Each Board of Directors is composed of volunteer members who bring together diverse skillsets in areas including entrepreneurship, finance, agri-business operations, and investment. The board develops and guides organizational strategy, provides governance oversight, and proactively monitors risk. Members serve a maximum of three 3-year terms.
This Board delegates authority to the President to manage the affairs of MEDA and carry out the policies and programs authorized by the Board.
MEDA is comprised of many corporations and branches across the world, with its corporate office in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Its parent company is MEDA International, whose board is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight for the organization including oversight of committees, employee compensation, membership, strategic direction, financial stewardship, and risk management.
Rob Schlegel is a highly skilled professional and leader in the financial services field. Over his career, Rob has managed governance structures, complex investment and financial portfolios for large organizations. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at RBJ Schlegel Holdings/Schlegel Villages Inc., which provides seniors’ care, mental health, and addictions treatment across Canada. Rob manages the finance teams in all four divisions of the business and has arranged financing for related entities of over $1 billion dollars.
Rob has a Business Diploma in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.
Rob is a generous philanthropist whose involvement with MEDA goes back over 30 years. Recently, he chaired MEDA’s Building Enduring Livelihoods Campaign, which raised over $50 million dollars towards MEDA projects. Rob is also active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community: he served as the CFO of the Kitchener-Waterloo PC Association, co-chairs the fundraising committees for the Homewood Research Institute and the Research Institute for Aging and serves on the board of the Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club. Rob generously served as MEDA’s interim Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) from May to September 2021.
Rob lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his partner Jen.
Andreas Quiring has served as the managing director of Andreas Hermes Academy in Germany since 2008. The Academy offers continuing education for individuals and their companies, with a focus on agricultural studies, the food industry, and rural areas. Andreas studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Bonn.
Andreas brings agricultural and development experience and a German/European Mennonite perspective to the MEDA council.
He was drawn to engage as a director by the MEDA team’s passion for its work and a desire to contribute to MEDA’s continued presence in Europe.
Andreas has 3 daughters and lives with his family in Bonn, Germany, where they attend Ev. Mennonitengemeinde Neuwied church.
Brent is a social entrepreneur and impact investor. As Chairman and CEO of the peopleCare Group, Brent is committed to fostering a dynamic culture of excellence, innovation, and engaged people that enables the organization’s vision to change the world of senior living. Celebrating over 50 years of creating and operating exceptional senior living communities under Brent’s leadership, peopleCare is recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies and has earned Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada.
An active and influential health system leader, Brent is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, where he led with a focus on transformative solutions that support the sector to deliver high-quality care and value within a more integrated health system.
A Visionary Circle member of MEDA, Brent is inspired by their mission to develop business solutions to address poverty and is a champion of MEDA’s role in the global effort to eliminate extreme poverty by 2040. Brent also served as a Past Board Chair and Board Director at Ontario Long-Term Care Association and has been involved with the Young Presidents’ Association Canada and Certified General Accountants Association.
Brent is a Certified Professional Accountant, a Certified General Accountant, and a Certified Administrator in Long-Term Care.
Janet Andres is the co-owner and founder of Andres Homes. She founded her business with her husband, Ted, in 1987. Since then, she has provided design services to Andres Homes development projects and clients. As a recent retiree, Janet is still engaged in the business’ development projects. Janet currently runs an active Airbnb business engaging with international and local guests.
Janet is passionate about equality, inclusion, and supporting women in business internationally. She brings ten years of experience as a Human Resources generalist in the non-profit, trust company, and retail marketplace.
Over the years, she has been involved in several church committees, including coordinating and leading women’s studies and kids’ programs, serving on a support team for a migrant workers ministry, and as a care team member. Janet currently serves as a board member of the Latino Workers Society and is the lead team member for establishing a new Anabaptist church.
Janet has been actively engaged in MEDA since 1993. In the early years, she attended MEDA Conventions, hosted local MEDA events and MEDA staff, and participated in MEDA international trips. Janet served as a volunteer internal auditor for MEDA projects in Ethiopia, Jordan, and Kenya between 2014-2019. Janet’s husband, Ted, served on the MEDA council for three terms, and both Janet and Ted continue to be involved in local MEDA hub events.
Janet graduated from Douglas College with a business degree specializing in Human Resources. She lives in Delta, B.C., with her husband, Ted.
Abraham Fiseha is an Ethiopian-born Canadian citizen and who recently retired after 45 years of service with several non-profit organizations both in Canada and Ethiopia, respectively. Both his wife and him are graduates of Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas. Before college, his wife also attended the Bible Academy, a Mennonite high school in Nazareth town Ethiopia that ceased to exist during the communist takeover of the 1970s in the country. Their life in North America started with him first moving to Kansas in 1975 to attend college. After graduating from Bethel with a degree in Social Work and International Development, his first work experience started at the college itself working as the International Students Advisor.
