Jeremy Smith is an educator, entrepreneur, and community builder dedicated to fostering agency, connection, and equitable opportunity within and between communities. With extensive experience in teaching, educational design, teacher development, nonprofit leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration, Jeremy has spent his career helping teach healthy communication and developing innovative solutions that address systemic barriers while empowering local communities to thrive. Professional Background Jeremy served as the President of the Chinese Language Teacher's Association and World Language Department Chair at West Side School in Seattle, where he designed Pre-K through 8th-grade Mandarin curriculum aligned with ACTFL standards and grounded in Comprehensible Input teaching methodologies. Together, they created sister school and language exchange programs that connected students in the U.S. with peers in Taiwan, fostering cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship. As a certified NSA StarTalk Master Teacher Mentor and Instructional Lead, Jeremy has played a key role in training educators in innovative, project-based teaching methodologies. His ability to design and implement engaging, culturally responsive curricula has empowered countless teachers and students to bridge linguistic and cultural divides. Vision and Leadership Jeremy’s work is guided by the belief that sustainable local solutions to local problems grow from within communities. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and agency, creating systems where communities are empowered to identify and address their own challenges. Through the Communitea Project, Communitea House, and their related initiatives, Jeremy continues to cultivate local solutions with global impact, fostering connections that honor the unique strengths and stories of every community.

Kathy helped start Communitea Project and its associated programs, Village Teacher and Storied Journeys, where her expertise in language education, curriculum design, and teacher training has been instrumental in shaping their success. Through Village Teacher, she has led efforts to train teachers both domestically and internationally, equipping them with the skills to create meaningful, community-centered educational experiences. Storied Journeys, a program Kathy co-developed, has connected communities across the globe through experiential education and cultural exchanges. By integrating long-term relationship building with cross-cultural travel, Kathy has helped ensure that these exchanges are not one-time experiences but sustained connections that create lasting impact on both sides. Vision and Leadership Kathy’s vision centers on the belief that education is a powerful tool for community empowerment and connection. Her leadership is defined by her commitment to fostering agency, creativity, and collaboration within and between communities. As a co-founder of the Communitea Project, Kathy continues to innovate at the intersection of education, community building, and cultural exchange, creating pathways for individuals and communities to thrive.

Dr. Linda Venczel is a renowned global health leader, epidemiologist, and advocate for health equity and community-driven solutions. With decades of experience in public health program design, implementation, and evaluation, she has worked tirelessly to bridge gaps in healthcare access and create sustainable systems that empower underserved communities around the world. Professional Background Dr. Venczel has built an illustrious career in global health, including her role as a Senior Program Officer at PATH, where she focuses on innovative solutions to pressing public health challenges. Her work spans a range of areas, including infectious disease prevention, vaccine development, and health systems strengthening. She is recognized for her ability to design high-impact interventions that address systemic barriers while fostering local agency and sustainability. Dr. Venczel has also held leadership positions with organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she played a pivotal role in disease surveillance and outbreak response efforts. Her work has taken her to some of the most underserved regions globally, where she has collaborated with governments, nonprofits, and local communities to implement impactful health programs. Contributions to PATH and Beyond At PATH, Dr. Venczel has been instrumental in advancing cross-sector partnerships and leveraging innovative technologies to address public health needs. Her expertise in data-driven program design and her commitment to capacity building ensure that health interventions are effective, adaptable, and sustainable. Dr. Venczel’s approach prioritizes community engagement and local leadership, ensuring that health solutions are not only scientifically sound but also culturally and contextually appropriate. Her leadership has resulted in transformative changes in global health policy and practice, directly benefiting millions of individuals. Vision and Leadership Dr. Venczel’s vision is rooted in the belief that health is a fundamental right and that sustainable solutions arise when communities are empowered to take ownership of their challenges. Her work reflects a commitment to creating equitable, inclusive systems that improve lives and foster resilience. Through her leadership, Dr. Venczel continues to inspire collaboration and innovation in the global health sector.

Raleigh Werberger is an innovative educator and author, known for his expertise in project-based learning (PBL). With three decades of experience, Raleigh has dedicated his career to engaging learners through interdisciplinary projects that foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Professional Background Raleigh is the author of From Project-Based Learning to Artistic Thinking: Lessons Learned from Creating An UnHappy Meal. This groundbreaking book chronicles a year-long educational experiment where high school students recreated a McDonald’s Happy Meal entirely from scratch, producing everything from the food to the packaging using local, handmade methods. This project tested the hypothesis that a well-crafted, arts-based project could teach academic skills, cultivate habits of mind, and enhance emotional intelligence, creativity, and motivation. Through this book, Raleigh challenges traditional teaching methods that rely on rigid formulas. Instead, he advocates for classrooms that feel like open creative spaces, emphasizing freedom, exploration, and creativity while maintaining academic outcomes and development of critical thinking skills. His work inspires student-centered, experiential learning environments that foster holistic thinking and deeper engagement. Contributions to the Communitea Project As Director of Education for the Communitea Project, Raleigh leverages his expertise to create community-driven, experiential learning frameworks that empower local communities to address their unique challenges. He leads the development and implementation of Community-as-Curriculum (CaC) models through programs such as Village Teacher and Storied Journeys, using education as a tool for local problem-solving and global collaboration. Vision and Leadership Raleigh’s educational philosophy emphasizes the transformative power of creativity, exploration, and play in unlocking student potential. At the Communitea Project, he champions a vision where education transcends traditional classrooms, empowering individuals and communities to collaborate, innovate, and cultivate meaningful, lasting solutions.

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