The heart for Africa team
Heart for Africa is a faith-based humanitarian
organization that focuses on bringing HOPE to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa
in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, and Education. Meet our team of caring
humanitarians that lead the cause.
Board of Directors
Chris Winkle served as the chief executive officer for Sunrise Senior Living from April 2014 to Jan 2021. With extensive knowledge of acute, post-acute, and senior living sectors, Mr. Winkle is a seasoned executive with more than 35 years of experience in leadership management, healthcare operations, finance, and strategic planning.
Before joining Sunrise, Mr. Winkle served eight years as chief executive officer of MedQuest, Inc., a leading operator of independent, fixed-site, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers in the United States. Previously, he served as president and chief executive officer for Mariner Health Care, Inc., which operated skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and long-term acute care hospitals. Prior to that role, Mr. Winkle was the chief operating officer at Integrated Health Services, where he helped pioneer the sub-acute care sector and was responsible for all of the facility and ancillary service operations. Mr. Winkle started his career by holding management positions within specialty and rehabilitation hospitals.
Mr. Winkle currently resides in Middleburg, VA with his wife. They have four children and two grandchildren. Mr Winkle is a long time supporter of Heart for Africa. He and his family visited in 2009 and were present at the ground blessing for Project Canaan. He returned for the 10th Anniversary in 2019. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and is a member of several for profit and nonprofit boards.
Sandra Green is a dear friend of Heart for Africa and has served with the mission in many capacities since 2006. She served on the Board of Directors as the Finance Chair from 2013-2016 and was Vice Chair from 2015-2016. She has traveled to Project Canaan and served as a volunteer Team Leader for 9 summers.
Sandra currently is the owner of Winn Contracting Services of Gainesville, GA, a start-up company to participate in RFPs for non-governmental general contracting services focused on replacement HVAC, electrical and plumbing but not exclusive to these areas. The company also provides boat and RV storage as well.
Sandra retired in 2018 from a very successful career in healthcare. She served as the Vice-President for Share Services Healthcare in Atlanta, GA and served from 1996-2006 as the President where she was responsible for running a nonprofit regional group purchasing cooperative for the healthcare industry which focused on negotiating contracts with over 1000 suppliers for discounts for membership base. In 2006, she began working for Medassets in Alpharetta, GA as SVP/GM Spend Segment. She was responsible for client management of all spend segment clients for this publicly traded company. This included negotiating client contracts as well as supplier contracts. Her team was responsible for 55% of the company’s revenue for several year. She received many awards for her work including the Terry Mulligan Award in 2009 (recognizing employee w/greatest impact for company), the President’s Award, (overall top award of the company) in 2012, the Presidents Club Qualification: 2006-2010, 2012,2013 and 2015 and the David Holder Award in 2010. Sandra continued her career in 2016 when Vizient acquired Medassets. She served as SVP/General Manager of National Accounts.
Sandra received a BSPH from the University of North Caroline, Chapel Hill School of Public Health and an MBA/MHA with a minor in marketing from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Her professional affiliations include: ACHE Affiliate, 1986-1994 (American College of Healthcare Executives), HFMA, Georgia Chapter, 1986-1996 (Healthcare Financial Management Association), HFMA Board Member, 1990-1992, HFMA Follmer Bronze Award, UNC Women’s Leadership Conference, American Contract Compliance Association (2018, 2019) and NWBOC (National Women’s Business Owner’s Corporation (2018, 2019, 2020,2021).
Sandra community leadership includes serving on the Kings Ridge Christian School Board of Directors from 1998 – 2008, Sunday School Instructor at North Point Community Church from 2006-2009, UNC Chapel Hill, School of Public Health Foundation Board member for 5 years, ongoing UNC Alumnae Mentor, and the Blessed Trinity Catholic High School capital campaign member from 2006-2008. She was a part of Hire a Hero Organization for 10 years which helps place military veterans into jobs. She served with the Bucket List Foundation, based in Raleigh NC but provides wish fulfillments for adults with terminal cancer outside the state as well. She has also served with The Place of Forsyth County – a nonprofit based in Forsyth County that serves the needs of Forsyth county residents. Sandra resides in Gainesville, GA. She has 3 adult children: Taylor, Leanne and Travis.
