About Us

Our Origin Story

Via International was founded in the 1970s in Tijuana, Mexico, with a simple mission: to support families living in poverty along the border. In those early days, our work focused on direct aid — collecting and distributing food, clothing, and supplies to meet immediate needs.

But as our founders spent more time in the neighborhoods they served, they discovered something powerful: real change begins from within a community. Rather than focusing on what people lacked, Via began to focus on what they already had — their strengths, their knowledge, and their capacity to lead.

This shift transformed Via into a grassroots development organization rooted in solidarity and empowerment. Through our promotora training programs, generations of women and youth have become local leaders, building stronger, more self-reliant communities.

When Via later moved its headquarters to San Diego’s historic Logan Heights, our work expanded north of the border — connecting neighbors, universities, and travelers in a shared mission of cross-border collaboration.

Today, nearly fifty years later, Via International (EIN: 95-2961670) continues to live out its founding vision as a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community from the inside out and strengthening the human connections that cross every border.

Follow Us @ Via_Intl

Mission

We promote sustainable development by engaging and supporting leaders in emerging communities.

Vision

We envision a world where all people live in just, sustainable and healthy communities.

Method

We promote asset-based community development by empowering local leaders to build on existing strengths and drive their own transformation.

Values

Human Dignity

Social Justice
Peace

Self-Reliance

Sustainability
Human Formation
Community Development
Leadership

Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Molly Porth Cabrera

Molly Porth Cabrera is the Executive Director of Via International, where she leads with deep community roots and a proven record in strategic, financial, and organizational growth. Originally from Philadelphia, she first connected with Via as a college student during a Via GO border immersion—an experience that inspired her lifelong commitment to community development. Molly holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked across international development, health, education, and youth empowerment. While living in Mexico City for nine years, she founded a consulting practice supporting community-based initiatives and developed a bicultural perspective that shapes her leadership. At Via, she has launched and grown Somos La Voz, built impact frameworks, and strengthened resource development. A mother, jaranera, and mindfulness practitioner, Molly leads with beauty, balance, and joy as guiding values.

Director of Innovation

Gabriel Reed PhD

Dr. Gabriel Reed is the Director of Innovation and Development at Via International, where he leads strategic partnerships with universities, churches, corporations, and community organizations through the Via GO Travel program. With over a decade of experience designing and coordinating immersive education programs, he has worked extensively across the San Diego–Tijuana border region and throughout Latin America, including Mexico City, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Gabriel holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts. His work bridges education, community development, and the arts, integrating creativity with leadership and collaboration. As an artist and educator, Gabriel is dedicated to advancing Via International’s mission of empowering communities through cross-cultural connection, experiential learning, and sustainable development.

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Operations & Administrative Coordinator

Rubi Gonzalez

Rubi, originally from Tijuana, Mexico, experienced cross-border life from an early age after her family immigrated to San Diego. This unique upbringing fostered her deep appreciation for the richness and complexity of life between two cultures and inspired her commitment to sharing those experiences authentically. She holds bachelor’s degrees in business from institutions in both Mexico and the United States, reflecting her passion for applying creative problem-solving to global challenges in finance and international business. Dedicated to collaboration and innovation, Rubi brings a bicultural perspective to every project she undertakes. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures, sharing coffee with friends, spending time with animals, and creating lasting memories with loved ones.

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Via Migrante Coordinator

Aida Amador Alemán

Aida Amador, Coordinator of Via International’s Via Migrante program, is a lifelong border resident dedicated to supporting migrants and families along the U.S.–Mexico border. Born in the United States and raised in México, she has always lived and worked in a bilingual, bicultural environment. Aida joined Via in 2017 as Communications Coordinator and was deeply moved by the organization’s mission and the communities it serves. When the Central American Caravan arrived in Tijuana in 2018, witnessing the injustices faced by migrants inspired her to take action — “no me podía quedar con los brazos cruzados.” Today, she leads Via Migrante and serves as liaison to Los Niños de Baja California A.C., advancing humanitarian aid and community resilience. Aida holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, loves to travel, and is the proud mother of a young son.

