks with her perfect pup, and painting artwork.

Monica Williams brings more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition, organizational growth, and equity-focused hiring across the nonprofit, sports, and clean energy sectors.

Deeply invested in community, Monica is honored and excited to serve on the Wonderfolk Board of Directors, where she is inspired by the organization’s mission to empower BIPOC youth through arts, sustainability, and global leadership. A proud Colgate University alum, she enjoys exploring Portland’s food scene, attempting to keep plants alive and adventuring in the Pacific Northwest with her two dogs.