DIA Staff Profiles

Managing Director: Ildikó Garas
Ildikó has a degree in Hungarian language, literature and history from Eötvös Lorand Tudomanyos Egyetem (E.L.T.E.) and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in law from Pázmány Péter University, Budapest. Prior to joining DIA, Ildikó served as a legislative assistant for a Member of Parliament, handling issues before the commissions on youth and non-profits. She joins DIA with extensive non-profit training including her service as President of the National Student Union at E.L.T.E. She is an Echoing Green Fellow.

Director of Development: Zsolt Pethe
Zsolt has a B.A. cum laude in International Business and Spanish from Ohio Wesleyan University (USA). During his college career, he served as President of Rotaract Club as well as Community Service Chair in Circle K. Zsolt directs DIA’s partnership development and fundraising activity, including outreach to the Hungarian-American community. Recently he has taken on the added responsibility of DIA public relations materials, including the website. Zsolt is also an Echoing Green Fellow.

Director of Programming: Hayo de Vries
Hayo has a bachelors degree in Cultural and Social Education from Zwolle, Holland, as well as a masters in Comparative European Social Studies from Maastricht. He is also an alumnus of the European Voluntary Service program. He came to DIA with extensive experience in the design of local and international workshops for disadvantaged youth, as well as youth workers. He is responsible for all Training and Technical Assistance delivered by DIA to its network, including the cross-border summer camp, the community placement conference, volunteer forums, coordinator training, and the development of the Service Learning handbook. In addition, he oversees the HAVE summer program.

Office Manager: Ági Zsók
Ági has a degree in economics (1999) from Gyor University, and is currently studying Bothmer Gymnastics and Art Therapy. She has broad experience in youth activities and organizational development. Ági is responsible for office communications and administration and for management of DIA’s participation in the Youth program of the European Commission (EVS and Youth Exchanges).

Youth Camp Co-ordinator: Zoltan Hámori
Zoltan Hámori received an International Baccalaureate Diploma in 1999 and is a fourth year student at the University of Economics, Budapest. His participation in an international work camp in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1997 led to his work as Director of Service Civil International in Hungary (Útilapú). Zoltán joined DIA in February 2000, developing the pilot HAVE program involving the University of Richmond and the University of Debrecen. He is currently expanding the HAVE program to five site for 2003.