MEDA's board in profile:
Allon Lefever, Harrisonburg, Virginia, MEDA board chair
Day job: MEDA’s new board chair has a rich track record – ranging from an online start-up that dazzled Wall Street to heading the MBA program at Eastern Mennonite University. His latest venture is a new Hampton Inn & Suites in Woodstock, Va. He’s an active consultant (hotel development, start-ups, financing, board service) and mentor who helps bring entrepreneurial dreams to life.
What he likes about MEDA: “I like its focus on helping the poorest of the economically active – those who want to be active economically but need a break (such as credit and training) – and doing it sustainably,” says Lefever. “I like MEDA’s model of helping people help themselves with respect and dignity so they can improve their lives and then give back to their communities and help the next person.”
During many years with MEDA, both as a board member and mentor in the early ASSETS program, he has especially enjoyed field visits to clients in Nicaragua, as pictured here, and Tanzania to see MEDA’s impact firsthand. “It’s been a real highlight to see the results of the efforts that have been put in by so many faithful people,” he says.
Hobbies: Lefever enjoys golfing with his wife, Doris (“She’s as good a golfer as I am so we never know who’s going to win”), as well as hiking, traveling, reading and serving on numerous boards. “I also enjoy spending time with my eight grandchildren, ages nine to three. Just last night I was on the phone telling a polar bear story to a granddaughter who lives in Indiana.”
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