Julie Cink
President
Julie Cink is a retired school business official and the co-founder of A’KALA Family Foundation. She currently is serving as the President of A’KALA. Julie has been to Guatemala several times per year over the past 10 years and has witnessed the poverty and needs of the people there. She prioritizes leading the work of the A’KALA through prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit to serve the women and children in most need in San Lucas, Toliman.
To ensure seamless operations, Julie engages frequently with the Guatemala team to ensure they have the resources needed to continue the work year-around.
Since retiring, she started her own business doing consulting work in school finance. She loves to travel during the winter months and spend time at the lake in the summer. Family is important to her and she enjoys time with her family and her dog, Santo.
Mallory Raymond
Vice President
Mallory began her adventures in San Lucas Toliman in 2016. She first went as a translator, and soon developed a love for the people and country of Guatemala. Her knowledge of the Spanish language has allowed her to be a liaison between the people of San Lucas and other members and affiliates of A’KALA. Her goal is to continue using her gifts and passions as co-founder to serve the mission of A’KALA; coming alongside the people of San Lucas and partnering with them.
As the Vice President, her role outside of translation includes helping to make decisions regarding the structure and next steps of all A’KALA programs.
During her free time, she enjoys playing piano, guitar, and singing - and she loves being outdoors with her dog Parker.
Jessica Cink
Treasurer
Jessica first became involved in A’KALA in 2022 when she started sponsoring a child. She made her first - and what she thought would be her only - trip to San Lucas in 2023 to meet her sponsor child. After arriving in San Lucas and seeing all of ways A’KALA helped the women and children, she immediately knew she wanted to become more involved. Since then she has been back to Guatemala several times and joined the board of directors as Treasurer in 2025.
Jessica has a Master’s Degree in Accounting and has been working for an investment bank based out of Chicago (Go Cubs!) since 2013. She is currently an Associate Specialist Vice President and has been working fully remote for the past few years, living in Nashville, Tennessee and traveling in her free time.
Ryan Kaczmarek
Director of Construction
Ryan has been going to Guatemala since 2010 and has over 20 years of construction experience. Because of his true love for the people of San Lucas and his willingness to serve others and continue Fr. Gregs vision he answered the call to serve on the A’KALA Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Construction Liaison for A’KALA, working closely with Marcos and the construction team in Guatemala.
As Construction Liaison, his role is to organize and help with all of A’KALA’s constructions projects in San Lucas. Ryan keeps in contact with Marcos on a continuous basis to track the projects and keep the Board updated on progress. He works with the team in San Lucas to determine the next projects for the families in most need in San Lucas. It is important to him that the families live in a safe and healthy dwelling with dignity.
When Ryan is not busy working at 3M, you can surely find him hunting, fishing, camping with friends or riding his Harley. Ryan and his wife also love everything to do with sports and therefore love chasing their children all over the countryside to numerous high school and college events.
Deacon David Penton
Deacon David is a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Sioux City, IA. He was ordained in May of 2018. He currently serves as the Coordinator of Formation for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate and is assigned to Divine Mercy Parish in Kossuth County and West Bend, IA. David has an extensive history working in the public safety sector as a critical care paramedic, emergency management coordinator, and corrections.
Deacon David was introduced to The A’KALA Family Foundation in July of 2025 and went on his first mission trip December of that year. Deacon David was joined by his wife Amy. When they returned home he has been heard saying, “I have returned home physically but my heart is in Guatemala!”
Deacon David brings a charismatic, faith-centric, spiritual aspect to our team. As a deacon he has a desire to live his life as Christ the servant: looking to see the Lord in all people regardless of their circumstance.
Alan G. Tellers
Alan G. Tellers is a retired banker and financial advisor. He has always had a spot in his heart for the underserved populations in developing nations. He has been sponsoring children in different countries since he was 18 years old. He previously has worked with organizations in Honduras assisting with eye clinics and fitting glasses.
After reading a book on the Guatemalan Civil War he was moved to get involved. He and his son Brandon went on a mission trip through A’KALA to Guatemala in December of 2024. By getting involved with A’KALA as a director on the board, he has found a great way to serve the Lord and underserved people. He and his family now sponsor a young girl, Veronica, through A’KALA and looks forward to seeing her when he is in Guatemala.
Alan lives in Norwood Young America, Minnesota with his wife Kimberly. They have two children in college. Mikayla is a grad student at North Dakota State while Brandon attends Winona State University.
Sandra Teresa Lec Ajcot
Family Sponsorship Manager
Sandra Teresa Lec Ajcot is from from San Lucas Toliman and is a mother to 5 children. Both of her parents fought very hard during the Guatemalan civil war, to fight for the people of San Lucas. Sandra’s mother raised the family in a household of faith. This caused her to have a desire to help my people, like her father did before he passed away, while her mother still carries on. This was the inspiration to begin this project - to create a foundation that waters the seeds sown by Father Greg, and to keep on with that work.
In 2019, a few members on the board and members in San Lucas decided to create A’KALA Family Foundation. A’KALA means “the children” in Kaqchikel (Mayan dialect of the area). What started as a mission to work with 25 families, A’KALA has grown to now serve 90 families and continues to grow.
Sandra is a pillar in the community as works as Program Manager for the foundation in Guatemala. She directs the organization in serving the families with basic food, and working with the A’KALA programs of education, the garden, and construction of houses.
Marcos Galindo
Program Manager
Marcos Galindo is married to Rossy and together they have one child, Marli. He works two jobs and you will see him out and about the city of San Lucas driving a Tuk Tuk to provide for his family. In addition, he has been called upon by the A’KALA Family Foundation to become the first Program Manager for the nonprofit. His current duties are administration of materials and oversight of construction projects while continuing to strengthen relationships within the community.
This has been the most unique experience for him - to be able to share between cultures and make new friendships which he genuinely enjoys. Having the privilege to see up close how selflessly A’KALA works with families - by providing food, building homes, and helping the children with their studies. The purpose of this is that the children may have opportunities in the future to be able to overcome their current situations. This is following the command that we must love our neighbor as ourselves.
A’KALA has had a great impact on San Lucas Toliman, and he gives thanks for the opportunity of being able to work with families and help his community.