lives,
Changing
transforming communities
through direct support to
locally led initiatives
Our staff is a dynamic team of experienced professionals are dedicated to supporting locally led community initiatives and facilitating life changing experiences through cross-cultural programs.
Rigil-kent Ballester is the co-founder and Director of CSA. He has a Master’s degree in Education. Rigil brings over 20 years of experience in the design and implementation of international educational programs, working with over 20 University partners. He has also led locally led community initiatives in youth development, education, health and income generation, harnessing funding support from USAID, the U.S Department of State and private foundations to support CSA’s work. These initiatives have resulted in rural schools refurbished, cohorts of public school teachers trained, youth trained and with employment and income generation opportunities and women’s cooperative established.
Elizabeth Conklin-Ballester is the co-founder of CSA. After graduating from Ithaca College with a focus on Health Education, Elizabeth first came to the Dominican Republic as a volunteer working with a Catholic group in a Haitian-Dominican batey in Western Santo Domingo (Lecheria). Elizabeth also received her Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Albany. In addition to co-founding CSA, she has collaborated on a variety of public development projects with USAID, United Nations and Global Fund, with a particular focus on HIV and Maternal/Child Health. She currently works for a USAID global project, supporting work in Central and South America and Southern Africa with local implementing partners.
Cesar Hinojosa CSA´s country coordinator and youth specialist. Native of Western Santo Domingo, Cesar has led CSA's successful "youth and sports" initiatives in La Lecheria. He has a B.A. in Business Administration and has worked in community development for over 15 years, actively involved in the Fe y Alegria School in Batey Lecheria, close to his home in Los Alcarrizos. Cesar´s experience in project management, leadership with youth make him an excellent asset to CSA´s mission.
Maria Cristina German is responsible for the design and supervision of CSA´s Spanish immersion programs. She has over 25 years of experience working in cross-cultural training and instruction of Spanish as a second language, including collaboration with the Spanish Training Department for the Peace Corps.