Nina Shalom is the founder and director of Bridging the Gap International. Nina’s passion for social justice for those who she came to know and love in Latin America and Asia began at an early age. At age 16 Nina began taking at least one international trip a year to serve alongside those suffering from injustice and generational poverty. She also spent a total of seven months in college study abroad programs in Central America. The friendships she developed with people during her trips to Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, China and India is what motivated her to create this organization to give opportunities and dignity to the talented, amazing people she grew to love and admire and to others in their communities. Nina studied Spanish and International Studies with a minor in Psychology at Taylor University and Austin Peay University where she graduated with her BA. Nina resides in Kentucky and continues her annual trips abroad to oversee the BTGI scholarship recipients. Nina has three children who are her pride and joy and is the grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren. She loves teaching and homeschools her two youngest children.
Sarah Flagel is a founding board member and Vice President of Bridging the Gap International. Her love for Latin America initially grew out of her time studying in Central America and Cuba in college. Sarah currently works for World Relief Chicagoland as the Managing Attorney of the Asylum Legal Clinic, where she counsels and represents immigrants from around the world seeking safety in the United States. Sarah is a national trainer with World Relief Immigration Programs, a frequent guest trainer with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., and regularly consults on immigration program design and best practices. Prior to joining World Relief, Sarah was with Catholic Charities Chicago, where she initiated their legal services for victims of violent crimes and domestic violence. Sarah received her Juris Doctorate with a concentration in International Human Rights Law from UIC School of Law. She obtained her MA in International Studies at DePaul University where she defended her thesis on “U.S. Immigration Law: Children as a Unifying Means for Immigration Reform.” Sarah resides in Chicago, Illinois and considers Costa Rica her second home.
Fernando is our newest board member, joining BTGI in October of 2022. Originally from Ecuador, Fernando brings with him a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about the environments in which we're serving. A musician by trade, Fernando plays Andean instruments such as Zamponas, Charangas, and Kenas. His music reflects a mix of Kentucky blue grass with South American sounds in his groups Apalatin and YAPA. Fernando is passionate about social justice and his commitment comes out in his music as well as his life. BTGI is grateful for Fernando's contributions to our team!
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