Our Team

Jessica Hotz - Co-Founder,  Executive Director

Jessica is the co-founder of Elevate along with her husband Brandon! She loves spending her time sharing the vision, advocating on behalf of our national partners and planning future strategy. She’s our visionary! Meet Jess… 

I love coffee, my backyard and my husband!  

Favorite Quote: “He did each single thing as if he did nothing else.” -Charles Dickens

Brandon Hotz  - Co-Founder, International Director       

Brandon is just as kind as he looks. He is the co-founder of Elevate and keep us moving toward our short and long-term goals! He’s our implementer. Meet Brandon…   

I love my wife, family, competition and working toward making the world a better place.  

Favorite Quote: “If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got.” -Unknown

Sara Ferguson - Product Director

Sara has fearless style, incredible humor and serves with passion when nobody is looking. She does anything and everything product related. From ordering to shipping, she works with passion every step of the way. Meet Sara… 

I love being a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. I love being outside and feeling the heat from the sun. I love adventure and just winging it. I love the simple things in life, new socks, cottage cheese and a good challenge. 

Favorite Quote: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right" - Henry Ford

Jessica Madron - Marketing Director         

Can we just say that we’re big fans of this girl. She is full of energy and execution for all things mission & marketing. At any point you can find her setting direction for our brand story, sipping on a designer coffee or impersonating her fish, Finny. Meet Jess...  

I enjoy a good joke, spontaneous adventure, the right documentary, and outdoors everything. I appreciate time spent with family and friends, and the perfect song rec. 

Favorite Quote: "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Heather Schmitz - Design Creative + Board Member

Heather’s heart is huge. She has sacrificed so much to make Elevate what it is! She is the designer behind everything you see. From our logo to brochures, she is the passion driven artist. Her love for design is huge, but so small compared to her love for people. She understands the ins and outs of Elevate as she has been a part of it before it was ever a thought. Meet Heather…  

I spend my days being Mommy to two sweet kiddos, Wifey to a handsome farmer, and Capturer of Memories through my camera lens.  

Favorite Quote: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." -Agnes Bojaxhiu

Matt Neher - Board Member

Matt and his wife love people so deeply. Being a practicing lawyer, he is able to help us with the technical things. He has great experience with cross cultural living and understands the complexities of the developing world. He is an incredible father and friend. Meet Matt…  

I love spending time with my family and friends. 

Favorite Quote: "So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain." -Helen Keller

John Becker - Board Member

John Becker is one of those people that you meet and want to be greatest friends with. His outrageous love for God, his family, the world and the people in it inspires us. John helps us to grow and guide our vision by serving on our Board of Directors and connects us to strategic global partnerships for maximum impact. Meet John… 

Few things that I love: God and his word. My family. People. The expanse of a big mountain ridge. The endless horizon on a wide empty beach. The grandeur of a redwood forest. Laughing. Collaboration. Mountain climbing. Sailing. Writing. Painting. 

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost

Andrew Vrbas - Board Member

Andrew is a gifted entrepreneur with a heart for serving people. He and his wife started a fantastic company who's mission is similar to ours; using local sales to create livelihoods globally. He has joined the Elevate team as our newest board member and will be a huge asset as our company grows! Meet Andrew...  

I enjoy great conversation and traveling. 

Favorite Quote:"If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together". -African Proverb