About our team

We have team members in each of the following nations: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Uganda, and the United States. We have some additional team members and locations not listed due to safety concerns. 

Ethiopia

Zelalem Bayichekin

Program Coordinator

Ethiopia

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feven

Feven Byene

Alumni Coordinator

Ethiopia

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Yeshiwas Chane

Program Assistant

Ethiopia

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Engida Lemma

Youth Development Coordinator

Ethiopia

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Selam Kahsay

Health & Wellness Specialist

Ethiopia

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Wondeossen Kidane

Alumni Coordinator

Ethiopia

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Selam Terefe

Regional Director

East Africa

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Guatemala

Yolanda Chacaj

Program Director

Guatemala

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Katherin De La Cruz

Alumni Coordinator

Guatemala

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Rosy Pamela Gonzales

Program Coordinator

Guatemala

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Marilyn González

Information Technology Assistant

Guatemala

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Renate Krings

Project & Service Manager

Guatemala

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Julia Lopez

Program Coordinator

Guatemala

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Andrés Quiñonez

Program Coordinator

Guatemala

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Otto Rivera

Accountant

Guatemala

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Honduras

German David Chirinos

Alumni Coordinator

Honduras

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Erika Cuevas

Program Director

Honduras

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Deysi Díaz Gómez

Field Technician

Honduras

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Dina del Carmen Alonzo Pérez

RE TE Administrator

Honduras

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Cinthia Gonzalez

Field Technician

Honduras

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Juan David López Amador

Alumni Coordinator

Honduras

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Alex Maffeis

RE TE Partnership Director

Honduras

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Francisco Paz Hernandez

Program Coordinator

Honduras

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Daury Pineda Delgado

Field Technician

Honduras

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Ronia Romero

Program Director

Honduras

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Jamaica

Cassem Barker

Alumni Coordinator

Jamaica

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Marjorie Beckford

Accountant

Jamaica

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Monique Brisco

Project Assistant

Jamaica

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Tavian Jones

Project Coordinator

Jamaica

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Sonja Robinson

Program Director

Jamaica

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Kenya

Simon Anzigare

Program Coordinator

Kenya

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Esther Muhia

Country Director

Kenya

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Uganda

Evelyne Atuhwere

Project Officer

Uganda

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Grace Flavia Ibanda

Mentor

Uganda

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David Kafambe

Country Director

Uganda

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United States

Mary Hall

Business Administrator

USA

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Rebekah Murray

Communications Director

USA

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Andrew Pawuk

Vice President of Operations

USA

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Tucker Rossmaessler

Director of Engagement

USA

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McKinley Schmitz

Engagement Manager

USA

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Mike Tenbusch

President

USA

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Zelalem Bayichekin
Program Coordinator

Zelalem is a Psychology graduate from the University of Gondar and he recently joined the International Samaritan Ethiopian team. He is always ready to extend a helping hand to whoever is in need. He is well familiar with the Kore community, having been brought up from it. He understands the struggles and opportunities which reside in the community that is why he is instrumental to step by step program. He is a bookworm and has read over 300 books to date.

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Feven Byene
Alumni Coordinator

Feven has been the visionary girl club’s leader for the past two years. She is an exemplary scholar. She mentors and instructs the younger Samaritan Scholars in SISTAL (Sisters Informing Sisters about Life), where she is also an active participant. Feven aspires to become a well-known personal development coach.

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Yeshiwas Chane
Program Assistant

Yeshiwas Chane is a former IntSam scholar who joined Team Ethiopia after graduating from college in Marketing Management. He will be working as a bookkeeper for our program. Yeshi is a highly organized and committed young professional and he has supported our program in different ways before even joining us as our bookkeeper.

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Engidawork Lemma
Youth Development Coordinator

Engidawork brings over 15 years of expertise in empowering adolescents and youth through leadership, personal development, reproductive health, and program management. As a dedicated professional, he specializes in facilitating and delivering tailored training for different populations in various educational settings.

