Meet The Team

All coordinators play a vital part in the running of Voluntario Global. Our core of coordinators is small and each has a specific role in order to keep the organization moving forward.

Valeria Gracia

Valeria is founder Voluntario Global. She started the organization together with Armin in 2006 and has been has been working with social organizations ever since. Valeria holds a BA in Arts. She began her social work in a slum in Villa Soldati, Buenos Aires, where she would teach art classes and help in the after-school support sessions. Today, Valeria is responsible for helping in the creation of new cooperatives that involve young people from the communities of Buenos Aires, like the Su Lavanderia (2008) and MILPA Community Center (2014).

Armin Díaz

Armin was the cofounder of Voluntario Global. He was a young Bolivian studying Economics, with the belief that the economy should reflect on its own forms and concepts, since the economy is part of the fight for equality of opportunities and justice for all.  Armin was killed on March 4th, 2013 while two men tried to steal his motorbike. He was 29 years old. Armin dedicated his life to helping young people from his area escape a life of poverty and drugs.

Jesica Franco

Jesica became part of the Voluntario Global team in 2008. She is currently a Phd student in Educational Research in Mexico. Jesica previously worked for an international Spanish School where she managed groups of volunteers visiting Argentina. She is now in charge of International Outreach at Voluntario Global.

Maia Borysiuk

Maia holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Buenos Aires. She joined our group in 2011 and manages the legal aspects of Voluntario Global. She helps as well with the general administration for Voluntario Global and for our two other cooperatives, Su Lavanderia and Pacheco Community Center. Maia is also an incredible drummer!

Milena Sapey

Milena joined in 2015 and is currently Voluntario Global's Director. She holds a degree in Psychology from University of Buenos Aires and is studying for her masters degree in Social Sciences. Milena supervises all areas of the organization, actively participates in the communications area and ensures the assignment of volunteers into our different projects. Volunteering is an integral part of Milena’s life, as she has volunteered for various projects and organisations since she was 15 years old. Not only that, the projects that Voluntario Global support allows Milena to bond with the surrounding communities and the neighbors, meaning that she is able to “get to know them, know their daily problems and their concerns about their communities”. Going that extra mile is how you can tell Milena is so engaged in her work.

David Torres

David became part of Voluntario Global as a student, first, in the after-school program in Villa Soldati. His best friend, Armin, suggested he attended the program. Two years later, Armin and David helped to set up the SU Lavanderia Cooperative, based on the principles of solidarity and commitment. Today, after 9 years working in this project, David is the General Coordinator of the cooperative and helps youth with their first job experience in the laundromat so they can continue to study in University.

Kristin Nordhaus

Kristin was born in Germany and she graduated in Languages and International Relations from the University of Jena. Her passion for social work has taken her to work and enjoy the Latin American Culture. Kristin became part of our team in 2010 and has lived in both Argentina and Germany. Today she is in charge of coordinating program for German-speaking applicants as she knows all of the projects in Buenos Aires and can also help new volunteers learn about the culture of Argentina.

Neil West

Neil comes from England. He first joined Voluntary Global as a volunteer in 2019 and returned in 2022 as a volunteer coordinator. As a qualified social worker he has experience of adult and children’s mental health services for over 20 years, in community and hospital settings. having worked with child safeguarding, criminal justice and eating disorders, Neil has a passion for supporting individuals and communities to achieve their full potential.