Chelsea is the founder of Bettering Belize. As the child of a Belizean, Chelsea grew up visiting Belize yearly and noticed the discrepancies between the needs of American children and Belizean children at an early age. After graduating from Florida International University with an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology she worked as a school psychologist in Florida public schools. Currently, she works in private practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is pursuing a Doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College. As a therapist and former school psychologist, she has worked extensively with children, families, and educational institutions, advocating for mental wellness and support. Her commitment to empowering communities drives her mission to foster positive change in Belize, ensuring that every individual has access to the resources they need to thrive. ​ In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading, being active, traveling the world, and spending time with her family. ​ Email: Chelsea@BetteringBelize.org

Amber is the co-founder and secretary of Bettering Belize, bringing her passion for community engagement and cultural connection to the forefront of the organization. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Communications. During her time at Columbia, Amber launched the community-focused brand “YO&TA,” where she curated a wide range of events, including fashion shows, athletic tournaments, and social gatherings, showcasing her ability to unite people and create impactful experiences. After graduating, Amber devoted 12 years to serving her hometown community, working at the local community center. In her role as After School Supervisor and Camps Director, she was instrumental in shaping enriching programs for children in the childcare division. Her dedication to uplifting youth and fostering community bonds has been a consistent theme throughout her career. Raised in a large Belizean family, Amber’s connection to her heritage has always been strong. Annual visits from her Belizean grandparents kept the culture alive in her home, and as an adult, she deepened this connection through travels to Belize with her aunts. It was during these trips that Amber discovered the challenges many Belizean students face, such as needing to pay for basic school essentials like desks and toilet paper. This sparked a desire to make a difference. In 2022, Amber took action by bringing school supplies directly to families in need, cementing her commitment to giving back to the Belizean community. Currently, Amber serves as an Area Manager, overseeing before and after-school programming for the Evanston D65 branch. In addition to her full-time role, she is an entrepreneur, a licensed real estate agent in Illinois, and a dedicated board member of the Oliver A. Ruff Education and Mentoring Scholarship organization. When she's not working or volunteering, Amber enjoys staying active, tackling home improvement projects, crafting, and spending quality time with her family and her beloved French bulldogs. ​ Email: Amber@BetteringBelize.org

Jasmine is the Chief Marketing Officer of Bettering Belize. She graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing as part of the Capital Scholars Honors Program in 2020. During her time at UIS, she interned with the athletic department, where she supported media relations, managed social media strategies, and collaborated with community partners to plan promotional events for athletic games and special events. Jasmine’s passion for Belize comes from being raised in a caribbean household and spending much of her life visiting the country and connecting with her grandparents who live there. These experiences inspired her commitment to making a difference in communities across Belize. In addition to her role as CMO & Secretary, Jasmine works full-time as a flight attendant for a major US airline, traveling the world, gaining new experiences, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her family, watching sunsets on the beach, and cruising around the world. Email: Jasmine@BetteringBelize.org

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 with a double major in Accounting and Finance, Elly Knepper began her career at Walgreens Chicago, IL. During her time there, she participated in a two-year Finance and Accounting rotational program and landed a role in Marketing finance. In 2017, Elly moved to Austin, TX to pursue a role at Whole Foods Market. She excelled at delivering in-depth business insights to senior leadership and fostering collaboration between finance and merchandising teams. In 2021, Elly accepted a role at ActiveCampaign in Chicago, initially as a Finance Manager before advancing to Senior Manager of Strategy & Pricing. In her current role, she spearheads strategic projects based on executive priorities. Outside of her professional endeavors, Elly enjoys going to the beach with her husband and dog, baking sourdough bread, and serving as Treasurer for the Boys Hope Girls Hope Junior Board.