Binational Coordinator

Robert Vivar

Robert Vivar, Via International’s Global Education Coordinator, lives in San Diego, California. Born in Tijuana and raised in Corona, California, Robert built a 20-year career in the travel industry, serving as Station Manager at LAX for Aeromexico and Regional Manager in Chicago for Taesa Airlines. After his deportation to Mexico in 2013, he became a leading advocate for deported U.S. veterans, asylum seekers, and families separated by immigration policy. In 2021, the California Supreme Court vacated the charge that led to his deportation, allowing his return to the U.S. on Veterans Day. Today, Robert continues to advance cross-border understanding through Via’s Escuela Amistad and the Charlamigo language partner program, while collaborating with organizations like Friends of Friendship Park to promote human connection and dignity at the border.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Board Chair

Roxane Helstrom

Roxane Helstrom brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and fundraising. As Senior Strategic Advisor at the National Conflict Resolution Center, she leads content creation, grant writing, and strategic planning to advance the organization’s mission. Before joining NCRC, Roxane served as Development Director for Family Health Centers of San Diego, Pro Kids | The First Tee, and Canine Companions for Independence. In 2017, she founded Rocket Content, a consulting practice that has since secured more than $4 million in grant funding for clients. Roxane moved to San Diego in 2003 after successful roles at Conseco Finance in Minnesota and The Associates in Texas, later serving five years as Director of Marketing at Accredited Home Lenders. A proud member of the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club, she also serves as secretary of its foundation and champions microfinance initiatives empowering women in Latin America.

Secretary

Karen Cebreros

Karen Cebreros brings extensive experience in microfinance, international business, and social enterprise to the Via International Board. A true pioneer in the certified organic coffee and sustainability movements, she founded and led Élan Organic Coffees—the first fully organic coffee company in the United States. Karen was an early advocate for Coffee Kids and served two terms on its board of directors. Her leadership has supported numerous initiatives, including Grounds for Health, Cup for Education, and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Coffee program. She also co-founded the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Sustainability Committee and remains an active member of the Organic Coffee Coalition within the Organic Trade Association. As a founding member of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, Karen continues to champion women’s empowerment through microfinance and education, supporting programs such as Women in Coffee Microfinance and the Learning Loan Program.

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Board Member

Dr. James Gerber

Dr. James Gerber retired in 2019 after more than three decades as Professor of Economics at San Diego State University. His areas of expertise include international economics, U.S.–Mexico economic relations, and Latin American economies. As Director of SDSU’s National Resource Center for Latin American Studies, he advanced international education and designed student programs in Mexico. In 2008, he co-authored Fifty Years of Change on the U.S.–Mexico Border, a landmark economic history examining both sides of the border from 1950 to 2000. His current research explores the evolution of economic integration in the border region throughout the 20th century. Dr. Gerber is also the author of International Economics, now in its 8th edition, and A Great Deal of Ruin: Financial Crises Since 1929 (2019). He has served as a visiting professor in Mexico and Canada, fostering cross-border academic collaboration and understanding.

Board Member

Valerie Russell

Valerie McCullough Russell grew up in Pasadena, California, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from St. Mary’s College in Moraga after attending Oakland City College. With decades of experience in nonprofits, she served as President of Jack and Jill of America, Contra Costa Chapter, and has been a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for over 25 years. During her presidency, her chapter sponsored hundreds of teens to see Nelson Mandela at the Oakland Coliseum. Valerie later co-founded Mujeres Para Mujeres in La Misión, Baja California, which partners with Via International to support women through microfinance, English classes, nutrition workshops, art therapy, and shelter programs. Professionally, she worked in customer relations, training, and marketing with companies such as Nextel, Nokia, and California Casualty. Valerie and her husband retired to Rosarito 15 years ago, where they stay active in community life with their daughter and two granddaughters.

Board Member

Dr. Nancy McGehee

Dr. Nancy Gard McGehee is the R.B. Pamplin Professor in the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Her research and teaching focus on innovation in community-centered tourism development, both in the U.S. and abroad. A recognized leader in her field, Nancy has received the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Excellence in International Research and is a Fulbright Specialist Program Awardee. She was also named an Outstanding Woman in Travel Research by Women in Travel and Tourism International (WITTI). Nancy serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel Research with Professor Jim Petrick of Texas A&M University and sits on the Board of Directors of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, where she continues to advance scholarship in sustainable and community-based tourism.

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Board Member

Matt Clausen

Matt Clausen serves with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), a dynamic U.S. government agency that supports community-led development across Latin America and the Caribbean. He leads efforts to forge partnerships that expand the IAF’s technical and financial reach, advancing grassroots solutions to regional challenges. Previously, Matt was President of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), advocating for human rights throughout the region and at the U.S. border. He also spent 15 years in senior leadership at Partners of the Americas, strengthening civil society and promoting citizen engagement and transparency. Matt helped found and later chaired the Building Bridges Coalition through the Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service and led President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE).

