ABOUT US
Niños Incapacitados is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization dedicated to helping Mexican families who require financial assistance pay the ongoing and/or major medical expenses for their children who have serious or life-threatening illnesses. Located in Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico, our mission is to improve the quality of life for these children and their families.
BOARD MEMBERS
Lydia Bodin
President
Lydia is a former prosecutor and worked as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles California. She spent a number of years working in the area of child welfare and is interested in the well-being of the children in this community. Niños Incpacitados is the perfect way for Lydia to serve the children who live at Lakeside. She currently volunteers in the Jocotepec Clinic.
Dave Pike
Past President
Dave hails from Scotland, emigrating to Newfoundland at the age of 17. In 1963, he entered the Royal Canadian Navy, and after graduating from the University of Victoria served on both coasts of Canada until 1985, when he joined one of Canada’s largest real estate companies. In December 2000, Dave and his wife Darleen came to Mexico and settled in the Chapala area. He has been associated with non-profit and charitable organizations in Canada and Mexico for many years, and with Niños Incapacitados since 2001. Dave enjoys taking part in all of the activities, but especially with helping in the clinics in Chapala.
Colleen Murphy
Vice President
Colleen arrived in the Lakeside Community in March 2022. She joined Niños Incompacitados in the summer of 2022 with the desire to help the local community. Colleen's previous professional experience is in information security and software development and implementation. She also is a former U.S. Army military police officer.
Lori Runquist
Treasurer
Since 2004, Lori has frequently visited her retired parents in Ajijic, who were both involved in several of the local health charities at Lakeside. In 2021, she moved here permanently. Lori is a former investment executive from Chicago-based Northern Trust Company and prior consulting firms. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Chicago. In addition to working with the Niños Incapacitados’ Board, Lori takes private Spanish classes six hours per week with the goal of becoming fluent in this beautiful country’s native language.
Jerry Croucher
Secretary
After graduating with a diploma in Electronic Technology in 1969, Jerry joined Transport Canada as an Electronics Technologist. His responsibilities included maintaining electronic equipment used for Air Navigation and Air Traffic Control services in Canada. He progressed to a first line supervisor, to station manager to area manager and finally to national director of the maintenance program for Canada's Air Navigation and Air Traffic Control electronic equipment. After 33 years of service, Jerry retired to Ajijic in 2006 and built his home here. He served on the Board of Vista Alegre for four years, including one year as treasurer.
Ann Taylor
Communications Director
Ann and her husband Steve arrived in Lakeside in May 2022. Both have been active in non-profit work in California and Texas. Both joined Niños Incapacitados as they want to give back to their community. Ann has a background in communications, marketing and public relations, both in the US and internationally. She worked for many years in the software industry and first began her career as a newspaper journalist and editor. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism . She has been traveling for 40+ years in Mexico and has a great love for the people.
Nicole Sergent
Clinics Director
Nicole and her husband Bob have lived in Ajiic since 2007. Having both worked for a major airline, they have travelled extensively. Nicole has lived in Canada, Japan, Portugal and Spain. She speaks French, English and Spanish. Since her arrival in Ajijic, she has been active in the community. She worked for the Red Cross for many years and has been involved with Niños Incapacitados since 2009. She started to work at the clinics in Ajijic and Chapala at the end of 2010. "Working with the families is sometimes hard emotionally but it is so rewarding when we see the appreciation that the parents have for what we do." Nicole and her husband appreciate the beauty of Mexico and the friendliness of its people.
Graciela Ducet
Director at Large
After a 40-year career in International Human Resources management, Graciela retired in Mexico in 2006 with two objectives in mind: continue to travel the world, this time for pleasure, and volunteer in the community She joined multiple organizations dealing with the welfare of children and Niños has been a perfect fit for her.
Pedro Ramirez
Director at Large
Pedro holds an MBA with a minor in Engineering, He has 20+ years of experience in electronic, textile and pharmaceutical industries across Mexico and Latin America. He is the founder and CEO of Dermika Centro Dermatologico established in 2008, and is the dad of two beautiful kids.
Bill Dingwall
Director Community Relations
Bill is a retired Canadian Pharmacist (1973-2012). He and his wife Kathy have spent winters in Ajijic since 2007. Summers are spent in Ontario. They were first introduced to Niños Incapacitados in 2008. Bill also serves on the Board of Amistad Canada.
Michael Bustos
Director Governmental Relations
Michael is a former aerospace engineer serving in the industry for 33 years. He worked at Boeing, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Rockwell International. He was born locally in San Nicolas de Ibarra and came to the United States at five years of age. He lived his adult life in California and returned to Mexico to retire. Michael states that he came back to Mexico with a desire to serve this community and most particularly children. Niños Incapacitados is the way he chooses to give back. Michael volunteers in the Jocotepec Clinic.
Larry Wynant
Liaison Amistad Canada
Larry had a long career as a finance professor and dean at a Canadian business school and retired in the summer of 2013. He and his wife, Jessie, have been seasonal residents in Ajijic since 2010 and are now permanent residents. Larry and Jessie have lived in Canada, the US, Trinidad and Hong Kong and are now looking forward to discovering the richness of Mexico. Larry has served on several not-for-profit boards in Canada and Hong Kong and says he wants to contribute to the community and people of Mexico who are so gracious in welcoming expats to their country.