Meet the Board
Rachel Weber
Chair
Rachel is a senior nursing major with minors in population health and applied health sciences from Cleveland, Ohio. She went on the Immigration AB trip to El Paso, Texas in 2023 and applied to be on board afterwards! She is so excited for AB this year! Other than AB, she is on the board for the Student Nurses Organization and works as a lifeguard in the HUB. You can reach out to her at Weberr1@xavier.edu!
Matt Caiati
Membership Chair
Hello, my name is Matt Caiati. I am a junior nursing major from Norwalk, Connecticut. I am so excited for my second year on AB board and can't wait to get more involved! My first trip was Roots of Our Nation in South Dakota and it was so impactful and memorable. Outside of AB I love to hang out with my friends, work out, and be outside! Caiatim@xavier.edu.
Jack McGowan
Fundraising Chair
Hi, my name is Jack McGowan and I am the finance chair for Alternative Breaks! I am a senior history major with a minor in education and I am from Indianapolis, Indiana. Last fall, I was a site leader for the homeless and gentrification trip in Over the Rhine, which was my first AB trip I have taken! Feel free to email me at McGowanh1@xavier.edu!
Keren Morataya
Financial Chair
Hi! My name is Keren, and I am the Finance chair! I’m a Finance and Accounting Double Major from Miami, FL. Spring break of 2024, I went on my first AB trip, to learn about Post-War Communities in El Salvador! I had such a great time on my trip and knew I had to be more involved with AB! Outside of AB, I love to hang out with my friends, my cat, and try new recipes. Feel free to reach out to me anytime at moratayak@xavier.edu.
Livie Zimbler
Travel Site Coordinator
Hi! I’m Livie, a senior computer science and sociology major from Oak Park, Illinois. I went on the Simple Living trip to West Virginia last spring and fell in love with AB’s mission and wanted to help spread it to others! I am super excited for AB this year and can’t wait to see everything come together! Outside of AB, I am involved with Club Swim and work as a Student Ambassador in the Office of Admissions. Feel free to reach out to me at zimblero@xavier.edu!
Kelly Witwer
Travel Site Coordinator
Hi I'm Kelly, a sophomore social work major from Greenville, OH! One of the past AB trips I went on was Post-War Communities in San Salvador, El Salvador. The community and the ability to share in another’s joy and suffering was so tangible that the lasting impact of war and violence on a country’s citizens is forever ingrained in my memory, but so is the feeling of togetherness and hope I experienced in my interactions with community members that I carry in my heart. Some of my hobbies include dancing, hiking, singing, and reading.
Tyler Hawatmeh
Education Site Coordinator
Hi I'm Tyler, a sophomore Philosophy, Politics, and the Public/Sport Management major from Los Angeles, CA. My favorite trip I've been on was the civil rights trip to Selma, AL, it was a powerful and eye opening experience that deepened my understanding of the long history of civil rights and reinforced my commitment to advocacy. Some of my hobbies include basketball, reading, service, podcasting, and language learning.
E Brown
Campus and Local Engagement Chair
E Brown is a sophomore psychology major from Columbus Georgia. Her first trip was Embracing Different abilities in Mobile, Alabama. "I enjoyed this trip & it was beyond my imagination. I learned new things about having a true impact in the community and learning how reflecting can lead you to effective decisions in the future.
Colleen Ryan Mayrand
Staff Advisor
Colleen grew up in Poughquag, New York. After attending Marist College, she served as a farm manager at the Glenmary Farm in Vanceburg KY. During her years at the farm, Colleen was transformed by the relationships she developed. It was here that she first realized the deep connection of faith and justice and an appreciation of the Appalachian region. After the Farm, Colleen went to the University of Dayton to work as the GA in Neighborhood Campus Ministry while completing her MA in Pastoral Ministry. After her time at UD, Colleen worked at Wheeling Jesuit University as the Mentor of the Mother Jones House and then as the Director of the Service for Social Action Center. At WJU, Colleen planned service and justice opportunities, immersion experiences, and helped with faith sharing groups, retreats and various campus ministry programs. During her time in Wheeling, Colleen fell in love with Ignatian Spirituality and the principles of Jesuit education. Colleen loves walking with students as they learn more about God, others, themselves, and the world around them. She is excited to be here at Xavier to continue doing this work. Here at Xavier, Colleen works with Companion Groups, Catholic Ministry Team, retreats, and outreach to Catholic students.