St. Paul, MN USA

Executive Director

Shari Blindt
Executive Director
St. Paul, MN

Shari Blindt was appointed Executive Director for Common Hope in September 2006, having previously served as a member of the Executive Management Team as the Director of Development.   Shari brings over 18 years of experience in the marketing and client services industry.  Prior to Common Hope she served in senior management roles with Penn Garritano Direct Response Marketing, Global Marketing Solutions for Fair Isaac Corporation, and Global Financial Services for DynaMark, Inc.  Her experience in leading team-based, collaborative business units contributed significantly to her clients’ success and the growth of these organizations. 

Shari’s involvement with Common Hope began shortly after the adoption of her two Guatemalan children, when she felt a strong need to give back to the people of Guatemala.  She began volunteering both in the U.S. office and on the Executive Board’s Marketing and Fundraising Committee.  She also led a Vision Team, where she was able to directly participate in the services that Common Hope provides.  In September 2005, Shari left the for-profit sector and joined the Common Hope staff. 

At Common Hope, Shari sees a fitting unification of her personal and professional life. She has a very personal passion for building opportunity for impoverished Guatemalan children and families and says that "Common Hope is my opportunity to truly give back to a country which has helped to make my family and my life whole."

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Finance

Kathleen Lock
Director of Finance
St. Paul, MN USA

Kathleen manages the accounting and budgeting process, supporting our staff to maximize our financial resources. She develops financial reports for the Executive Board and Finance Committee and oversees the year-end audit.

Kathleen holds an M.B.A. degree from Dartmouth College and spent ten years in the for-profit sector. Her non-profit work in Latin America began when she and her family volunteered among the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile for six months.

Meghan McMurray
Accounting Manager
St. Paul, MN USA

As the Accounting Manager at Common Hope, Meg processes donations, maintains financial and donor records, handles accounts payable, generates acknowledgements and produces financial reports.

Meg learned of Common Hope through a former staff member and was immediately drawn to the enduring values of justice, empowerment and respect. Meg is constantly encouraged by the passion and dedication of her co-workers, and the generosity and enthusiasm of Common Hope supporters.  Meg was recently able to share our work in Guatemala with her family on an eight day Vision Team trip.

Lori Radecki
Financial Assistant
St. Paul, MN USA

As the financial assistant Lori processes donations, maintains financial and donor records, handles accounts payable, generates acknowledgement letters, and produces financial reports.

Lori has been involved in social justice issues for many years as a volunteer.  She recently traveled to Guatemala and fell in love with the people and the culture. After learning about Common Hope from a staff member, Lori was very impressed by their work to bring independence to Guatemalan families through education, health care, and housing.  Common Hope has given her a chance to put her passion for social justice and love for Guatemala to real use, helping to improve the lives of the wonderful people of that country.   

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Development

Joanne Arnold Griffin
Development Director
St. Paul, MN USA

Joanne oversees the development area, where she provides direction and oversight to annual giving, major gift solicitation, planned giving, special fundraising events, capital campaigns, and marketing strategies.  

A native of Atlanta, Joanne brings 16 years of nonprofit experience, including seven years with Common Hope in the U.S. office (1995-2001 and 2007-present).  She studied international human rights in Geneva, Switzerland, and holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota. Having worked directly with impoverished children and families in the U.S. and Africa, she has a strong commitment to international development.  Before returning to Common Hope, Joanne worked at Wilder Research, where she conducted research and evaluation for social service programs. 

A Common Hope Sponsor since 1993, Joanne has been able to see how the organization has matured over the past 15 years and the growing difference it is making in the lives of Guatemalan families as well as supporters in the U.S.

Mary Gautschi
Development Manager
St. Paul, MN USA

Mary supports the work of Common Hope as the key contact for donors. She manages special fundraising events that bring awareness of the vision and needs of the organization. She promotes and schedules speaking engagements and works with the Circle of Speakers.

