Our Team

Saulo Padilla

Saulo has worked for over 18 years at the intersection of migration, education, and community capacity building, helping organizations better understand and respond to the realities of human mobility.
As the former Migration Education National Program Coordinator at Mennonite Central Committee, he designed and led national and international educational initiatives that strengthened the capacity of nonprofits, faith-based organizations, educators, and community leaders serving mobile populations. His work has centered on developing learning strategies, facilitating experiential education, and delivering training on migration, trauma, resilience, and the human impact of immigration and incarceration.

Through the work of Addressing the Impact and Trauma of Migration (AITM) and Addressing the Impact and Trauma of Incarceration (AITI), he partners with organizations seeking to deepen their understanding of migration and incarceration, strengthen their programs, and equip their teams through workshops, seminars, strategic advising, and mentorship to foster informed dialogue, advance human dignity, and support practical, compassionate responses to the complex challenges of migration and incarceration.

Elaine (Elena) Zook Barge is a trauma and resilience educator and consultant for individuals and organizations dealing with stress and adversity. She has facilitated Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) learning since the program was first developed in 2002 at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). Having worked in community development and peacebuilding in Central America in the 1980’s and 90’s and having coached and trained professionals and laypersons worldwide, she is experienced in providing support and tools for those in high-stress situations. Elena is committed to increasing trauma and resilience-informed services locally, nationally and internationally. She holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation (2003) and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Community Development (1984) from EMU.

Elaine (Elena) Zook Barge