Our Team

Kenya Relief is a Kenya-led organization powered by a diverse team of leaders, missionaries, staff, and board members who share a deep commitment to transforming lives through healthcare, education, and child and family support. Across continents and roles, we are united by a spirit of harambee—pulling together with integrity, compassion, and shared purpose.

Our team reflects the heart of our mission: local leadership, global partnership, and a steadfast belief that hope and opportunity can change lives.

KENYA RELIEF LEADERSHIP

Our leadership team guides Kenya Relief’s vision, strategy, and culture, strengthening Kenyan-led systems that ensure long-term impact.

Nancy Pauline

Chief Accountant at Kenya Relief

Nancy Pauline

Chief Accountant at Kenya Relief

Nancy Pauline is the Chief Accountant at Kenya Relief, responsible for safeguarding the organization’s financial accuracy, transparency, and integrity. She joined Kenya Relief in 2017, serving as bursar at the school, cashier at the clinic, and later as an accountant before being promoted to Chief Accountant in 2025.

A native of southern Nyanza, Nancy holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She works closely with leadership to provide strategic financial guidance that strengthens operations and supports mission growth. Nancy is known for her commitment to accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Connect with me: Nancy@kenyarelief.org

Missionaries and U.S. Team

Our missionaries and U.S.-based staff serve across healthcare, education, operations, and community support, working together to advance our mission on the ground and behind the scenes.

Beth Okech

Clinic Missionary

Beth Okech

Clinic Missionary

Beth Okech serves as a Clinic Missionary with a long‑standing passion for both medicine and missions. A graduate of the Surgical Technologist Program at Calhoun Community College, she began her career at Madison Surgery Center in Alabama, where she gained experience across surgery, materials and facilities management, scheduling, supply chain, and patient flow. After joining her first Kenya Relief surgical team in 2009, Beth saw the need for greater consistency and organization in the clinic and returned in 2010 with a commitment to move to Kenya full‑time to support staff, strengthen systems, and improve the quality of care for the community. She has also served in various ministry roles at Summit Crossing Community Church, including college ministry leadership and Sunday school teaching, and remains deeply grateful to every volunteer who sacrifices time and resources to serve vulnerable populations across Kenya.

Connect with me:bethokech@kenyarelief.org

Sonya Keller

Medical Missionary, Team Host, and Children’s Support

Sonya Keller

Medical Missionary, Team Host, and Children’s Support

Sonya Keller is a Certified Surgical First Assistant and Surgical Technologist with more than a decade of experience in surgery and sterile processing. After serving on eight medical mission teams with Kenya Relief, she became a resident missionary in January 2025. In her role, she supports clinical work, hosts mission teams, and provides children’s care and mentorship, bringing adaptability, compassion, and a commitment to excellence to every aspect of her service.

Her credentials include CST, CSFA, and additional training in sterile processing and surgical education. Sonya describes herself as a multipurpose person with many interests and skill sets, valuing humor and professionalism—each in its right moment. She deeply appreciates honesty and respect, both given and received, and carries these values into her work and relationships on campus.

Connect with me: sonya@kenyarelief.org

Lauren Eich

Sponsor & Donor Engagement Coordinator

Lauren Eich

Sponsor & Donor Engagement Coordinator

Lauren Eich serves as the Coordinator for Sponsor & Donor Engagement with Kenya Relief, supporting the connection between supporters and the programs, people, and everyday moments that make up life on campus in Migori, Kenya. Through updates, storytelling, communications, and engagement, her role helps bridge the gap between those who give and the work they make possible! She has a background in trauma-informed care and art education, Lauren brings a relational, child-centered lens to her work. Her experience supporting children’s social-emotional development at Brittney’s Home of Grace continues to shape how she approaches communication—prioritizing dignity, consistency, and care in the stories that are shared. She collaborates closely with staff and teams across the organization to highlight meaningful impact while honoring the lived experiences of the children and families Kenya Relief serves. Lauren holds undergraduate degrees in Studio Art and Art History and a master’s degree in Art History from the University of Alabama. She holds certifications in art-education, trauma-informed care, child-centered approaches, social-emotional learning, and creative-expression practices. When stateside, she enjoys painting in her art studio and spending time with her cat, Miso — her U.S. stand-in for Mollie and Tucker. Connect with me: lauren@kenyarelief.org

Anthony Rojas

Missionary & Administrative Support Coordinator

Anthony Rojas

Missionary & Administrative Support Coordinator

Anthony Rojas joins Kenya Relief from Chicago, Illinois, bringing with him a heart for children and a career built around serving others. After years of supporting youth programs at Heartland Alliance — where he worked directly alongside young people while keeping operations, documentation, and case management running behind the scenes — Anthony found in Kenya Relief an organization whose mission spoke directly to what drives him most: ensuring that vulnerable children and communities have people in their corner. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he is a natural connector and a steady, trustworthy presence on any team.

Outside of work, Anthony has a deep appreciation for the arts and enjoys strategy games like chess. He is genuinely excited to be part of the Kenya Relief family and committed to doing whatever it takes to support the mission from the ground up.