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Selam Kahsay
Health & Wellness Specialist

Selam is a public health expert who is passionate about working with vulnerable communities, especially adolescents and their families to address their Health and Wellness issues. She has many years of experience working closely with neglected patients from the poorest sections of the city, which consequently set the tone for her professional decision to always work in close proximity with overlooked communities. “Beauty from Ashes” is her motto, so she strives to see people rise up from unfortunate situations. She is particularly interested in Nutrition and Psychosocial support.  Prior to joining International Samaritan, Selam worked as a consultant for a Non-profit called Lifebox that works to make surgery and anesthesia safer on a global scale. Selam holds a Master’s in Public Health from Addis Ababa University.

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Wondeossen Kidane
Alumni Coordinator

Former scholarship recipient Wondwossen Kidane earned a degree in hotel management in 2022. He graduated from Addis Ababa University’s night shift degree program in 2023 while also pursuing a major in management. Wonde pushes himself to achieve academic excellence, showing that he wants to be the best version of himself. In addition, Wonde serves as a deacon in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. For the younger guys in the school, he set an example in both his religious and academic pursuits. He has extensive tutoring expertise and a strong affinity for math and physics, two topics that students often find challenging. Wonde resides with his parents and younger brother. They are a devoted family, known for constant laughter.

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Selam Terefe
Regional Director, East Africa

With degrees in law, management, sociology, and “Peace, Security, and Development,” Selam has years of experience in international development and aid with a track record of career advancements. Her education and career have given her a thorough and in-depth knowledge of gender, legal, social, and political issues of East Africa with a special focus on Ethiopia. Over the years, she has demonstrated skills in project management, research, leadership, monitoring and evaluation, and diplomacy. Selam is passionate about development in Africa and a strong believer in effective partnerships.

Yolanda Chacaj
Program Director

Yoli graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computing with a Business concentration and then obtained a Master’s of Social Work. She’s familiar with all aspects of our programs as she worked as a coordinator before becoming the director. Outside of work, Yoli lives in Guatemala City with her family. She enjoys spending every moment that she can with her family and says they are her main motivation for everything she does.

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Katherin De La Cruz
Alumni Coordinator

A scholarship recipient, Katherin graduated from San Pablo Catholic School, where she received the Riva de la Riva Award for academic excellence. She is currently studying Psychology at the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala. 

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Rosy Pamela Gonzales
Program Coordinator, Guatemala

Thanks to a scholarship through the Step by Step program, Rosy graduated with a computing degree. She currently works for the Buen Samaritano Foundation and helps provide what the scholarship students need. One of her favorite hobbies is making pastries. She loves baking and sharing food with her family and friends.

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Marilyn González
Information Technology Assistant

Marilyn is a Step by Step Program beneficiary. She graduated high school in 2015 with a focus in computer technology and scientific orientation. Marilyn is enrolled at the University Mariano Galvez of Guatemala where she studies Educational Psychology. She lives with her mother and three siblings. Marilyn has been working with International Samaritan Guatemala since 2019 in the area of Information Technology, ensuring Step by Step students have the technology resources they need in order to succeed in their studies. In her free time, Marilyn enjoys listening to music and riding motorcycles.

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Renate Krings
Project & Service Manager

Renate Krings is the former Founder of Wanderlust, a company that helps connect local artisans with buyers and economic opportunities. She is a Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellow, a US Department of State program that enables young entrepreneurs to develop joint business and social entrepreneurship initiatives. In Wanderlust, Renate aimed for recognition and respect to artisans and their work so that others may become more aware of the cultural history behind each product. She has experience in craft and product development, research, and design. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Product Design from the Universidad Rafael Landívar and is passionate about art and creating social impact.

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Julia Lopez
Program Coordinator

Julia is a former scholarship recipient of International Samaritan from the Paso a Paso program, and through International Samaritan was able to graduate with a technical accounting degree from Perito Contador in 2015. She has now been working at International Samaritan for 3 years, primarily handling accounting. Julia lives in Guatemala City with her father and brothers, and she enjoys listening to music in her free time.

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Andrés Quiñonez
Program Coordinator, Guatemala

Andrés is from Guatemala and has four years of experience working for the Buen Samaritano Foundation. He has a degree in computer science and currently studies automotive engineering at Galileo University. In his spare time, he enjoys repairing vehicles and modifying them.

