HHI - Key Persons
Alisa served as Marketing Director for HHI from 2006-2013. She rejoined the Healing Hands team in 2017 after taking off a few years to stay at home with her children. A graduate of Freed-Hardeman University, she has more than 15 years of non-profit marketing experience. As a Vice President, she provides support to the marketing and Women of Hope teams. She is passionate about women and children's ministries and loves to share the ministry of HHI. She and her husband, JJ, live in Lebanon, TN with their two children.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, Donor Services
Angela graduated from Lipscomb University with a degree in Elementary Education and received a Master's Degree from MTSU in Curriculum and Instruction. She has a passion for teaching children and enjoyed teaching kindergarten and first grade for many years. She is also passionate about helping and empowering others, which is why she feels so blessed to be a part of the work and mission of HHI. Angela and her husband Derek live in Nashville with their two children.
Job Titles:
- India Assistant Women 's Coordinator
Anusha grew up seeing her mother Prasanthi serve marginalized women and is passionate about the same communities. After graduating with a computer science degree Anusha, her husband, and her daughter moved back home to launch her own jewelry business that employs women from Prasanthi's Sewing Mission and helped Women of Hope identify new opportunities in her area. At the end of 2022 Anusha officially became part of the Women of Hope team to assist Prasanthi, facilitate trainings, and oversee microloans.
Art began serving as President in November 2016. A graduate of Harding University, Art began his professional life as a corporate buyer for Dillards Department Stores using his marketing and accounting education. For the past 28 years, Art has worked with Christian ministries and schools to grow their programs and connect passionate donors to things that truly make an eternal impact. Prior to Healing Hands International, Art was part of the leadership team for AGAPE, Lipscomb Academy, and worked as a grassroots fundraiser at Harding University. Art and his wife, Kim, are parents to three adult sons, three daughters by marriage, and love spending time with their grandchildren.
Augustus is a graduate of the Nairobi Great Commission School where he studied agriculture, Bible, and missions. He also has an advanced certificate in Bible & Missions from Mombasa NGCS Extension School and a management diploma from Kenya Institute of Management. In addition to serving as an agriculture trainer for HHI, he also preaches for the Likoni Church of Christ.
Job Titles:
- Senior Engineer from Colgate Palmolive
Barry retired as Senior Engineer from Colgate Palmolive in 2011. Since then, he has supported churches and agencies using his craftsman skills. He became involved with HHI through his wife, Camille, who has packed boxes for the MAGI Project since its inception. Barry serves the unhoused in Nashville with the Green Street church. He enjoys his family, especially the grandchildren.
Bill serves as our Chairman of the Board and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2000. He is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. He and his wife, Julia, have two children, Kensley and Connor. An active member of Crieve Hall Church of Christ, he is currently serving as a deacon and is on the missions committee. Bill has traveled to Cuba, Mexico, and the Ivory Coast on mission and relief trips.
Bruce A Beck is a Shareholder in the LBMC tax practice. He has over thirty years of diversified experience including individual/tax planning, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, printing and publishing. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Personal Financial Specialist. Bruce's previous experience includes practicing with the Nashville office of a National accounting firm from 1984-1995. He is a graduate of Lipscomb University. He is active in his community and continues to support many professional and civic organizations. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross-Nashville Chapter. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Bruce resides in Brentwood and his wife and two children and are members at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.
Burt has been involved with Healing Hands International since 2005 when he began serving on our Board of Directors, serving as both Board Treasurer and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He served as the President from 2012-2016. A graduate of Lipscomb University, Burt is a CPA and one of the founders of AIM Healthcare Services in Franklin where he spent 14 years as Chief Financial Officer. He and his wife Lisa have been married for more than 30 years and they have three grown children. Burt serves as an elder of the church and is also on the Board of Directors for the Central European Christian Education Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Director of Agriculture
- Hunger to Harvest Director
Carl became HHI's Director of Agriculture in December 2011. He is working to expand the network of people and financial supporters interested in teaching hungry people how to increase their food production and preservation. Carl has 32 years of experience as a high school agriculture and shop teacher. He has served as vocational director and co-authored two agricultural mechanics textbooks. In addition to several mission trips within the U.S., he has helped build a children's home in Honduras and served the last 20 years as the Director of HHI's sister organization, Caring for Kenya. Carl serves as an elder of his congregation and has been married to Ruth Ann for 50 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Warehouse & Shipping Director
Chris started working for Healing Hands International in 2017. He manages our warehouse and is in charge of international shipping. In addition to his warehouse responsibilities, he shoots and produces videos for HHI. He is licensed as a pilot, forklift certified, and a Nashville Predators hockey fan. He and his wife Emily, along with their 2 boys live in Lascassas, TN.
