TeamWorks International

Embracing the Adventure of Serving

Matt Gerber

Speeches & Letters
Biography (short version)
Biography (full version) 
High-Resolution Photo



Matt Gerber divides his time between consulting on community-based initiatives worldwide and a rigorous public speaking tour promoting participation of individuals in the international community. Matt has traveled to nearly 50 countries, engaging individuals at the ground level and enhancing their capacity to be leaders in their communities. Matt will be stepped down as CEO on May 31, 2007, after more than four years as TeamWorks' founding director. Click here to read the press release online and learn more.

TeamWorks role:

• Chief Executive Officer (2003-07)
  
• Founded TeamWorks in December 2002 (then called TeamNicaragua)
  
  

• International relations: socially and environmentally sustainable community development, humanitarian aid and crisis intervention
• Diplomacy: leveraging and mobilizing global networks of resources
• Facilitation: enhancing the leadership capacity of community-based organizations

Op-eds and speaking engagements:

• Rotary International
  • Keynote speaker at Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in District 5100 (Northern Oregon and SW Washington) on the topics of global citizenship and finding your life's passion (2004 to current)
  • Guest speaker at more than 50 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in the United States, Australia, Ecuador, Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt (1996-current)
  • Keynote speaker at District 5100 Interact Conference (2006)
  • Guest master of ceremonies for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in District 9200 (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Eritrea)
• Matt was one of the two keynote speakers at first event for Completing the Circle, sharing his views on the important of sustainable development and the connection consumers need to have with the origin of their products (2006)
• Guest speaker at the Eye Glass Recycling Program at Coffee Creek State Women's Correctional Facility, on the topic of connectivity of local work with international projects and life goal setting (2006)
• Ford Family Foundation
  • Guest panelist on the topic of community involvement at the Ford Scholar Alumni Conference (2006)
  • Guest student presenter at Ford Scholar Class of 2003 graudation ceremony (2003)
• Commencement speaker at La Grande High School graduation in Oregon (2005)
• George Fox University
  • First Reunion guest speaker (2003)
  • Matt presented his thesis entitled "The Impacts of U.S. Foreign Policy on Globalization and Development in Latin America" (2003)
  • "Out of the Classroom and Into Central America", as Matt gives a brief overview of the first TeamNicaragua trip; e Bruin Monthly Newsletter, Sept. 2003.
  • Master of Ceremonies for Andrea Higgins Fashion Show (2002) and Night of Broadway (1999)
• "Response to "Globalization, the Great Commission, and You", where Matt responds to an article by David Rawson, former US Ambassador to Rwanda; Barclay Press, June 2003.
• President's Council student presenter (2002)

In the media:

• Featured in The Oregonian Clackamas County Weekly magazine, this interview with Matt focused on his work with TeamWorks and his focus on local and international service (2007).
• Matt's work with TeamWorks and his nomination for the Volvo For Life Award was mentioned in this Automotive.com article entitled Vote for Oregon's Greatest Hometown Heros (2007).  
• "Seeing a dream fulfilled" The Observer detailing the story Wilber Bucardo, a young man from Nicaragua whose dreams are coming true thanks to the people he has met through Matt and TeamWorks International; April 2006.
• Matt is mentioned numerous times in the book And the Sun comes up in Nicaragua, the true account of Beverly Lebold's journey of in life and faith after taking a trip to Central America with TeamWorks International (2005).
• "A vision for the future" Newberg Graphic detailing Matt's journey through college traveling to 30 countries in the course of his research and his goal of being a true global citizen in the future (2004)
• While at George Fox University Matt was the recipient of the C.W. Perry Award, see Four George Fox University Students Receive Servant Leadership Award (2002).

Video clips and photos:

• From the Completing the Circle program, Matt takes viewers into the Sidamo region of southern Ethiopia.

Languages:

• English (native speaker)
• Spanish
• Arabic