IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD, PICK A GOOD TEAM: Kurt Ver Beek & Jo Ann Van Engen

Kurt Ver Beek is the President and co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society, an organization founded in Honduras to improve access to government services including health, education, and security. Over more than 20 years with the organization, Kurt has been instrumental in designing innovative and effective programs including the “Peace and Justice Project”, which has reduced homicides by as much as 75% in marginal communities in Honduras, and is now being replicated by the Honduran National Police. Kurt also designed and directs research for ASJ’s Governance and Public Management project, which evaluates the transparency and effectiveness of Honduran government ministries and issues recommendations for improvement in areas like human resources, contracting, and research-based management. Kurt graduated from Calvin College before pursuing a Master’s in Human Resources from Azusa Pacific University, and a Doctorate in Development Sociology from Cornell University. In addition to his work with AJS, he is a professor of Sociology for Calvin College, where he co-directs the Honduras semester abroad program. He and his wife, Jo Ann Van Engen, have called Honduras home for more than 30 years.

Jo Ann Van Engen is a co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), and has been a member of the board since 1998. She is actively involved in communications and video production about the work of AJS, and regularly speaks on behalf of the organization in the United States. Jo Ann is also a professor and co-director for the Honduran Justice Studies semester abroad program of Calvin College. She graduated from Calvin College and received a Master’s in Sociology from Azusa Pacific University. In addition to her work with ASJ, she has worked for World Renew, a development organization, and sits on the advisory board of Mennonite Central Committee in Honduras.