Chris became the Vice President of Healing Hands International in 2009. Currently, he is our Chief Financial Officer, serving as a volunteer. From 1991 to 1993, he was the first Transportation Coordinator. Chris, a Certified Public Accountant, previously was the CFO for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and also retired from the U.S. Army after a 33 year career. Chris served as an elder at his congregation for 17 years and has been married to Anne for more than 50 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Donor & Community Engagement
Colton Scott began working in Community Relations for Healing Hands International in 2017. He has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of North Alabama (UNA), and an MBA with a concentration in Finance. Colton and his wife, Chelsea, have two children.
Cristen joined the HHI team in 2021. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 2016 with a degree in Communication Studies. She enjoys running, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Cristen and her husband, Dylan, live in Franklin, TN with their son.
Dr. Doug Peters joined our Board of Directors in the summer of 2012. He is the Minister at Grace Crossing Church in Conroe, Texas. Doug received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Bible and Ministry from Abilene Christian University. He completed the ACU Doctor of Ministry degree in 2006. He has served on ACU's Alumni Advisory Board as the past President and was the past Chair of the Visiting Committee for the ACU Department of Bible Missions and Ministry. Doug and his wife Sheryl have been married for almost 30 years and they have two daughters, Alani and Lauren.
Job Titles:
- Director of African Agriculture & Operations Coordinator
Ebenezer began working with Healing Hands International in 2008 and served as our Agricultural Representative to Africa. Ebenezer's love for the Lord and his willingness to serve in this capacity was apparent from the beginning and in 2009 he was named the Director of African Agriculture. He currently travels throughout Africa conducting Food Sustainability Workshops where he trains community leaders in techniques for sustainable food production and preservation skills. Ebenezer and his wonderful wife, Regina, have one daughter and one son.
Dr. Lon and Rebecca Raby have been loyal donors and supporters of Healing Hands International for more than 15 years. As an active volunteer, Lon makes medical mission trips annually and more frequently when possible. In addition to work in Belize, he has worked closely with Mission Lazarus since 2007 and made trips to Baja Missions since 2015. Lon is a Nashville native and a graduate of Lipscomb University and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (M.D.). He has been a practicing dermatologist for 22 years and is a partner at Dermatology Associates in Huntsville, Alabama. Lon and his wife Rebecca, who is also a physician, attend the Mayfair Church of Christ where they have also been active as children and youth teachers over the years. Lon has also served as Deacon for the youth and missions. The Rabys have three adult children, Caitlin, Samantha and Franklin.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Marketing Professor at Lipscomb University
Randy is a retired professor of business administration at Lipscomb University where he was a member of the faculty since 1983. He has more than 30 years of experience in the business world. He is the Founder of Healing Hands International and served as its President for more than 20 years. He currently serves on our Board and is on the Board of Directors for several other organizations. His family includes his wife Chris who is a Medical Doctor, his three children: Brandy (foster daughter), Daniel and Lydia, and one grandchild.
Edwin earned a degree in Bible and Missions at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in Arusha, Tanzania in 2012. He now serves as a preacher and agriculture trainer in Tanzania. Edwin teaches village, prison, and school workshops as well as managing the Andrew Connally School of Preaching agricultural farm. He and his wife of 20+ have five beautiful children.
Job Titles:
- Ghana Women 's Coordinator
Elizabeth Yakubu has over 20 years of experience working with women from diverse backgrounds. She uses her life experiences to encourage young men and women who come from deprived communities to keep pushing until they fulfill their dreams. Elizabeth has been a business owner, a community trainer, and then worked for World Vision training women in vocational skills. In 2010 she began a partnership with HHI doing training projects throughout northern Ghana and other west African, including the Saboba women's group who harvests shea for our Women of Hope products. She now runs God's Will Vocational Institute in northern Ghana where she equips at-risk students with vocational skills and spiritual strength.
Elizabeth is inspired by her daughter and grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to cook, take walks, learn new skills, and spend time with her grandchildren.
Eric and Carrie Bearly have been faithful HHI supporters for many years. Their children are also heavily involved in fundraising for building wells through their neighborhood lemonade stand along with a family campaign on their website. Since graduating from Pepperdine University in 2000, Eric has worked for Bobit Business Media where he currently serves as Chief Digital Officer. He was involved in marketing, event management and sales for the past 18 years before moving into his current role aimed at advancing digital growth company-wide. Eric and Carrie both grew up in southern California and now live in Colorado. Eric serves as Deacon of the Connections ministry at his church, facilitating deeper relationships and involvement in members of the church family.
