Lauren Willie is a Utah native. She has camped, hiked, rafted, canyoner, and explored just about everything Utah offers. She has traveled the globe and loves learning about new places, cultures, and customs. Lauren completed a dual degree in International Studies and Public Relations at the University of Utah and an internship with the State Department in Melbourne, Australia. After completing her degree and not ready for an 8 to 5 job, she joined the Peace Corps as a Health Education and Community Development volunteer in a small village in Cameroon, Africa. After that life-changing experience, Lauren received her Master of Arts in Community Leadership from Westminster College. Over the past ten years, Lauren has worked for non-profits such as Ronald McDonald House Charities, National Ability Center, American Red Cross, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She adores her nieces and nephews and uses her Peace Corps experience as bedtime stories, hoping they will one day join the family legacy of Peace Corps service.
Tatenda Vanessa Tagutanazvo is the Partnerships & Response Program Manager for Peace Corps South Africa and has served in this role since March 2020. Tatenda is supporting recruitment efforts in the U.S. until December 2023. Before joining The Peace Corps, Tatenda was a Community Grants Coordinator with PEPFAR Coordinating Office. She was responsible for technical assistance and managing community-based organizations in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, and the City of Tshwane. Tatenda has a wealth of experience in Community Development, Migration Health, and Research. Her background is enhanced by a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Psychology & Industrial Sociology from the University of Cape Town, an Honors Degree in Social Development from the University of Cape Town, and a Masters’s Degree in Social Development from the University of Cape Town. Tatenda has worked as a consultant for Ecuador, writing study guides for Community Development Practices & Models, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution Management, to mention a few.
As a development practitioner, Tatenda loves helping people and making a difference in people’s lives, especially those living under the poverty datum line. Capacity building of community organizations is Tatenda’s passion, and seeing grassroots organizations grow and be independent in the spaces they program.
Tatenda believes that helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person, and no one has become poor by giving; we can all make a difference in other people’s lives if it comes from within and all willing. Tatenda loves meeting and connecting with new people, hiking, relaxing, and listening to music.
Recruiter, Office of Recruitment and Diversity
Peace Corps / Salt Lake City, Utah (Utah, Idaho, South Dakota)
Returned Volunteer, Cameroon (2007-200
E-Mail: lwillie@peacecorps.gov – 801-900-8037
ttagutanazvo@peacecorps.gov 202-379-5448
Work Cell: 801-900-8037
Peace Corps Recruiter Nevada: Kerris Clark
kclark@peacecorps.gov
702-812-4343
Kerris Clark is originally from Dallas, Texas. Kerris graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. He is enrolled at Liberty University, pursuing his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kerris served in the military with the United States Navy before being medically discharged. He loves to help people and feels blessed to have another opportunity to continue to serve his country and the world. Kerris hopes this role opens global networking doors and opportunities. A fun fact is that he plans to learn a new hobby, playing the saxophone, at the Nevada Music Academy.