In 1982 he moved to Canada to work with Hope International Development Agency, an organization based in New Westminster, British Columbia. He served the organization in different capacities for fifteen years until he resigned in order to settle back in Ethiopia desiring to contribute towards the healing and rehabilitation of destitute people in the country after the 17 years of civil war.
He has been actively engaged for the most part of his life in churches in all the countries he has lived in, serving as an elder, church planter as well as initiating and hosting home bible study groups. In addition, he has been serving in different Non-Profit boards and communities. The first time he learned about the work of MEDA is around the Mid Seventies when he was a young college Student in Kansas and has been holding deep respect for MEDA and the vision the Organization to bringing people out of poverty through sustainable means of income and entrepreneurship.
His wife Salem and him live partly in Canada and partly Ethiopia. They are parents to three children and have two grandchildren.
Andrea Kuhl is the Director of Philanthropy at Southern Manitoba Potato Co. Ltd, a family farm business located in Southern Manitoba. Andrea also teaches early years music at La Salle School, specializing in musical theatre, choir, and Orff instruction.
Andrea is actively engaged in her community through volunteer roles at iDE, Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary and Middle School and as a director on the Kuhl Foundation board.
Andrea also brings 17 years of experience serving on various boards and committees related to education, church, community outreach, and music. Andrea’s family has been a committed supporter of MEDA’s work for many years.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Church Music from Canadian Mennonite Bible College and a bachelor’s degree of music and education from the University of Manitoba.
Andrea lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with her husband, Keith, their children, Jaxon and Elsa, and their dog Jett.
Bethany Fosdyck is the founder, owner and president of Bushbaby, a children’s outfitter offering functional apparel and gear. Bushbaby operates with the goal of fostering healthy outdoor activities for youth and their families.
After graduating college, Bethany worked in Kenya with Mennonite Central Committee as a handicraft design liaison with Ten Thousand Villages. She has served on several boards in her community, including the Illinois Mennonite Conference’s Missional Leadership Team and the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum fundraising committee. Bethany brings experience in management, merchandising and business operations to the MEDA council.
Drawn to MEDA by its work enabling sustainable livelihoods, Bethany holds a deep respect for the organization’s vision and mission.
Bethany lives in Illinois with her husband Russ, and attends First Mennonite church.
Crystal Weaver is a visionary entrepreneur who thrives on creating businesses that contribute to the social landscape of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is passionate about creating job opportunities within the hospitality sector that are meaningful, empowering and forward-thinking while also connecting people to places in ways that have lasting impact.
Her strong work ethic and commitment to the city have been evident in the success of Prince St. Cafe, Passenger Coffee Roasting, as well as prior city business ventures in a market stand and residential housing. Crystal is co-owner of Commons Company, Passenger Coffee Roasters, Prince Street Café, Surveyor Hotel and Blue Line Lancaster. She is active on multiple organization boards, including Fields of Hope and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Crystal brings expertise in human resources and business management alongside a background in psychology from her studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. Her experience running a B Corp Company and leveraging the capacity of business to address social issues brings a social entrepreneurship lens to her role with the council. Crystal became a director in 2017, led by her belief that business is a force for good.
Crystal lives in Pennsylvania and attends The Worship Center church.
Elke Horsch is a teacher at the Gerhardinger Schule in Schwandorf, Germany. The school has an emphasis on teaching kids with a migrant or refugee background.
Elke has a Master’s in Psychology from the University of Mannheim. She was born in Romania in a German family and emigrated in 1981 with her family to Germany. Elke is fluent in English, German, French and Romanian.
Elke has been an active member of MEDA for many years. She is thrilled by the idea of helping people to make a sustainable living, and has chosen to engage as a MEDA director out of this passion.
Elke lives with her husband Philipp in Schwandorf, Germany. They have three children. In 2005, they joined with 4 other families to establish the Mennonite church Evangelische Freikirche, Mennonitengemeinde Schwandorf where they continue to attend.
Ferdinand is a highly experienced entrepreneur currently running a cattle ranch and serving on the boards of Cooperative Friesland, Saborca SA and MEDA Paraguay. Ferdinand’s first business, Casa Centro Saeca, sold household appliances, furniture, and motorcycles. He ran this business for over 25 years, selling it in 2012.
Ferdinand brings an expertise in business management to the MEDA council. His background in managing change process for improved efficiency, productivity and sustainability, a dedication to making socio-economic impact in rural communities through commercial initiatives, and his leadership in finding solutions to operational challenges are highly valued assets at the board table.
Ferdinand has a deep passion for helping others and a firm commitment to his family and faith. He is actively involved in the Anabaptist/Mennonite community, has participated on various boards and non-profit organizations, volunteered at the Johannes Gutenberg school in Paraguay, and served for five years as president of the Friesland Agricultural Cooperative.
