our staff...

Bonnie Bessor joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore as Executive Director in January 2004. Immediately prior, she worked at Associated Catholic Charities as a development officer for homeless service programs in Baltimore. She has also worked in housing and poverty advocacy organizations as a legislative advocate, community organizer, and volunteer manager. She began her career by serving chronically mentally ill individuals. Bonnie holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. She is active in her community association and is a member of the advisory board for the Waverly Main Street Initiative, a program that promotes the development of local business in her community.

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Jim Diel joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in 2008 as a member of the CapacityCorps program, and was hired as full time Project Manager in August of 2009. Before joining the CapacityCorps, Jim served in the AmeriCorps as a carpenter for Opportunities in Industrialization Center of Washington. His service with O.I.C. consisted of new home construction for low-income homebuyers and weatherization of low-income homes in Washington State. Prior to his service in the AmeriCorps, Jim attended the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater for Sociology with an emphasis on Social Inequality, and Environmental Studies with a focus on Sustainable Institutions and Communities. While attending UW-W, Jim launched a successful student organization that promoted social and environmental sustainability on campus and within the community by utilizing the Natural Step Framework for sustainability. Jim enjoys snowboarding, reading, and long walks on the beach.

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Amanda Malone joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in August 2009 as a member of the CapacityCorps AmeriCorps program. In July of 2011, after completing two terms of service as the AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, she joined the RTB team as the full-time Program Manager. Amanda was born and raised in Baltimore, and is excited to continue working in her hometown helping homeowners and communities in need. She graduated from Cornell University in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development, concentrating in Gerontology, Social & Personality Development, and Life Course, Social Context & Social Policy. Amanda has always been highly active in service work. She has gone on several community development work trips, including rebuilding trips to the Gulf Coast and a trip to the Dominican Republic with International Students Volunteers. In her new position, Amanda hopes to further increase the capacity of RTB by expanding on her previous work as an AmeriCorps member, helping to provide quality services to homeowners and communities, and taking on new leadership roles within the organization and collaborative partnerships.

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Sally Dorman joined Rebuilding Together in 2011 as the Americorps Outreach Coordinator. Sally recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Wooster, where she double majored in Political Science and History. While attending the College of Wooster, Sally worked as an intern in the admissions office and was involved in a number of volunteer events and activities as an active member of Circle K. Sally has previously worked in Pigtown, Baltimore for the Paul’s Place children’s summer program and is excited to be returning to Baltimore to serve as an Americorps member. She plans to be involved in outreach efforts, volunteer recruitment and management, and Rebuilding Day community beautification.

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Ivan Zavortink joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in August 2011 as the AmeriCorps Service Coordinator. This is Ivan’s third term of service with AmeriCorps. His past two terms were with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Southern Region, as a Corpsmember and then as a Team Leader. He worked on a variety of projects in communities along the Gulf Coast. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree focusing on Political Economics from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Through his service with Rebuilding Together Baltimore, Ivan hopes to gain a deep appreciation of the strengths and struggles of Baltimore, while working with residents to build a stronger community. He also plans to explore the East Coast.

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