Our US Leadership Team
Patrick Atkinson
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Member of Board of Directors
Bismarck, North Dakota-native Patrick Atkinson attended Minnesota State University – Moorhead where he earned a BA in Criminal Justice (pre-law) and a BSW in Social Work (chemical dependency counseling). After graduation in 1981, he turned down several lucrative corporate job offers to work with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City Hell’s Kitchen. In 1983, Patrick moved to Central America where he began a life-long international career in war-zone reconciliation and post-war reconstruction. He earned a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University and has studied post-graduate studies at Harvard University and the University of Oxford.
A popular university guest lecturer on issues related to human trafficking, international nonprofit management, and street gang issues, he has been knighted, is the recipient of numerous human rights awards (including the Guatemalan Congressional Medal) and is the subject of author Monica Hannan’s biography, The Dream Maker. He is author of several award-winning books, including the international selling Message for My Child and The Powerful You, as well as the founder and executive director of The GOD’S CHILD Project, the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons, The Atkinson Center, and several Central American charities.
When not being shot at, knifed, caught in car bombings, or traveling worldwide advocating on behalf of abused, abandoned, or human-trafficking victims, Patrick resides with his family in Central America, in Bismarck, ND, and at Hippo Wallow Pond, his family home outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Contact Patrick:
Info@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
ChongBee Vang
Executive Director
ChongBee Vang is a refugee-turned-executive leader, nonprofit strategist, and passionate advocate for underserved communities. Born in Laos and a member of the Hmong ethnic minority, ChongBee and his family fled their homeland following the Vietnam War due to the Hmong people’s alliance with the United States. After spending time in a refugee camp in Thailand, they were resettled to the United States and grew up in Minnesota, overcoming poverty, language barriers, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.
Drawing from his own refugee journey, ChongBee has dedicated more than two decades of his professional life to serving vulnerable populations through faith-based, educational, and community-focused organizations. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles in immigration legal services, refugee resettlement and social services, nonprofit executive management, community engagement, and philanthropic development. He has served as Executive Director of a refugee-led nonprofit organization and has led advancement, fundraising, and community engagement efforts for several regional and national organizations.
ChongBee now serves The GOD’S CHILD Project as the Executive Director, where he will provide leadership and vision for the sustainability and growth of the organization for years to come. Known for his relational and servant leadership style, strategic vision, and unwavering faith, ChongBee has built strong partnerships across churches, businesses, foundations, government agencies, and community organizations. He is a sought-after speaker who shares his powerful story of resilience, faith, leadership, and the transformative impact of opportunity.
ChongBee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bethel University in Minnesota. He is deeply committed to helping individuals and organizations thrive, believing that every person deserves the opportunity to realize their God-given potential.
Today, ChongBee continues to inspire others through his leadership, advocacy, and service, drawing upon his personal journey from refugee to executive leader as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of hope.
Contact ChangBee:
ChongBee.Vang@godschild.org
612-351-8020
Amelia Miller
Operations and Communications Manager
Amelia, a native of central Illinois, is a dedicated advocate for education, holding a degree in Elementary Education from Butler University. With a background spanning 15 years, she has passionately pursued her love for education as both a public-school educator and a teacher leader, also contributing to various instructional companies. Driven by her firm belief that everyone deserves access to a quality education, Amelia has found her purpose with The GOD’S CHILD Project.
She is committed to making a positive impact and derives joy from the opportunity to continue creating a difference in our world and building meaningful relationships along the way. Beyond her professional endeavors, Amelia cherishes moments spent with her family, friends, and beloved dogs. In her spare time, Amelia and her husband enjoy traveling, cooking, and playing golf together. As a die-hard Chicago sports fan (Go Cubs Go!), she loves cheering on her favorite teams!
Contact Amelia:
Amelia.Miller@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
Lucas Candamil
Project Coordinator
Contact Lucas:
Lucas.Candamil@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
Kelly Gaffaney
Community Engagement Specialist
Kelly Gaffaney is a dedicated operations and administrative leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting C‑suite executives, guiding cross‑functional teams, and strengthening organizational systems across consulting, real estate, aviation, and corporate services. Her career has been built on creating clarity, elevating communication, and ensuring that people, processes, and missions thrive.
Driven by a lifelong passion for giving back, Kelly brings both heart and expertise to her role as Community Engagement Specialist at The GOD’S CHILD Project. She coordinates mission‑focused events across multiple states, building community partnerships, engaging volunteers and donors, and ensuring each gathering reflects the compassion, dignity, and hope at the core of GCP’s work.
Kelly believes deeply in the power of service—helping others, creating opportunities, and standing alongside children and families in need. Her commitment to thoughtful planning, relationship building, and meaningful impact guides every event she supports. For her, giving back isn’t just something she does; it’s who she is.
