Leadership

Board Members

Don Orange

Executive Director

Don has lived in Greeley for 20 years, serving as pastor at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church and interim at Cornerstone Community Church.

Don and his wife Mary, first became involved in the immigrant and refugee community in 2016, when Mary began teaching at what is now the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado. In 2018 Don organized International Neighbors Greeley, to encourage others in bridging the friendship gap he observed. Over time, his heart was drawn to the great need among these communities for affordable, accredited legal assistance.

In May of 2023, he organized a team passionate about this need, and launched Immigrant Hope - Greeley. Don is the Executive Director of Immigrant Hope - Greeley and is an accredited representative.

In his free-time he enjoys biking, fishing, and playing with his grandchildren.

George Ottenhoff

Board Chair

George is an attorney in private practice in Northern Colorado who has worked with numerous non-profit organizations.

George has served as a board member and president of Dayspring Christian Academy and the Dayspring Foundation, as well as of legal profession boards and committees. George and his wife have been active in their church’s mission program in South America and also enjoy visiting their three adult children and two grandchildren.

In his free time, George is a sea kayaker and beekeeper and also enjoys traveling and camping.

Monica DeJesus

Treasurer

Monica, a Colorado native, brings a rich heritage and deep-rooted commitment to her work at Immigrant Hope. Growing up, she was profoundly influenced by her family's experiences; her parents and grandparents labored in the fields, and her mother served as a community liaison for the migrant community in Brighton, Colorado. These early life experiences instilled in Monica a strong sense of empathy and dedication to helping others.

Monica's journey took her to New York City, where she spent many years working in a Spanish church, engaging closely with migrants from across Latin America. There, she witnessed firsthand the immense challenges they faced in striving for the American dream, often without the proper documentation or access to critical information and resources.

Professionally, Monica earned a bachelor's degree in Pastoral Theology from Trinity Life Bible College and has made significant contributions to various organizations. Her expertise extends to her role as the controller for an architecture firm in NYC and as the treasurer for two nonprofit organizations, including Immigrant Hope and Hispanic Women of Weld County.

Monica is a dedicated mother to her three sons, Jeremiah, Judah, and Joseph, and a proud new grandmother. Her life’s work reflects her deep commitment to empowering immigrant communities and helping them navigate the complex journey toward achieving their dreams in the United States.

Sarah Mireles

Secretary

Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Greeley, Sarah embarked on a journey that led her from the classrooms of the University of Northern Colorado to the vibrant streets of Northern Mexico. There, she dedicated six years of her life to directing a nonprofit organization focused on empowering teenage girls.

During her time in Mexico, she met her husband, and together they felt called to return to Greeley. However, their path was not without obstacles, navigating a complex immigration process before finally settling back in their community.

For the past 13 years, she has had the privilege of serving as an educator within the Greeley Evans School District 6. She finds fulfillment in working with elementary students who are multilingual learners. Beyond her daytime role, she extends her commitment to education by teaching evening adult English classes, supporting the parents of her students as they strive to enhance their language skills and actively engage in their children's education.

Outside of education, she and her husband cherish the joys of parenthood, raising two sons who fill their lives with energy and laughter. They enjoy exploring new destinations, fostering connections with neighbors, cheering on their sons in various athletic and theatrical pursuits, and embracing their faith through service within their church community at Cornerstone Community Church.

Each day, she is grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, both within and beyond the classroom, including her service on the board of Immigrant Hope Greeley.

Miga Pena

Board Member

Maria Elena Peña, better known as "Miga" (a nickname given by her grandmother and aunt that has remained with her over the years), has been happily married for nearly 24 years and is the proud mother of five children. Originally from Greeley, Colorado, she graduated from Valley High School in ‘99 and is actively involved with her husband in serving at Greeley Vineyard’s La Vina Spanish service.

Her upbringing was shaped by her parents’ journey from fieldwork to pursuing education and professional careers outside agriculture. With three sisters and one brother also based in Greeley, Miga embarked on her career early, gaining experience in customer service and administration before joining a nonprofit focused on farm labor housing.

