Board of Directors
Jan and Bryson Garbett
Home builders and philanthropists in the US Mountain West, Jan and Bryson have built communities and opportunities.
Their charity, Foundation Escalera, propels entrepreneurship and education in Los Altos, Chiapas amongst the Tseltal and Tsotsil people. Building on their experience with language and identity has led them to understand the value of more languages for our world community.
Jeff Garbett
Jeff Garbett has lived in Chiapas and traveled the region extensively. His years at Garbett Homes equipped him to supervise Escalera’s most extensive school building years. Trained in lean management and real estate, Jeff is well balanced with a sense of humor and a resonant voice that communicates despite language differences.
Laura McFarland
After serving in the Tuxtla Gutiérrez mission, Laura McFarland and her husband Layne have continued interactions with the many friends they made.
Several of the men from our mission have come to our farm to work in the summer months. This has been a financial blessing for their families and a great help for us on the farm. The sun is my friend, I love doing anything outdoors: hiking, biking, ATV riding, pickleball, and of course, working!
Allyne Ostler
I am proud of my Mexican heritage and was raised in California before moving to Utah to pursue higher education at the University of Utah.
As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, I value the opportunity to connect with diverse communities and help bridge language and cultural gaps.
Above all, I am passionate about serving others—bringing support, encouragement, and compassion to individuals and families brings me genuine joy. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting low-income communities. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.