Shalen Steinbugl
Public Relations & Media Specialist
A 2016 graduate of Juniata College, Shalen visited La Piedra on Juniata's Cultural Learning Tour in 2014. She then founded Amigos de Guanin at Juniata and has visited five more times. Although she's thousands of miles away, she says Guanín feels like home.
Dr. Lynne Guitar
Co-founder
A bilingual historian and cultural anthropologist, lived and worked in the Dominican Republic from 1997-2016, teaching, researching, and running study abroad-programs for U.S. Americans. She was co-founder of the Guanín Foundation, along with Elías Severino Hernández, and helped to set up cultural, educational, and volunteer programs in La Piedra. Now retired and living in the U.S. again, she services the Eastern third of the U.S. as a Promoter for all of Guanín’s volunteer programs through Student Services.
Debbie de la Rosa
Grants and Fundraising Manager
Debbie de la Rosa is a skilled Grants and Fundraising Manager with expertise in project management, grant writing, writing, and research. She also brings experience in social media and website management, showcasing her versatility. After initially volunteering with Guanin in 2019, she has reconnected with the organization, driven by her admiration for the resilience of the Dominican people and her dedication to empowering the community of La Piedra. Her passion lies in creating opportunities that foster positive change and uplift others.
DR. Abdul Karim Bangura
USA. Board Advisor
In 2004, I participated in a conference in the Dominican Republic, at the Santo Domingo hotel, where I was one of the speakers. It was there that I met my brother Severino and Dr. Lynne Guitar, who offered us his service as a tour guide and transportation to the colonial city. From then on I have served Guanín and Severino as advisor and intermediary of the Universities that I teach. I have visited the community of La Piedra several times, and in 2009, I organized one of the largest events of the foundation, inviting several investors and partners to support the Guanin projects.
DR. Abdul Karim Bangura
USA. Board Advisor
Gertrudis de los Santos
DR. Board Advisor
I am an educator by profession, I am an honorary board member of the DR., Foundation Centro Cultural Guanin, I am the President of the honorary board and also preside the disciplinary council of the youth association, and I am a history and geography teacher.
Diosely Fernandez
DR. Board Advisor
I am Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in Human Resources, I am the secretary of the honorary Guanin board officer. As a Psychologist I work with families, adolescents and young people.
Email: dioselis1234@gmail.com
Professor Mery Ramos
DR. Board Advisor
I am an educator by profession, graduated from the National Evangelical University (UNEV)
I am an honorary board member of the DR., Foundation Centro Cultural Guanin and I am the Director of Academic Institutional Affairs at Guanin, I love teaching, and I love helping others.
