Javier Silva
Executive Director
Javier took over as LtN’s Executive Director in September 2015. He has been with the organization since 2012, spending two years volunteering as Program Director in Nicaragua.
Javier was born in Colombia and moved to the US when he was young. His first introduction to lacrosse came in his hometown of Stamford, CT. During his junior and senior years, Javier helped establish a lacrosse program at his high school. It is where he fell in love with the game.
Javier went on to play for four years at the University of Connecticut (MCLA). After graduation, he spent time in the business world before moving to Sweden to obtain his MSc in International Marketing & Brand Management from Lund University. During his time in Sweden, Javier traveled throughout Scandinavia as a player/coach for the Lund lacrosse team. After graduating in June 2011, Javier learned of LtN and knew he wanted to get involved.
In 2017, Javier graduated from the Sports and Entertainment Impact Certificate program in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. The program was an opportunity for sports, entertainment and philanthropy leaders to collaborate and learn about every facet of how we can use sports to make the world a better place.
Anders Bjella
Development Manager
Anders joined LtN as Development Manager in September 2022 following three years of volunteer work with the Lacrosse The Nations team. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Anders earned his bachelor's degree from McGill University in 2016, where he was a member of the varsity lacrosse team. Anders served as the offensive coach for McGill from 2018 - 2022.
Professionally, Anders focuses primarily on assisting nonprofits with their marketing processes and fundraising initiatives. In addition to his strategic marketing experience, he brings digital ads & communications knowledge to the LtN team.
A lifelong lacrosse player and international travel enthusiast, Anders has spent time exploring, working, and competing throughout South America, Europe, and Asia. He is a firm believer in the power of athletics to connect, inspire, and catalyze systemic change
Nicaragua coaching stafF
Juan De La Cruz Davila
Upper School Coach, Chiquilistagua
Juan is a former student at the Public School of Chiquilistagua and one of our first LtN Scholars. In 2014 Juan worked with Country Director Norman at Club Hope, learning to be a coach first hand. In the 2015 school year Juan worked along side Coach Luis in the lower school of Chiquilistagua working with students grade 4-6. Juan teaches over 400 students in grades 7-11 alongside coach Luis.
Juan is happily married and has one daughter. In his free time Juan plays a lot of soccer and is very active in his church as a member of the band. Through LtN’s Scholars Program, Juan received his certificate as an electrical automotive engineer and is currently pursuing his degree in Physical Education at the Nicaragua Institute of Sport (IND).
When asked about LtN Juan had this to say: “The first time I saw the sport I thought it was very innovative, rough, interesting and I thought I could be really good at it. I have learned so much from my experience, from the coaches and the kids. I love that the kids have trusted me so much so that I can help them with any issues or problems they have.“
Darien Silva
Girls Program Coach, Chiquilistagua
Darien graduated from the Public School of Chiquilistagua in December 2015. Through LtN’s Coach’s Scholarship Program, she has continued her education at American University in Managua, studying Clinical Bio-Analysis on track to becoming a nurse. Upon graduation from high school, Darien assisted in LtN’s Chiquilistagua’s lacrosse programs, later becoming a head coach at the start of our all-girls program in 2017. In her free time, Darien likes spending time with her friends, dancing, and chatting on her phone.
Darien reflects on her time coaching stating: “When I saw lacrosse for the first time, I thought it was something weird, something I did not think I would like as much as I do now. Being involved in lacrosse has been a beautiful experience to share with younger and older girls. And now [coaching the girls team], I love it more than ever before!”
Nicaragua Assistant Coaches Program
Juan Carlos Murillo
LtN Scholar, Club Hope
Juan Carlos is an LtN veteran, participating in LtN programs since our beginning days in La Chureca. In his 9th year playing lacrosse, Juan Carlos has deservingly earned a scholarship through LtN’s Assistant Coaches Program for the 2020 & 2021. In addition to receiving a coaching stipend, his scholarship will cover all costs of books, writing utensils, necessary classroom materials, and both sets of uniforms.
When we say that Juan Carlos is the real deal, we’re not joking. As a 10th grader, Juan Carlos has consistently displayed perfect attendance, incredible rapport with teammates of all ages, and undeniable leadership.
When asked about his entrance into LtN’s Assistant Coaches Program, Juan Carlos reflects: “I am excited to know that finally, I will be able to be part of the staff of LtN. It is something that I’ve waited a long time for… I am excited that I will finally be able to share what I have learned in nine years with this sport, I am excited to know that I will be able to share my playing skills and especially share the companionship, kindness, respect and collaboration with others.”
Roberto Tellez
LtN Scholar, Club Hope
Roberto is in 10th grade. He first learned about the sport of Lacrosse at the La Esperanza Christian School (Club Hope), when it was still in La Chureca in 2010 - LtN’s founding year. Lacrosse was Roberto’s first-ever sport, and it has kept him coming back ever since. Currently what is he likes most about lacrosse is helping his colleagues when they approach him and ask him how to improve their skills, shooting, and stick tricks. Another of Roberto’s favorite parts of LtN has always been sharing with foreign volunteers who always come to visit.
Roberto’s favorite subject is Language Arts. His favorite hobbies are listening to music, watching action movies and series, comedy, drama, romantics (“a little bit of everything”), spending time with friends and also playing the guitar. In the future, Roberto dreams of playing as a professional, representing Nicaragua.
Roberto reflects: “I am very excited to be part of the LtN staff now, it is an achievement that I did not see coming so soon, the only thing that saddens me is that I will no longer be able to play in tournaments. But I am very excited to teach and continue training other children what I have learned over the years in LtN programs, it is with these programs that I have grown, I have learned to value how much and little we have, to respect each person as they are, to get up if I fall, to persist in what I want and to always give 100% in everything I do.”
COLOMBIA staff
Carlos Reyes
Program Coordinator & Head Coach, Colombia
Carlos was born in Barrancabermeja - Santander in Colombia and now lives in Bogotá. He started playing lacrosse in November in 2012 through a friend who brought him to a practice. Carlos fell in love with the sport immediately. In 2014 he was a member of the Colombian Men's national team and played LSM at the World Championships in Denver, Colorado.
He currently plays for the Bogota Legends team and is studying physical education, recreation and sport at the University Minuto de Dios. He hopes to teach children the beauty of Physical Education and sports and how sports can help them an amazing life.
"I'm grateful to LtN for giving me the opportunity to live my dream to teach and play lacrosse and giving me the opportunity to help make a difference with this program." - Carlos