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Otto Rivera
Accountant, Jamaica

Otto graduated as an Accounting Expert with a Computer Orientation from the San José de los Infantes school, to which he belonged for 12 years. Then he subsequently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Accounting and Auditing from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala last year. He lives with his mother and brother, whom he enjoys spending time with. Otto’s hobbies are going to the gym, listening to music, and he really likes watching comedy and listening to mystery podcasts. He has worked as a General Accountant at Fundación Buen Samaritano since 2019, and Otto’s main duties are to verify that the accounting is updated, present reports, and pay taxes. Otto says, “I am very grateful for all the experiences I have had at the institution, especially with the beneficiaries and families of the program who have taught me many things throughout this time.”

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German David Chirinos
Alumni Coordinator

German David Chirinos is a scholarship student in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with 80% of classes approved in the Civil Engineering career at the Catholic University of Honduras. He enjoys helping young people by advising them on technology jobs or recommending classes. He has worked as a credit advisor and in the marketing area. 

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Erika Cuevas
Program Director of IntSam Honduras - SPS

Erika has a degree in Management and Social Development. She is the  Program Manager at International Samaritan’s partnership organization, RETE, in the town of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Erika has been working with International Samaritan since 2016. Prior to her work with I.S., Erika worked with children and youth at-risk for thirteen years. Her work consistently focused on eradicating child labor in the municipal garbage dumps.

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Deysi Díaz Gómez
Field Technician

Deysi is a member of the San Pedro Sula team in Honduras. She has been working with RETE Honduras, International Samaritan’s partnership in Honduras, as a Field Technician for the Step by Step Program since 2019. Deysi Works closely with scholars, conducting home visits and ensuring program participants have the resources they need to thrive. Deysi was a graduate of the Step by Step Program in 2018 with a focus in Science and Humanities.

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Dina del Carmen Alonzo Pérez
RE TE Administrator

Dina was born and raised in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She has lived in the same neighborhood of Tegucigalpa since she was ten years old. Dina studied at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, in which she obtained her licensure in Public Accounting. Her professional career has consisted of various roles from assistant accountant, accountant, administrator, and director, amoung others, for both private and international non-profits. Dina’s interests include traveling, going to the beach, helping others, and a lover of animals. Currently, Dina is the Administrator for RE.TE, International Samaritan’s partnership in Honduras. Dina oversees financial administration for the Step by Step Program in both Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

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Cinthia Gonzalez
Field Technician

Cinthia is a member of the San Pedro Sula team in Honduras. She has been working with RETE Honduras, International Samaritan’s partnership in Honduras, as a Field Technician for the Step by Step Program since 2019. She works closely with scholars, conducting home visits and ensuring program participants have the resources they need to thrive. Cinthia was a graduate of the Step by Step Progream in 2016 with a focus in Science and Humanities and Information Systems.

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Juan David López Amador
Alumni Coordinator

Juan David López Amador is a Samaritan Scholar. He is studying Communication Sciences and Advertising at the University of San Pedro Sula. His dream is to be a journalist. Juan David likes to talk about issues we face as a society. His favorite hobbies are traveling, creating videos, and watching documentaries, investigations, and news stories. 

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Alex Maffeis
RE TE Partnership Director

Alex was born in Rome, Italy. He has been working in the area of development aid for over 25 years. Since 2009 he has streamlined programs between International Samaritan and RETE NGO Honduras, supporting children living near the garbage dumps of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Alex says the greatest rewards of his efforts have been to oversee the work of International Samaritan’s Step by Step Scholarship Program and support the program beneficiaries to attend university or acquire decent work.

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Francisco Paz Hernandez
Program Coordinator, Honduras

Francisco lives in Tegucigalpa. He really likes the countryside and is a faithful lover of animals. Before joining the Step-by-Step program, he worked in the fields in a small town where he was born and raised. In his hometown, he directed youth groups through soccer teams. Francisco is very dedicated to his work and concerned about the well-being of those who need it most, especially students in the Step-by-Step program. He is currently studying industrial engineering at the Catholic University of Honduras.