Board Member

Lynn Hadley

Lynn Hadley graduated from the University of Texas, where she met her husband, Phil Hadley, who served on Via International’s Board for more than 35 years, including as Chair until 2022. Lynn devoted 30 years to teaching high school English and later worked in development and event planning for several private schools. She currently serves on the boards of Via International and Vida Joven, a nonprofit supporting orphanages in Tijuana and Baja California. Passionate about education and cultural exchange, Lynn and her husband ran a Spanish immersion program for American high school students in Guanajuato, Mexico, for seven summers. Since 1988, she has been deeply involved with Via—hosting events, serving on leadership committees, and joining international trips. Lynn now resides in San Diego, continuing her lifelong commitment to community, education, and cross-border connection.

Andrew Morikawa

Andy brings to the role years of experience gained as a career non-profit leader and founding director of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Andy has more than four decades of experience working with nonprofit boards as both a trustee and a CEO, as well as a consultant. Andy is currently IPG Senior Fellow at the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance (IPG), where he serves in the design and development of the Institute’s Community Voices program. Community Voices is a dialogue and research initiative that engages leaders of innovative social change in dialogue with community leaders, faculty, and students. He is also supporting the “Dialogue on Race” and “Conversation New River Valley”, two innovative, community-wide efforts for social change in his home community, Virginia’s New River Valley. Andy has also taught for Virginia Tech’s Urban Affairs and Planning Department and has served on the Board for Community Housing Partners, a leader in affordable housing serving a seven state area in the southeastern US.

Amy Komorowski

Amy is an elementary school teacher in Chula Vista, CA with a passion for facilitating community development as well as self development through cultural exchange. After spending several years abroad, Amy learned that combining meaningful volunteer work for both the participant and local communities can be very rewarding for all. By combining these experiences with her studies in tourism and international development, she has developed a philosophy around building social capital within communities and is excited to continue working within her passion with Via.

Meet Our Advisors

Dr. Elizabeth Reed is Associate Professor of global health at San Diego State University and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Trained in social epidemiology, she conducts research related to the intersection of gender inequality, poverty, and health. Specifically, she focuses her research on the social and economic factors influencing gender-based violence and sexual/reproductive health outcomes, including HIV/STI as well as adolescent and unintended pregnancy. She uses the findings of her research to support the development of public health programming to promote economic opportunity, health, and safety. Her research is based in the US, Latin America, South Asia, and Africa.

Dr. Elizabeth Reed

Raquel Palma

Raquel has worked within the organization for 19 years before retiring, then continued her connection with Via in recent years through volunteer service at our headquarters in San Diego. Having grown up in Logan Heights (where Via’s offices are located), she is deeply connected to the community and issues that make Barrio Logan unique. Raquel’s personal history with the organization, the community, and her previous work in the private sector all make her a wonderful addition to Via's advisors. When not doting on her kids and grandkids, you can find Raquel reading, drawing, in a yoga class or traveling the world!

Rigo Reyes

As Community Development Director, Rigo Reyes develops and coordinates community engagement and leadership training for residents in marginal areas of San Diego and Tijuana and manages our Border Immersion program for students visiting San Diego. He is a long-time social justice advocate whose work is rooted in early childhood experiences growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border, attending United Farm Workers of America rallies and listening to Cesar Chavez while playing marbles. When he was 12-years-old he rode his bike 17 miles each way from his San Ysidro neighborhood to San Diego’s Logan Heights to witness the land take-over of Chicano Park, and has been a strong community empowerment advocate ever since. Reyes has been a member of the Chicano Park Steering Committee for nearly four decades, has been lowriding since the mid-1970s, and is a founding member of the Amigos Car Club.

Tom Melchior

Tom Melchior brings fifty years of experience in law, education and business as an advisor to Via International on legal matters. A graduate of Duke University, then the University of Michigan Law School, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from University of San Diego. Tom practiced law in Los Angeles and San Diego for several years before changing direction and entering the tuna fishing industry as the operator of a fleet of purse seiners fishing for tuna in both the Eastern Tropical Pacific and Western Pacific regions. Through the course of that activity, he engaged in years of business with private and government entities in Mexico, Central and South America as well as several Western Pacific Island countries, spending much time in both regions, as well as Europe and Japan. After selling his interests in the fishing industry, Tom again changed directions and became engaged in education as a teacher and coach at both the Middle School and High School levels, a vocation which remains close to his heart. He currently serves as Chairman of a community bank he founded twenty years ago. Tom resides with his wife Sandy in La Jolla. He is the proud father of three adult daughters who have gifted him and Sandy with four grandchildren living in San Diego, Los Angeles and Connecticut.