The people behind VER.

Dr. Ajay Manchandia graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Molecular Biology and continued his training in Philadelphia, completing his ophthalmology residency at Temple University. He then completed his fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA. He is passionate about supporting underserved populations, having organized several mission trips as a resident, and having led surgical mission trips with Volunteer Eye Resources International since 2017. As a VER International board member, he hopes to continue Bob Martin’s legacy to provide adult and pediatric eye and surgical care to underserved communities and to educate and train local providers for long term sustainability.

Meghan’s passion for volunteering and helping others came from her dad, Robert G. Martin II, and she serves as a board member for VER International to honor his legacy and bring the gift of sight to underserved communities. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Meghan works in consulting; advising technology companies on their people strategy. Meghan has joined VER International on trips to Nicaragua and Peru and has led additional volunteer trips to Panama with Global Brigades. Meghan resides in Chicago with her husband, Mark, and French bulldog, Gus.

Charissa joins the VER board after numerous volunteer service trips throughout her life to Latin America with health and environmental non-profit foundations. Her love for Spanish and Latin America began in school and was accelerated with her 7 summers of volunteer experience in health and community development projects in rural Central and South America with Amigos de las Americas during high school and college. Charissa and Bob directed a tuberculosis detection project in the Amazon region of Ecuador with Amigos. She has volunteered extensively in Central America with environmental groups, in South America with vision projects, and does translation for several international non-profits. Charissa has a BA in Latin American Studies from UC Berkeley and an MA in Teaching from Pacific University. She is currently teaching in a Spanish Immersion elementary School in Oregon.

Wendy joins the board after volunteering with VER on 2 service trips to Peru September 2019 and September 2023. Wendy’s passion for Spanish language and Latin American culture began with studying Spanish from age 12 and participating in a student exchange program in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico her senior year of high school. After graduation she returned to live and work in Mexico for 8 years. Upon returning to the States, Wendy pursued her university degree, followed by a 20-year career in import/export of wood products based in Eugene, OR. During the 20 years, she traveled to, and worked with, locals in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Her goal was to volunteer internationally once retired. Fortunately, she was introduced to VER in 2019 and participated in her first service trip as a volunteer interpreter in Peru. Most recently she volunteered in 2023 for a 19-day service trip covering both surgical and vision screening projects. Wendy joins the board with a passion for culture, communication, serving, and genuinely caring for others. She holds a BA in International Business from Linfield University and currently works for Levi Strauss & Co.

Renee’s experience with travel and service started with her first trips to Japan and Denmark with 4-H. Her older brother, Robert G. Martin II inspired her to go out in the world and serve others. She completed her Master’s Degree at IIT in Financial Engineering and ran her business for 25 years at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later in life, she has had time to pursue her passion for helping and empowering underserved children and their families in Nicaragua to reach their full potential. She is also proud to be the mother of 3 amazing young men that are also dedicating their lives to serving others. VER is very near and dear to her heart, in honor of her brother’s legacy. “The eyes are the windows to the soul” is an expression that is often used to describe the deep connection one feels when looking into another’s eyes. Renee is committed to aiding VER in improving and restoring sight to individuals living in extreme poverty.

Colleen grew up admiring her father, Robert G. Martin II, for his passion for providing assistance to those in need. Currently, she is a board member for VER International. She received her Master’s degree in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University and has worked as an emergency department R.N. for 6 years. She furthered her education at Vanderbilt University and recently graduated from their nurse practitioner program. She is dual-certified as a Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. She has participated in multiple volunteer trips over the years and is eager to continue on in her father’s legacy.

At an early age, Michelle’s family taught her the importance of giving back to others. At Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, she was taught the importance of having compassion towards the needs of others. When she was a high school junior, she was inspired by her cousin Bob, who introduced her to Amigos de las Americas. Thanks to Bob, she had the honor of participating in her first medical mission trip during Amigo’s initial visit to Oaxaca, Mexico. Michelle immediately developed a deep passion for charitable work and for Latin America. For over fifteen years she has volunteered weekly at a hospital in Chicago devoted to serving chronically ill children. She has continued to participate as a volunteer on mission trips to Ecuador, Peru, and Nicaragua, and looks forward to volunteering with VER International to bring the gift of vision to many more children and adults in Latin America.

A trip to Guatemala with his father in fifth grade changed Ryan’s perspective and sparked a lasting commitment to service. He has served on VER International’s board since the organization was founded in 2015 and has participated in projects in Nicaragua and Peru. Ryan graduated from Marquette University with majors in Finance and International Business.