Most recently, Mary worked as a campaign manager promoting social justice organizations in employee-giving campaigns. She brings her passion for social change and shared values with Common Hope.

Kate Lucas
Grants and Communications Coordinator
St. Paul, MN USA

Kate supports the development team by writing grants and managing the grant schedule.  She also edits the newsletter, writes web copy, and coordinates marketing communication activities.

It was during her enriching semester as an international student in Central America that Kate first learned about Common Hope—but not until several more life twists and turns that she joined the staff.  She feels blessed to work at an organization where she can engage her love of writing, her passion for social change, and her appreciation of Central American culture.

Tom Stukel
Creative Designer
St. Paul, MN USA

Tom supports Common Hope's communication and fundraising efforts by designing the website, printed materials, and media that bring people closer to our work and the people we serve.

He feels that with his degree in Peace Studies and his knowledge of graphic and web design he could not have found a better fit than Common Hope. He became interested in Common Hope after his own Vision Team experience during college at the University of St. John's and became a permanent staff member after interning with us.

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Sponsorship

Kate Heider
Sponsorship Manager
St. Paul, MN USA

Kate is the Sponsorship Manager at Common Hope, overseeing more than 2,500 students and their Sponsors.  Kate works with the Sponsorship staff in Guatemala to administer the Sponsorship program and facilitate communications between the affiliated children and their Sponsors.

Kate learned about the organization through her husband who went on a Vision Team trip in 1998.  They have been sponsoring a child ever since, so Kate was thrilled at the opportunity to work with the Sponsorship program.  As a waiting adoptive parent, she also enjoys working with the many families who have adopted children from Guatemala to help them maintain a connection and give back to the country of their children’s birth. 

Jessie Szopinski
Sponsorship Coordinator
St. Paul, MN USA

As Sponsorship Coordinator, Jessie supports the Sponsorship Manager in promoting relationships between the affiliated children in Guatemala and their Sponsors.  Jessie matches children with new sponsors and helps sponsors visit Guatemala to see their sponsored child and family.

Jessie was introduced to Common Hope from a former Vision Team Coordinator and was drawn to the mission and values of the organization.  She is excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to social change and long-term development of the people of Guatemala.

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Vision Teams

Louise Lundgren
Outreach Manager
St. Paul, MN USA
 
Louise oversees the volunteer program including long- and short-term volunteers and Vision Teams.  She also coordinates public relations efforts, striving to raise awareness about Common Hope on a national scale.
 
Louise has worked with non-profits for ten years since graduating with a degree in Social Anthropology and an MA in Community Conversation. She volunteered for several years overseas mainly in Southern Africa working on community development projects and is delighted to have discovered Common Hope, as she identifies personally with the mission through her own experiences. She hopes to encourage and inspire others to get involved. Originally from England, Louise moved to Minnesota after meeting her husband in Africa.

Kristin Hunter
Vision Team Coordinator
St. Paul, MN USA

Kristin works with Vision Team members as they prepare for their trip. She provides necessary resources for each team, sets up travel arrangements, and communicates daily with the Guatemalan hospitality staff to ensure that the Vision Team experience is rewarding for everyone involved.

It was during her own year-long volunteer experience that Kristin first learned of Common Hope. Her interest was piqued by the all-inclusive and relationship-based nature of the development work Common Hope does in Guatemala. She is thrilled to be a piece in the process that connects willing volunteers to enriching work.

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Administration

Molly Weisgram
Office Administrator
St. Paul, MN USA

As the office administrator at Common Hope, Molly supports the U.S. office in the areas of human resources, insurance, board relations and office operations.
 
Molly learned of Common Hope through a former staff member and was inspired by the mission and heart of the organization. She thoroughly appreciates the genuine people and culture of Common Hope and is happy to be part of an organization that clearly lives its priorities and goals. Molly holds her Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota and has previously worked in healthcare marketing. Molly is happy to be back in the nonprofit sector and looks forward to contributing to the future successes of Common Hope.

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