STAFF MEMBERS

Paul Gesterling
PRESIDENT/CEO
Paul joined Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children in 2020, motivated by the tireless work of the Sisters of Mary and the inspiration provided by its founder, Fr. Al. Paul has over 20 years of experience working the in the nonprofit sector. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Colorado and his master’s in public administration from the University of Illinois. He has certificates in nonprofit management and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
Paul enjoys running to no place in particular, following Colorado sports teams and spending time with his wife and four kiddos.

Janet Klotz
DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS
Janet provides support to our donors, our staff and our Board of Directors. From the very beginning, she developed a strong sense of devotion to the Sisters of Mary and their charity works. If you don’t believe us, just call her! In addition to answering donor questions, Janet enjoys gardening, reading, upcycling furniture, and spending time with her husband and two adult children.
“The Sisters of Mary represents so much of what I stand for as a person. Hope, mercy and compassion. I try to put these words into action every day.”

Ann Kee
MARKETING MANAGER
Ann has held various roles in communications and donor relations throughout her career, and currently manages our day-to-day operations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
“The Sisters of Mary work tirelessly to help thousands of children every year. For me, it’s so fulfilling to wake up every day and go to work knowing that in a small way, I’m helping them make the world a better place.”

Ivy Marroquin
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Ivy received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of New Haven. After being a treasurer for her church for almost 10 years while in Connecticut, Ivy has found a new home working for Sisters of Mary- World Villages for Children in Maryland. She has been with the Sisters of Mary far over 5 years now.
Ivy was born and raised in Queens, NY. However, she lived, studied and graduated High School in El Salvador. She knows first-hand what a poverty stricken country looks like and understands what resources are required to help getting children out of poverty. Ivy enjoys playing in soccer leagues, gardening and cooking. Her greatest joys and treasures are her children, Ivy Elizabeth and Caleb Benjamin.
“We all have a purpose in life. Our Heavenly Father has planned our life from the very beginning and this includes World Villages for Children. Father Al’s passion and commitment to the poorest of the poor children, and the purity and self-less acts of the Sisters towards this grand plan is no accident. You and I have been chosen to continue the good fight, and I am honored to be part of it.”

Colleen Sullivan Opack
DONOR ADVISOR
Colleen has made several pilgrimages to see the work firsthand and can attest to the life changing opportunities that our students are receiving thanks to our generous donors. Prior to accepting this position, Colleen served as VP of an environmental, health, and safety training company. She enjoys working with the public and serving on the board of her family’s foundation for Catholic Charities. In her spare time, Colleen enjoys spending her free time with her husband, two college age children, and dogs.

Kevin Wells
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
As the Director of Public Relations, Kevin travels throughout the United States to share stories on the missionary work of Fr. Al and the Sisters of Mary, where he presents a series of talks to parishes and book clubs. He has served as a “content expert” for the EWTN series “They Might Be Saints,” featuring Fr. Al Schwartz, in collaboration with Michael O’Neill, The Miracle Hunter.
Kevin is a graduate of Loyola University, where his studies in creative writing and journalism led to a major daily newspaper job with the Tampa Tribune, where he covered the Tampa Bay Rays MLB team. Kevin has served as Vice President for a thriving three-generation family contracting business, one of the oldest-surviving masonry outfits on the mid-Atlantic seaboard.
“Fr. Al’s thankless and grinding work to salvage a devastated post-war Korea was as heroic as any work done in the history of the Church. The Sisters’ continuation of his work today – with some of the most bullied children in the world – is testimony to Fr. Al’s intercession and the resilience and holiness of perhaps the hardest-working community of religious sisters in the world.”

Christian Tenney
DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Susan Driscoll
DIRECTOR OF MISSION ENGAGEMENT
She brings years of service both to the Church and in the nonprofit sector. She received a dual bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology and Art History from Keene State College, New Hampshire and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph’s College, Maine.
She has a strong devotion to serving the poor and was particularly inspired by the work of Fr. Al and the Sisters of Mary. Her favorite Saints are St. John Paul II and St. Josemaría Escrivá. Her joy is found in spending time with her husband, children and her spoiled rotten dogs.
“I love to facilitate visits to developing countries to introduce others to the plight of the poor first hand. I believe that when we look into the eyes of a person in need, hearts are moved and it allows us to see and respond to the inherent dignity of each person.”

Christy George
EVENTS COORDINATOR
She graduated from Catholic University and Johns Hopkins University, with degrees in Education and Instructional Design. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband and children, who bring her the most joy.