Meet our Volunteers: Rebeca Denny

Continuing with our “Meet the Volunteer” series, we would like to introduce you to one of our newest volunteers, Rebeca!

Name: Rebeca Denny

I was born in Colombia, grew up right outside of New York City and have spent many years living abroad in England, Australia and now, Switzerland. My husband and I moved here three years ago for a project that turned into an official relocation in September 2019.  We could not be happier and count ourselves very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world.  My career in Communications has allowed me to travel, meet and work with so many diverse and interesting people over the years and so Zurich’s unique international community offers those same rewards.

What personal experiences drew you to charity work?

My father is a minister and my mother is a nurse so their community driven professions certainly encouraged my charitable spirit.  From a very young age, my siblings and I were involved in humanitarian, refugee, and charitable efforts that aimed to bring about positive change in the world. This continued into my adult life when I volunteered at food banks and homeless shelters as well as provided career planning for ex-convicts and citizenship preparation for immigrants coming to America. The opportunity to help others brings me great happiness.

How did you get involved with Zharity?

My friend Kamini Patel kindly introduced me to the organization and its president, Alicia Altmueller.  I was looking for volunteer opportunities in Zürich but knew that my lack of German language skills (a work in progress!) might be a barrier.  Alicia and my fellow Zharity volunteers have welcomed my enthusiasm and I have been grateful for the opportunity to get involved and do social good.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working with the team on Zharity's 2021 programming and am specifically focused on developing partnerships with local businesses and entrepreneurs to create fundraising initiatives which support the important community outreach we do.