Kristen Johns is a partner of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP where she leads the firm’s distributed edger/blockchain practice. A transactional patent attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, Kristen provides counsel to healthcare, life sciences, emerging technologies, aerospace, retail, and manufacturing clients. Before joining Waller, Kristen served in in-house counsel roles at Emdeon (now Change Healthcare) and Orion Genomics. Kristen was recognized in the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence 2019 and the Nashville Medical News’ Women to Watch. She earned her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, and her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering.
She and her husband, Andy, live in Nashville, TN with their three children, Ansley, Frank, and Luke, and their Australian shepherd. Moved by the Maxwells’ story, Kristen and Ansley went to Eswatini in 2019 to celebrate Project Canaan’s 10-year anniversary.
Jill Wood-Wolff is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience in tax and accounting. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Steele Consulting LLC (“Steele”). Steele is a tax consulting firm headquartered in Atlanta that generates over 80 percent of its revenue from Fortune 1000 clients. In her current role as Steele’s Chief Operating Officer, she oversees the Atlanta, Silicon Valley, Detroit and New York Metro offices. In addition, Jill is responsible for the firm’s financial operations, strategy, business development and expansion into new markets.
Prior to joining Steele Consulting in 2012, Jill was the Director of State Tax Planning & Audits for The Home Depot, Inc where her responsibilities included Internal Revenue Service examinations, state income tax audits & litigation, and tax restructurings. Prior to that, she was employed by Cox Enterprises, Inc. and PwC, where she built her experience in tax and financial management.
Jill earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Furman University and her Masters of Taxation from Georgia State University. She is an Atlanta-area native and still resides in the Metro Atlanta area.
Jill is passionate about supporting orphaned and abandoned children and using the gifts and resources she has been given to extend the love of Christ where it is most needed. Jill has traveled to Eswatini twice and looks forward to visiting Project Canaan as soon as International travel resumes. Jill is excited to serve with Heart for Africa to bring HOPE to Eswatini in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education and believes God has been preparing her for this role.
Ian Maxwell works at Heart for Africa. Ian’s vision for self-sustainable food security for all people is at the core of community transformation. Ian successfully unites and partners people from many nations to work together for comprehensive and lasting solutions.
Ian has a degree in economics from Bishops University in Lennoxville, Quebec and is the former vice-president of operations for Onyx Marketing Group in Toronto, Canada.
Janine Maxwell works for Heart for Africa. At the age of 24 she founded what would become one of the most successful marketing companies in Canada. For 16 years Janine led Onyx Marketing Group boasting some of the most well known companies in North America.
On 9/11 she found herself a part of thousands fleeing New York City. This life-changing event sent Janine on a search for the meaning of life. Her journey took her to Africa where she encountered the AIDS pandemic, hunger and disease. Janine was stirred by the faces of children, mothers and grandmothers fighting daily for their life. She turned from her boardroom savvy to be the voice sounding an alarm for those too weak to cry for help. Together Janine andher husband Ian co-founded Heart For Africa, a faith based organization focusing on Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education in Eswatini.
Janine is a graduate of Evangel University. She is the author of two books, Is It Okay With You?and It’s Not Okay With Me.
David has been building relationships and raising money since 1999. He’s managed successful direct mail programs, special events, major gift campaigns and other initiatives that have generated millions of dollars for programs for men, women and children struggling with disabilities, homelessness, hunger, addiction and inadequate resources.
Most recently, David served as the Chief Development Officer for United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham and the UCP Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, overseeing marketing, annual giving, public relations, special events and planned giving strategies that supported programs and services to people with disabilities. While serving as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Appalachia Service Project in Tennessee, he managed the ministry’s fundraising campaigns, raising more than $2.5 million annually to build relationships and secure support for home repair for Appalachian families in need of warmer, safer and drier homes and to provide a transformational experience for thousands of volunteers from across the nation each year.
When asked why he’s so passionate about fundraising and ministry, David shares, “It’s all about change. My passion, vision and commitment to a nonprofit’s mission and its success in creating outcomes that change people’s lives is something that’s highly contagious. It infects everyone with whom I come into contact. Ultimately, it’s always about building relationships and discovering the place where an organization’s mission and donor’s philanthropic vision come together. Because when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.”
