StoveTeam Staff

Our Directors

Shelby Kardas

Executive Director Shelby joined StoveTeam in September 2019 and has a long history as a non-profit leader spanning over 25 years. For 10 years she worked as Vice President, Administration & Development at World Oregon (formally the World Affairs Council of Oregon), a prominent international education organization in Portland, OR, USA. She left World Oregon to follow her passion and build a fundraising and strategic planning consulting practice where for 5 years she helped numerous small to large-size non-profits grow and thrive. Immediately before joining StoveTeam, she lived in Cuenca, Ecuador for one year with her high school daughter where they volunteered and studied Spanish. Shelby also lived and worked in multiple cities in France for 5 years in the late ’90s and speaks fluent French. Shelby received an MBA from Thunderbird, School of Global Management, and a BA with a double major in Political Science and French from Portland State University.

Waleska Santos

Guatemala Country Director

Waleska joined StoveTeam in September of 2021 as Guatemala Operation Director. Before joining StoveTeam she worked as a Spanish Teacher for over 14 years and as a manager of 2 hotels in Antigua. She also volunteered extensively helping deaf people learn skills to find jobs and teaching reading and writing skills through an organization called Conalfa.

As Guatemala Operations Director, Waleska applies her extensive organizational and people skills to manage the complexities of our Guatemala field project including coordinating schedules and logistics for stovebuilders, managing the supply chain, organizing training and community stakeholder visits, and acting as liaison to ensure the constant flow of information to USA headquarters. “I love working with StoveTeam because I always wanted to help the people of Guatemala to improve their lives. Working with StoveTeam allows me to work with all kinds of different people and to put my skill to work on a project that I believe in.”

Mike hatfield

Director Monitoring & Evaluation

Mike has worked in stove design, production, and dissemination since 1998 with Aprovecho Research Center. He has coordinated stove technology and testing trainings throughout Central America, South American, Africa, and Asia. He is co-designer of the popular “Justa” griddle stove that has been disseminated throughout Central and South America in the hundreds of thousands. Mike’s design and testing skills have benefited hundreds of agencies and organizations worldwide, including Asia regional Cookstove Program, CARE, Development Alternatives, Enterprise Works, the Shell Foundation, Trees, Water & People, US Environmental Protection Agency, USAID, and the World Health Organization. Mike worked in India in the development of the first mass produced single pot rocket stove that has been now mass manufactured in the hundreds of thousands. Mike received his BS undergraduate from Willamette University and quickly entered into the Appropriate Technology and stove field which has now become his life’s work.

Emily Cupo

Development & Communications Director

Emily is a nonprofit professional who brings international experience in donor engagement, program development, and project management to StoveTeam International. In her past role as Executive Director of a small non-profit working in South Africa, she developed and managed WASH projects and female empowerment programs in schools in rural South Africa, as well as managed donor engagement, grant-writing, and fundraising within the US and South Africa. Emily is a Rotarian of the Portland New Generations Rotary Club and serves as their International Service Chair. With a love of cultures and a passion for international aid, Emily holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Temple University and she is honored to work for an organization that changes the lives of families and individuals throughout Central America.

Tina Talbot

Administration/Business Manager

Tina has a background in social work, public health and human resources, and has worked with a variety of small and large organizations. Through the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health in Vancouver, Canada, she contributed to research and publications on girls’ and women’s health. As well, she has contributed to research studies on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and traumatic brain injury at the University of Washington in Seattle. During the course of her career, she has acquired a number of administrative and management skills, which happily brought her to StoveTeam in January 2023. Tina has a BA in English and a Masters in Social Work from Florida State University. She lives in Portland, OR, and enjoys outdoor activities, music, gardening, knitting and spending time with her family.

Our Guatemala Field Team

Edgar Fernando Canas

Administrative and Accounting Assistant

Edgar started working for StoveTeam in May 2023 and has supported the growth and development of our operations in Guatemala. Edgar also assists with photography and videography for StoveTeam’s Communications, providing beautiful and inspiring photos and stories direct from the field.

Jose Manuel Alvarez

Jose is our Community Developer in Guatemala. He has been working with StoveTeam since August 15, 2023. His key responsibilities include monitoring and evaluating stoves, and supporting families through stove education.

Oseas Andres Sanail Mendez “Chato”

Chato is our longest-serving employee in StoveTeam Guatemala and works in both a Project Coordinator and Stove Builder capacity. He is originally from San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepequez and currently works in Retalhuleu.

Byron Jesus Menchú García

Byron is our Field Assistant, helping Jose Manuel with the field logic. He is from Totonicapán and joined StoveTeam in 2023.

Marcos Daniel Sanail Mendez “Danny”

Danny is Stove Builder, currently workin Retalhuleu. He has been working with StoveTeam since December 14, 2020 and is originally from Santiago Zamora, Sacatepequez. Danny is deaf and mute and performs exceptionally well at his job, despite not being able to talk directly with families. He has inspired our team to learn sign language.

Klisman Edilberto Figueroa Lopez

Klisman Edilberto Figueroa Lopez is a Stove Builder currently working in Retalhuleu and Totonicapán. He began working with StoveTeam Guatemala on May 01, 2022 and is from Retalhuleu.

Ebert Eleuterio Cruz Gomez

Ebert Eleuterio Cruz Gomez is a Stove Builder who currently works in Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu. Ebert began working for StoveTeam Guatemala on April 1, 2023 and is from Retalhuleu.

Selvin Eduardo Divas Prada

Selvin Eduardo Divas Prada is a Stove Builder who works in Retalhuleu, Totonicapán and Quetzaltenango. He is from Guacamayitas, Santa Rosa.

Marvin Francisco Gutierrez Garcia

Marvin is a Stove Builder working in Totonicapán. Marvin is originally from Totonicapán and was hired to support our growing project in the region.

EDWIN ORLANDO GARCIA PEREZ

Edwin is a Stove Builder working in Reatlhuleu. He is from Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepequez (Near Antigua). He started working for STI on January 12, 2026.

Julio Bosbelí Sánchez Romero

Julio is a Stove Builder working in Retalhuleu and Quetzaltenango. He started working for STI on July 01, 2025 and is from Retalhuleu.

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