Ferdinand and his wife, Hedwig, have two adult sons. They live in Friesland Paraguay, where they attend their local Mennonite church.
Jeremy is Founder / CEO of Weave Savings, building a world where relational capital empowers financial resilience, among individuals, families, and communities. Weave is building a savings group platform, a small business employee savings benefit, and eventually a nonprofit / faith-based community service.
Jeremy previously led Pique, an AI startup, that was sold to MoMo, Vietnam’s largest fintech in Vietnam in June 2021. Previously he worked at Microsoft for 13+ years in cross-functional leadership roles in Microsoft Philanthropies’ Technology for Social Impact group, Microsoft Vietnam as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, and other international and corporate roles. Jeremy is an avid learner, earning degrees from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, George Washington University, and Rose-HuIman Institute of Technology.
Jeremy first connected with MEDA when he was in college through the Northern Indiana chapter. He appreciates MEDA’s intersectional values of faith and development through the medium of business with a focus on vulnerable populations in emerging markets. Jeremy has acted as advisor of several technological improvements at MEDA over the years prior to joining the council.
Jeremy and his wife Pa’lee have enjoyed raising their three children across different cultures and being active members of church communities wherever they are living. Currently they are members of Reach Church in Kirkland, Washington.
Karin is the principal for her company, KLK Consulting, focusing specifically on accounting and compliance. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA, majoring in Psychology and a BComm, majoring in Accounting.
While serving on the Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation of Canada) board, Karin met Abe Fehr, a former MEDA Board member. After many conversations about similar values and interests, Karin found herself drawn to the mission that MEDA has to reach out globally to assist people to enhance their livelihoods and support their families through business opportunities that they see, but need a little assistance.
Karin and her partner, Harold, live in Calgary.
Katie Spohn served in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office for 12 years, serving as Deputy Attorney General from 2012-2014. In that role, she was tasked with handling the state’s most complex civil litigation cases, specializing in nationally-significant issues of constitutional law.
Prior to serving as Deputy Attorney General, Spohn was Section Chief for the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Section and Special Counsel to the Attorney General where she gained extensive litigation experience prosecuting environmental violations and defending the constitutionality of state statutes on subjects ranging from corporate farming prohibition to statutes seeking to protect unborn children.
Spohn was the recipient of the Conference of Western Attorneys General Jim Jones Public Service Award in 2014 and was honored as supervisor/manager of the year at the Attorney General’s Office in 2009.
Spohn earned her B.S. in Agri-Business and J.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is admitted to the Nebraska State Bar; the Eighth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court. She lives on a farm outside of Lincoln, Nebraska, with her husband Scott and three children, Zach, Jacob and Valerie.
Appointed treasurer to Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee in 2018, Sunoko works with Trace World Wide Corporation (+22 years) in the aviation industry and is based in Los Angeles California.
As the Chief Financial Officer at TRACE Worldwide Corporation, he serves as a member of the senior management team and a key advisor to the CEO in the areas of corporate accounting and finance in the global distribution business of aircraft parts. Responsible for effective financial and operational management that leads to improvement in profitability and cost savings and to optimum level of debt-equity ratio.
Tonya Detweiler was born in West Liberty, Ohio into the Mennonite home of Ray and Mary Hunsberger. Tonya grew up in Newton, Kansas and has fond memories of spending countless hours on her grandparent’s farm. Tonya currently serves as CEO of Prominence Homes, Blue Diamond Communities and Cherry Creek and has previously served as the CEO of The Green House Village of Goshen and the Vice President of Advancement at Hesston College.
With a background in Property and Casualty Insurance, following her graduation from Hesston College Verda established her own agency, Mutual Aid Services, working there for 20 years and overseeing day to day operations, human resources, fiscal management and marketing. Verda has belonged to several associations over the years, including the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Sarasota/Manatee County, the Professional Insurance Women’s Association of Sarasota/Manatee County, as well as several civic organizations and church boards in her community. Verda was recognized as Woman of the Year of Sarasota County based on her involvement with professional, civic, church, and child advocacy organizations.
Verda’s 25 years of involvement with MEDA has inspired a passion and interest in international development, experiencing different cultures, and meeting new people. Prior to serving on the MEDA council, Verda engaged as a board member with the Sarasota, FL MEDA hub, assisting with audits and helping plan MEDA council tours to Tajikistan and Tanzania.
Verda lives with her husband, Dale, in Florida USA. They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren, and attend Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA US) is a subsidiary of MEDA International. It’s a registered 501(c)(3) in Pennsylvania: EIN 23-7398678. The board is responsible for engaging with the public and MEDA supporters, fostering philanthropic support and engagement, and overseeing the Annual MEDA Convention.
