John Schaer

John has been active in fundraising for a number of years. His motivation comes from the admiration of his friend Dan Budgell (GPN) and others like him, whose enterprising humanitarian spirit is shaping the frontier of a Global humanitarian revolution. John also has a variety of travel and personal experiences which he will draw on as he challenges one of the longest stretches of land on earth for a good cause.

John has been an avid motorcyclist for his entire life and feels great to be heading out on this adventure. His bike of choice is a modified Honda XR650R, and with minimal weight as its advantage, the bike should make for an efficient sprinter over much of the journey’s rough roads.

Along the way John looks forward to the people and driving straight into the big, beautiful picture before him! John would like to thank his family, friends, sponsors, [GPN, Give Meaning, SECDesign] and all those who supported his endeavour.

Kenton Lane

Alaska to Argentina: this is my ambition. I do not dream of luxury cars, lavish clothes, or posh apartments. I dream of a means to experience the miles, from one place to another, through the straight and narrow, on my own terms. My answer to this dream is my motorcycle. I will undertake this journey in part to satisfy my personal need to expand and challenge my understandings of people and the land that sustains them. But what really drives me is the desire to raise awareness of human rights and to challenge people to consider the implications of their own actions. This journey will provide me with an avenue to increase awareness of human rights and to truly make a difference in people’s lives.

As of April 2009, I will have completed an undergraduate degree in political science as granted by the University of Victoria (UVic). During my time at UVic, I was involved with an organization called Rights and Democracy Network. I helped organize awareness campaigns on campus and participated in the organization of a conference for students from across Western Canada. This involvement has been one of the main reasons for me to continue to promote human rights.

My involvement with this project began after I met John at an event that I helped to organize. We spoke about motorcycles and about our mutual interest to travel through Central and South America. This initial encounter was the catalyst for my participation with this project. John approached me with his idea and I’ve been on board ever since.

I can be contacted by e-mail here.

Dan Budgell

Daniel Budgell sits on the board of five organizations and has helped implement over 60 grassroots projects across Africa, Asia and South America. His expertise ranges from grant writing, charity laws, project managing and designing. He founded Global Peace Network (GPN) in 2005 during an inspiring interaction with street children who approached him for money. When he inquired what the kids would want if granted one wish, they all said “education.” Since then Dan and his team has assisted over 300 street children and have implemented various health and environmental projects. Without ever drawing a salary, Dan spends months throughout the year working on the ground with his local team.

FUNDRAISING TEAM

Zara M

Zarah Martz has an advanced degree in plant sciences. As an ethnobotanist, she has worked extensively in native communities in Canada to revitalize traditional plant knowledge and to assist youth in education. She is the latest addition to the team and has significantly increased GPN’s fundraising capacity. She is also helping to implement all of the projects in Tanzania

Katrina Andres

Katrina Andres has been monumental in organizing our Victoria Fundraisers. She has known and supported John and Dan for a number of years and will be an important player in the year to come. Currently she is studying at UVIC and has recently began working with the ENGO Wilderness Commitee in their endeavours to protect the ancient forests of Vancouver Island.

Kristopher Koiner

Kris is curently attending UVIC where he is thriving in the engineering department. Kris has been a great help with the website and communications of the alaska to argentina fundraing team.

Brandon Biln

Brandon is an avid world traveller whose experiences and insight have been a great support. Brandon, along with Cassidy Bast, have helped organize past GPN Fundraisers for Dan. Recently they both organized and executed an A2A Poker Fundraiser in Squamish which went off without a hitch.

Cassidy Bast

Cassidy brings a definate aire of professionalism to the A2Afundraising team. Her efforts have yielded very effective results in all of her work. Cassidy, along with Brandon, organized the A2A Squamish poker night and other events for GPN. Cassidy’s expertise come directly from her success in the sales and real estate industry in which she thrives.