Staff & Board

Keith began working at HHI in May 2024 after retiring from Cisco Systems in 2022. He spent nearly thirty-eight years working in corporate IT at Cisco and AT&T in sales, marketing and operations. Keith will be focused on strategic planning, donor relations, and operational support. He has extensive experience in leading and participating in multiple corporate and organizational boards. He has held titles of President and Treasurer, along with fundraising experience. He met his wife Tracy at Lipscomb University, and they have 3 sons who are all married and they love spending time with their family and 3 beautiful granddaughters. 

Michael Lanier, CPA, CISA, is excited to join HHI as Chief Financial Officer. With 11 years of experience, he has worked as a staff accountant at Rayburn Bates & Fitzgerald, a staff auditor at Genesco, and a Supervising Senior Accountant at Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. Raised in a family passionate about ministry, Michael’s grandfather, “Papa” John Hazelip, was a long-time pulpit minister and led Bible study groups for Chinese visitors. Michael’s journey with HHI began after God opened a door to serve by equipping communities for both physical and spiritual harvest. A Harding University graduate, Michael and his wife, Chelsea, are proud parents of their 3-year-old son, Aiden. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jennifer has a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Studies in Agriculture with Education. Married with two children, she lives in Arua City and is a passionate teacher dedicated to helping vulnerable groups, including child mothers, the elderly, orphans, and those with disabilities. With five years of experience working with various NGOs, Jennifer provides psychosocial support, guidance, and counseling to help these individuals realize their dreams.

Jennifer initially got involved with Women of Hope after joining a local savings group in 2022. She is passionate about the Women of Hope program and it’s focus on empowering women and restoring hope, as women are encouraged to save and access low-interest loans. This community has united women in supporting one another, and through initiatives like bar soap-making, they have gained valuable skills. She is grateful to Healing Hands International and Women of Hope for the positive impact on women’s lives in Uganda.

Lillian is passionate about the HHI ministry and loves changing the lives of children, women, and elderly people. She earned a Diploma in Medical Records and Information Management and has eight years of working experience with various NGOs providing healthcare education. She began working as the Women of Hope Uganda Coordinator in 2022 and now facilitates business training and business management throughout northern Uganda. 

She has two sons and lives in Arua City, Uganda. 

Eunice is a mother of three sons and one daughter, and she is married to Jires, a minister of the Gospel in Kenya. She feels blessed to be the Lord’s servant and acknowledges God’s faithfulness in her life. She praises Him for her role as a loan manager, which has truly been a dream come true for her. Passionate about serving women, she dedicates herself to this work beyond her professional duties, seeing it as her calling. She prays that in all things, God will help her accomplish His will through the work of Women of Hope, of which she is proud to be a part.

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.

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.

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. 

Rosemarline 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. 

Rosemarline is passionate about serving women who are suffering and helping them to realize their dreams through business so that they can improve their quality of life and be productive members in their communities. She hopes that through business women will also see God working in their lives and their hope will be restored.

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.

Caroline Isaambe is a single mother of one, and resides  in western Kenya. She graduated with an Advanced Certificate in Bible and Missions from the Nairobi Great Commission School, and she also studied Agriculture with HHI and Cosmetology at the Rift Valley Institute of Business. Caroline is passionate about working to improve the lives of women, especially single mothers and widows to take away feelings of emptiness from their lives. 

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.

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.

Vijaya is a dedicated leader with a strong background in social work, education, Christian ministry, and agricultural development. Currently serving as a Hunger to Harvest Trainer and Clean Water Trainer, he conducts workshops on sustainable farming techniques and coordinates borewell projects to improve access to clean water in local villages. His previous roles include Academic Consultant at Dravidian University, and Director of the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Tirupati.

Fluent in English, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, Vijaya preaches at the Vidyanagar Church of Christ and the Tirupati Church of Christ. He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Social Work, a Master of Arts in English, a Master of Bible Studies, and a Diploma in Natural Farming. His commitment to community service and personal growth has made a significant impact on those he serves.

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.”

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. 

Judith is a dedicated business woman and a hard worker in her community. She serves in Tanzania as the Women of Hope revolving loan manager. Judith has also been an active member in one of Women of Hope’s group businesses since 2021, which works in selling dyed fabrics to markets in their community. Since joining this business in 2021, she has used her resources to launch two additional businesses. Judith got connected to HHI through Paulina as they have worked together at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.

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. 

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.”

Dorcas is our loan and report manager in Ghana where she works alongside her mom, Elizabeth. Dorcas officially joined the Women of Hope team in fall of 2023 but has served WOH in various capacities with Elizabeth since the beginning of the Women of Hope program.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Prasanthi and her husband Mohan serve many marginalized populations in their community alongside their kids Anusha and Suny. 

Rose was hired in 2023 as an additional Women of Hope coordinator in Uganda. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, attends the Kampala Church of Christ, and serves as the treasurer for the women’s group at church. She is described as having “a proven track record of integrity, commitment, responsibility, and is a team player. She is a great facilitator and is passionate about helping vulnerable women and children.”

Linah is a Kenyan woman who married a Maasai man and relocated to northern Tanzania. After attending Paulina’s business training she launched her own salon. Not wanting to keep this education to herself, Linah has been guiding Paulina into Maasai communities and assisting with training there. She is passionate about growing relationships and sharing Christ’s love among these women.

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, 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.

