WellKind Team

Our local team is the most important part of the organization: they are the heart and soul of Wellkind Guatemala, and the driving force behind our impact.

Wellkind prides itself on investing in this team to build the skills and capacities to succeed without having to contract people from outside.

Our team is from the neighborhoods that we work with. they have deep connections to the culture and understand the complex dynamics of the indigenous villages we serve.

Everyone has been certified in permaculture design, has taken english classes, and individually have grown in their roles through personalized classes.

Developing skills in photography, videography, graphic design, and accounting, we have built a strong and versatile team that is well-equipped to create change in Lake Atitlán. In a time when most young talented people are migrating and abandoning their motherland, we are trying to encourage people to stay and make a difference.

Isaias Sipac is currently the Operations Manager at Wellkind Guatemala. His primary responsibilities include supervising and optimizing the organization’s operational processes to ensure efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, he supports the reforestation program, the coffee pilot project, and is involved in the logistics of all programs. Isaias enjoys his work at Wellkind because it allows him to apply his existing knowledge and acquire new insights. He takes pleasure in creating a better environment that benefits both his community and the natural surroundings for future generations. He is particularly passionate about the Reforestation program and finds joy in planting trees and spending time in nature.

Maricela Alvarez Pérez is currently the Education Program Manager at Wellkind. Maricela appreciates the programs managed by Wellkind due to their focus on the diverse needs of the community, including Education, Ecology, and Economy. In addition to her role in education, she is a graphic designer who contributes to various program designs. Maricela values working at Wellkind because it allows her to support environmental conservation efforts and grow both personally and professionally. She is part of a close-knit team that collaborates to achieve their goals and make a significant impact in the communities they serve.

Antonio Canel Sipac was one of the first students in his community to graduate despite the challenges of early work for many children. He studied business administration and has always been inclined towards independence and entrepreneurship. Antonio runs his own honey business, Casa Miel, and collaborates with local beekeepers to sell honey around Lake Atitlán. Currently, he serves as the Ecology Program Manager at Wellkind Guatemala, where he coordinates all activities related to the reforestation program. In 2024, he and his team planted over 30,000 forest and fruit trees. Antonio is involved in every aspect of the program, from securing tree donations to communicating with local families and managing tree distribution and monitoring. He is proud to work for an organization that supports local communities and the environment.

Cruz Simaj works as the Logistics Coordinator at Wellkind Guatemala, where he supports transaction management and administrative tasks. Additionally, she guides a group of women in a community savings cooperative to foster collaboration and economic empowerment. Cruz enjoys working at Wellkind because the organization is dedicated to sustainability and community well-being. She finds satisfaction in contributing to an environment that improves local development and supports broader societal causes.

Hilario Damián Ujpan Tepaz is the Communications Coordinator and photographer at Wellkind. His main role involves documenting project activities through photographs and videos, which are shared with the network to ensure visibility. Besides creating content for the programs, he manages the organization’s social media accounts to clearly portray their work. Damian particularly enjoys working on the reforestation program, which aids in environmental conservation and restoration. He manages the ARCGIS dashboard for this program, tracking GPS points, viewing satellite images of tree planting locations, and storing beneficiary information.

After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a double major in Applied Math and Psychology, Shad and his wife, Colleen, moved to Guatemala. They bought and moved onto a small farm located in the traditional Mayan village of Tzununá, which on the north shore of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Shad brings over 13 years of experience in organic and commercial gardening and farming to his role with Wellkind. He is certified in Permaculture Design and has several years of experience in permaculture design consulting.

Kyle Weinstein was born and raised on Lake Atitlán to American-Canadian parents. Surrounded by the lake's nature and people, he has developed a deep love and respect for the region. Kyle has worked on community tourism projects across Central America for several years, collaborating with large international tourism companies. He has also worked for various nonprofits around the lake, gaining experience in sustainable development. At Wellkind, Kyle is focused on giving back to the community that raised him and contributing positively to the people and environment of Lake Atitlán.