Connect with me: anthony@kenyarelief.org

Becky Richardson

U.S. Finance Manager

Becky Richardson

U.S. Finance Manager

Becky Richardson brings more than 40 years of experience in accounting, finance, and human resources to her role as U.S. Finance Manager at Kenya Relief. Since joining the organization in 2013, she has been a steady and trusted leader in financial reporting, compliance, and administrative operations. Her background includes 25 years in a fast‑paced industry supporting more than 1,200 employees as both an Accounting Manager and HR Manager, experience that now strengthens Kenya Relief’s financial stewardship and day‑to‑day operations. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Jacksonville State University and has dedicated more than 13 years to bookkeeping and accounting within the organization.

Becky’s service is rooted in her Christian faith and a desire to reflect Christ’s love—especially to those who may not have the opportunities she has been given. Beyond her work with Kenya Relief, she serves on several nonprofit boards, including Pilot Light Home, which provides temporary care for foster children, and the Pilot Club Board, which promotes awareness and prevention of brain‑related disorders. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to integrity continue to shape the mission and impact of Kenya Relief.

Connect with me: becky@kenyarelief.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our U.S. and Kenyan NGO Board of Directors work closely together to provide governance, accountability, and strategic oversight, stewarding Kenya Relief’s mission with integrity and care.

Dorcas Musili

Board Chair, Kenya NGO

Dorcas Musili

Board Chair, Kenya NGO

Dorcas Musili serves as the Kenya Relief NGO Board Chair and a member of the Kenya Relief U.S. Board, where she provides steady governance, strategic insight, and mission‑driven leadership. She is deeply committed to strengthening programs that expand access to healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable communities in Kenya. With expertise in board oversight, strategic planning, community engagement, and cross‑cultural collaboration, Dorcas plays a key role in guiding Kenya Relief’s vision and ensuring its long‑term impact.

In addition to her leadership with Kenya Relief, Dorcas serves as Secretary of the Board for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and is active in ministry and outreach through the Missions Team at Bethesda House of Mercy. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Grounded in faith, family, and community, Dorcas brings a heart for service and a commitment to uplifting others locally and globally.

Connect with me: dorcas@kenyarelief.org

Dr. Hilda Nyougo Omae

Kenya NGO Board Treasurer

Dr. Hilda Nyougo Omae

Kenya NGO Board Treasurer

Dr. Hilda Nyougo Omae serves as the Treasurer of the Kenya Relief NGO Board, where she provides financial oversight, strategic guidance, and expert counsel on educational quality, teacher development, and curriculum strengthening. She is a professor of education with deep expertise in measurement and quantitative methods and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance, and Planning at Meru University of Science and Technology. Her leadership blends financial stewardship with a strong commitment to improving teaching and learning across Kenya Relief’s programs.

A trained mathematics and chemistry teacher, Professor Omae has served in higher education as an instructor, department chair, dean, and now Deputy Vice-Chancellor. She holds a Doctorate in Measurement and Quantitative Methods, a Master’s in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor’s in Education. Guided by the conviction of Matthew 25:40, she is dedicated to serving vulnerable communities with excellence and compassion.

Connect with me: hildaomae@kenyarelief.org

Penina Kamina

Kenya NGO Board

Penina Kamina

Kenya NGO Board

Penina Kamina is a faculty associate and a professor of mathematics education at State University of New York at Oneonta, where she is responsible for teaching mathematical content to pre-service elementary education majors and for advising undergraduate education majors. She is an alumna of Syracuse University, New York USA and Kenyatta University, Kenya. She gives back via teaching, research, service and mentoring to her homeland Kenya by working with graduate students, early career researchers, pre-primary and primary school children and their teachers. Each summer since 2019, she joins the Education Team to facilitate professional development workshops with Kenya Relief Academy teachers and is on the Kenya Relief NGO board from 2023 to-date.

Connect with me: peninakamina@kenyarelief.org

Julie Munsell

Chair, US Board

Julie Munsell

Chair, US Board

Julie Munsell has served as the U.S. Chair of the Board of Directors for Kenya Relief since 2015, where she brings to bear her deep expertise in culture, talent development, and strategic communications to strengthen the organization’s governance and mission. She is presently the Executive Director, Culture and Talent at MISO, leading work in organizational culture, diversity and inclusion, early‑career talent, and employee engagement. Previously, Julie served as MISO’s Director of Strategic Communications, overseeing media relations, digital platforms, and internal communications. Her career began in broadcast journalism at KATV before she moved into public affairs and crisis communications roles with Entergy Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in communications management from Harding University and lives in Arkansas with her husband, Scott, and their two children.

Connect with me: julie@kenyarelief.org

Elizabeth Studley

Vice Chair, U.S. Board and Kenya NGO Board Member

Elizabeth Studley

Vice Chair, U.S. Board and Kenya NGO Board Member

Elizabeth Studley is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with more than twenty years of clinical experience at Henry Ford Health and Michigan Medicine, where she also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She is completing her Doctorate in Healthcare Administration at Central Michigan University. Over the past decade, Elizabeth has led 30 medical‑surgical mission teams with Kenya Relief, helping provide care to more than 10,000 patients and supporting more than 2,000 surgeries—work that has strengthened global surgical access, expanded medical mission strategy, and deepened long‑term partnerships across Kenya and the United States.