Alan Hill is the founder of J.A. Hill Group which provides political and policy intelligence to their clients. Alan has over two decades of high level and wide ranging expertise from government, corporate and association work. His experience and bipartisan contacts extend to the House, Senate, White House and executive departments and agencies. During his congressional career, he served as a staff member on the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce and worked on key issues under the committee’s jurisdiction including telecommunications, energy, financial services and healthcare.
Following his committee work, Alan served as Legislative Director for Representative Cliff Stearns, then Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, with jurisdiction over digital trade, privacy, data security, and cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous vehicles. Alan also let the Congressman’s efforts on telecommunications and energy/electricity issues, trade, and national security; including authoring numerous pieces of legislation and amendments that were passed into law.
In 2005, Alan left Capitol Hill to work on the business side of public policy representing the competitive telecommunications industry (made up largely of companies formed after the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act). He would serve as Director of Legislative Affairs at XO Communications, one of the largest competitive telecommunications companies at the time, creating and implementing the company’s legislative, political, and grassroots operations.
Most recently, Alan served as the Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Strategic Business Development for COMPTEL/INCOMPAS, the premier trade association representing the competitive telecommunications and tech community. In this role he expanded and increased the trade association’s influence on Capitol Hill as well as created business opportunities for both the association and its members. In between his positions in the telecommunications/tech industry, Alan served as Vice President of Federal Business Development for CORE Construction, where he let the creation of the company’s internal division that focused on federal government contracts.
Robert Holmes is senior vice president and chief human resources officer for nThrive. He is responsible for elevating organizational effectiveness, strengthening talent and leadership capability, and enhancing employee engagement and relations.
A 25-year veteran of human resources, Holmes has successfully implemented strategies to develop and attract top talent, improve organization effectiveness and increase employee engagement, and brings experience partnering with executives to acquire and integrate large businesses. Prior to joining nThrive, he served as senior vice president of global human resources at AVINTIV which is now a part of Berry Plastics. Before AVINTIV, he held executive roles with Applied Materials, Nokia and Nortel.
Holmes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. He is also a national board member of INROADS. Holmes currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina and is active in several professional and community-based organizations.
Ted Watson lives in Watkinsville, GA with Cissy, his wife of 33 years. They have 3 grown children, Hunt, Ali and Jessica. Ted and Cissy attend Athens Church, a partner church to North Point Ministries. For over 30 years, they have been actively involved in mission work in Honduras with HOI, Inc. (Honduras Outreach), a Christ-centered missions organization. Other favorite ministries include Everlasting Love in Cambodia and Thailand, FCA Cheer, Athens College of Ministry, Asian Christian Academy in Bangalore, India, Coates Ministry in Kenya and Heart for Africa.
Ted is originally from Owensboro, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1980 with a degree in business and subsequently received his Masters Degree from the University of Georgia.
After graduating from UK, he spent 25 years in the oil and gas industry living in Houston, TX, Richmond, VA and Decatur, GA. He held positions in human resources management with Texas Gas Exploration and CSX, and sales management with Entrade Corporation. Most recently, Ted spends his time on his investments in franchise restaurants and apartments.
Ted and Cissy enjoy traveling and spending time with their children who live in Denver and Nashville. In June 2019, they visited Project Canaan and Coates Ministries in Kenya. Ted’s hobbies are golf, snow skiing and scuba diving.
Morgan Kokaram is an associate attorney at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. She is a member of the corporate practice group, with a focus on mergers & acquisitions. Prior to starting at Greenberg Traurig, Morgan served as a law fellow at Atlanta Legal Aid Society during the Covid shutdown. Morgan is also the founder of The She League: sheLeads, sheExcels, sheInspires Conference, a one-day career development conference for millennial women of color in the early or mid-stages of their career in corporate America. The She League Conference creates a space where millennial women in corporate can collaborate with one another; build and develop leadership skills; gather tangible tools to better our careers; and discuss how we can eliminate hurdles for the next generation. Morgan holds a BBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Morgan currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Morgan first visited Eswatini with Heart for Africa in 2011 with her family and has continued to visit and be involved with Heart For Africa since then.