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Daury Pineda Delgado
Field Technician

Daury is a member of the San Pedro Sula team in Honduras. He has been working with RETE Honduras, International Samaritan’s partnership in Honduras, as a Field Technician for the Step by Step Program since 2019. Daury works closely with scholars, conducting home visits and ensuring program participants have the resources they need to thrive. Daury was a graduate of the Step by Step Program in 2018 with a focus in Science and Humanities.

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Ronia Romero
Program Director for Honduras (Tegucigalpa)

Ronia serves as International Samaritan’s Program Director in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and has a degree in Foreign Languages with an orientation in English from Universidad Autonoma of Honduras.  For many years she has dedicated herself to expand opportunities for children, adolescents, and adults who work in the Tegucigalpa municipal dump.

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Cassem Barker
Alumni Coordinator

Cassem Barker, a youth advocate from Jamaica, is a dedicated International Samaritan scholar and intern in Jamaica. Passionate about nation-building and youth development, Cassem is an active member of his community and school environment. He currently attends The Mico University College, where he is completing a double major in Guidance and Counselling. Cassem’s commitment extends beyond academics; he believes in Christ and holds the conviction that everything happens for a reason. His dedication to his goals is unwavering, and he consistently puts his heart into everything he undertakes, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

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Marjorie Beckford
Accountant

Marjorie has a degree in accounting and is also a certified professional secretary. She enjoys listening to music and watching a good movie in her free time.

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Monique Brisco
Project Assistant

Monique has always had a passion for community development. She has more than 9 years of experience in the community and youth development fields. She’s passionate about youth and community development because she has seen her community at its worst: high unemployment, violence, educational inequity, and lack of resources. This has led many to go to the landfill to work and earn an income. Monique says seeing that drives her to help. Her desire is to lead a purpose-driven life that helps others thrive.

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Tavian Jones
Project Coordinator, Jamaica

Tavian is an accomplished project leader and consultant with a diverse skill set, driven by a passion for sustainable community development. While actively engaged in multiple community-oriented organizations, Tavian focuses on empowering youth and fostering positive change. His dedication to service, exemplified by his 2017 Youth in Service award, fuels his commitment to leveraging his experience for community development and youth empowerment. International Samaritan’s guiding principles of humility, empathy, reverence, and excellence inform his approach, and his educational background in project management and social entrepreneurship equips him to drive impactful initiatives. With expertise in areas such as regenerative agriculture and agile project management, he adeptly navigates complex challenges to deliver successful outcomes, continually inspiring others to join in creating a brighter and more sustainable future.

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Sonja Robinson
Program Director, Jamaica

Sonja holds a PhD. in Workforce Development and Education from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Communication for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies. With a transdisciplinary professional background, she has played the role of counsellor, mentor, trainer and educator. Sonja believes in living a life of purpose and service.

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Simon Anzigare
Program Coordinator

Simon is currently pursuing a Master’s in Arts at TCM College, building upon a strong foundation in Education with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi. He is passionate about transformational leadership and making a meaningful impact through youth-oriented programs, leveraging the dynamic landscape of modern technology. Simon has a talent for developing and designing content that inspires and elevates, through poetry and authorship of short stories and inspirational books. His creative endeavors aim to enrich lives and foster positive change. Outside of his professional pursuits, Simon finds joy and fulfillment in his role as a dedicated spouse to his wife, Edina, and a loving parent to their child, Jay.

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Esther Wangui Muhia
Country Director, Kenya

Esther’s education is in sociology, communication, and gender and development studies. She has worked in several leadership roles in Nairobi, Kenya, including at the Catholic Medical Mission Board. She has worked with NGOs and community and global organizations. Esther has a record of successfully implementing grants from donors from UN Women to UNICEF, reaching more than 50,000 clients with multi-layered interventions. Esther has successfully implemented various programs, including family and parent skills development, school-based mentorships and scholarships, economic empowerment, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence prevention programs.