Contact Kelly:
Kelly.Gaffaney@GodsChild.org
701-255-7956
Shawnia Johnson
Sponsorship and Service Team Specialist
Shawnia (pronounced Shawn-ee-ah) is a proud Minneapolis, Minnesota native, born and raised in the community she continues to serve with heart and dedication. With over five years of experience in the nonprofit sector and more than five years in healthcare, she has built a career centered on educating, supporting, and advocating for neighbors and communities.
Her nonprofit work includes impact-driven roles with the Red Cross, Second Harvest Heartland, and Brothers EMpowered. In these roles, she collaborated closely with volunteers and community members to plan meaningful events, support outreach efforts, and connect families with essential resources. Her background also includes volunteer recruitment and management, event planning, public speaking, networking, and teaching yoga and neuromuscular facilitation.
Community is at the heart of everything Shawnia does. She is passionate about helping others, fostering connection, and creating positive life experiences. She believes deeply in service and considers it her responsibility and joy to advocate for those around her.
In her role as the Sponsorship and Service Team Specialist at GCP, Shawnia supports donors and service teams who give their time and energy to uplifting families in Guatemala.
In her free time, Shawnia enjoys cooking, roller-skating, watching her favorite reruns, or enjoying time with friends.
Contact Shawnia:
Shawnia.Johnson@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
Sarah Rivers
Community Engagement Specialist
Contact Sarah:
Sarah.Rivers@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
Kathleen Ronning-Schimetz
Bismarck Office Manager
Kathleen devoted most of her career toward sustainability and environmental protection as a specialist in Geographic Information System technologies. Her admiration for The GOD’S CHILD Project and her compassion for humanity led her the non-profit as a career change and she feels honored to have the position as Office Manager for the original headquarters of the endeavor.
Contact Kathleen:
Kathleen.Ronning-Schimetz@godschild.org
701-255-7956
Amy C. Brueckner
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SPECIALIST
Dan Morgan, MSW, DCSW
Member of the Board of Directors
Contact Dan:
Board@GodsChild.org
612-351-8020
Brendan Dwyer
Director of Community Engagement – Philadelphia, PA
Member of Board of Directors
Philadelphia-native Brendan Dwyer first worked with The GOD’S CHILD Project and La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados (ANA) in 2009, when he was 16 and joined his first ServiceTeam Experience trip to Guatemala. He immediately fell in love with GCP and the work and would later lead several more trips while recruiting new volunteers to join him.
Brendan graduated with a degree in Finance and a Spanish minor from Villanova University in 2014 and worked for five years at a Philadelphia brokerage firm before moving to Guatemala to work as the ANA’s National Director for two years (2020-2021).
Brendan is now back in the Philadelphia area where he works as a financial advisor, in addition to his role as GCP’s Director of Community Engagement for the East Coast.
As Director of Community Engagement, Brendan leads speaking engagements to support fundraising efforts, generates volunteer and ServiceTeam Experience interest, and raises awareness. He continues to lead ServiceTeam Experiences to Guatemala to build homes, care for baby-patients at Casa Jackson for Malnourished Children, and distribute food and clothing to ANA’s children and families.
Brendan considers Guatemala to be his second home and holds the Project close to his heart. He believes visits to GCP and ANA are crucial for people to witness true poverty first-hand so they can better understand the tools people need to break out of poverty forever.
Kevin García
Member of Board of Directors
Kevin García brings nearly twenty years of grassroots humanitarian experience and community leadership to The GOD’S CHILD Project’s Board of Directors. Born in San Lucas, Guatemala, Kevin began working with GCP at age 13, assisting with family support, social services, home construction, disaster relief, and a wide range of community projects.
His early involvement shaped a lifelong commitment to service and to the mission of protecting vulnerable children. From 2018 to 2021, Kevin served as GCP’s Service Team Coordinator, organizing volunteer groups from around the world. He managed homestays, meal planning, construction material logistics, translation needs, and end-of-week ceremonies, ensuring every team had a safe, meaningful, and culturally rich service experience.
Professionally, Kevin has also excelled in the United States as a Lead Home Services Technician for Good Earth Pest Company, where he trained new technicians, maintained service quality, conducted inspections, managed wildlife control operations, and oversaw vehicle and supply management.
Kevin’s blend of humanitarian experience, operational leadership, and cultural insight makes him a valuable voice on GCP’s Board. His personal journey reflects the very mission he now helps guide.
Of Counsel
Heidi Christianson, Attorney
Joseph Schmitt, Attorney
Nilan Johnson Lewis Law Firm
250 S Marquette Ave Ste 800
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.NilanJohnson.com
Monte L. Rogneby,
Vogel Law, 200 N 3rd St., Ste. #201,
Bismarck, ND 58501