Our Team
Joan Machlis-Crasemann
Founder
I first came to the Lakeside area in 2012 and I am now a permanent resident and live in Riberas. The Lakeside area is a very special place to live and we cannot take it for granted.
I have Master Degrees in Business and Public Administration. During my long career, I was involved in financing of small businesses, housing projects and nonprofits.
I bring my passion that we can all make a positive difference in our community and the lives of others. With Lago Alianza I have the opportunity to help support and grow well-managed, impactful nonprofits, building on all that they contribute to life here for everyone.
One of the keys to the success of Lago Alianza will be learning from the experiences of seasoned volunteers and others working in the nonprofit sector. With collaboration, training and funding I believe Lago Alianza can help strengthen all of our efforts.
Velia Ramos
Administrative Support
My name is Velia Ramos and I was born in Ajijic, Jalisco, where I have lived my entire life.
I come from a family that is originally from this place. My father, a carpenter by trade, taught me the value of responsibility and punctuality; and from my mother, an elementary school teacher, I learned the importance of solidarity and service to others.
I have a degree in International Business and have worked in logistics for various companies. I also volunteered as an administrator during the renovation of the Ajijic plaza, an experience that allowed me to contribute to the development of my community.
Currently, I am dedicated to caring for my two children and managing my family's rental properties. This work has given me the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures, which can sometimes be challenging, but is always enriching and valuable.
I consider myself a committed, responsible person who is always willing to help others.
Steve Balfour
Advisor
Steve has dedicated his career to nonprofit leadership, guiding fundraising and community initiatives for organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, Aid Atlanta, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Most recently, he served as President and, pre-Covid, as Executive Director of the Lake Chapala Society.
Through Lago Alianza, Steve is committed to building collaborations that strengthen the Lakeside community. His expertise spans fundraising, event production, board development, and volunteer management. Since making Ajijic his home in 2016, he has enjoyed partnering with local organizations such as Lakeside Little Theatre, Niños Incapacitados, Ajijic Cares, Escuela de Mariachi Pedro Rey, and Cruz Roja Chapala.
Lydia Bodin
Advisor
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. She has served as the President of Ninos Incapacitados since 2019, a children's medical charity that operates on the North shores of Lake Chapala.
Lydia became involved with Lago Alianza because she is interested in community-wide collaboration to deliver services, especially to children, more efficiently. She is also interested in building a strong coalition of nonprofits who support each other and their work.
Michael Bustos
Advisor
I am a former aerospace engineer with 33 years of experience in the industry having worked at NASA, Rockwell International, and The Boeing Company. I was born in San Nicolás de Ibarra and moved to the United States at the age of five. I lived in California my entire life and returned to Mexico upon retiring in 2018 with the intent of volunteering in the community and supporting local nonprofit organizations. Currently, I am the Government Liason for the nonprofit Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago AC.
I decided to join Lago Alianza because I felt that this would give me the opportunity to have a broader positive impact at Lakeside through helping other area nonprofits achieve their missions.
Alberto Mitsunari Zapata
Advisor
My name is Alberto Mitsunari Zapata, born in Pasadena and raised in the heart of Ajijic. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialization in sexual education, and I now serve as Director of Ajijic Cares. My work is rooted in addressing sexual health, education, and community empowerment, while also building bridges between the local and expat communities in Lakeside.
I am passionate about finding creative ways to involve young people in nonprofit organizations, helping them understand their role in sustaining and strengthening these efforts over time. What I bring to the table is both my experience and my mission to connect communities, along with an eagerness to learn from seasoned nonprofit leaders. I believe that through collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, we can continue to expand opportunities and ensure the longevity of community organizations in Lakeside.
Myriam "Myra" Williams
Advisor
Myra E. Williams is a seasoned fundraising and business development professional with deep experience in revenue growth, donor engagement, and community impact. Over 24 years in Naples, FL, she led major campaigns and development programs for multiple nonprofit organizations. Her career began in 1996 as a Major Gifts Officer for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, later serving in leadership roles for women’s health and children’s organizations. As VP of Development for the Golisano Children’s Museum, she directed a capital campaign that raised $23.5 million.
Known for connecting people with purpose through branding, events, and outreach, Myra brings clarity and enthusiasm to donor relations while fostering collaboration across boards, staff, and volunteers. Today, through Lago Alianza, she applies her expertise to help nonprofits achieve sustainable growth and lasting community impact.
Marco Pérez
Consultant
Marco Pérez, a Marketing graduate with over 20 years of experience in the social sector, currently works as an institutional development consultant. His career has focused on strengthening civil society organizations, designing social projects, and building sustainability models. For the past several years, he has supported professionalization, strategic planning, fundraising, and governance processes in various organizations and social groups, both locally and nationally. His work integrates fieldwork, institutional design, and team building, with a vision that articulates social impact, financial sustainability, and operational coherence. He has led and supported initiatives in areas such as social development, education, social fabric reconstruction, community development, violence and addiction prevention, values education, and social entrepreneurship. Since 2015, he has served as Director of EMC Consultores, where he drives strengthening processes geared toward measurable results, institutional maturity, and sustainable growth for the social organizations he collaborates with.