Crystal Weaver is a visionary entrepreneur who thrives on creating businesses that contribute to the social landscape of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is passionate about creating job opportunities within the hospitality sector that are meaningful, empowering and forward-thinking while also connecting people to places in ways that have lasting impact.
Her strong work ethic and commitment to the city have been evident in the success of Prince St. Cafe, Passenger Coffee Roasting, as well as prior city business ventures in a market stand and residential housing. Crystal is co-owner of Commons Company, Passenger Coffee Roasters, Prince Street Café, Surveyor Hotel and Blue Line Lancaster. She is active on multiple organization boards, including Fields of Hope and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Crystal brings expertise in human resources and business management alongside a background in psychology from her studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. Her experience running a B Corp Company and leveraging the capacity of business to address social issues brings a social entrepreneurship lens to her role with the council. Crystal became a director in 2017, led by her belief that business is a force for good.
Crystal lives in Pennsylvania and attends The Worship Center church.
Brent Alderfer is the owner of Spring Creek Farm, where his lifelong passion for sustainability shapes every aspect of the farm’s mission. Growing up surrounded by family gardens, Brent developed an early love for farming and food preservation—skills and traditions he now brings to the next generation at Spring Creek. Through Spring Creek Farm, Brent fosters a community-oriented space dedicated to organic farming and sustainable living.
With a distinguished career in renewable energy, Brent co-founded Community Energy, Inc., where he served as CEO for 20 years. Under his leadership, the company broke new ground by introducing large-scale wind and solar energy to U.S. markets, helping shift the electric grid toward carbon-free generation. Brent’s expertise in clean energy also led him to serve as a Utility Commissioner on the Colorado Public Utility Commission and to chair the Energy Resources Committee for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, where he was instrumental in guiding national energy policy during the restructuring of electric markets.
Brent holds an electrical engineering degree from Northeastern University and a law degree from Georgetown University.
Bethany Fosdyck is the founder, owner and president of Bushbaby, a children’s outfitter offering functional apparel and gear. Bushbaby operates with the goal of fostering healthy outdoor activities for youth and their families.
After graduating college, Bethany worked in Kenya with Mennonite Central Committee as a handicraft design liaison with Ten Thousand Villages. She has served on several boards in her community, including the Illinois Mennonite Conference’s Missional Leadership Team and the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum fundraising committee. Bethany brings experience in management, merchandising and business operations to the MEDA council.
Drawn to MEDA by its work enabling sustainable livelihoods, Bethany holds a deep respect for the organization’s vision and mission.
Bethany lives in Illinois with her husband Russ, and attends First Mennonite church.
With a background in Property and Casualty Insurance, following her graduation from Hesston College Verda established her own agency, Mutual Aid Services, working there for 20 years and overseeing day to day operations, human resources, fiscal management and marketing. Verda has belonged to several associations over the years, including the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Sarasota/Manatee County, the Professional Insurance Women’s Association of Sarasota/Manatee County, as well as several civic organizations and church boards in her community. Verda was recognized as Woman of the Year of Sarasota County based on her involvement with professional, civic, church, and child advocacy organizations.
Verda’s 25 years of involvement with MEDA has inspired a passion and interest in international development, experiencing different cultures, and meeting new people. Prior to serving on the MEDA council, Verda engaged as a board member with the Sarasota, FL MEDA hub, assisting with audits and helping plan MEDA council tours to Tajikistan and Tanzania.
Verda lives with her husband, Dale, in Florida USA. They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren, and attend Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral, Florida.
Dawn Graber brings over 30 years of leadership and learning experience in multicultural settings, guided by a deep passion for people and helping others succeed. As a process consultant, she partners with organizations to identify leadership development needs, foster inclusive team engagement, and implement tailored strategies for lasting impact.
Dawn and her husband Doug Graber have been active supporters of MEDA, having registered for multiple events—including the MEDA Convention (2019, 2022, 2023) and Sarasota gatherings (2022, 2023). Dawn also contributed to the G2G (Guelph to Goderich for Ghana) fundraiser in support of the Ghana GROW2 project.
Tonya Detweiler was born in West Liberty, Ohio into the Mennonite home of Ray and Mary Hunsberger. Tonya grew up in Newton, Kansas and has fond memories of spending countless hours on her grandparent’s farm. Tonya currently serves as CEO of Prominence Homes, Blue Diamond Communities and Cherry Creek and has previously served as the CEO of The Green House Village of Goshen and the Vice President of Advancement at Hesston College.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada (MEDA Canada) is a subsidiary of MEDA International. It’s a Not-for-profit Corporation under the CNCA and a registered charity: No. 107691057 RR 0001. The board is responsible for overseeing the efficient execution of programs and guiding efforts to secure funding from institutional and corporate partners.
