MEET THE TEAM
JAVIER SILVA
Executive Director
Javier has led Lacrosse The Nations as Executive Director since September 2015. Born in Colombia, he moved to the US as a child and discovered lacrosse in Stamford, CT, where he helped start his high school's program and fell in love with the game. He went on to play four years at the University of Connecticut (MCLA). He then earned his MSc in International Marketing & Brand Management from Lund University in Sweden, where he was a player/coach for the Lund lacrosse team.
Javier's LtN journey began in Nicaragua in 2012, when he volunteered as Program Director. He coached alongside local coaches and helped launch a school nutrition program that served about 150 children every day. He joined LtN's staff in 2014. As Executive Director, he has expanded the Team Trips and scholarship programs, launched LtN Champions, and led the opening of new sites in Panama and Colombia.
Javier played for Colombia at the 2014 World Championships in Denver, served as an assistant coach through the 2018 World Championships in Israel, and was head coach for the 2022-23 cycle. The 2022 qualifiers in Medellín led LtN to launch programs there in 2023, bringing his journey full circle.
“I’ve always believed in the power of sport to create positive change. Now I get to lead an organization that puts that belief into action every day.”
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
“LtN brings together my passions for social impact, travel, and athletics. I’ve seen firsthand how sport can change a child’s life, and I’m proud to help make that possible for kids around the world.”
NICARAGUA
DARIEN SILVA
Country Director, Nicaragua
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.
“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, I love it more than ever before.”
JUAN DE LA CRUZ DAVILA
Boy’s Head Coach, Colegio Niño Jesus de Praga
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 the School of 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 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.
“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.”
ROBERTO TELLEZ
Boy’s Head Coach, School of 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.
“I am very excited to be part of the LtN staff now, it is an achievement that I did not see coming so soon. ”
LINETH LOPÉZ
Girl’s Assistant Coach, Colegio Niño Jesus de Praga
Lineth first discovered lacrosse in 2015, when Brooke Wilson started a girls' program during school breaks. At first, lacrosse seemed like a very strange sport to her, but with every practice she grew more connected to the game. That passion kept her playing year after year. For eight years, Lineth was part of the LtN Scholars program, which helped her complete her high school education. She graduated from Colegio Chiquilistagua in 2024. In 2025, LtN hired her as an assistant coach for its girls' programs, where she has built a strong, inspiring bond with each of the girls she coaches.
“Being an assistant coach means helping the girls build discipline and commitment. But more than teaching a sport, I’m here to give each of them the confidence to discover what she’s capable of.”
COLOMBIA
OSCAR CASTILLO MORALES
Country Director, Colombia
Oscar was born in Tenjo, Cundinamarca, Colombia. He started playing lacrosse in 2012 and went on to represent Colombia's national team at the World Championships in Denver and Israel, the Copa América in Mexico, and the qualifiers in Medellín. He earned his degree in Sports Science and Physical Education in 2014. In 2024, he coached Colombia's men's national team, and today he is an international Sixes lacrosse referee. Oscar joined LtN as a coach in 2020 and now leads LtN's programs in Colombia as Country Director.
“I work at Lacrosse the Nations because the sport changed my life. I hope to give that same opportunity to many more people.”
CARLOS REYES
Head Coach, Tenjo
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.”
ALEXIS ARROYAVE
Head Coach, Medellin
Alexis was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia. He earned a technical degree in Sports Training from SENA and a degree in Physical Education from the University of Antioquia. He discovered lacrosse in 2014, when Coach Miles Makdisi started a team on the SENA campus, and he fell in love with the sport right away. Between 2015 and 2016, he helped found Medellín's first lacrosse club, which still holds practices today. Through the Colombian national team community, Alexis connected with Lacrosse The Nations and joined its programs, where he uses lacrosse to teach children and young people values, teamwork, discipline, and respect. His goal is to keep growing as a coach and to use sport as a tool for social transformation.
“A coach’s responsibility goes beyond simply improving students’ physical or athletic abilities; a coach can also become a positive influence on their personal development and life path.”
MATEO TOBON
Head Coach, Medellin
Mateo was born in Medellín, the city where much of his story has taken place. He loved sports from a young age, and playing many different ones taught him discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and commitment. Over time, that passion became a calling. Mateo earned a degree in Physical Education from the University of Antioquia, where he came to see sport as a powerful tool for education and transformation. In 2020, he noticed a classmate arriving on campus with a lacrosse stick and had to find out what it was. That curiosity turned into a new passion, and lacrosse became an important part of his personal and professional path. Today, Mateo coaches at the Boston site of Tiempo de Paz, an LtN partner in Medellín. There he uses sport to help children and young people learn, overcome challenges, and build confidence, with the goal of shaping not only better athletes but better people. He is grateful to LtN for the opportunity to turn his passion and profession into a way to make a positive difference in children’s lives.
“My dream is to educate, inspire, and transform lives through sport.”