MISSION AFRICA - Key Persons
As a founding board member, Cheryl plays an essential role on the Mission Africa team. Her volunteerism exemplifies caring for and service to others as seen through her role as a member of her church council and her position on the Committee for Global Engagement for the ELCA's Grand Canyon Synod.
In addition to her involvement with Mission Africa, Cheryl is an active member of her church and has worked as a Travel Advisor and office manager for over 20 years.
Jessica is not only a Mission Africa board member, she is the Founder/Executive Director of Ezer Advocates LLC. In both positions, Jessica seeks to advocate for the voiceless and transform communities through discipleship, community outreach, and health and wellness.
Jessica is a graduate of Northwest University and has obtained a master's degree in International Community Development. Through her professional experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, she actively pursues economic justice by helping those with disabilities find employment.
Apart from community development, Jessica loves being a wife and mother, deep conversation, her faith, good food, good music, and traveling.
Kimberly's expertise is in the field of Early Childhood Education where she worked in management for over 30 years. She has since become the CEO of a 1300-student charter school in Tolleson, Arizona. Kimberly understands how invaluable it is for children to receive an education and as President of Mission Africa, she strives to ensure access to schooling and necessities for Nigerian children living in extreme poverty.
Children have always held a special place in Kimberly's heart and fuel her passion. Especially as a mother of four and a grandmother to many, joining Mission Africa's team in 2017 was an easy decision to make. And a life-changing one, at that.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Acting Secretary
Mary Hahn is the acting Secretary for Mission Africa who came to the program in 2017. She has been a registered nurse for 40 years, focusing on neonatal care, home health, and end of life (hospice) care. Currently, Mary is the Director of Quality Improvement for the Banner Health System.
With her background in healthcare and an interest in population health and social determinates, Mary is passionate about applying her experience to her role in Mission Africa in order to benefit childhood development, adult health, and illness prevention throughout the population of Sapaele, Nigeria.
For Mary, this mission is one of great love and she has faith that each small contribution to this effort will make a great difference.
Originally from Sapele, Nigeria, Victor knows first-hand the plight of its inhabitants, and the community's struggle to overcome obstacles to basic needs. In 2006, Victor heard the call to make a positive difference in his homeland and formally founded Mission Africa as a non-profit in 2007.
Victor resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended Arizona State University, graduating with a B.Sc. in Finance. He is a Financial Advisor by trade and dedicates his time to community involvement, philanthropy, and servant leadership.
These successes have fueled the organization's vision and because of these accomplishments, so far, the lives of 1000+ children have forever been changed for the better. Hope has been ignited among students, teachers, administrators, and families.
There is excitement in the faces and voices of the children. They are joyful about being able to go to school each day, whether they must walk a half mile or three miles to get there. They are thrilled to have books to use and to be able to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Teachers and administrators are excited to fulfill their missions to better prepare the children of their community for brighter futures wherein their education can lift them out of abject poverty and their imaginations can spark further progress.
Sapele families are also excited that their children will have improved opportunities in this world due to the knowledge they've gained and can apply to developing a safer and more sustainable community.
An educator and writer from Phoenix, Arizona, Victoria Garrison's professional background and passion for helping children become readers and writers are a great complement to her work with Mission Africa.
Victoria earned her BA from the University of Arizona in Elementary Education and an MA from Arizona State University in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent nine years teaching in the classroom before becoming a school administrator. Currently, she is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at a K-8 school.
Victoria is also an author who has published three books, including a devotional for young girls. Her joy is writing dynamic literature for young people who are figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to do.