Patricia Erb is a partner at Erb & Associates, which she launched in 2018 following a career of over 40 years working in international development culminating in her leadership of Save the Children Canada as President and CEO.
Her career led to positions as Country Director in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Nicaragua and as Latin America Regional Director. For 20 years, Patricia worked with partner organizations to deliver gender transformative and sustainable projects in all sectors, including health, education, working children, economic empowerment, community development, and humanitarian response.
Having worked with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Bolivia for five years, Patricia coordinated with MEDA projects in that country. Patricia’s father, Delbert Erb also served with the Mennonite Board Mission in Argentina and received support through MEDA for a small business.
Patricia holds an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Vancouver Island University, has a master’s degree in International Development Planning with a specialized focus on gender from Cornell University, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Goshen College, and associate degree in Nursing from Hesston College.
Patricia lives in Toronto, ON, Canada with her husband, Omar.
Rob Schlegel is a highly skilled professional and leader in the financial services field. Over his career, Rob has managed governance structures, complex investment and financial portfolios for large organizations. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at RBJ Schlegel Holdings/Schlegel Villages Inc., which provides seniors’ care, mental health, and addictions treatment across Canada. Rob manages the finance teams in all four divisions of the business and has arranged financing for related entities of over $1 billion dollars.
Rob has a Business Diploma in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.
Rob is a generous philanthropist whose involvement with MEDA goes back over 30 years. Recently, he chaired MEDA’s Building Enduring Livelihoods Campaign, which raised over $50 million dollars towards MEDA projects. Rob is also active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community: he served as the CFO of the Kitchener-Waterloo PC Association, co-chairs the fundraising committees for the Homewood Research Institute and the Research Institute for Aging and serves on the board of the Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club. Rob generously served as MEDA’s interim Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) from May to September 2021.
Rob lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his partner Jen.
Albert D. (Bert) Friesen is founder, CEO and Chairman of Medicure Inc. He is also founder of Genesys Venture Inc. (GVI), which provides the expertise for launching and managing emerging health and biotechnology ventures. Dr. Friesen has been instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including ABI Biotechnology (now Apotex Fermentation), Canada’s first profitable biotech company, and the Winnipeg Rh Institute, where he led the development of Canada’s first biotech product, WinRho.
Bert has also played a key role in a number of regional and national organizations, including a founder and first Board of Director Chair of the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada (now BIOTECanada). He holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba.
Bert served as a board director with MEDA for 9 years from 2012-2020. He was first attracted to MEDA by its mission to explore the intersection of work and faith, and its emphasis on efficiency and sustainability in building business solutions to poverty. His appreciation for the organization’s work deepened when he visited MEDA’s projects in Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia, witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit and impacts of the projects there first-hand. Bert and his wife Lee live in Manitoba, Canada, and attend Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship in Winnipeg They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Chad Horning is the SVP/CIO of Everence Financial, a financial firm committed to helping its clients integrate their faith and financial decisions to accomplish their stewardship goals. Chad is also President of Praxis Mutual Funds, which delivers socially responsible investing strategies, including screening and impact investments, shareholder advocacy, and active proxy voting to impact the world positively. In addition to his investment responsibilities, he also leads the Health Insurance division at Everence.
Chad brings a background in board governance (both as a senior staff person and board member), oversight of endowment and institutional investments, and expertise in various forms of communication, including economic commentary, investor education, and conference addresses. Chad also serves as the Chair of the Mennonite Education Agency Investment Committee.
He attended his first MEDA Convention in 1990 in Peoria, Illinois, while at Goshen College. He has been a member and was part of the leadership team for the Michiana MEDA hub in the early 2000s. His wife Michelle was a MEDA board member from 2004-13.
Chad has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and is a CFA charter holder. He is the author of the book Shifting Gears, which captures the history of Horning Dodge (a second-generation family business).
Chad lives in Goshen, Indiana, with his wife, Michelle, and their teenage children. They attend Waterford Mennonite Church.
Senior Foreign Service Diplomat, two-time Ambassador, experienced in leading diverse, multiagency teams in Washington and in difficult overseas environments. Extensive experience formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy, negotiation, and communicating persuasively with heads of state, senior U.S. Government officials and U.S. and international media.
Nigest Haile is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE), established in 2004 to support Ethiopian women entrepreneurs, particularly exporters. With a career spanning over four decades, she served 23 years at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, culminating as Director of the Women’s Affairs Department.
Nigest holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Addis Ababa University and a Master’s in Globalization and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands.
She co-founded Enat Bank, Ethiopia’s first bank dedicated to financing women, and has been recognized internationally for her contributions to women’s economic empowerment.
