Team - Partners International-Partners International

BOARD

Kamesh Sankaran | Chairman of the Board

Kamesh Sankaran is a Professor of Physics at Whitworth University, where he has served since 2004. He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Plasma Science & Technology from Princeton University. His expertise is in advanced propulsion systems for spacecraft. In addition to teaching physics and engineering, he also teaches in the Worldview Studies Program … Read more

See Kamesh Sankaran's Story

Russ Hersman | Vice-Chairman of the Board

Russ Hersman was appointed the Chief Operations Officer of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA in 2012, giving leadership to the Executive Team. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for seven years and spent five years in the Personnel department, first as the personnel administrator for the Pacific and Eurasia Areas and then as the director. During … Read more

Melissa Anderson | Treasurer

Melissa Anderson is Associate General Counsel at Premera Blue Cross. She previously practiced complex commercial litigation at the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. Prior to law school, Melissa was a Certified Public Accountant in the public accounting and banking industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington … Read more

Larry Andrews | President/CEO

Larry was appointed to serve as President / CEO of Partners International In February 2013. Previously, Larry serve the Lord in a successful 28 year career in senior leadership with Hewlett Packard and Procter & Gamble, The Lord led Larry to take an early retirement from the marketplace in 2012, to seek and fulfill a deeper … Read more

Dan Brown | Secretary

Dan is the Chief Information Officer for the National Christian Foundation, based in Alpharetta, GA. Previous to that; he was the CIO of CredAbility and Crown Financial Ministries. Prior to that, Dan was Senior Vice President of Enterprise Information Technology at SunTrust Bank. There, he reported to the CIO and was a divisional manager, overseeing … Read more

John LaRue | Board Member

John LaRue is a Managing Partner with his wife, Carole, in Bay Avenue Ventures LLC, which invests in startup businesses including Meineke Car Care franchises in the Tampa Bay area and their son’s leather craft business. From July 2009 to July 2014. John was a Vice President at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews … Read more

Dana Allen | Board Member

Dana Allen is an executive leadership & succession consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates. He works with leading organizations across Consumer Products & Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Consumer Digital business to assess and to recruit general managers and presidents, in addition to senior functional executives in marketing, sales, innovation, communications, and design. Prior to joining … Read more

Joseph Vijayam | Board Member

Joseph Vijayam is the Managing Director of Olive Technology. He earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Biola University, CA, and an MBA in Information Systems from Georgia State University, GA. He serves as the Senior Associate of Technology for the Lausanne Movement and is a member of the Boards of Global Disciples, SIIRG and … Read more

LEADERSHIP

Larry Andrews | President/CEO

Larry was appointed to serve as President / CEO of Partners International In February 2013. Previously, Larry serve the Lord in a successful 28 year career in senior leadership with Hewlett Packard and Procter & Gamble, The Lord led Larry to take an early retirement from the marketplace in 2012, to seek and fulfill a deeper … Read more

Scott Steinloski | VP of Marketing and Communications

Scott joined Partners International in September of 2014 to direct our Marketing and Communication efforts. Scott is from Yakima, Washington and earned a B.A. in Communications from Lee University. Before Partners, Scott managed his own advertising agency since 1996, developing brands and formulating successful marketing plans for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, non-profits and various businesses. About … Read more

Linda Ziehnert | Director of Church Development

In February 2016, my job at Partners International began. My main responsibility is to connect with and strengthen our relationship with donor churches and equip them in any way I can. I love working with churches. For over 16 years I was on staff at a church in Spokane as the Worship Ministry Director. I … Read more

Chris Phillips | VP of Ministry Advancement

Chris joined Partners International in September 2015 after working in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry for nearly 20 years. He was born and raised in Michigan in a Christian family. However, it was in a Navigators’ Bible study at Michigan State University where he first understood the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the calling that God … Read more

Don Hemmer | Chief Financial Officer

Don Hemmer joined Partners International as Chief Financial Officer in August 2013. He was born and raised in Marysville, Washington. He attended Central Washington University, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a … Read more

Carlos Calderon | Vice President of International Ministries

Carlos grew up in war-torn El Salvador. As a young man, he served as a youth pastor at his church, Iglesia Nazaret, led at the time by Argentinean Luis Bush who later became the President of Partners International and director of the AD2000 movement. After completing his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of … Read more

STAFF

Colby Wayenberg | Donor Development Coordinator

I learned about Partners International during my Junior year at Whitworth University and began volunteering there during my free time. I volunteered off and on for a year and a half before being officially hired shortly after my graduation. During my time at Whitworth I studied international business and Spanish with the intention of working for a Christian non-profit organization, which is what attracted me to Partners. I am currently in a two-year program to receive my Masters in Business Administration through Whitworth and will graduate from that program in May of 2018. My favorite thing about working at Partners is working in a Christian environment and with people who are all striving towards the same goal of bringing people to Christ all over the world. I am extremely passionate about mission work, traveling and experiencing other cultures, and am always looking for more opportunities to go somewhere new. Outside of work I enjoy photography, hiking, kayaking, and pretty much anything outdoors.