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Evelyne Atuhwere
Project Officer

Evelyne has more than 10 years of experience in community development, mental health awareness, psychosocial support, and HIV management. She has previously served as an Outreach Team Leader at the Most At Risk Population Initiative/STD/Skin Clinic of Mulago National Referral Hospital and as a Counsellor at Family Health International. Evelyne’s efforts have significantly improved community access to health services in Uganda. She holds a Bachelor’s in Guidance and Counselling from Kyambogo University, Uganda.

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Grace Flavia Ibanda
Mentor

Grace, with over 20 years of experience in community development, dance education, and creative facilitation, has empowered children, youth, and adults both locally and internationally. Through her role at Tap Uganda, Inc., she has facilitated cultural exchanges, connecting Ugandan children with their American counterparts. Grace’s previous positions include Creative Artistic Director at House of Talent East Africa and Director of Programs at the Centre for Creativity and Capacity Development, where she leveraged the arts to strengthen communities. She holds a first-class degree in Music, Dance, and Drama from Makerere University Kampala, and an M.A. in Dance Education from an International University, USA. As a Certified Movement Analyst, Grace continually harnesses dance to enhance communication, expression, and exploration.

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David Kafambe
Country Director, Uganda

David joins IntSam with more than 15 years of leadership experience and a deep knowledge of East Africa. He specializes in managing and developing organizations in development and humanitarian contexts. He has overseen youth programs (including scholarships for primary through university students) and health, wellness, and sustainable livelihood programming. In previous roles, David partnered with the Uganda government, its ministries, UN agencies, and the U.S. Peace Corps. He has degrees in social work and social administration and has an MBA.

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Mary Hall
Business Director

Mary holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and developed her skill set in a variety of business management roles in commercial and residential real estate organizations prior to joining International Samaritan. Outside of work, Mary enjoys coaching FIRST Lego League with her husband Steve, studying history, and spending time with her family.

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Rebekah Murray
Communications Director

Rebekah loves to write and share stories. She has a B.A. in communications from Lee University and an M.A. in public relations and advertising from Michigan State University. Rebekah came to International Samaritan after managing communications for a large, multi-site church and at other non-profit organizations. When she’s not writing or snapping photos, you can find Rebekah enjoying time with her husband and three kids.

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Andrew Pawuk
Vice President of Operations

Andrew holds a Masters Degree in International Studies from Ohio University and has two B.A. Degrees from Miami University in International Relations and Spanish. He was also part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Peru before joining us at International Samaritan. He has been with International Samaritan for more than a decade, making him our longest-tenured employee. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys ornithology and spending time with his wife and daughter.

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Tucker Rossmaessler
Director of Engagement

After living in Southeast Asia, working as a teacher, Tucker moved back to Michigan to start a family and begin his career working in nonprofits. He spent 7 years leading a campus ministry at the University of Michigan, rallying staff, volunteers, and donors to live out Jesus’ incarnational approach, as well as introducing college students to Jesus and helping them grow in their faith. Tucker is an energetic team player and is helping International Samaritan take the next step toward growth. Tucker and his wife Alex live in the Old West Side of Ann Arbor where they are raising their three kids.

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McKinley Schmitz
Engagement Manager, USA

McKinley is a recent graduate of Concordia University Ann Arbor with a degree in Business Management and a double minor in Marketing and Theatre. She joined International Samaritan after deciding to stay in Ann Arbor post-grad. In her free time, McKinley is often directing or stage-managing local theatre productions or trying to catch up on her current read.

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Mike Tenbusch
President & CEO

A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Mike co-founded Think Detroit with Dan Varner in 1997, which was named Crain’s Detroit Business Best-Managed Non-Profit in 2004 and merged with Detroit PAL in 2006. After serving on Detroit’s school board, Mike then led an effort at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to move graduation rates from less than 60% to 80% or higher in the region’s most historically challenged high schools. Most recently, he served as the founding executive director of the SAY Detroit Play Center and interim CEO of the Detroit Parent Network. He is also is the author of The Jonathan Effect: Helping Kids and Schools Win the Battle Against Poverty, called a “moving, inspiring and important book” by best-selling author Dan Heath. Mike and his wife, Maritza, have three children, Grace, Julia, and Jacob.

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