Inspired by her parents’ values of generosity and compassion, Miga is grateful to contribute to Immigrant Hope Greeley, driven by a deep desire to provide hope and support to the community. She looks forward to the opportunities ahead, guided by faith and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

John Mandeville

Board Member

John grew up in Rhode Island in a family of five children. He spent three years in the Army, including two years stationed in Japan, and later earned a college degree in Boston.

Most of his professional career was spent in technical support and operator training within the electronics manufacturing industry across New England, Texas, and Colorado. He also dedicated several years to teaching math at charter schools and a community college.

He and his wife raised two wonderful daughters and have lived in Greeley for eight years.

Like many Americans, he comes from a family with immigrant roots. His heritage includes French Canadian, Irish, Scottish, and English ancestors.

Daniel Dinakaran

Board Member

Daniel, born and raised in India, is currently an IT Director working in Greeley.

Daniel's professional expertise is only matched by his passion for serving his community. Now a Greeley resident of 18 years, he has witnessed the city's remarkable growth and has channeled his energy into supporting refugees and immigrants - a calling ignited by his dear friend and mentor Pastor Don.

When he's not overseeing technology operations, he can be found indulging in his favorite pastimes: reading, watching movies, and exploring new sights. At home, he cherishes the companionship of his wife, Dee and their beloved poodle, Mozart. With a deep commitment to making a difference, Daniel is eager to bring his unique blend of skills and humanitarian spirit to the Immigrant Hope board, where he is determined to serve with excellence.

Betzy Valdez

Board Member

Betzy Valdez, from Pachuca, Hidalgo in Mexico, is a proud mother of three beautiful girls, wife, student, entrepreneur, and a dedicated community connector.

As the visionary founder of Empowered Leader, Betzy hosts workshops, delivers inspiring speaking engagements, and coordinates volunteer opportunities, all with the aim of empowering individuals to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities. Her vision is to provide a variety of opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, connection, and community involvement. Betzy actively engages with a wide variety of individuals and organizations, forging strong relationships that leave a lasting impact in Northern Colorado.

Betzy is also the driving force behind BV Virtual Custom Services, where she offers administrative support to local businesses, with the overarching goal of enabling their success.

Her commitment to community service extends to her volunteer work with organizations like the Weld Food Bank and Immigrant Hope - Greeley.

In her free time, Betzy enjoys spending quality time with family, supporting friends and colleagues, and finding new ways of making an impact in her community.

Staff

Marisol Madrid

Administrative Assistant

Marisol Madrid was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado where her roots and experiences have shaped her passion for leadership, service, and community. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and earned a degree in Political Science. Her education sparked her interest in public service, community engagement, and understanding the issues that impact people’s lives.

Marisol also proudly serves in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Logistics Specialist. Through her military service, she has developed a strong foundation in teamwork, accountability, discipline, and leadership. She is passionate about continuing to grow as a leader, challenging herself, and learning from every experience along the way.

Outside of her professional and military responsibilities, Marisol enjoys spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. She especially values spending quality time with her family and exploring Colorado's beauty. In her free time, she enjoys baking, discovering new hobbies, and trying new experiences. She believes that personal growth comes from staying curious, embracing new challenges, and making time for the people and activities that bring her joy.

Rachel Behrends

Lawyer

Although a longtime resident of Greeley, Colorado, Rachel has lived and traveled in various countries throughout Asia. Grateful for this opportunity to see other parts of the world, this experience fueled a love of other cultures and a desire to know others who have traveled from their home country to reside in a new place. While raising four teens is what keeps her on her toes, Rachel is also the founding attorney of a local law firm, has enjoyed working with multiple local non-profit organizations, and is now devoted to providing legal services to the uniquely diverse community in Northern Colorado. Being a part of the Immigrant Hope Greeley team has been a joy, and every day we look forward to welcoming each person who walks through our doors and to learning more about their journey.

Outside the office, Rachel enjoys travel, concerts, community events, being with family and friends, and anything her kids are involved with including archery, book club, choir, guitar, robotics, soccer, basketball and volleyball.

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