Our Team

Saulo Padilla

Saulo Padilla Since 2008, Saulo has worked with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), providing experiential learning opportunities at the Mexico-U.S. border, coordinating national immigration law training for non-profits and advocating to reform the U.S. broken immigration system. He became a STAR practitioner in 2019. His interest in addressing the trauma of migration comes from his own experience as the son of a political refugee and being an immigrant. Saulo has co-facilitated AITM seminars with Elaine Zook Barge across the U.S. and presented migration related trauma and resilience workshops internationally. He is a graduate from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Elkhart, IN., with a Master's of Arts in Theology and Ethics (2008), and from Goshen College with a BA in History and Theology (2005).

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