Staff
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
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 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.
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
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
Project Coordinator
Trip Leader
Becky is a dedicated Trip Leader and Project Coordinator, and has led clinics in each GDR location. Becky’s work takes her overseas for several weeks (or months!) each year, and she is grateful for the opportunity to treat children around the world who otherwise have no access to care.
Anaya Bhatti, RDA
Project Coordinator
Trip Leader
Anaya has been volunteering with Global Dental Relief as a RDA since 2023 and joined as a Project Coordinator in 2026. Passionate about expanding access to dental care for underserved communities, she is deeply committed to GDR’s mission. Anaya enjoys combining her love of dentistry and travel while supporting an incredible community of volunteers and helping create meaningful experiences in the field.
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
Liz Adams
Trip Leader
Liz has a love for travel and has always believed it’s important to “give back” in our world. GDR provides her the perfect opportunity to combine service and travel. With a background in public affairs and community outreach she is able to put her skills to work coordinating GDR volunteers.
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, DMD
Board Member
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.
Deb Brackney
Board Chair
Trip Leader
Deb retired from a career in Human Resources in 2020. She found Global Dental Relief about the same time. Working with GDR, travelling abroad, and meeting the wonderful children fills her life and heart.
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, 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.
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.
Suzanne Maslo, DMD
Trip Leader
Suzanne is a full-time general dentist practicing in Pittsburgh, PA. and a retired USAF Colonel. She first discovered GDR in an Arhaus furniture catalog and, in 2009, volunteered on her first trip to Kenya. After many subsequent trips, she is deeply committed to GDR's mission and excited to serve as a Trip Leader helping others experience the impact of service. Her work is driven by purpose, teamwork, and a sense of fun!
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!
Suzanne Nelson
Trip Leader
Suzanne is a travel lover, foodie and former dental assistant and now transfers these skills into a global mission with GDR. After a life-changing trip with GDR to Guatemala in 2024, she was hooked on cultural immersion, the locals and caring for the children. Suzanne brings endless enthusiasm to helping volunteers enjoy their time and have a meaningful impact.
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
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.
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.
Jennifer Swaney
Trip Leader
Jennifer Swaney has worked at Delta Dental since 2004 and volunteered with Global Dental Relief for the first time in 2019 at a clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal. For Jennifer, becoming a Trip Leader is " a dream come true." You can read about her first volunteer trip with GDR here. Volunteering has changed her life.