Hannah Norris | Donor Development Coordinator

My experience with Partners International began the summer of 2015 as an intern in the Communications Department. Several months later, Partners called to see if I’d be interested in working for pay. I immediately said Yes!

My job is to communicate with our donors so I spend a lot of time listening. I can see now how my experiences as a camp counselor and serving in my church’s college ministry helped prepare me for this work since I must listen well and try to understand where people are coming from. Studying abroad in Costa Rica while earning my Spanish degree from Whitworth taught me about another culture. I earned B.A.s in Spanish and Cross-Cultural Studies from Whitworth University.

What I love most about my job is learning about our indigenous ministry partners who are building the Church in their areas. Another highlight about working here is the audible “Praise God!” I hear when donations come in. I also love the kind, caring, and encouraging staff and being part of a team that prays together and rejoices together.

In my free time, I love to knit, spend time with my closest friends and family, and go on hikes.

Chris Clark | Donor Development Coordinator

I began working at Partners International November 2015 and the more I learn about the ministry, the more I love it. It is unique to find an organization in the West that works alongside ministries they partner with in other parts of the world. I think this is in the heart of God — to work with the Body of Christ as we work with each other to fulfill the Great Commission. And I love that we work in the least reached, most persecuted areas of the world.

My experience prior to Partners included working seven years at Compassion International in various capacities. The Lord used that time to shape me in the areas of ministry communications, production and quality assurance. I also worked as a print communication coordinator at Samaritan’s Purse for a short time, until an opportunity I’d been wanting for years opened up, at Partners International. I’m so glad to be back on the western side of the Rockies and closer to my family in Seattle. I have an Associates in Business Management from Edmonds Community College near Seattle Washington.

In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors. I love to watch the changing weather and seasons as this reminds me of how big God is. My hobbies include photography, skiing, running and hiking. Oh, and coffee! I can’t forget about that.

Amy Campbell | Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator

It had been my dream to work for Partners International ever since I completed an internship at Partners through Whitworth University in 2006. I joined Partners International as the Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator December 2015. What drew me to Partners was my passion for working with constituents in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the hardest regions of the world using a unique approach: coming alongside nationals who have been called by God to reach their own communities, cities and nations. If I’m not inside working, I am outside enjoying the great outdoors and playing sports or hiking with my six kids. I purpose to invest in my children and see them grow in the love and admonition of the Lord. It is my greatest desire to cultivate in them a heart of compassion for others, modeled after Jesus.

Alli Wyman | Writer/Graphic Designer

Alli joined Partners International’s marketing and communications team in February 2015. She is a Montana native who graduated from the University of Montana with a journalism major, and music and German minors. She went on to work at two newspapers in California as a reporter covering a variety of topics, predominantly crime, courts and fire. In 2010, God used a missions trip to call her into ministry with an organization called Global Passion, a Napa, California-based nonprofit that coordinates missions trips around the world for teams. There, she helped orchestrate trips and lead teams onto the field. She eventually helped form the organization’s marketing department and oversaw its rebranding as marketing manager. She loves that God has allowed her to use the creative bent He gave her to further His kingdom. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, mountain biking, backpacking, swimming, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking and otherwise exploring God’s masterpiece known as the outdoors.

Cari Johnson | Women’s Ministry Director

Cari has been involved with Partners International’s women’s ministry for more than two years. In April 2015, she joined Partners full time, as the Director of Women’s Ministry. Married to a pastor for 25 years, Cari has experience leading and mentoring women, teaching Bible studies, and ministering within the church body. Her professional background is in Information Technology, Management, and Team Leadership. She is also a freelance writer and has published devotional articles. She maintains a blog at www.marriedtothepastor.com. Cari says, “I love watching God work through the ministry of Partners International. I love how we serve and encourage our partners and the incredible work they do in such difficult circumstances. I love knowing that God is directly responsible for the outcome and that the work truly is His!” In her free time, Cari enjoys reading, writing, kayaking, learning to play the guitar, and spending time with her family.