Fortune Mhlanga currently serves as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Data and Analytics as well as Founding Dean of the School of Applied Computational Sciences at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. He and his wife, Florah, attend Otter Creek Church of Christ in Brentwood, TN.
Gillian joined the Healing Hands team in 2019. She coordinated the Walk4Water event in Tuscaloosa while attending the University of Alabama and obtaining degrees in public relations and law. Gillian and her husband, Jaron, live in Gurley, AL, where Jaron is a physical therapist and Gillian is also a practicing attorney. She loves Red Sox baseball, bluegrass music, and worshipping with the Lord's church around the world.
Job Titles:
- Women of Hope Donor and Community Coordinator
Grace joined the HHI team in 2022. She graduated from Lipscomb University in 2021 with a degree in Social Work and again in 2022 with an MBA. During the MBA program, Grace interned with HHI in the marketing department. Now, she serves as the Donor and Community Coordinator for Women of Hope planning the Women of Hope Weekend, running the Women of Hope Store, and engaging with the community. Grace is a Nashville local and loves live music, spending time with family and friends, and all things watersports.
James B. Legend is a graduate of Bear Valley School of Preaching and serves as the preacher for Yua Church of Christ. He and his wife have five beautiful children… Fortune, Albright, Joel, Blessing, and Jeffrey. James says, "May the Lord bless Healing Hands International and its donors for being a blessing materially and spiritually to humanity."
Job Titles:
- Field Coordinator
- Disaster Response & Assistant Water Coordinator
James Rucker joined our team in 2019 as the Field Coordinator for our water projects in Haiti. Originally from Paso Robles, Ca., James is a Harding University graduate with degrees in vocational ministry and electronic media production. After four years managing HUT, Harding's 100-acre missions training campus, James and his wife, Abigail, moved to Gonaives, Haiti to serve as development missionaries. Six years later, they have relocated to Nashville with their two boys. When he's not working alongside partners around the world, James loves to spend time with his family hiking, camping, and exploring new places.
Jana Owen has worked with Healing Hands International since 2013 and currently serves as a VP of Operations supporting the MAGI project and the data and administrative support team. She started with HHI in 2009 as a volunteer leading worship at the Women of Hope conference. She fell in love with the mission and the rest is history! In her free time, Jana loves to sing, go on adventures, hang out with kids, and serve and build up others. Jana's husband Kevin is a preaching minister and they are blessed with three handsome young men, Chase, Reid and Trey.
Job Titles:
- Kenya Women 's Coordinator
Jannette Akoth is passionate about giving hope to the hurting, especially women, children, and prison ministries by pointing people to Jesus, our everlasting hope. Jannette graduated from the Nairobi Great Commission Theological College with a Diploma in Bible & Missions and Computer Studies. She began working with HHI as a Hunger to Harvest trainer in 2012, teaching sustainable gardening skills throughout western Kenya.In 2021 she shifted to become the Kenya Women of Hope Coordinator and began facilitating trainings for hundreds of women throughout Kenya.
She is married to her husband Chris and they have three daughters and one son. She also serves as the Head of Mercy and Hospitality and the Winyo church of Christ in Rongo, Kenya.
A graduate of Lipscomb University in 1980, Jeff went on to receive his CPA and worked for two years before heading to the University of Alabama to earn his MBA in 1988 with an emphasis in strategic planning. After graduation Jeff embarked on a 29-year career in healthcare administration, 25 of those years serving as a hospital CEO with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). After serving as a hospital Chief Executive Officer for 25 years, Jeff took early retirement in 2017. Jeff coaches executives, directors, managers, and early/mid-careerists. Jeff has served on various board in the healthcare community and other not-for-profits around Nashville. Jeff and his wife Jennifer have had a longstanding passion for the work of HHI. They are active members at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ where Jeff served as an elder. They have two adult daughters, Ashleigh and Emily.
Job Titles:
- Women of Hope Program Coordinator
Jessica Markwood joined the HHI team in 2020. She's a Nashville native who graduated from Harding University in 2016 after studying Bible and Global Economic Development. She spent the next two years supporting agriculture initiatives and launching a small business with marginalized groups in northern Mozambique while getting an MA in Intercultural Studies. She's passionate about drinking coffee, sharing meals, and finding abundant life in unexpected places.
Job Titles:
- Zimbabwe Country Director
John is a graduate of the Mutare School of Preaching and serves as the Country Coordinator for Zimbabwe. He and his wife have five beautiful children and are passionate about serving the people of Zimbabwe. John had this to say about the work, "In areas where HHI Survival Gardening has been taught and implemented, the impact has been astonishing. We continue to see the demand for and expansion of our training program. With each community trained lives are saved. On behalf of the many families and communities that have benefited from the training, I say thank you a million times. Your help has indeed left marks of love and footprints of hope in the lives of many families."
