PTPI Blog

We would like to introduce the second group of staff readers, for the second book to be discussed by PTPI’s Global Book Club – Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. Get to know them here, through their self-written bios, and stay tuned for the first book discussion later this week.

Verena Denk, Program Associate and European Youth Director

Verena Denk

People to People International has been part of my life for six years now. When I applied for this job in PTPI’s European Office in Berlin, I had no idea how many countries and people I would  get to know. I am in charge of developing and implementing programs in Europe. Since 2006, I also work very closely together with our student chapters in Europe. It’s a privilege to work with our inspiring volunteers in Europe, and elsewhere, and support them and their amazing projects.

I have always very much liked to travel. When I was 17, I received a scholarship from the German Parliament to spend one year in the United States. It was like winning the lottery, the first price being a second family and a life-changing experience. Since then, I have visited my host family several times and they also came to Germany. After high school, I studied business, languages and cultural studies at the University of Passau. I also spent one year studying at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Grenoble, France and one semester at the Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina. My favorite internship was at the United Nations Information Center in Paris. I consider myself very fortunate for having been able to experience all this and for making friends all over the world. It is great to have a job that enables me to help others exchange and cross borders. Nothing could be more inspiring!

Ruth Gardner, Membership Assistant

Ruth Gardner

After graduating from University of North Carolina at Wilmington and earning degrees in Communications Studies and Spanish, I started my nonprofit career at the Simmons YMCA in Charlotte, then accepted a job at Foundation For The Carolinas working in the Community Philanthropy department.  In 2008 I moved to Kansas City and began my career at PTPI.  I am currently a part time student at the University of Missouri Kansas City working towards my MPA with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management.

I am very proud of my heritage. My mother grew up in Viveiro, Spain and migrated to the United States in 1976. Growing up in a multi-cultural family setting, I was exposed to the Spanish and American-Southern traditions.  As a child I struggled with choosing which culture to identify with. In the 1980’s there wasn’t a prevalent Hispanic population in the South-East, resulting in many prejudices against my mother.  Despite her strong command of the English language, she was disregarded because of her accent and others claimed they didn’t understand her.  I credit these experiences for my ability to accept and help people from other cultures. For fun I enjoy running, cooking, reading and speaking Spanish with anyone who is willing.

Karen DeIulis Hoch, Managing Director, Americas Region and Conferences

Karen DeIulis Hoch

After graduating from Bentley College in Waltham, MA with a BS degree in Economics-Finance, I spent several years working for a private investment firm in Boston.  In 1994, I moved to the Kansas City area and found my interest was in event planning and marketing.  I joined the PTPI team in 2001 and eventually earned my Masters in Marketing Communications from the University of Kansas. I currently oversee PTPI’s community chapters in the Americas Region, as well as plan meetings and conferences for our adult members.  During my career at PTPI, I have traveled to fascinating places around the globe, including East Africa, which provided me with firsthand experiences on the conditions in which third world countries exist.

Growing up on the North Shore of Boston, MA I was surrounded by a strong Catholic Italian/Polish family. My father immigrated with his parents and ten siblings from Italy to the United States when he was a young boy.   My mother was one of three children born to Polish parents.  The Italian culture had a huge impact on my childhood, as well as my mother’s Polish traditions.  In addition, our neighborhood had its own diversity…Greeks, Portuguese, and ‘all-American’ families.   While reading Strength in What Remains, the question arose several times in my head – what if we were divided based on our heritage?  What would have become of me, my family, my neighbors and friends?

When my focus is not PTPI it is on my eight-year old son, Luc, who is in the process of developing his own passion for reading and understanding our global community (as well as sports)!  I also enjoy running, yoga, traveling, reading, good wine, going back home to Boston, and spending time with friends.

Rebecca Nunn, Assistant Director of Administration

Rebecca Nunn

I graduated from William Jewell College in 2004 with a degree in Business Administration and Music Management.  While in college I interned for many arts organizations in Kansas City including the Harriman-Jewell Series, The Friends of Chamber Music and the Folly Theater.  I was so thankful to find my job at PTPI after graduation.  I have worked in accounting/administration for five years, managing the daily accounting and general office administration as well as our scholarships and loans.  I love reading the scholarship essays; it is so inspiring to see what students all over the world are doing to promote peace!

My mother’s family is English/French and my father’s family is from southern Germany. Both came to America in the early 1800’s.  Our immediate family is pretty small; everyone still lives within a 20 mile radius of each other.  My husband and I are excited to welcome our first baby boy in March 2010! Other than working at PTPI, I am the President of the Board for Liberty Symphony Orchestra in Liberty, MO.  I play the violin in the orchestra from time to time, which I have been a part of for 10 years, and sing in the choir at our church, where my husband is the Music Director.  For fun, I like anything crafty – knitting, sewing, embroidery, and scrapbooking…if there is any time left in the day!