Meet Our Staff

Dominican Staff

Angel Melo – Barrio Coordinator
Angel plays a vital role in preparing and supporting the North American medical teams that serve rural communities in and around the province of San Juan. His responsibilities include assisting with team preparation in areas such as pharmacy, orientation, organization of supplies, and site communication. While working on-site with a group, Angel also helps Dominican providers with team communication, oversees the distribution of donations, and ensures that referrals are directed properly for follow-up care.

Bianca Figuereo – Education Coordinator
Bianca works to bring consistency to the educational ministries of the organization. She maintains communication with administrators at the sponsored schools as appropriate to build relationships and support school needs. She also helps with the Vacation Bible School teams and assists the other ministries. Bianca grew up as a student at both the CCED and Lucille Rupp schools supported by SRI and also holds a nursing license.

Dr. Odette Canario – CCSI Clinic Director
Dr. Odette Canario is the director of the Christian Clinic of Integral Health in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. She attended the SRI-sponsored school CCED in San Juan de la Maguana for grades 5-10 before finishing her studies in Canada. Dr. Canario then completed her higher education in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and has returned to San Juan, sharing that she feels a responsibility to care for “her people” using her God-given talents.

Enol Yeon – SRI Pastor
Enol uses his gifts and skills as a pastor in a variety of ways by supporting the mission teams, staff, and SRI ministries as a whole. He accompanies the medical teams to the barrio clinics to share God’s word, assists in the planning and execution of Vacation Bible School weeks, and provides spiritual teaching and guidance for the staff. Enol plays an important and vital role in SRI’s mission to transform the body, mind, and soul of the poor and is a great asset for SRI ministries.

Glenny Martinez – Barrio Coordinator
Glenny helps bring consistency and support to the North American medical teams serving in the more rural communities in and around the province of San Juan. Her role includes assisting with team preparation in the areas of pharmacy, orientation, and supplies organization. While onsite with a group, Glenny also helps Dominican providers with team communication, oversees the distribution of donations, and ensures referrals are directed properly for follow-up care.

Gregoria, Margo, & Neyse – Guesthouse Keepers
Gregoria, Margo, and Neyse (pictured left to right) play a vital role caring for mission teams while they are onsite staying at the guesthouse and serving in San Juan de la Maguana. Examples of their responsibilities include cleaning and preparing the guest rooms, planning menus and cooking authentic Dominican dishes, offering laundry service for team members, and providing an overall tidy and welcoming environment for those coming to stay and serve in San Juan.

Hector Paniagua – Director of Operations
Hector joined the SRI staff as director of operations in 2024. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing and supporting in-country staff, maintaining positive relationships with SRI ministry partners, and providing leadership to help carry out the vision and mission of the organization. Hector brings 12 years of history working with SRI in a variety of different capacities, and his continued service in San Juan de la Maguana is a great asset to the organization.

Missionary Staff

Katelyn Houser – Guesthouse Host
After a life-changing short-term mission trip with SRI in 2020, Katelyn became passionate about serving in the Dominican Republic. She began leading teams and volunteering with other teams, and her experiences left a profound impact on her faith and relationship with God. Katelyn joined the SRI staff in September 2023 and uses her grasp of the Spanish language and gift of hospitality to care for short-term mission teams as guesthouse host.

Kelsi Smurr – Medical Coordinator
Kelsi first served with SRI on a short-term mission trip in 2019. This experience left such a profound impact on her life that she went on to return many more times with her church. Eventually, an opportunity arose for a long-term commitment with SRI and Kelsi joined the missionary staff team in early 2024. She brings her nursing background to assist with short-term medical mission teams and also provides additional support to the guesthouse operations.

North American Office Staff

Lori Frey – Administrative Assistant
Lori uses her accounting skills to work as an administrative assistant from her home in Ohio. She finds great happiness supporting what SRI is able to accomplish in the Dominican Republic and enjoys following along with each mission team’s updates while they serve in San Juan de la Maguana. There are many details to keep straight, and Lori says she loves to be a small part of what God is doing in the Dominican Republic through SRI.

Jeff & Kamanda Bucher – Executive Director / Director of Development
The Buchers manage the Stateside office to provide oversight and communication on behalf of SRI’s ministries in the Dominican Republic. Bringing 10 years of history serving with SRI in various capacities in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, Jeff and Kamanda are able to utilize their strong relationships and experiences as they lead the organization from Fort Wayne, Indiana.