Her expertise spans healthcare leadership, global surgical access, medical mission strategy, and partnership development. Elizabeth has participated in WHO and United Nations trainings in Geneva, served as a plenary speaker for the Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference, presented at the World Congress on Public Health, and completed the Michigan Medicine Patient Safety & Quality Leadership Scholars Program. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy, with her doctorate expected in 2026. Rooted in her Christian faith, Elizabeth is driven by a commitment to bring healing, hope, and dignity to underserved communities—a guiding reminder she carries forward: “Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.”

Connect with me: elizabeth@kenyarelief.org

Rosemary Holderman

U.S. Board and Kenya NGO Board Member

Rosemary Holderman

U.S. Board and Kenya NGO Board Member

Rosemary Holderman brings more than forty years of healthcare experience to her roles on Kenya Relief’s NGO Board and U.S. Board of Directors. With a background in neurological rehabilitation, quality management, and organizational behavior, she offers thoughtful oversight and policy guidance grounded in compassion, rigor, and a deep understanding of child and family support systems. Her career spans clinical practice as an Occupational Therapist and more than a decade in director‑level leadership focused on accreditation, regulatory readiness, performance improvement, and high‑reliability organizational training.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Science in Public Health Administration from the University of Oklahoma, is a Certified Professional in Health Care Quality, and maintains national board certification in Occupational Therapy. Rosemary’s service is deeply rooted in her Christian faith and her connection to Kenya Relief’s mission; from her first visit to Migori, she felt at home among the staff and community. She is motivated by a desire to uplift others with dignity and long‑term impact, and she finds joy in meaningful relationships—especially time with her family and grandchildren, who inspire her sense of purpose and gratitude.

Connect with me: rosemary@kenyarelief.org

Heather Wurster

U.S. Board Secretary

Heather Wurster

U.S. Board Secretary

Heather Wurster, U.S. Board Secretary- photo here Heather H. Wurster, RN, MPH, serves on the Kenya Relief Board as U.S. Board Secretary, where she brings more than 25 years of executive healthcare leadership to strengthen governance, strategy, and operational excellence across the organization’s medical and community‑focused programs. Her experience spans large‑scale system optimization, clinical operations, risk mitigation, and cross‑departmental collaboration within a 1,000‑bed academic medical center. Heather’s background in leading complex teams, advancing quality‑focused initiatives, and shaping policy positions her as a key contributor to Kenya Relief’s mission of expanding access to compassionate, high‑quality care in Kenya.

Before joining the Kenya Relief Board, Heather built a distinguished career at the University of Michigan Health System, serving as Executive Director and Chief of Staff in the Office of Clinical Affairs, Associate Hospital Administrator, and Director of Patient Care Services. She has led major organizational change initiatives, developed system‑wide policies, launched mentorship programs for underserved youth, and supported global health efforts through medical mission work in Southwestern Kenya. Heather also brings public health experience from the Washtenaw County Health Department and has held multiple board leadership roles in community organizations. A Registered Nurse with a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, she is recognized for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes locally and globally.

Connect with me: heatherwurster@kenyarelief.org

Drew Gillispie

U.S. Board Treasurer

Drew Gillispie

U.S. Board Treasurer

Drew Gillispie serves on Kenya Relief’s U.S. Board as Treasurer, offering financial oversight, accountability, and strategic guidance that strengthen the organization’s long‑term stability and growth. He brings a steady, experienced hand to Kenya Relief’s financial stewardship, shaped by more than fifteen years working across international development, government contract management, project operations, and finance.

In addition to his board service, Drew is the Treasurer for Chemonics International, where he has supported global programs in Afghanistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Zambia across supply chain, public health, private sector development, access to finance, and sustainable fisheries. He holds a B.S. in international business from Oklahoma State University, a MiniMasters in supply chain management from Arizona State University, and is a Certified Treasury Professional. Earlier in his career, he served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2007 to 2009.

Connect with me: drew.gillispie@gmail.com

Gary Walton

Board Vice Treasurer

Gary Walton

Board Vice Treasurer

Gary Walton has been part of Kenya Relief since 2017 and joined the Board of Directors in August 2018. He has also contributed his leadership expertise through service on the ad‑hoc Advisory Council for JH Outback of North Alabama. He has a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Dr. Walton currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Clearview Cancer Institute, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.

Connect with me: gary@kenyarelief.org

our team

KENYA RELIEF LEADERSHIP

Melissa Cook

Keitany Dan Kipkogei

Noreen Wafula

Solomon Nyaoge Bandi

Dominic Owino Odhiambo

Mercy Kheyo

Nancy Pauline

Missionaries and U.S. Team

Beth Okech

Sonya Keller

Lauren Eich

Anthony Rojas

Becky Richardson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dorcas Musili

Dr. Hilda Nyougo Omae

Penina Kamina

Julie Munsell

Elizabeth Studley

Rosemary Holderman

Heather Wurster

Drew Gillispie

Gary Walton