Meet the Bridge Team
We are your mentors, your coaches, and your companions.
Directors & FoundersDanny Recio - Gap Program Director
Heather Tracy - Executive Director Mario Duran - Parent Coach & Clinical Director Andy Myers - Experiential Education Director James Woody - Applied and Life Skills Director Read more about Directors here |
Laura Cespedes. Admissions CoordinatorOur Admissions Coordinator, Laura Céspedes, is a local Atenas native who will guide applicants through all of the requirements needed to get ready to be welcomed in Costa Rica! Read more about Laura here.
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Daniel Acuna. Lic. Psychologist & Therapeutic Coach for Young MenDaniel is a Costa Rican psychologist whose calling is to work with emerging young adults. He likes integrating the wisdom of Cognitive Behavioral Psychology (CBT), Humanistic Psychology, Philosophy and Neuroscience into his role as the Therapeutic Coach at The Bridge.
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Hildegard Kahle. Lic. Psychologist & Therapeutic Coach for Young WomenHilde is a psychologist with a degree in clinical psychology and a masters degree in psycho-pedagogy. Born in Costa Rica, Hilde grew up amidst the green mountains of Vermont, a contrast that cultivated her deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature and community. Read more about Hilde here.
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Amanda Alfaro, Psychologist & Experience CoachAmanda is a psychologist who enjoys working with young adults to find their path and build the skills needed to achieve their goals. She helps students organize and stay on top of their weekly schedules, budgets, healthy lifestyle activities, and trouble-shoot when they need to make changes to their experience.
Rafael Ramirez. Applied and Life Skills MentorRafa teaches students how to cook (he’s fantastic on the grill!) and teaches them about house management, including cleanliness, organization, and house maintenance and repairs. Rafa also has a green thumb and enjoys teaching students about gardening and yard maintenance. When not fulfilling these responsibilities, Rafa can be found playing pool, ping pong, or darts with students as well as showing them “how it’s done” during our amazing cultural Aventuras in different communities throughout Costa Rica.
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Woody Anderson. Academic CoordinatorWoody Anderson is the Academic Coordinator at the Bridge. His role is to facilitate an academic vision for each student by equipping them with the necessary skills to lead an autonomous and self-sufficient life. Woody also helps each student with executive functioning development through weekly scheduling exercises and follow up assessment and revision.
Read more about Woody here. |
Lic. Marco Arce V. Medical Coordinator & NurseBefore becoming NSA’s medical coordinator and nurse in 2019, Marco graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2009 with his Bachelors of Science in Nursing. He worked as nurse in North Carolina and then relocated to Costa Rica in 2012. Since being in Costa Rica, Marco has completed his Costa Rican licensure in nursing and has worked in various healthcare settings.
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Roxina Corrales, Casa Bridge Coordinator & Service MentorRoxinia has been with the NSA/Bridge crew since 2005. A local Atenas community member, Roxinia has plenty of connections, relationships and loves to dedicate her time to serving people, animals, and anyone in need. Roxinia's main role at the Bridge is to keep the house in order, help with cleanliness and hygiene, nutrition, and to organize service opportunities in our local community and on Aventuras.
She is vivacious, resourceful, and you'll learn a lot of Spanish from Roxinia while she spoils you with meals, coffee, and lots of love and care. |