Joseph is a graduate of Nairobi Great Commission School where he studied Bible and Missions. He and his wife and daughter live in Northwestern Uganda where he works as an agricultural trainer. Joseph serves as a part of evangelism teams and as a speaker at youth conferences.
Joseph, his wife, and four children are members of the Masaani tribe in Central Kenya. He is a graduate of the Nairobi Great Commission School where he studied agriculture, Bible, and missions.
Joseph began working for Healing Hands International in 1999. He is a graduate of Lipscomb University and volunteered at HHI during college. As a Vice President of Operations, he provides support to our international shipping of cargo to mission points, Potable Water Projects, and response to international disasters. He and his wife Ruth have one daughter.
Job Titles:
- Committee Trainer
- Haiti Trainer
Jude serves as our pump committee trainer and helps develop pump committees across Haiti, empowering locals to take full responsibility of their hand pumps. He is an evangelist at the Butte Boyer congregation and enjoys training and developing others.
Kay received her B.S. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Freed Hardeman University and has established herself as an accomplished PR professional and consultant. Kay has worked has a Foundation Relations Manager for Ducks Unlimited, Inc served as Public Relations Manager for the WONDERS: The Memphis International Cultural Series, and was an independent public relations consultant for twelve year. Since 2011 Kay has worked on the leadership team of Mitchell Communications Group both as a Senior Strategist and she currently leads the Community and Consumer Packaged Goods teams. Kay is married to Scott McDowell and they have three adult sons. Scott is the president of Lubbock Christian University. Kay loves the work of HHI and understands the relationship between our work and the local church having lived in Nashville for more than 20 years before moving to Texas in 2019.
Linda joined the HHI team in August 2022. After graduating from Lipscomb with a business management degree in 1982, she worked in the publishing industry for many years. She has also worked in financial administration. She has four daughters and ten beautiful grandchildren! Linda is so happy to be a member of the HHI family.
Job Titles:
- Trainer
- Malawi Women 's Coordinator
Loveness Nkhata is an experienced trainer and teacher who has been empowering women in Malawi for many years. She received a Certificate of Education and began working with a community-based organization as a Reproductive Health Assistant, training rural women in women's and family health. She began as the Women of Hope Malawi Coordinator in 2022 and now facilitates training and coaching for networks of female entrepreneurs throughout Malawi. She lives with her husband and four children in the village of Tombolombo and is passionate about serving women and sharing the ministry of HHI.
Mark joined the HHI team in 2022. After retiring from the Army, he and his wife Jane discovered Healing Hands and fell in love with the MAGI Project and have been volunteering since 2016. Mark enjoys showing the face of Jesus to so many children in Honduras. He lives with his wife and three children in PA where he shares the ministry of HHI.
Mark joined the HHI family in 2020. He has a B.S. in business management and an M.B.A. with a concentration in nonprofit management from Lipscomb University. He spent 14 years working with Lipscomb Missions mobilizing students to serve globally through short-term missions. Most recently he grew mission programs for faith-based schools through his company 2×2 Global, as well as connecting people who love sports with another venture, Simply A Fan. He enjoys hiking and chasing waterfalls with his family, reading baseball history and is an avid Dodgers fan. He and his wife Beth live in Nashville with their three kids.
Job Titles:
- Malawi Country Coordinator
Mbwenu graduated from African Christian College in 2012 with a Theology major and a Leadership minor. He has been trained in Survival Gardening and Farming God's Way, as well as poultry, dairy cattle, and fish farming. He serves as the preacher for Tombolombo Church of Christ and as a Biblical facilitator in AIDS prevention. He and his wife and four sons live in Malawi.
Nancy joined the Healing Hands team in 2019. She is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a degree in Marketing and Business Management. Nancy has a passion for service and brings her energy and enthusiasm for God's work to her work supporting our staff, donors and volunteers. She is also very involved with the Inner City Ministry in Nashville. Nancy lives with her husband Mike in Old Hickory. They have a daughter who is also on the HHI Team!
Job Titles:
- Zimbabwe Trainer / U.S. Staff
Job Titles:
- Zimbabwe Women 's Coordinator
Ngonidzashe Mudzani is passionate about working with rural women and collaborating with churches to bring these women into the economy in Zimbabwe. She holds a BA Honors Degree in Development Studies, a Masters in Demography and Population Studies, and a Post-Graduate Degree in Project Management Monitoring and Evaluation all from Great Zimbabwe University. She has worked with multiple government agencies and nonprofit organizations facilitating and monitoring projects. She began working as the Women of Hope Zimbabwe Coordinator in 2021 and oversees multiple entrepreneurship initiatives throughout Zimbabwe.
