The GOD'S CHILD Project CEO and leadership

Patrick Atkinson earned BA in Criminal Justice (pre-law) and BSW in Social Work (chemical dependency counseling) from Minnesota State University – Moorhead, a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and post-graduate studies at Harvard University and the University of Oxford, England.

He has worked with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City, war-zone refugees in Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and post war reconstruction efforts worldwide.

A popular guest lecturer on human trafficking, international nonprofit management, and street gang issues, is the recipient of numerous human rights awards, and the subject of the book, The Dream Maker.

After working in State and Federal Government for 20 years, Kathy Bird switched to managing GCP’s incredible donor and community support base from GCP’s Bismarck, North Dakota office, where she helps the charity to best serve underprivileged children and families locally and internationally. Kathy also coordinates the collection and redistribution of tens of thousands of lbs. of donated clothing, school supplies, and medical equipment from North Dakota families and organizations to GCP’s charities worldwide in addition to needy regional charitable efforts.

Amy Brueckner has worked for several years with vulnerable persons, and especially women and children in need of urgent services and resources after surviving domestic and sexual abuse, drug use, and commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.



Her role with GCP and GCP’s dedicated anti-human trafficking sub-program, the ‘Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons’ (ITEMP.org) have range from crisis intervention and advocacy, rescue and victim counseling, survivor case management, and public and university education.

Philadelphia-native Brendan Dwyer first worked with The GOD’S CHILD Project in 2009, when he was 16 and joined his first ServiceTeam Experience trip to Guatemala.

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 Project’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.

Edward P. Hickey Senior Team Leader responsible for growing and managing Vanguard Nonprofit Institutional Services’ $65 billion Nonprofit Outsourced Chief Investment Officer Service.

Edward very recently stepped aside from the financial development profession to live in Guatemala where he is learning Spanish and volunteering with the Nuestros Ahijados program in different leadership projects.

Kimberly graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a BS in Marketing. She has always had a love for travel, particularly Mexico, and is passionate about helping others. Kimberly began her career in the travel industry and quickly determined that her niche was planning events and creating unforgettable experiences for people. Through her career she was able to work with a wide array of clients, but working with non-profits always held a special place in her heart. Helping others comes second nature to Kimberly and she has volunteered with numerous local animal rescues and People Serving People in Minneapolis.

Dan has degrees from Montana State University, the University of Montana, and received his Clinical Doctorate from the University of Washington.



In 2006, Dan retired after 32 years as a judge and Youth and Family Hearings Officer with the Fourth Judicial District Youth Court. Dan also directed the Clinical Intervention Program where he supervised University Graduate Students. Simultaneously, Dan taught at the University of Montana and retains Faculty Affiliation with the Departments of Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work.



Dan continues to serve the State of Montana as the Mental Health Team Leader of the Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM).

Nancy Rue was the Lead Attorney with the United States Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Criminal Division) where she was responsible for investigations and prosecutions in complex multi-year fraud & money-laundering schemes, child exploitation, identity theft, and other forms of organized crime.



Nancy very recently stepped aside from the legal profession to live in Guatemala where she is learning Spanish and volunteering with the Nuestros Ahijados program in different leadership projects.

In her role as Program Coordinator Alyza helps volunteers, sponsors, and donors have a positive experience. She especially enjoys working with GCP because she believes it is important to help children who lack access to the basic tools to succeed, such as healthcare and education.

Alyza began her career working for large corporations, but after a few years switched to non-profit employment as she wanted to do work that is more personally fulfilling. Her first foray into charity work promoted fair trade artists in developing countries using sustainable resources.

JILL WIESE is a skilled and highly respected Emergency Medical Technician and Registered Nurse with the Washburn, ND Ambulance Service. In addition, she is a Registered Nurse with the Bismarck Cancer Center and an LPN with the 91B Combat Medic 91C, and a professional musician.



Jill has been a long-time donor, volunteer, and event organizer for both The GOD’S CHILD Project and the Nuestros Ahijados program in Guatemala, Central America.

Patrick Atkinson earned BA in Criminal Justice (pre-law) and BSW in Social Work (chemical dependency counseling) from Minnesota State University – Moorhead, a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and post-graduate studies at Harvard University and the University of Oxford, England.

He has worked with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City, war-zone refugees in Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and post war reconstruction efforts worldwide.

A popular guest lecturer on human trafficking, international nonprofit management, and street gang issues, is the recipient of numerous human rights awards, and the subject of the book, The Dream Maker.

Patrick Atkinson earned BA in Criminal Justice (pre-law) and BSW in Social Work (chemical dependency counseling) from Minnesota State University – Moorhead, a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and post-graduate studies at Harvard University and the University of Oxford, England.

He has worked with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City, war-zone refugees in Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and post war reconstruction efforts worldwide.

A popular guest lecturer on human trafficking, international nonprofit management, and street gang issues, is the recipient of numerous human rights awards, and the subject of the book, The Dream Maker.

Edward P. Hickey Senior Team Leader responsible for growing and managing Vanguard Nonprofit Institutional Services’ $65 billion Nonprofit Outsourced Chief Investment Officer Service.

Edward very recently stepped aside from the financial development profession to live in Guatemala where he is learning Spanish and volunteering with the Nuestros Ahijados program in different leadership projects.

Dan has degrees from Montana State University, the University of Montana, and received his Clinical Doctorate from the University of Washington.



In 2006, Dan retired after 32 years as a judge and Youth and Family Hearings Officer with the Fourth Judicial District Youth Court. Dan also directed the Clinical Intervention Program where he supervised University Graduate Students. Simultaneously, Dan taught at the University of Montana and retains Faculty Affiliation with the Departments of Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work.



Dan continues to serve the State of Montana as the Mental Health Team Leader of the Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM).

JILL WIESE is a skilled and highly respected Emergency Medical Technician and Registered Nurse with the Washburn, ND Ambulance Service. In addition, she is a Registered Nurse with the Bismarck Cancer Center and an LPN with the 91B Combat Medic 91C, and a professional musician.



Jill has been a long-time donor, volunteer, and event organizer for both The GOD’S CHILD Project and the Nuestros Ahijados program in Guatemala, Central America.