Bruce Reinhart | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

I joined Partners International in January 2014. I spent over 40 years in sales and marketing management positions for the office furniture industry, and in early 2013, retirement beckoned. However, it was evident that God had yet another calling for me. I believe this role with Partners is a way to take the skills and experiences He has given me and use them to continue building His Kingdom around the world. My wife Dawn and I have been married for 30 years and have a wonderful son, Nicholas. In our spare time, we enjoy baseball, golf, long-distance bicycling, reading, photography, and travel.

Fannie Chow | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

I joined Partners International in 2005. My focus as a Regional Manager is to share with the Body of Christ what God is doing around the world and offer opportunities for people to invest in the Kingdom. I am passionate about Partners International because I see it as one of the most effective ways to share the Gospel globally. My husband, Wen-ching, and I have been married for 26 years; I am also an ordained pastor.

Susan Donovan | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

I joined Partners International eight years ago, and it is my privilege to be a catalyst in creating meaningful partnerships between our international ministry partners and our U.S. partners. I love connecting God’s people for the purpose of expanding the Kingdom. I live in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southwest Colorado in a solar, off-the-grid home and love to hike the mountains.

Lisa | Executive Manager of International Partnerships

Lisa joined Partners International in 2000 while attending Whitworth University. In her role as Executive Manager of International Partnerships, Lisa coordinates partner relationships and field strategies with our global team of Area Directors and ministry partners. Lisa completed her Master’s in International Development in 2010, and over her many years with Partners, Lisa has traveled throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In addition to her role in partnership management, Lisa coordinates our Gifts-in-Kind Program which sends millions of dollars of medicine and equipment to our partners each year. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with family and friends.

Valerie Fields | Human Resources Director

Valerie joined Partners International in 2013 to serve as our HR Manager. She graduated with a B.A. in General Studies with an emphasis in Psychology from Gonzaga University and has worked in the HR field for 20 years. Valerie enjoys working with loving people who are all committed to bringing Jesus Christ to others. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, sewing, raising chickens, and hiking.

Jessica | Accountant

Jessica joined Partners International as an accountant in 2014. She has a degree in Accounting from Western Governors University and is almost finished with a degree in Human Resources. Jessica has previously worked in accounting at a firm that specialized in church and para-church organizations. “I love being able to serve the Lord and our partners overseas. I also enjoy the people I work with! ” In her free time, she likes to write, volunteer at community events, and spend time with her younger siblings.

Marilyn Marincovich | Partnership and Database Support Specialist

Marilyn joined Partners International in 1979 and currently helps manage our partner database and assists the finance department. “I love that men, women, and children in the least reached, least resourced regions of the world are learning how valuable they are to God, are coming to faith in Christ, and that I get to play a small role in this amazing Kingdom work.” When she’s not serving our partners, Marilyn enjoys reading, listening to music, and walking in the country with friends.

Joel Endress | Communications Coordinator

Joel joined Partners International in 2013 and manages our Harvest of Hope program, as well as many other hats including Partner Engagement, and online community management. Joel has a B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Simpson University and is a licensed Pastor at Access Church in Spokane. Joel is the young adult pastor at Access Church, and also serves on the board of Free Indeed Ministries. “I love that we as Partners International practice servant leadership. We don’t tell our Indigenous Ministry Partners what they are going to do, but rather we listen to what God has placed in their hearts to accomplish. By listening we discover their vision, and by serving their vision we see true and lasting transformation.” In his free time Joel enjoys spending time with Jesus, reading, rock climbing, motorcycle riding, snow skiing, and skydiving.

Patty Gouert | Sponsor a Child Coordinator/Donor Relations Assistant

Patty has been with Partners since 2010. She was educated in the “School of Hard Knocks” with over 30 years experience in the Banking and Mortgage Lending industry. Patty enjoys getting to come to work every day and serving God, and working with extraordinary people in the office and field. In her free time she loves going to the movies, reading, crafts, kayaking, camping, biking, and getting together with friends and family.

Lynda Johnson | Writer/Editor

Lynda has 11 years with Partners International. She has a B.A. in Journalism and Bible from Multnomah University and an M.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Cross-Cultural Communication from Wheaton College. Lynda has worked in India, taught journalism courses, and served as Managing Editor of Impact Magazine for World Venture. “I love what we stand for, helping the U.S. Body to come alongside and help our Ministry Partners do better what God has called them to do in reaching their people for Christ.” In her free time Lynda enjoys caring for her menagerie of hens, duck, dog and felines. One day she hope to finish writing her book!