Job Titles:
- Technician
- Haiti Technician
Patrick is an experienced technician who is known across Haiti communities because of the boreholes he has helped drill. He serves as one of HHI's water pump technicians and enjoys interacting with communities and helping to bring clean water to those who have none.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Tanzania Women 's Coordinator
Paulina Martin is a gifted teacher and administrator who serves as the Women of Hope Coordinator in Tanzania. In 2002 she graduated from the Nairobi Great Commission School with an Andvanced Certificate in Bible and Missions. She then began working at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in Arusha, Tanzania as the Administrative Lead. HHI volunteers connected Women of Hope to Paulina and in 2021 she began serving as the Women of Hope Coordinator. She now trains diverse groups of women and manages several businesses and loans throughout northern Tanzania.
Paulina is married and a mother of three children and is active in her community as a teacher and business woman.
Phenix is a graduate of the International School of Theology in Port au Prince and serves as one of HHI's water pump technicians across Haiti. He began working as an evangelist in coordination with our drilling team and now helps to repair pumps and train local technicians.
Job Titles:
- Artist
- India Women 's Coordinator
Prasanthi is a skilled artist and teacher who is passionate about uplifting women in eastern India. She launched Prasanthi's Sewing Mission to train women in tailoring and sewing skills so that they would be able to generate an income from her home. In 2012 Healing Hands was connected to her work and she officially became part of Women of Hope. Since then we have worked together to expand the program that has grown to 4 sewing training centers and many microloan opportunities for other women.
Richard is a graduate of Baxter Institute. He and his wife have two beautiful daughters. In addition to preaching for the Ojojona Church of Christ, Richard serves as an HHI agriculture trainer in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala and assists with the MAGI box distribution each year.
Rita Cato Cochrane was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father was a minister of the gospel who worked and traveled with Marshall Keeble. Her mother was a sought-after ladies Bible class teacher and speaker. She received her degree in Education from Lipscomb University and taught middle school for 25 years. Afterwards, she was employed at HHI before taking the role as Director of Women's Ministry at the Church of Christ in Green Hills. Rita is married to Michael Cochrane, an elder in the church, and is mother to three adult children, grandmother to six rambunctious boys, and has served as "American Mom" to four international students. In addition to Rita's duties as Director of Women's Ministry, Rita speaks and teaches for conferences, Bible classes, lectureships, and Ladies' Days in the US and abroad. She writes a weekly email devotional called "Monday Meditation." She has published a book entitled, Lace Up Those Sneakers, Let's Take a Walk with God, especially designed for women's studies. Her hobbies include walking, cooking, and traveling the world.
Job Titles:
- Haiti Women 's Coordinator
Rosemarlin lives with her family in Gonaives, Haiti where she serves as the Women of Hope Haiti Coordinator. She is currently studying English and is moving toward studying office management, interpreting, and entrepreneurship as well. In her free time she enjoys doing macrame.
Scott began his work as a Development Officer with Healing Hands International in 2011. Following a 7 year career in the insurance industry, he began his work in 1985 as a Development Officer with Lipscomb University. He became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER in 1990 and utilizes this knowledge to help donors with their estate and charitable planning. Scott has been married to his wife Susan since 1978 and they have three children and six grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Donor & Community Engagement
A graduate of Harding University, Sean has been working at HHI since 2007. He is passionate about connecting churches and individuals with ministry opportunities. Sean and his wife Kristin live in Nashville, TN with their two children.
Taryn joined the Healing Hands International team in 2019. She is a graduate of Harding University and holds a Bachelor's degree in advertising. A Little Rock, AR native, Taryn has served on mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti and wants to be a part of demonstrating the love of Christ across the world. She is passionate about music, travel, exercise, Italian food and being with those she loves.
Thomas earned a degree in Bible & Ministry from Namwianga Bible School as well as a teaching diploma from the University of Zambia. He and his wife have four children. Thomas says, "Hunger in Africa is real. Survival gardening training provides opportunities to create relationships. You become like a family member and it builds trust with the people. Once the relationship is developed there is the opportunity to share the Gospel and people listen."
Victor is a graduate of Bear Valley School of Preaching and serves as a teacher at the Lugbe Abuja Secondary School. He and his wife live and work in Nigeria. Victor says, "HHI is God sent to rescue poor farmers from poverty. The workshops create an avenue where men and women can have the opportunity for the participants to increase vegetable production through training and to learn about God's love and his saving grace."