Ryan Good is Owner at Cabri Management (Waterloo, ON) since 2010, a management and business services company in Ontario. Ryan and his family are currently based in Waterloo, ON Canada. Cabri Management is a hands-on organization that is very involved in every aspect of the companies they manage.
Ryan has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies with an International Development Accreditation from the University of Waterloo and has owned and been managing partner of several businesses over the years. Ryan has spent time working and volunteering with various local non-governmental organizations in Bangladesh, the country of his birth. Ryan brings Board and Governance experience from his time as an Uptown Waterloo Board Member and Director and Finance Governance Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, of which he was a Founder.
Stella Tai is Manager of Stewardship Investing Impact and Analysis for Praxis Mutual Funds® and Everence Financial®, a leading provider of faith-based financial products in the United States. With more than 15 years of experience in small business lending and nonprofit development, Stella provides primary leadership and support for the promotion, integration and development of impact investing and community development finance solutions.
Stella guides the development of financial products that meet the needs of low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities, helps promote the integration of faith and finances through Everence products and services, and works to grow opportunities for impact investments. Stella also leads proxy voting and impact reporting efforts.
Before coming to Everence, Stella was the Assistant Vice President of Lending at FINANTA, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she provided access to capital, small business training, technical assistance and credit building to credit-challenged small businesses – primarily to minorities, women and borrowers with language barriers.
In 2006, Stella created a nonprofit, Fruit of the Vine International, that fundraised for various children’s homes in Kenya through 2015. She has served on the board of Esperanza Health Center, a multi-cultural ministry providing holistic healthcare to Philadelphia’s underserved communities.
Originally from Kenya, Stella holds a Masters of Economic Development from Eastern University and a Bachelor of Business and Marketing from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer of Capital Markets at Equitable Life of Canada, Tara joined Equitable in 1997 and over her tenure has served as Portfolio Manager, Senior Portfolio Manager, Director of Portfolio Risk Management and Director of Portfolio Management in the Equitable Asset Management Group.
Tara was most recently Vice President of Capital Markets prior to being named Senior Vice President Investments in 2021. Tara is responsible for leading Equitable Asset Management Group that provides management of our company’s overall investment portfolio as well as the internally managed segregated funds.
Tara holds an Honours Bachelor of Math and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Management (FRM) charterholder.
MEDA Impact Investments (MEDA IMPACT): is a subsidiary of MEDA Canada. It’s a Not-for-profit Corporation under the CNCA and a registered charity: No. 714585726 RR 0001. The board is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the performance of investments in the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund.
Greg Gaeddert is a managing partner with B12 Capital Partners and B12 Real Estate Advisors – private equity investment firms located in Kansas City, Missouri. He has experience in investments focused on manufacturing, distribution and real estate-related entities.
Greg has an operational background in manufacturing and commercial banking, with equity investment and fund management roles at Capital for Business and the B12-related entities. He has an MBA from the University of Kansas, and serves on the boards of numerous manufacturing, distribution, financial services and non-profit entities.
Greg is a firm supporter of MEDA and resonates with its work in blended finance. Greg and his wife, Terri, live in Leawood, Kansas. They have three sons and are members of Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City.
Rebecca Smid is a Principal at VantEdge Partners. Prior to joining VantEdge, Rebecca spent 1.5 years in St. Louis at one of VantEdge’s portfolio companies, Vitaligent. She also spent 2 years at Greenbriar Equity Group in Rye, New York and 2 years in NYC at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Global Industrials Group. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University.
Cheryl is the Director of People Engagement at Schlegel Villages in Kitchener, Ontario, overseeing total rewards strategy, employee relations, and innovative retention programs.
She began her career as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) before transitioning into clinical and operational leadership in senior living. Before joining Schlegel Villages in 2021, she worked in Human Resources and served as Director of Operations at an executive healthcare recruitment firm. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association’s Health Human Resources Committee.
Beyond her professional career, Cheryl has been actively involved for over 15 years in private Christian school and church committees, including capital fundraising campaigns and contract partnerships. She also served as a Deacon in the Christian Reformed Church where she grew up. Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion—particularly women’s rights—she has contributed to various justice and advocacy groups. Most recently, she completed two terms (six years) as a leader of BRAVE Girls, a female empowerment program for girls in grades 6-12 at Southridge Community Church (formerly ONMB affiliated).
In 2018, Cheryl led a team providing medical and dental care to the Mayan community in Jutiapa, Guatemala—an experience she calls life-changing.
Cheryl joined the Human Capital Committee of MEDA International in June of 2025. She lives in the Niagara Region with her husband, three teenage boys, and their dog, Ruby, and attends Southridge Community Church.
Juliet Rugeiyamu Kairuki is a seasoned Tanzanian professional with over 15 years of experience in strategic leadership, institutional development, governance, project execution, and stakeholder management. She currently services as Managing Director of FINSYS, an advisory company creating pathways for prosperity through financial sector development in Africa.
She holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Master of Law from the University of Cape Town. Juliet has served in various capacities, including executive and managerial roles at The Banking Association South Africa, and the Tanzania Investment Centre.
She is a member of the Institute of Directors in South Africa and has held non-executive director positions at Dar es Salaam Corridor Group and Wentworth Resources, a Tanzania-focused natural gas production company.
Her expertise spans banking, financial market infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and investment, with a strong commitment to sustainable growth and responsible governance.
Rob Schlegel is a highly skilled professional and leader in the financial services field. Over his career, Rob has managed governance structures, complex investment and financial portfolios for large organizations. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at RBJ Schlegel Holdings/Schlegel Villages Inc., which provides seniors’ care, mental health, and addictions treatment across Canada. Rob manages the finance teams in all four divisions of the business and has arranged financing for related entities of over $1 billion dollars.
Rob has a Business Diploma in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.
Rob is a generous philanthropist whose involvement with MEDA goes back over 30 years. Recently, he chaired MEDA’s Building Enduring Livelihoods Campaign, which raised over $50 million dollars towards MEDA projects. Rob is also active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community: he served as the CFO of the Kitchener-Waterloo PC Association, co-chairs the fundraising committees for the Homewood Research Institute and the Research Institute for Aging and serves on the board of the Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club. Rob generously served as MEDA’s interim Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) from May to September 2021.
Rob lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his partner Jen.
Stella Tai is Manager of Stewardship Investing Impact and Analysis for Praxis Mutual Funds® and Everence Financial®, a leading provider of faith-based financial products in the United States. With more than 15 years of experience in small business lending and nonprofit development, Stella provides primary leadership and support for the promotion, integration and development of impact investing and community development finance solutions.
Stella guides the development of financial products that meet the needs of low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities, helps promote the integration of faith and finances through Everence products and services, and works to grow opportunities for impact investments. Stella also leads proxy voting and impact reporting efforts.
Before coming to Everence, Stella was the Assistant Vice President of Lending at FINANTA, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she provided access to capital, small business training, technical assistance and credit building to credit-challenged small businesses – primarily to minorities, women and borrowers with language barriers.
In 2006, Stella created a nonprofit, Fruit of the Vine International, that fundraised for various children’s homes in Kenya through 2015. She has served on the board of Esperanza Health Center, a multi-cultural ministry providing holistic healthcare to Philadelphia’s underserved communities.
Originally from Kenya, Stella holds a Masters of Economic Development from Eastern University and a Bachelor of Business and Marketing from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
MEDA Mauritius Foundation is a charitable foundation under the Mauritius Foundation Act that manages the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund. It is founded by MEDA Impact Investments. The Foundation Council is responsible for overseeing investment decisions and governance of investments in accordance with the Fund Investment Policy.
Albert D. (Bert) Friesen is founder, CEO and Chairman of Medicure Inc. He is also founder of Genesys Venture Inc. (GVI), which provides the expertise for launching and managing emerging health and biotechnology ventures. Dr. Friesen has been instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including ABI Biotechnology (now Apotex Fermentation), Canada’s first profitable biotech company, and the Winnipeg Rh Institute, where he led the development of Canada’s first biotech product, WinRho.
Bert has also played a key role in a number of regional and national organizations, including a founder and first Board of Director Chair of the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada (now BIOTECanada). He holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba.
Bert served as a board director with MEDA for 9 years from 2012-2020. He was first attracted to MEDA by its mission to explore the intersection of work and faith, and its emphasis on efficiency and sustainability in building business solutions to poverty. His appreciation for the organization’s work deepened when he visited MEDA’s projects in Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia, witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit and impacts of the projects there first-hand. Bert and his wife Lee live in Manitoba, Canada, and attend Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship in Winnipeg They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Brent is a social entrepreneur and impact investor. As Chairman and CEO of the peopleCare Group, Brent is committed to fostering a dynamic culture of excellence, innovation, and engaged people that enables the organization’s vision to change the world of senior living. Celebrating over 50 years of creating and operating exceptional senior living communities under Brent’s leadership, peopleCare is recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies and has earned Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada.
An active and influential health system leader, Brent is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, where he led with a focus on transformative solutions that support the sector to deliver high-quality care and value within a more integrated health system.
A Visionary Circle member of MEDA, Brent is inspired by their mission to develop business solutions to address poverty and is a champion of MEDA’s role in the global effort to eliminate extreme poverty by 2040. Brent also served as a Past Board Chair and Board Director at Ontario Long-Term Care Association and has been involved with the Young Presidents’ Association Canada and Certified General Accountants Association.
