International Giving was founded in 1998 by Christopher Layton, Christopher Rossi and Jason Wells. The founding members believed that they could make a significant difference in the lives of children throughout the world by creating a small and nimble non-profit organization supported by highly motivated, creative and dedicated volunteers. Both Christopher Layton and Jason are still actively involved with the organization. Dr. Deborah Valentine joined International Giving as an Advisor to the Board in 1999. Javier Arguello joined International Giving as the Co-Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors in 2002. Gina Valencia joined the organization in 2002 as a project manager and is leading the International Interdisciplinary Development Program, a program that coordinates project based summer internships for university students to selected non-profit organizations serving children and families living in poverty in Central America. Dr. Bernard LaRue joined International Giving in 2003 as Chief Medical Advisor and member of the Board of Directors.

Bios of the staff are shown below:

 

Christopher Layton: Chairman of the Board

Christopher Layton received a B.S. in International Finance from Brigham Young University, followed by graduate studies at The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Yale School of Management. Christopher has worked as an investment banker, as a director of an international industrial concern and in the private equity markets. Christopher has served on the board of directors of a number of for profit and non-profit boards of directors.

 

Jason Wells: Co-CEO and Member of the Board of Directors

Jason Wells graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Business Administration and received a Masters in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management. He has worked in investment banking, private equity and as an environmental science teacher in Ecuador. He was also a summer consultant to the World Bank Group in La Paz, Bolivia where he managed a team that defined key indices and targets for industries vital to the poor in Bolivia. Jason has also spoken at a series of forums on economic development sponsored by the Inter-American Foundation. Currently Jason works in real estate development for Crystal Springs Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

 

Gina Valencia: Project Manager

Gina Valencia graduated from the Politecnica Salesiana University in Quito, Ecuador with a B.S. in Social Communications and received a Masters in Public Administration from Idaho State University. She has worked as a business professional for both private and non-profit organizations. Gina currently lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where she works and supports programs that empower minorities through education



Javier Arguello: Co-CEO and Member of the Board of Directors

Javier spent ten years in the private sector, primarily working in business development within financial services. He has also worked with numerous NGO's to promote development in Central America. During 2006-2007 he served as the founding Executive Director of a think tank focused on socio-economic development in Nicaragua. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree (expected summer 08) at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, focusing on US foreign policy and economic development. In addition, Javier holds an MBA from Yale University and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from George Washington University.

 

Bernard LaRue, MD: Chief Medical Advisor

Bernard LaRue received his B.S. in public health (health policy and administration) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He completed his medical studies and orthopaedic residency training at Université de Sherbrooke in Canada, his native country. He then spent a year in Australia to subspecialize in spinal surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Adelaide Centre for Spinal Research. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedics at the Université de Sherbrooke. Prior to his medical studies, Bernard worked as an intern for the Sydney Olympic Committee, the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services and Archipelago Management, a health care consulting firm.

 

Deborah Valentine: Adviser to the Board of Directors

Deborah Valentine graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. in Psychology and received a Masters and Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. Deborah is currently the Director of the School of Social Work at Colorado State University where she also teaches.

She has received numerous teaching awards and is actively involved in social work practice in her community. She is also an Executive Committee member of the National Association of Deans and Directors. Her areas of research interest include Women's Issues and Developmental Disabilities.