AREA DIRECTORS

Allan Matamoros | Area Director - Middle East and North Africa

Allan grew up in Costa Rica, became a Christian in 1984, and attended a missionary youth congress where he consecrated his life to missions with a deep passion for the Islamic world. He held key leadership roles in Latin American mission work, including coordinating COMIBAM, which helped transform Latin America from a mission field to a mission force. In 2000, Allan joined Partners International, heading up our partner PM International, a Latin church-planting agency focused on the Muslim world. In 2014, Allan became our Middle East/North Africa Area Director. His gifting for mobilizing and equipping leaders continues as he helps develop and build capacity among our network of indigenous ministries across this strategic region.

Rene Mbongo | Area Director - West Africa

A native of the Central African Republic, René came to know Christ as a high school student through the witness of his aunt. Since that time, René has served as a pastor, director of a Bible society, and co-founder of Senegal’s first and largest indigenous church-planting ministry. René is a key facilitator of partnership networks in the West Africa region and is a senior trainer of African church planters, particularly those serving within oral cultures. René joined Partners International as our West Africa Area Director in 2001. His passion is equipping grassroots church planters with the goal of seeing church-planting movements take place.

Prem James | Area Director - South Asia

Born and raised in a Christian family in India, Prem James completed his post-graduate work in both business and theology. In the 1970s, he joined Far East Broadcasting Association, an evangelistic radio ministry, and served with them for 26 years. Prior to joining Partners International in 2004, Prem spent years developing partnership networks throughout India. This mentoring and facilitating role is one he continues today, advancing Indian missions through partnership and strategic collaboration. Prem’s deep passion is to mobilize the global Body of Christ to work together in committed, Christ-like partnerships.

Matt Kirkas | Area Director - Southeast Asia

Matt lived and ministered in the Muslim nation of Indonesia for nearly 20 years, first as a tentmaker and later as a consultant to indigenous ministry organizations. Matt joined Partners International in 2005 as our Area Director for Southeast Asia. As Area Director, he identifies new opportunities for Partners to serve the indigenous Church and provides pastoral care, organizational development, and strategic planning consulting to our partners. Combining a Master’s in Modern Islamic Thinkers and a deep passion for the salvation of Muslims, Matt also leads our’ Strategic Growth Initiative on Global Muslim Outreach.

John Gee | Area Director - East Asia

After witnessing the Tiananmen Square street protests in 1989, John began a search for purpose in life that would ultimately lead him to faith in Christ. As a young man, John completed several advanced degrees, including his Ph.D., in mathematics and computer science, as well as a Master’s in Biblical Studies. John joined Partners International in 2004 to serve the Chinese church community in the U.S. Later, God called him back to China where he has served as our Area Director for East Asia since 2008. His passion is strengthening Chinese-led ministries through leadership development and missions mobilization.

Armond O’braize | Area Director - Mekong Southeast Asia

Armond joined Partners International in 2001 after a 15-year career with World Relief in Indonesia and Cambodia. As World Relief’s director for Cambodia, he oversaw a variety of micro-enterprise, health, and house church-planting ministries. Based in Phnom Penh, Armond serves as Area Director for the Mekong area—a region long-affected by war, natural disaster, and poverty. With a deep burden for the poor, Armond’s passion is sustainable, micro-enterprise development and church planting. Leveraging his Master’s in International Administrative Studies and his MBA in International Development with a concentration in micro-finance, Armond leads our Strategic Growth Initiative for Global Micro-Enterprise Development.

Carla Davis | Area Director - Central Asia

After completing her MBA and years of working in product development in the food industry, Carla’s heart was burdened for the region of Central Asia after joining a team of farmers on a trip to Kazakhstan. After 11 years of service with Medical Ambassadors, a ministry organization focused on Community Health Evangelism, she joined Partners International as Central Asia Area Director in 2008. Bravely traveling to volatile places like Pakistan to meet with local believers, Carla has been working in the region for more than 15 years. Her passion is equipping believers in community development skills and spiritual leadership.

Allen Wesley | Area Director - Horn of Africa

Having grown up in Zambia and Kenya and later serving in Zaire (now known as the Congo), Allen has always had a burden for the people of this vast region of Africa. After serving for many years with Africa Inland Mission, Allen joined Partners International as Manager of Program Strategies. Building on his long-time experience in the region, Allen later took on the role of Area Director for the Horn of Africa. Serving in a region plagued by poverty, strife, and oppression, Allen’s passion is to see the people of this turbulent part of the world experience peace, wholeness, and new life in Jesus Christ.