Brent is a Certified Professional Accountant, a Certified General Accountant, and a Certified Administrator in Long-Term Care.
Senior Foreign Service Diplomat, two-time Ambassador, experienced in leading diverse, multiagency teams in Washington and in difficult overseas environments. Extensive experience formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy, negotiation, and communicating persuasively with heads of state, senior U.S. Government officials and U.S. and international media.
Dr. Dorothy Nyambi is the President and CEO of MEDA. Dorothy is a thought leader in international development, devoted to creating dynamic organizations that respect diversity, equity and inclusion and succeed in times of challenge and change. Dorothy has experience providing knowledge-based, strategic leadership for effective implementation of an organization’s mission and goals. With a 25+ year career in the sector and applied governance experience, Dorothy’s work is founded on and informed by unique life experience and a commitment to authentic leadership.
With a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon, Dorothy has undertaken extensive research on capacity building, advancing gender equality in developing countries, and innovation economies around the world. Prior to joining MEDA, she was Executive Vice President of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). Dorothy’s professional experience includes strengthening business processes and mobilizing funding in support of grassroots movements, community impact, and diversity in Africa, North America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, and the Middle East.
Passionate about gender equality and inclusion, Dorothy has been a leader and founding member of Gender Summit Africa (Cape Town 2015 and Kigali 2018); member of AWID for the past 15 years; and board director at CAMFED Canada, Conrad Grebel University College, Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (KCRC) – Carnegie Mellon University, and chair of the IDRC board of governors. Dorothy is also a member of the Board Room Africa focused on mentoring and getting young African women into governance roles across the continent through selection, training and mentoring. She consistently demonstrates an ability to step forward and challenge the status quo, re-imagine and strengthen business processes, challenging old paradigms and programs in support of respectful human-centered design thinking.
Greg Gaeddert is a managing partner with B12 Capital Partners and B12 Real Estate Advisors – private equity investment firms located in Kansas City, Missouri. He has experience in investments focused on manufacturing, distribution and real estate-related entities.
Greg has an operational background in manufacturing and commercial banking, with equity investment and fund management roles at Capital for Business and the B12-related entities. He has an MBA from the University of Kansas, and serves on the boards of numerous manufacturing, distribution, financial services and non-profit entities.
Greg is a firm supporter of MEDA and resonates with its work in blended finance. Greg and his wife, Terri, live in Leawood, Kansas. They have three sons and are members of Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City.
Jenny Shantz retired in 2018 after 27 years at Mercedes Corp and Stone Crock Inc. These family businesses developed a diverse portfolio of enterprises across the food, retail, hospitality and real estate sectors until they sold the majority of their assets in 2018.
Jenny was critical to the development of the St. Jacobs region as a tourist destination and was closely involved in multiple aspects of her family’s ventures over the course of her career.
Jenny describes MEDA as a creative and effective organization that partners with those in need to become economically active and create sustainable livelihoods for their families. She says, “The world needs more MEDA because it’s a positive force for good.”
Jenny is vice chair of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, past president of the Waterloo Region Centre for Family Business, St. Jacobs Daycare, and currently serves on the board of The Mennonite Story Inc.
Jenny and her husband, Willem Moolenbeek, live in Waterloo, Ontario. They attend St. Jacobs Mennonite, and St. Paul’s Anglican in the summer months.
Marianne Unruh is a serial entrepreneur and the owner of Fresh Solutions. Fresh Solutions provides fresh fruit and vegetable quality inspections for retailers and food service customers throughout North America. Prior to starting Fresh Solutions, Marianne worked for Loblaws, as the fresh grape and tree fruit category manager. Marianne brings expertise in the agri-food sector, business planning and operations, and an entrepreneurial spirit to the MEDA board. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she studied biology.
Marianne joined the MEDA board because of its alignment with her faith values and commitment to collaboration, accountability, transparency and innovation. She lives in Selma, California, USA and attends First Mennonite in Reedley.
Wendy Clayson is MEDA’s Chief Financial & Investment Officer (CFIO) and is a senior finance leader with extensive experience in internal controls, oversight and working with teams to enhance their systems and processes. Wendy possesses strong leadership skills including experience managing large departments and processes, mentoring and coaching staff, and leading groups through organizational change.
Most recently, Wendy worked as the Chief Financial Officer at CarePartners, a 4,000-employee strong Ontario-based Home Health Care Provider that provides integrated and holistic services. In this CFO role, she provided oversight to finance, procurement, risk, privacy, performance, and project management, in addition to strategic recommendations to the CEO and Executive team.
In addition to Wendy’s professional work experience, she has worked with several boards, audit, and investment committees. She has a Business Administration Diploma from Fanshawe College and graduate certificates in Human Resources Management and Not for Profit Governance from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Wendy also holds CPA and CMA professional designations.