Kristi Morrill – For the past 32 years I have been a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit my hospital, and before starting my family, that was my lifelong dream and my passion. Although I still love the work I do, my faith and my family have become my passion. I am happily newly married and my husband Wade and I have 5 kids between the two of us. My oldest son Jed and his fiancé Kelsey are getting married this summer, my daughter Maya is also a nurse and works at the same hospital that I do, and my youngest son Joey is just about to graduate from the University of Oregon with a degree in Business. Wade has a daughter, Whitney and a son Cade. Cade is also engaged to be married this year, so needless to say, we are having a very exciting year!
I have been a believer for my entire adult life, but my relationship with the Lord really started 7 years ago when I went through a divorce after almost 21 years of marriage. I can honestly say that during that time, the Lord was absolutely my rock. It is said that people grow the most in times of heartache, and that was especially true for me. So much healing started during that time, and continues today as my relationship with the Lord continues to grow.
I became involved with Heart for Africa after a good friend of mine emailed me about helping her with funds for her own trip to Eswatini. After sending in my donation, David Bryant called me to thank me and we proceeded to have a 20 minute conversation about what led me to help her out. I checked out the HFA website and soon became a monthly donor as a Hero and an Angel. In 2017, I felt led to do something that I really had never thought seriously about: Go on a mission trip. I prayed about it and talked to a good friend about it and he told me that something like this was definitely from the Lord, and that I should go. I went online and registered for the trip, began fundraising, and in November of 2017, I made the trip that truly changed my life. I fell in love with the people, and the HFA organization.
I shared about my experience with anyone who would listen, got involved in helping to raise money for the Water Down the Mountain project, became an Ambassador for Khutsala, and just supported HFA in any way that I could. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to sponsor 2 children at PC, and I am planning my second trip to Eswatini in the Spring of 2023.
Melva Tate lives by one rule: “Put in the work.”
She also recruits, coaches and owns an award-winning organization according to the “PITW” mantra.
Often called the “HR Fixer”, Melva has successfully navigated the complicated world of human resource management for 25+ years. In 2008, she launched the consulting firm, Tate & Associates, LLC. The firm provides human resource consulting, career coaching, and customized training to organizations across the United States. Her areas of expertise include:
- Cultural & Compliance Training
- Diversity & Inclusion Consulting
- EEO Compliance and Mediation
- Employee Relations & Engagement
- Title VII/ Title IX Investigations
- Leadership Coaching
Putting in work like this leads to an impressive list of credentials, including a B.S. degree in Human ResourceManagement, an Executive MBA, Certified Life Coach, Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and DiSCTeam Training Facilitator certifications. Melva is also a Navy veteran and received the Navy Achievement Medalfor her commendable and exceptional active duty service.
Melva’s commitment to her profession and the community has earned her recognition as a 2022 recipient of the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, 2021 Community Leader Award – 100 Black Women – Central Alabama, 2019 “Top 50 Over 50” in Alabama honoree, Birmingham’s 2006 “Top 40 Under 40” Professional, the BSHRM Leadership Excellence Award, Best Minority Business Honoree by theBirmingham Business Journal, Cox Media’s Best in Minority Business Winner and the 2020 Hoover Area Chamber Small Business of the Year.
As an activist, executive advisor, and dedicated board member, Melva has volunteered her time and energy as Vice Chair of Ruffner Mountain Park, Governance Committee Chair for Alabama Environmental Council, Board Member- The Exceptional Foundation, and Central Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment Board. Served as Past President for The Women’s Network- Birmingham, United Ability, and the Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM).
Tate & Associates’ success stories include clients like Mercedes Benz (International Manufacturing), Taziki’s Mediterranean Café (corporate and franchisees), City of Tuskegee, Birmingham Airport Authority, Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation, City of Hoover, The United Way of Central Alabama, YWCA, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Railroad Park, and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham.
College and University clients include, Tuskegee University, Miles College, Alabama A&M University, AlabamaState University, Morehouse College, Bishop State Community College, Auburn University, Wallace StateCommunity College, Tougaloo College, University of Alabama-Birmingham, and many more.
Doug Liptak is a visionary and strategic leader with a passion for helping others. As the Chief Strategy Officer, Doug brings a unique combination of analytical thinking, high-energy resilience, and financial expertise to the board of Heart for Africa. He co-founded SignatureFD, a leading wealth management firm, 26 years ago and has been instrumental in helping clients build and live a rich life filled with purpose and abundance.
Doug holds a Master of Taxation with an emphasis in personal financial planning from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Furman University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), which further underscores his expertise in the financial industry.
Doug’s involvement with Heart for Africa dates back to its inception, and he has traveled to Africa multiple times to witness the organization’s impact firsthand. He and his wife, Marianne, are proud residents of Greensboro, GA and love to bring their friends to experience the joy and impact of Heart for Africa’s work in terms of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, and Education (HOPE).
With his expertise in strategic planning, financial planning, and his passion for the cause, Doug is a valuable asset to the Heart for Africa board. He is dedicated to helping the organization achieve its mission and make a positive impact in the world.
La’Kerri Jackson is the Global Director of Social Impact at UPS. In this role La’Kerri leads efforts to drive social impact for communities around the globe. She is responsible for leading the company’s global equity and economic empowerment initiatives, including the UPS Women Exporters Program, which strategically helps unleash the economic power of women entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. La’Kerri ‘s portfolio is comprised of multimillion dollar investments in game changing opportunities for underserved and underrepresented women, youth, and marginalized communities that remove barriers to success by strengthening economic empowerment and creating pathways to entrepreneurship, college and career exploration and preparation, mentorship, and inclusion.
Most recently, La’Kerri led efforts in developing and implementing UPS’ Atlanta strategy, which helps the company make strategic investments to deliver what matters most to the community. In her prior role as a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, La’Kerri influenced organizational culture as she reinforced UPS’s broader DEI strategy to promote a fair, inclusive, and authentic workplace for over 500,000 employees by leading the company’s two hundred Business Resource Groups across the globe.
La’Kerri is a committed force helping to change the world for the better. She is most proud of a personal initiative she developed and launched in 2020 in collaboration with a financial institution to break cultural barriers and provide women entrepreneurs and founders in Africa with access to capital. To date, the African Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative (TAWEEI) has transformed the lives for over 3,000 women and their families in Uganda. Additionally, La’Kerri enjoys volunteering and utilizing her gifts and talents to help aspiring entrepreneurs and founders in Cambodia unlock their potential.
Over the years, La’Kerri has served on the board of directors and provided thought leadership to Career Rise, National Black Child Development Institute, Caring for Others, Women Impacting A Nation, and the Global Village Project, which is the only school in the country dedicated to educating refugee girls who have had their education interrupted.
La’Kerri holds a B.A. in Leadership Studies from Beulah Heights University and ABA approved paralegal certification in civil litigation from the National Center for Paralegal Training. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, volunteering, and helping others realize and maximize their potential.
Carol Hickman, Heart for Africa (Canada) Chair, obtained her law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1987 and has practiced family law in the Greater Vancouver area for over 25 years. Carol has extensive experience in complex family law matters, including property division, maintenance, and custody and access disputes. She has experience at all levels of Court including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Carol was a Bencher of the Law Society of BC from 2004 – 2011, when she completed her final term, and sat on several Committees and Task Forces. Carol continues to sit on Law Society Discipline Hearing panels. Carol was recognized for her contribution to the legal profession when she was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2010.
For the past 15 years, Carol has been helping couples resolve their disputes outside of the courtroom, as a family law Mediator and a Collaborative family lawyer. Carol is also a family law Arbitrator. Carol has been an instructor for Continuing Legal Education for many years and has also been a guest instructor at UBC Law School and Thompson Rivers University Law School. Carol has been a guest speaker across North America in the area of family law. Carol recently completed her Masters of Law in Alternate Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Carol continues her litigation practice at Quay Law Centre, the largest group of family lawyers in BC. In addition, in 2012 Carol established West Coast ADR Law Group, which is focused on mediation, arbitration and collaborative law.
Carol has been involved in a number of charities and is actively involved with her Church. Carol is also very passionate about Heart for Africa (Canada) and the children at Project Canaan. Carol was instrumental in organizing a large fundraiser in BC, in the fall of 2016, to raise money for Project Canaan Academy. Carol and her husband Barry made their first trip to Eswatini in 2016. They spent the majority of their time with the children and participating in the HFA Outreach Program. Carol is passionate about raising awareness of the drought, famine and AIDS epidemic in Eswatini.
Chairman, International Egg Foundation, Past President, World Egg Organization, Former CEO, Egg Farmers of Canada
Tim Lambert has supported the Canadian egg industry through various roles. He is passionate about sustainable food systems, building public trust, and helping more people in Canada and around the world access the incredible nutrition and protein found in eggs.
A graduate from the University of Guelph with an Honours degree in Animal and Poultry Science, Tim has worked his entire career in agriculture. He has held roles at Ontario Swine Improvement and Beef Improvement Ontario as well with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture’s genetic improvement programs. Tim is a founding Trustee of the International Egg Foundation and is currently the Chair. From 2017 to 2019, he served as Chair of the International Egg Commission and was President of the World Egg Organisation. He also served as the Chair of the Heart for Africa (Canada) Board of Directors and Foundation from 2016 to 2019 and is a past-member of the Egg Industry Center Board of Advisors at Iowa State University. Tim is currently Chair of the Board of Directors for Heart for Africa, Eswatini Board.
Tim was awarded the University of Guelph’s prestigious Alumni of Honour award in 2018 and named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Canadian Agriculture in 2021 for his professional and volunteer contributions both nationally and globally.
Ian Maxwell
Co-Founder And C.E.O.
Ian Maxwell works at Heart for Africa, a faith-based organization focusing on bringing hope to the people of Africa in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education. Ian’s vision for self-sustainable food security for all people is at the core of community transformation. Ian successfully unites and partners people from many nations to work together for comprehensive and lasting solutions.
Ian has a degree in economics from Bishops University in Lennoxville, Quebec and is the former vice-president of operations for Onyx Marketing Group in Toronto, Canada.
Janine Maxwell
Co-Founder And C.O.O.
At the age of 24 Janine Maxwell founded what would become one of the most successful marketing companies in Canada. For 16 years Janine led Onyx Marketing Group boasting some of the most well known companies in North America.
On 9/11 she found herself a part of thousands fleeing New York City. This life-changing event sent Janine on a search for the meaning of life. Her journey took her to Africa where she encountered the AIDS pandemic, hunger and disease. Janine was stirred by the faces of children, mothers and grandmothers fighting daily for their lives. She turned from her boardroom savvy to be the voice sounding an alarm for those too weak to cry for help. Together Janine and her husband Ian co-founded Heart For Africa, a faith based organization focusing on Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education in Eswatini.
Janine is a graduate of Evangel University. She is the author of two books, Is It Okay With You? and It’s Not Okay With Me. You can purchase both of these books in our online store by clicking HERE. For more information about booking Janine to speak at your event, please send an email to speaker@heartforafrica.org.
David Bryant
Executive Director
David has been building relationships and raising money since 1999. He’s managed successful direct mail programs, special events, major gift campaigns and other initiatives that have generated millions of dollars for programs for men, women and children struggling with disabilities, homelessness, hunger, addiction and inadequate resources.
Most recently, David served as the Chief Development Officer for United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham and the UCP Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, overseeing marketing, annual giving, public relations, special events and planned giving strategies that supported programs and services to people with disabilities. While serving as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Appalachia Service Project in Tennessee, he managed the ministry’s fundraising campaigns, raising more than $2.5 million annually to build relationships and secure support for home repair for Appalachian families in need of warmer, safer and drier homes and to provide a transformational experience for thousands of volunteers from across the nation each year.
When asked why he’s so passionate about fundraising and ministry, David shares, “It’s all about change. My passion, vision and commitment to a nonprofit’s mission and its success in creating outcomes that change people’s lives is something that’s highly contagious. It infects everyone with whom I come into contact. Ultimately, it’s always about building relationships and discovering the place where an organization’s mission and donor’s philanthropic vision come together. Because when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.”
John McCarthy
Director of Finance
John lives in Chattanooga, TN with his wife of over 20 years, Tracye, and their two sons, Calvin and Connor. John joined the Heart for Africa team after a trip to Eswatini with his family in the summer of 2012. The McCarthy family was moved and inspired by the work that God was doing through the staff and volunteers in Eswatini. John has over 20 years of Accounting and Operational Management experience in the business world. In addition he has extensive non-profit experience. He has served on boards of several nonprofit organizations as the Finance Chairman including Hickory Valley Christian Church, Hickory Valley Christian School, Tres Dias of Southeast Tennessee and Christway Community Church. He believes that God has provided him with all those opportunities to prepare him for this role at Heart for Africa.
Margaret Woodis
Director of Marketing
Margaret Woodis is the Director of Marketing for Heart for Africa. One of her biggest passions in life is helping others and using the strengths God has given her to amplify the voices of marginalized people. With over 11 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit development, Margaret has previously served in roles with TrustPoint Hospital, the American Heart Association, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, and the Autism Society of Alabama. Margaret is a graduate of The University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Public Relations and Communication Studies. She is a current graduate student at Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business completing her MBA. She resides in Middle Tennessee where she enjoys volunteering, reading, trying new recipes, planning her next family trip, and spending time with her husband, two sons, and three dogs.
Pamela Schreiner
Director of Operations
Pamela has spent most of her career has been working in administration, fundraising and event planning for non-profit organizations. Over the past several years God has given her a burden to serve people who have been exploited or are at risk. Her heart’s desire is to use her gifts to serve and grow the Kingdom and is delighted to be part of the Heart for Africa team. She and her husband, Jim, have been married since 1994 and live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She enjoys cooking, reading, doing puzzles and spending time with her kids, Graham and his wife Katie, Corrine and Emily, and her dog, Summitt.
Katie Brown
Executive Assistant & Facilities Manager
Katie is our Executive Assistant. She handles administrative duties for the office, supporting the Executive Director and other team members, as well as managing our warehouse. Katie also supports the team in other areas, such as community events. She comes to us from North Point Ministries where she was the Warehouse & Inventory Manager for eight years. One of her favorite parts of her job is working with volunteers, and she has an amazing team.
Katie is a graduate of Valdosta State University (Go Blazers!) and has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She lives in Alpharetta with her husband, Eric, and two boys, Jack and Sam. They also have 2 pets – a big orange tabby named George and an Aussie pup names Granger.
Katie enjoys running and has completed 4 half marathons. She is an avid Braves fan and cheers on the Georgia Bulldogs!
Hannah Gaddis
Relationship Manager
Hannah has spent the majority of her adult life working in full time ministry or living abroad on the mission field. At the age of 18, Hannah went on her first mission trip to Africa and spent 7 weeks there teaching abstinence in the high schools with Dream for Africa, now Heart for Africa. That was her first real exposure to life outside of her current life in America. She came home with a new desire, purpose, and calling to pursue full time ministry. She has been on many mission trips to over 13 countries and has a real heart for the people around the world. She grew up in Fayetteville, GA and moved to Alpharetta about 7 years ago. She started attending North Point Community Church and quickly got involved with their missions department, Global(X). She had the opportunity to travel to Nepal to work with women rescued from sex trafficking. A year later she was asked to lead a trip to Project Canaan. For the last 5 years she has been leading trips through Global(x) to help equip and train leaders in Eswatini to implement a children’s curriculum for church on Sunday mornings. Hannah has been a raving fan of HFA for the last 5 years. She was very eager and excited to join the HFA team to work on the new Hunger Initiative to expand the feeding program in Eswatini.
Other than being a follower of Jesus, she considers being an Aunt to be her greatest title. She has 1 niece, Mollie and 2 nephews, Maddox and Miles that she LOVES so much. She spends a lot of time with her family. She is a sucker for romantic comedies, chia tea, and is always down for a spontaneous adventure.
Mike Ammentorp
Relationship Manager
Mike has been working in humanitarian aid and development on the African continent for nearly 15 years. He is passionate about collaborative relationships that promote innovative and lasting solutions in Africa. Mike first became familiar with Heart for Africa in 2014 while working with Feed My Starving Children to equip and support the hunger initiative in Eswatini. Mike is excited to be working with Heart for Africa because he truly believes that they are building up the future leaders of Africa that will inspire economic growth, social change, and Kingdom impact. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Bethel University (MN) and a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. He and his wife met while serving as missionaries with African Bible Colleges in Malawi. They now have 3 amazing kids and live near San Diego, CA.
Kenya Hughes
Khutsala Artisans & Community Relations
Kenya Hughes has always had a heart for people and for giving of her time, talents, and gifts. She has been a leader in the retail and service industry for over 27 years. Kenya’s experience in retail has given her the gift and understanding of the importance meeting people where they are, developing and empowering teams to accomplish overall goals. One of her favorite quotes is “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Kenya has also worked in interior design and the event planning space for the past 10 years.
Kenya leads on Khutsala Artisans sales and promotions, working with the marketing team in raising awareness and meeting our sales goals through events, online marketing/sales and other avenues.
Kenya has lived in Johns Creek, GA with her husband, John Hughes, for 17 years and they have served at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, GA for the past 15 years. They are both very involved in the community and have a heart for serving. Throughout the community they are known as “We Are The Hughes”. They inspire others to be kind by doing random acts of kindness and never meeting a stranger. Kenya’s favorite things are cupcakes, coffee, and Jesus.
Tricia Ford
Trip Coordinator
Tricia has held various administrative roles with Heart for Africa since 2005 and has been blessed to witness all that God has done, from providing backyard gardens in the early days to the Project Canaan of today where over 400 children are loved, cared for, and have HOPE for a future. She believes serving others is vitally important and considers it a privilege to be able to do so through an organization that truly lives out being the “hands and feet” of Jesus. She is excited to take on the additional role of Trip Coordinator, helping our volunteers have the best possible experience while traveling to and serving in Eswatini. Tricia lives with her husband, Craig, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where they love spending time with their three married children and five grandchildren.
Lisa Borders
Content Strategist
Lisa lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and is married to Shay. They have 3 beautiful children: Hanna, Cameron and Chayton. Lisa made her first trip to Eswatini in July of 2013. She loved the vision of Project Canaan and was overwhelmed by the incredible things that were happening there. She is thankful for the opportunity to play a small part in God’s plan through Heart for Africa and to work alongside a team that is truly changing the world.
Julie Wilkerson
Khutsala™ Artisan Fulfillment
Julie Wilkerson resided in Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband Pete. Julie has 18 years of experience in retail management and over 15 years as a personal trainer. The Wilkerson’s have been involved with Heart for Africa since Pete took his first trip with Dream for Africa in 2006 to Swaziland. As a result, God has laid on their heart the plight of the Swazi children. Through the many trips with Pete to assist with the land planning of Project Canaan, Julie has become more involved and traveled many times over the last few years. Julie initially got involved with Heart for Africa through HOW Jewelry. She hopes to bring her passion for the organization and her love for the country of Eswatini and its people to the position.
Tara Boyer
US Guest Relations Assistant
Tara lives in Minooka, IL with her husband, Kyle, and their 2 children, Riley and Callie. She learned about Heart for Africa when she started attending The Village Christian Church in the fall of 2016. In the winter of 2016 and 2017 she sold Khutsala ornaments through the church. Wanting to learn even more what Heart for Africa was all about, in early 2018 she signed up for her first trip to Project Canaan and joined the team in late 2018. She is excited to be a part of something bigger than us.
Norma Tibshirany
Volunteer Travel Coordinator
Norma Tibshirany manages all airline bookings for our volunteers. A full time travel agent, Norma has been instrumental in ensuring that the hundreds of volunteers traveling to Africa each year have a seat going to Africa and coming home from Africa. Originally from South Africa, Norma lives in Alpharetta, GA.
Ready to make a difference?
Heart for Africa is a faith-based non-profit 501(c)3 public charity (EIN: 36-4509500).
Mailing Address: Heart for Africa, P.O. Box 1308, Roswell, GA 30077
Phone: 678.566.1589