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.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee Woody was the evangelist for the Stop Nine Church of Christ in Byesville, Ohio for over 36 years. A graduate of Lipscomb University, Woody has also been a sportscaster for AVC communications and a basketball coach at two area high schools. He has made over twenty mission trips to help spread the gospel in Cuba.

Since 2023, he has been a Walk4Water Coordinator for HHI. For the past three years, he has shared how to create gospel conversations in workshops across the United States. He has been married to Amy, a kindergarten teacher, for 40 years and they are blessed with a son and a daughter, their spouses and five amazing grandchildren.

Chase Froud is a seasoned professional with experience in ministry, missions, and non-profit leadership. Currently serving as one of HHI’s Regional Coordinators, Chase’s goal is to connect with churches and church leaders/volunteers to nurture and expand the engagement opportunities that HHI provides. He thrives on connecting with new people while always seeking opportunities to collaborate for the greater good.

Previously, Chase served as the Executive Director for Living Hope for Honduras, where he led strategic efforts to support sustainable development and donor care. His international experience also includes over three years of service as a missionary and non-profit volunteer and board member in Arequipa, Peru, where he contributed to long-term mission projects and community development.

Chase is most proud to be Briana’s husband and dad to Evan, Abigail, and Miles. He enjoys watching his children participate in track, cross country, basketball, baseball, and soccer! When he’s not cheering on his children, Chase enjoys rooting for the Braves and Razorbacks!

Christi joined the HHI team in 2024. She graduated with a degree in Business Management from Harding University in 2016 before completing her Masters in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College in 2021. Originally from Massachusetts, Christi lived in Memphis for 8 years before moving to Nashville with her husband and toddler to join the HHI team and to be closer to family. She is passionate about empowering women across the globe and making a Kingdom impact. Christi loves to spend time with friends and family, be outdoors, explore new places, read, go on runs, and a good cup of coffee!

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.

Originally from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Esteban joined the Healing Hands International team in 2025. He earned a degree in Graphic Design from Lipscomb University in May 2023 and has a passion for visual storytelling and nonprofit work. With prior experience in the nonprofit sector, he is committed to using his creative skills to support HHI’s mission and create meaningful change. Esteban is married to Caroline, and together they are proud dog parents to their black lab, Wilson. In his free time, he enjoys photography, music, and spending time with family. He is also on an ongoing quest to find authentic Mexican food in Nashville. The results so far have been deeply disappointing, but hope is not lost. 

Jennifer graduated in 1997 from Lipscomb University and serves as an adjunct in the School Counseling program. She earned graduate degrees in School Counseling and Counseling and Human Development from the University of the Southwest and Lindsey Wilson College and is currently working on her PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies with a concentration in International. She now joins us full-time as the Women of Hope Program Coordinator. Jennifer has worked with a number of diverse children, families, and adults in education, counseling, and ministry settings. Her husband John is a long-time Lipscomb Academy teacher and coach, and they are the proud parents of two young men, Daniel and Luke. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for whole-person wellness and development among the international population and is humbled by the opportunity to serve the world in the name of Jesus through HHI. She loves all things expressive arts, cooking, and coffee!

Katia completed her MBA at Lipscomb University, during which she interned at Healing Hands International. She then worked part-time while finishing her college soccer career and joined our team full-time as a data analyst in 2024. Katia loves learning new things, reading, working out, taking long walks, and spending time with friends and family. She’s passionate about using data and technology to make a meaningful impact for Christ in the world. Katia lives in San Marcos, Texas, with her husband, Nehemiah. 

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.

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.

Tara joined Healing Hands International in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as a Preschool Volunteer Coordinator for Mt. Juliet Church of Christ. With a passion for serving and helping others, she is excited to contribute to HHI’s mission. Tara lives in Lebanon, TN, with her husband, Daniel, and two teenage daughters. She enjoys hiking and going on family vacations with a goal of visiting all of the National Parks in the US and Canada. 

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.

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.

Leighton Kennedy joined the HHI team in 2023. She is a Georgia native with a degree in Political Science from the University of North Georgia. After working in politics for two years, Leighton pursued freelance marketing before moving to Tennessee to work with Healing Hands International to follow her passion for creative nonprofit work. She enjoys reading, writing, rock climbing, and watching baseball (go Braves!). 

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 and they have one adult daughter.

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.

Darrell began working part time with HHI in 2024 as an event coordinator.  He has a BA in Bible from Faulkner University and has labored in youth and family ministry for over 20 years.  Darrell is happily married to Jamie and they have 3 beautiful children that they get to love on every day and one in heaven whom they are excited to be reunited with. He loves traveling with his family, playing basketball, and building things.

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 three 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.

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.

Clint joined the HHI team in July 2023. He discovered Healing Hands in 2016 when he and his wife Brandy began volunteering with the Hunger to Harvest program teaching sustainable agriculture practices. Clint acquired his love of agriculture at an early age, having grown up on a farm in Tennessee. In addition to his work at HHI, Clint has completed other projects with Mission Lazarus in Honduras and Baja Missions in Mexico. He and Brandy are both graduates of MTSU and serve in the Families of Faith class at College Hills Church of Christ with their two children.

Sara graduated from Texas A&M University in 2021 with a degree in Tourism and Event Management, where she found her love for volunteering at various international non-profits with her college ministry, Aggies For Christ. She joined the HHI team in 2025 after moving from Texas to the Nashville area to explore opportunities for service in church ministries and non-profits. Sara enjoys quality time with friends and family, hiking, exploring new places, baking, and painting. She is passionate about helping others and making them feel welcomed and valued.