Staff

Kim Troggio

Kim Troggio

Director and Co-Founder

Trip Leader

Kim joined GDR in 2002 and now serves as GDR’s director. She is dedicated to serving children globally, leading GDR with an eye to the future and working to orchestrate highly effective clinics and an amazing volunteer experience. Always ready for an adventure, her background is in social work and the adventure travel industry.

Victoria Kilway

Victoria Kilway

Director of Operations

Trip Leader

Victoria joined the team in 2017 and now directs GDR’s operations, working closely with volunteers, local partners and trip leaders to make every clinic smooth and successful. She oversees GDR daily operations with enthusiasm and an infectious passion for the mission! Before GDR, she spent a year of travel and work with nonprofits globally, making her a great GDR fit.

Laurie Matthews

Laurie Mathews

Director Emeritus

Trip Leader

Laurie co-founded Global Dental Relief in 2001. She currently works on GDR special projects and with children and volunteers on small adventure trips. Laurie founded GDR after a career in public policy, and from 1990-2001, she served as the director of Colorado State Parks.

Peter Vanicek

Dr. Peter Vanicek

Dental Director

Trip Leader

After 30 years in private practice, Peter brings his dental expertise to GDR. He oversees GDR’s inventory of dental materials and equipment, ensuring clinics are fully supplied and equipment is maintained. Peter loves to travel, leads numerous GDR trips each year, and is always working to update and improve the volunteer experience.

Leah Grygleski

Leah Grygleski

Outreach Manager, Project Coordinator

Trip Leader

With a background in marketing, Leah creates the “look and message” of GDR, while managing the GDR website and outreach. As a Project Coordinator, she is committed to quality assistance to volunteers joining teams in the field. Leah loves to travel and is passionate about helping people in underserved communities.

Becky Bay, RDH

Becky Bay, RDH

Project Coordinator

Trip Leader

Becky is a dedicated GDR trip leader and currently leads GDR’s Kentucky operations. Becky’s work takes her to Kentucky, India and Guatemala annually, where she is grateful for the opportunity to treat children around the world who otherwise have no access to care.

Rachel P., Country Coordinator

Rachel Perez

Project Coordinator

Trip Leader

As a Project Coordinator, Rachel is passionate about the mission of GDR and loves getting to work with volunteers as they prepare to go into the field. With a degree in intercultural studies, and with her experiences overseas, she hopes to continue to grow in being an effective advocate for those denied access to basic needs.

Michelle F., Office Administrator

Michelle Fleishman

Office Administrator

As the Office Administrator, Michelle maintains GDR's home base in Denver, keeping our office well-stocked, processing donations, and ensuring our records are accurate. Michelle has a degree in Equine Science and Business Administration, and works on a horse ranch during days she is not at GDR. She loves being able to utilize her administrative skills to provide children with the dental care they need!

Trip Leaders

Bic Aki, DDS

Bic Aki, DDS

Trip Leader

Bic traveled with GDR to Vietnam and fell in love with volunteering abroad. Since then, she has become one of GDR’s most prolific trip leaders, leading trips in all country locations with her signature energy and smile. Bic is an Ironman triathlete and dedicated runner, and she loves to travel the world and go scuba diving with her husband.

Doug Berkey

Doug Berkey, DMD

Board Chair

Trip Leader

After retiring as a CU dental professor, Doug now feels tremendously grateful to be connected with dentistry in a new capacity: improving dental health globally! His first experience as a GDR volunteer dentist was in Cambodia during the fall of 2017. He truly loved it and, not surprisingly, is now a devoted and enthusiastic supporter of all things GDR. He currently serves as a trip leader and as the GDR board chair.

TJ Gabriels

TJ Gabriels

Trip Leader

TJ traveled with GDR to Vietnam in 2006 and never looked back! Since then, he has been on 18 clinics and cannot wait to go again. TJ says, “I love the whole process: the children, the co-workers, the locals, and of course, the GDR trip leaders.” Back home, in Albany, New York, he is a practicing attorney.

Sergio Gomez

Sergio Gomez, RDH

Board Member

Trip Leader

Sergio, a Rhode Island native, has always had a passion for dentistry and helping others. After the impact of his first volunteer trip with GDR in 2022, he knew it would be the first of many. Sergio has since joined the GDR Board and is enthusiastic about volunteering with GDR for many years to come.

Geoff Hoffman, DDS

Geoff Hoffman, DDS

Board Member

Trip Leader

Geoff’s adventure with GDR began when he and his wife, Mary Anne, decided to hike the Everest trail and do a little dental work on the way. Little did he know the kids and GDR would forever change his life. As a trip leader, he brings his experience from years of adventure, travel and dentistry. His goal is to bring efficiency, energy and love to every clinic, along with the best possible care for children.

Mark Lisagor, DDS

Mark Lisagor, DDS

Trip Leader

After working as a volunteer with GDR on trips to India and Nepal, Mark became GDR’s first volunteer trip leader in 2006. As a pediatric dentist, his love of children and sense of fun are infectious, making each clinic a special experience for all. Mark leads trips to India, Nepal and Kentucky each year.

Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson, DMD

Trip Leader

Jim graduated dental school in 2004 and is a general dentist practicing full time in Wyoming. He bumped into GDR's booth at a dental convention around 2008 and has been a dedicated volunteer ever since. Jim's motto for this work is “because I have been given much, I too must give." Volunteering is addictive and being able to give to those that don’t have access to care is extremely fulfilling!

Andrea Swenson

Andrea Swenson

Board Member

Trip Leader

After a career in finance, Andrea took a break to raise her children and serve as an elected school board member in her Bay Area, California, community. Her first trip with GDR was in 2016 to Guatemala, and she was hooked. An avid world traveler, she feels privileged to become part of the GDR team serving children.

Wes Takahashi

Wes Takahashi

Trip Leader

Wes volunteered with GDR in 2005 and experienced first-hand the adventure and immersion in local cultures. In 2006, Wes became one of GDR’s earliest trip leaders. He currently leads GDR’s Nepal and Cambodia clinics during the winter, working as a professional salmon fishing guide in British Columbia, Canada, the rest of the year. Wes is an avid musician and world traveler.

Bonnie Thomas

Bonnie Thomas

Trip Leader

Bonnie was introduced to GDR through her Rotary club — Rotary Club of Denver Southeast. Inspired by GDR’s wonderful mission, she became an enthusiastic supporter and first joined as a volunteer in Nepal in 2018. Her love of travel and serving others is why she volunteers. She is a recently retired family nurse practitioner and enjoys cycling, yoga and volunteering.

Katy Troyer

Katy Troyer

Trip Leader

Katy’s first GDR trip in 2012 took her back to her beloved Guatemala. To date, she has led over 25 clinics around the world, establishing great friendships with volunteers and local partners. Katy brings enthusiasm to every team and enjoys Zumba and adventures with her family.

Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado