Our Team

Celebrating special days in your sponsored child’s life is a great way to show just how much they mean to you.

Executive Leadership

Ruth Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

About Ruth

John Lyon, Esq.

President and Chief Executive Officer

About John

Kathy Whitfield

Finance Administator/Donor Relations

About Kathy

Kristopher K. Meyer, MPA MSc PMP

Chief Operations Officer

About Kris

Global Directors

Allieu Samuel Bangura

Director of Health and Nutrition

About Allieu

George Beals, PhD

Director of Strategic Development

About George

Haley Clark, MA

Director of Anti-Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence

About Haley

Emelita Goddard, PhD

Director of Community Development

About Emelita

Heather Hill

Director of Communications and Marketing

About Heather

Katie Kirkpatrick

Director of Child Sponsorship and Village Partnership

About Katie

Dan Irvine

Director of Strategic Engagement

About Dan

Zachary Lawless

Director of Development

About Zachary

Keith Norris, MA

Director of Water and Sanitation

About Keith

Daniel Scott

Director of Information Technology

About Daniel

Global Specialists

Nicholas Boerema

CEO of WHI’s partner, TapEffect

About Nick

Carrie Jo Cain, RN

Health Programs Specialist

About Carrie Jo

Beth Drevlow

Protection Consultant

About Beth

Desmond Pratt

Senior Geologist

About Desmond

Tae Symons

Project Manager for Village Partnership and Measurement & Evaluation

About Tae

Kyle Winney

Conservation Specialist

About Kyle

Sierra Leone Team

Saidu Kanu, MA

Country Director, Sierra Leone

About Saidu

Samuel Bangura

Early Childhood Development Project Manager and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

About Samuel

Abdul Bundu

Infrastructural Program Manager (Engineer)

About Abdul

Joseph Abdulai Koroma

Human Resources & Administration Manager

About Joseph

Sahr Kpakima

Child Sponsorship Program Manager

About Sahr

Salifu Samura

WASH Program Manager

About Salifu

Musa Tholley

Agricultural Program Manager

About Musa

Anna Vines, MCSP, HCPC

Program Director and Physiotherapist for Enable the Children Program

About Anna

Bernadette Veronica Udo

Trafficking-in-Persons Project Manager

About Bernadette

Liberia Team

Wellington Kollie

Country Director, Liberia

About Wellington

Princess Taire

Deputy Program Manager

About Princess

Adolphus Swen, MA

Child Sponsorship Program Manager

About Adolphus

Vera Woodson

Child Sponsorship Coordinator

About Vera

Eastern Europe Team

Joshua Carter

Country Director, Bosnia and Herzegovina

About Joshua

Haiti Team

Thony Querette

Country Director, Haiti

About Thony

Cambodia & Philippines Team

Talmage Payne

Country Director, Cambodia & the Philippines

About Talmage

Seng Mang, MS

Anti-SGBV Program Manager

About Seng

AN ORGANISATION YOU CAN TRUST.

Please note that in the unlikely event a specific appeal becomes overfunded, surplus funds will be redirected towards a similar relief or community development project.

John Lyon, Esq.

President and Chief Executive Officer
Location: USA/Alexandria, VA

John Lyon is a global development visionary and a licensed law practitioner with 13 years of experience working with World Hope International and seven years of experience in international law. At World Hope, John was elected President by the Board of Directors in September 2013. Prior to this, John was VP of Programs/Director of International Programs for World Hope, as well as a board member and volunteer. John’s foremost technical experience is with water/sanitation and construction projects, and he has created water and sanitation plans for several World Hope locations, including Sierra Leone. Prior to his time at World Hope, John practiced law at the international law firm WilmerHale, where he helped World Hope develop its microfinance and social enterprise program. John served in the Peace Corps in Jamaica from 1998 to 2000, where he raised more than $200,000 to build a primary school and helped popularize a typhoid-proof latrine model. John holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College and a JD from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law.

Kathy Whitfield

Finance Administrator/Donor Relations
Location: Australia/Brisbane

Kathy Whitfield has a passion for serving the disadvantaged and vulnerable, which is shown through an extensive volunteer history within both her local community and globally. Kathy holds a Diploma of Youth Work and in addition to her work at World Hope works as a Youth Caseworker for a local Not for Profit.

Kathy also holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Public Relations from QUT and has worked in both the non-profit and corporate sectors. Prior to joining World Hope in 2017 Kathy worked within the Automotive Industry as a Financial Auditor. Kathy hopes to build a future where every person has opportunity, dignity and hope.

Kris Meyer

Chief Operations Officer
Location: USA

Kris Meyer has almost three decades of operations, planning, and assessment experience across a wide sector of government and non-governmental work. A retired US Navy Commander, he has served in locations around the world conducting everything from direct patient care as a Hospital Corpsman, to planning for major contingencies in the Western Pacific as a Naval Planner, to maintaining continuous airborne alert as a Naval Flight Officer in preparation for strategic crises in the United States. As the Public-Private Cooperation Division Chief at US Southern Command from 2015-2018 he supported World Hope International’s disaster relief water production deployment to the Turks and Caicos immediately following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and facilitated World Hope International’s medical volunteer support to the US Navy’s USNS Comfort hospital ship missions in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2018. He has directed operations for one of the largest US Navy aviation squadrons and most recently served as a principal assistant for operations aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier during an around-the-world deployment.

A strong proponent of partnership across all levels to maximize collective efforts in areas of common concern, Kris has a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, a Master’s in Human Resources from Towson University, and a BA from the University of North Florida. He is Project Management Professional certified and has completed additional training programs with USAID, OFDA, Naval Postgraduate School, and Defense Acquisitions University.

Allieu Samuel Bangura

Director of Health and Nutrition Program
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Allieu is a public health expert with more than 20 years of experience in public and community health solutions. At World Hope, Allieu directs the organization’s Health and Nutrition Program strategy and activities. Prior to World Hope, Allieu was Health, Nutrition and WASH Advisor with World Vision in Sierra Leone for seven years. Prior to this, Allieu worked as a senior manager for International Rescue Committee and Concern Worldwide. Allieu also worked as a Pediatric Clinician and as a Clinical Officer for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone. Allieu holds a degree from the Paramedical School of the University of Njala; a post-graduate certificate in Tropical Community Medicine and Health and a degree in Community Medicine and Health from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in Sierra Leone; and a certificate in Public Health from Staffordshire University in the UK. Allieu is an MBA candidate with Robert Kennedy College for a graduate degree in Healthcare Management.

George Beals, PhD

Director of Strategic Development
Location: USA/Holland, MI

Dr. George Beals is a development professional with more than 30 years of international experience. At World Hope, George engages both churches and individual donors with World Hope’s impact areas. He also oversees the organization’s work in Europe and Central Asia. Prior to World Hope, George was the Pastor of Global Ministries for his local church. George holds a doctorate in Intercultural Studies with concentrations in International Relief and Development and Business-As-Mission.

Haley Clark, MA

Director of Anti-Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence Program
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Haley Clark is a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma treatment. At World Hope, Haley directs the organization’s Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Gender-Based Violence Program strategy and activities. Haley originally joined World Hope in 2013 as the Clinical Supervisor for World Hope’s Trafficking in Persons Recovery Centre in Sierra Leone. Prior to this, she worked with children impacted by trauma and abuse in Seattle, Washington. Haley completed her clinical internship in northern Uganda, where she worked with former child soldiers. In Uganda, Haley co-founded an NGO that provides educational support to high school students. Haley holds a bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.

Dr. Emelita Goddard

Director of Community Development and Agriculture
Location: Cambodia/Phnom Penh

Dr. Emelita Goddard is a community development strategist with more than 20 years of experience in design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of integrated community development programs for vulnerable communities and key affected populations in the Asia-Pacific Region. Throughout her career, Milet has maintained a special focus on at-risk women and children and survivors of gender-based violence. At World Hope, Milet is the organization’s lead strategist and program designer, responsible for setting and implementing the vision for programs to serve vulnerable communities throughout World Hope’s target countries. Prior to World Hope, Milet served as a consultant to USAID and France Expertise Internationale for the Global Fund’s Governing Body in Cambodia, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, TEAR Australia, World Vision, and several other global development agencies. Milet holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in Technical Science in Aquaculture, which she received from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand through scholarship grants from the British and Australian governments.

Heather Hill

Director of Communications and Marketing
Location: USA/Alexandria, VA

Heather Hill is a communications strategist who specializes in creating innovative solutions to challenges and has over a decade of leadership and multi-channel campaign, branding, and storytelling experience. At World Hope, Heather directs the voice, brand, and messaging of the organization world-wide. Heather joined World Hope in 2018, prior to which she worked as a communications specialist on contract with USAID, specializing in public-private partnerships, and as a photojournalist for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Heather serves on the Board of Directors for the United Nations Association – National Capitol Area (UNA-NCA) and chairs the UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee. Before joining the private sector as a contractor, Heather spent eight years in the development field in the non-profit sector. She has lived and worked in over nine countries and is pleased to make Washington DC her home for the time. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College and a master’s degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Katie Kirkpatrick

Director of Member Services
Location: USA/Alexandria, VA

Katie Kirkpatrick is a community connection specialist with nearly 15 years of experience in the field of international development. At World Hope, Katie directs efforts to connect churches with the needs of their neighbors, both local and global. Katie served as a student intern with World Hope in 2004. Recently, Katie served with Global Partners in the Caribe Atlantic Region, primarily focusing on Haiti, from 2013-2017. In addition, Katie worked in HIV/AIDS prevention, supported refugee and homelessness ministries in Australia, and began a missions’ arm of a non-denominational church in South Louisiana. Katie was an AmeriCorps HealthCorps member. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Southern Wesleyan University.

Zachary Lawless

Director of Development
Location: USA

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Zachary leads WHI’s grant positioning, pursuits, and acquisitions for WHI. With 10+ years of business management experience, including 7 years in business development, Zachary has led business development efforts across several relief and development sectors in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America for several organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision. With Samaritan’s Purse, Zachary lived/worked in Liberia to lead post-Ebola recovery new business efforts. Most recently with World Vision, Zachary managed the USDA McGovern – Dole Food for Education portfolio out of the Food Security and Livelihoods department in Washington, DC. Obtaining degrees in Intercultural Studies and International Development coupled with working on projects in 25+ countries, Zachary is committed to designing projects that best meet the needs of vulnerable populations in developing countries in hopes that transformative, sustainable, and holistic development can be attained.

Keith Norris, MA

Director of Water and Sanitation Program
Location: USA/Alexandria, VA

Keith Norris is a water and sanitation strategist with extensive experience in construction and rural development. Keith joined World Hope in 2004 as the Water and Sanitation Program Director. Prior to this, Keith managed a construction business, and he also taught at the Wesleyan School of Theology in Indonesia. While in Indonesia, he founded a local NGO that focused on economic development and childhood education; this organization later became the implementing arm of World Hope in Indonesia. Keith holds a bachelor’s degree from Asbury College, a master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Kentucky, and a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Keith is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church.

Daniel Scott

Director of Information Technology
Location:

Bio Coming!

Carrie Jo Cain, RN

Health Programs Specialist
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Carrie Jo Cain, who grew up in Sierra Leone, manages several Child and Maternal Health programs for World Hope there, including Helping Babies Breathe, Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS), and a Comprehensive Program for Ebola Survivors. Carrie Jo was instrumental in World Hope’s response to the Ebola crisis, designing a culturally-appropriate burial program that ultimately helped curb the spread of the disease. Prior to World Hope, Carrie Jo worked as a nurse in the US, including in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Desmond Pratt

Senior Geologist
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Desmond Pratt is World Hope’s WASH Drilling Manager—a position he’s held since 2014. In this role, Desmond oversees activities such as geophysical surveys, drilling and pump installation, training and testing, and coordination with stakeholders. Desmond was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone.

Tae Symons

Project Manager for Village Partnership and Measurement & Evaluation
Location:

Saidu Kanu, MA

Country Director, Sierra Leone
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Saidu Kanu is a native Sierra Leonean and rural development strategist with nearly two decades of experience meeting the changing needs of Sierra Leone. At World Hope, Saidu directs programs and strategy within Sierra Leone—a role he’s held for more than 14 years. Saidu has overseen efforts to drill clean water wells, empower parents to fight human trafficking, create a Trafficking in Persons Recovery Center, launch Village Partnerships, and connect rural farmers with an international supply chain. Prior to World Hope, Saidu worked in several leadership positions within the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone. Alongside his current position, Saidu serves as the Director of Projects for the Rotary Club of Freetown. Saidu hold a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone in Freetown.

Samuel Bangura

Early Childhood Development Project Manager and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Samuel (Sam) Bangura is World Hope’s Early Childhood Development Project Manager in Sierra Leone. Sam also oversees Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and quality assurance for all World Hope programs in Sierra Leone. Sam is an expert in program design, implementation, and evaluation, including through planning, technical leadership, community engagement, monitoring, and reporting. Prior to World Hope, Sam held leadership positions with several other government and non-government organizations, including the National Commission for Social Action (an initiative of the Sierra Leone government), World Vision International Sierra Leone, ActionAid Sierra Leone, and Plan International Sierra Leone. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree from Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone and a master’s degree in Rural Development from Njala University in Sierra Leone.

Abdul Bundu

Infrastructural Program Manager (Engineer)
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Abdul Bundu provides civil engineering expertise for World Hope’s projects in Sierra Leone. As a staff engineer at World Hope, Abdul uses his education and expertise to provide design and calculations from a civil engineering perspective on all relevant projects. Abdul is a native of Sierra Leone, and he began working for World Hope in 2014. Abdul holds a diploma in Architectural Desktop Designing and a diploma in Civil Engineering, both from OFEK ARCHITECTURAL in Isreal. Abdul also holds a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from Fatima College at the University of Makeni.

Joseph Abdulai Koroma

Human Resources & Administration Manager
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Joseph Abdulai Koroma, a native of Sierra Leone, is the manager of World Hope’s Human Resources & Administration Department in Sierra Leone. Joseph joined World Hope in February 2017. Prior to this, Joseph worked for nearly a decade in a similar capacity with other organizations, including ASA Microfinance (SL) Limited, Concern Worldwide Sierra Leone, Childfund Sierra Leone, and Centre for Youth and Exploited Children. Joseph holds a degree in Political Science from Fourah Bay College at the University of Sierra Leone and three post-graduate certificates from the University of Australia. Joseph has recently begun pursuing a master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Development through the University of Salford online program.

Sahr Kpakima

Child Sponsorship Program Manager
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Sahr Kpakima manages World Hope’s Child Sponsorship Program in Sierra Leone. Sahr first joined World Hope in 2016 as an assistant coordinator for the Village Partnership and Child Sponsorship programs. Prior to this, Sahr worked as a trained health volunteer for Bread for the World during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Sahr is a trained teacher and taught mathematics, management, and economics at Every Nation Academy School in Makeni for two years. Sahr holds a certificate in Civic Leadership from Young African Leaders Initiative. Sahr holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, and he is currently pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Makeni.

Salifu Samura

WASH Program Manager
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Salifu Samura is World Hope’s WASH Director in Sierra Leone. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day management and implementation of country-wide WASH initiatives. Salifu joined World Hope in 2010. Prior to this, Salifu worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as head of the organization’s field office in Kionadugu, Sierra Leone. Salifu holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Wolverhampton, as well as a post-graduate degree in Sustainable Development.

Musa Tholley

Agricultural Program Manager
Location: Sierra Leone/Makeni

Musa Tholley is World Hope’s Agricultural Program Manager in Sierra Leone. For his role, Musa draws on extensive experience and education in both agriculture and rural development. Musa is a native of Sierra Leone, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science Education and a master’s degree in Rural Development, both from Njala University in Sierra Leone.

Anna Vines, MCSP, HCPC

Program Director and Physiotherapist for Enable the Children Program
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Anna Vines is a Physiotherapist and Program Director for World Hope’s Enable the Children program, which provides home-based therapy for children with disabilities in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Prior to this, Anna worked with Mercy Ships as the Rehabilitation Coordinator in Sierra Leone. She has been a training consultant with Handicap International and the Aberdeen Women’s Centre. Anna is from Great Britain, and she recently won a Point of Light Award from Prime Minister Theresa May. Anna co-authored the Trauma Orthopaedics chapters in The Concise Guide to Physiotherapy – Volume 1: Assessment and Volume 2: Treatment by Tim Ainslie. Anna has a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy.

Bernadette Veronica Udo

Trafficking-in-Persons Project Manager
Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Bernadette Udo leads World Hope’s Makeni field office in the Bombali district of Sierra Leone. Bernadette was trained as a Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife in her home country of Sierra Leone, where she practiced nursing for ten years. During the civil war, she became a refugee in the Republic of Guinea, where she also practiced nursing. After this experience, she became committed to working on behalf of refugees and other highly-vulnerable people. Bernadette was awarded a scholarship by the Bill Gates Foundation to study in the US as a Population Leadership Fellow at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Wellington Kollie

Country Director, Liberia
Location: Liberia/Monrovia

Wellington Kollie is a native-born Liberian and non-profit management professional with more than 30 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. At World Hope, Wellington directs programs and strategy within Liberia. Prior to this, Wellington was World Hope’s Program Manager in Liberia for five years. Wellington has also held various technical and administrative positions, including line, middle, and top level, in government, private, and non-profit organizations throughout Liberia. Wellington draws on his experience in accounting, finance, media, and management for his position with World Hope. Wellington holds a bachelor’s degree in Management with an emphasis on Human Resources and a minor in Accounting.

Princess Taire

Deputy Program Manager
Location: Liberia/Monrovia

Princess Taire is World Hope’s Deputy Program Manager for Liberia—a position she’s held since 2015.
Prior to World Hope, Princess worked with Defense for Children International-Liberia helping define the social impact of Ebola on children. Princess also worked with Medica Mondiale-Liberia supporting Ivorian refugees, and she helped run a safe home for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia. Princess holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and professional certificates in anti-trafficking, child labor, conflict management, and community development.

Adoldphus Swen, MA

Child Sponsorship Program Manager
Location: Liberia/Monrovia

Adolphus Swen supervises World Hope’s Child Sponsorship Program in Liberia. A native of Liberia, Adolphus has more than twenty years of experience working within the education system in Liberia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology, as well as a master’s degree.

Vera Woodson

Child Sponsorship Coordinator
Location: Liberia/Monrovia

Vera Woodson supports World Hope’s Child Sponsorship Program in Liberia by processing student applications, maintaining sponsored student data, and distributing students’ supplies and gifts. Vera is a native of Liberia and is a currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with an emphasis on English at United Methodist University.

Joshua Carter

Country Director, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Joshua Carter is an experienced leader and cross-cultural liaison with more than a decade of experience guiding World Hope’s outreach in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At World Hope, Joshua directs programs and strategy within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Joshua originally joined World Hope as a volunteer, when he travelled to Bosnia as part of a college internship in 2005. In 2008, he joined the World Hope staff. Joshua speaks fluent Bosnian and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Joshua holds a bachelor’s degree from Kingswood University. He is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church.

Thony Querette

Country Director of Haiti
Location: Haiti/Port-au-Prince

Thony Querette oversees World Hope’s Child Sponsorship Program in Haiti. A native Haitian, Thony has spent over a decade working with several NGOs in Haiti. Thony is working to complete his bachelor’s degree at Carbon University. He also studied Business Administration and Organizational Management at Hobe Sound Bible College.

Talmage Payne

Country Director, Cambodia & the Philippines
Location: Cambodia/Phnom Penh

Talmage Payne is a humanitarian entrepreneur and respected leader with more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit and for-profit social impact sectors. Talmage has worked to implement strategic vision within several international NGOs, and he has founded a number of social impact ventures. At World Hope, Talmage directs programs and strategy within Cambodia and the Philippines. Prior to World Hope, Talmage was global CEO of Hagar International, where he helped establish operations in nine countries using an integrated non-profit and for-profit model. Prior to Hagar, Talmage served with World Vision for 15 years, including as Country Director in Cambodia. The Royal Cambodian Government has recognized Talmage’s humanitarian work, including through the People’s Medal and the Royal Order of Sahmetri. Talmage holds a bachelor’s degree in Economic Development from Wheaton College.

Seng Mang, MS

Anti-SGBV Program Manager
Location: Cambodia/Phnom Penh

Seng Mang is World Hope’s Anti-SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence) Program Manager in Cambodia. Seng is a professional clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma-informed care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Seng has experience providing direct counseling and trauma-focused therapy to victims of violence. Before World Hope, Seng worked as a counselor at Hagar International, where he provided therapy to victims of gender-based violence and sex trafficking. Seng holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

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