Meet the Leaders Behind the Mission

Dan Ward

Board Chair

Dan is an independent nonprofit consultant and former Field Operations Global Director at Large for Medical Teams International. With more than 30 years of global development experience, he has led humanitarian responses and helped advance health programs across Africa and other regions.

Amy Olson

Board Co-Vice Chair

Amy brings experience in international development, public service, law, philanthropy, and women’s economic empowerment. Her work has included the White House Office of National Service, Women of Vision, Global Closet LLC, asylum support in New York City, and service as a Metropolitan Museum of Art docent.

Tim Teusink

Board Co-Vice Chair

Tim served as a physician, consultant, and educator in Ethiopia for 15 years. He directed SIM-Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Department and has extensive experience in women’s healthcare and HIV/AIDS education in Addis Ababa.

Nigest Haile

Board Member

Nigest is an advocate for women entrepreneurs, particularly women exporters. After 23 years with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, she founded CAWEE in 2004 to provide trade promotion and capacity-building support for women exporters.

Beth Haydon

Board Member

Beth brings experience in donor engagement, nonprofit leadership, community relations, and ministry. Her work has included International Justice Mission, World Vision, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, assisted living and memory care, and pastoral leadership in worship and community missions.

Dr. Tibeb Debele

Board Member

Dr. Tibeb is a maternal health and rehabilitation sciences researcher specializing in social inclusion, support systems, and health equity. Her work uses community-based and mixed-methods research to strengthen evidence-based services for underserved women.

Sarah Page

Board Acting Treasurer

Sarah worked in Institutional Operations at Morgan Stanley for 18 years, including eight years as an Executive Director. She holds degrees in political science and public administration and has led Trinity Baptist Church’s Rwanda Missions ministry since 2011.

Janey Pinneo

Board Secretary

Janey is a retired pediatric oncology nurse with more than 40 years of clinical and field experience, including 30 years at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She has also served on medical missions in Uganda, El Salvador, Haiti, India, and Louisiana.

Karen Dealey

Board Member

Karen is a Managing Director and Principal Accounting Officer for Jefferies Financial Group. She brings more than 25 years of accounting and controllership experience, along with nonprofit board, treasurer, audit-support, and international service experience.

Stephanie Southwick

Board Member

Stephanie is the CEO and Founder of Property Matters and co-founder of Home Matters. Through real estate education and coaching, she works to remove barriers and help women and people of color pursue financial freedom and long-term wealth building.

Meselech Seyoum, M.A., B.Sc.

Country Director

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Meselech is an Ethiopian public health leader with more than two decades of experience in maternal health, community development, and humanitarian programs. She leads Healing Hands of Joy’s Ethiopia operations, regional teams, program implementation, government partnerships, and organizational growth.

Fisseha Hagos, M.Sc.

Head of Programs

Ethiopia

Fisseha is a public health and nursing professional with more than 15 years of experience in maternal health, humanitarian assistance, and community-based programming. He provides technical leadership and oversight for program planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement.

Temesgen Asmare, B.A.

Director of Finance & Administration

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Temesgen has more than 22 years of experience in financial management, grants administration, compliance, and organizational operations. He oversees financial systems, budgeting, reporting, grants management, internal controls, procurement, and responsible stewardship of donor resources.

Tenagne Makonnen Gonit, M.B.A.

Marketing Communications Specialist

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tenagne brings more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, communications, advocacy, and international development. She leads donor engagement, proposal development, strategic communications, public engagement, and partnerships that expand support for maternal health programs.

Lidet Kassie, M.P.H., B.Sc.

Regional Program Coordinator — Amhara

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Lidet is a public health professional with more than 16 years of experience leading maternal and community health programs. She oversees regional planning, program implementation, staff supervision, community engagement, health-system partnerships, and support for Safe Motherhood Ambassadors™.

Shimelis Mitiku, M.P.H., B.Sc.

Regional Program Coordinator — Sidama & South Ethiopia

Hawassa, Ethiopia

Shimelis is a public health leader with experience in maternal, newborn, and child health, primary healthcare, and community-based service delivery. He leads regional programs, staff supervision, health-system partnerships, survivor-led education, and stronger referral pathways.

Zerihun Bayabil, M.B.A., M.Sc., B.Sc.

Regional Program Coordinator — Oromia

Jimma, Ethiopia

Zerihun is a public health leader, midwife, and maternal health specialist with more than 13 years of experience. He leads regional programs, stakeholder engagement, referral strengthening, healthcare-provider mentorship, and community education related to obstetric fistula prevention and maternal health.

Senait Tarekegn, M.P.H., B.A.

Regional Program Coordinator — Tigray

Mekelle, Ethiopia

Senait is a public health leader with experience in health education, reproductive health, community engagement, and program management. She leads regional planning, staff supervision, partnerships, community education, and work connecting women with maternal healthcare.