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

Dan Brown | Treasurer

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

Mark Johnson | Secretary

Mark Johnson is an Attorney at Microsoft Corporation, where he supports the marketization of complex technology-based products and services. Prior to joining Microsoft, he worked at various law firms servicing business clients’ needs in regulatory compliance, business transactions, and corporate governance matters. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he gave his life … 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

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

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

Doug Hunter | Board Member

Doug Hunter began his business career in the vertical transportation industry in 1971 with Carter Elevator Company, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 1987. As a Christian CEO, Doug soon became involved with the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). When he sold Carter Elevator in 1994, Doug moved to Atlanta to work full-time with FCCI. In the years that followed, God developed his heart for international ministry by allowing him to work, speak and influence business executives in over 30 countries. He participated in ground-breaking ministry in both Mongolia and Vietnam and became the Founding CEO of Media Asia – a project utilizing sports television in China as a platform for the gospel. From 1999-2001, Doug was part of the team of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. In 2002, he joined the staff of Perimeter Church in Atlanta to lead Business Partners International (BPI), a strategy to facilitate the global kingdom impact of men and women through the use of their business skills and passion … building on the belief that Business IS Ministry and Business IS Mission … and that the “call” to business is as essential to building the Kingdom of God as any other calling within the Body of Christ. In 2007 Doug returned to FCCI / Christ@Work as President and CEO and saw God expand its ministry of equipping and encouraging Christian business leaders both throughout the US and to 30 countries across the globe.

In February 2013, he was named Executive Director of the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership (WCCL) at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina, and developed a program focused on 1) Biblical Worldview, 2) Faith Integration and 3) The Marketplace that quickly became known as a resource locally, nationally and globally. As part of his on-going engagement with the Global Marketplace Movement, Doug still serves as a consultant and member of the Global Leadership Team for the Global Cities Project of Campus Crusade for Christ International / Cru, is a member of the Lausanne Workplace Network, the Global Think Tank on Business As Mission and serves on the Leadership Teams of Call2Business and the National Faith & Work Association. On July 1, 2017, he initiated Doug Hunter, LLC, as a platform to allow him to utilize his broad range of leadership experience and extensive global network to connect and equip individual leaders as well as organizations to more effectively impact the world for Christ through the marketplace – whether that be locally or globally.

Doug has been married to his college sweetheart, Janet, since 1970. They have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

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Doug Hunter began his business career in the vertical transportation industry in 1971 with Carter Elevator Company, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 1987. As a Christian CEO, Doug soon became involved with the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). When he sold Carter Elevator in 1994, Doug moved to Atlanta to work … 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

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

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

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

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

STAFF

Alissa Nadeau | Ministry Advancement Representative

Alissa knew of Partners International but it was not until she started working here Summer 2017 that “I came to understand the amazing reach of PI over much of the world!” As a Donor Development Coordinator, “I try to communicate with our donors the incredible importance of their role as foundational partners with us. It is a joy to talk with people who have passionate hearts for the souls we serve in the least reached, least resourced places.” Alissa graduated with a BA in Communications Public Relations from Washington State University. Her first job out of college was with a telemarking firm in Boston, the city where she met her husband. They have three children. The past six years, she had a unique job as a high school cheerleading coach. But Alissa says her favorite position in life so far has been “Homeschool Mom”! “On my job, I am able to utilize many things He has taught me over the years. It is truly a blessing to work in a place where we have a weekly Staff Chapel praying for our ministry partners, our staff and our donors.

Alyssa Stockdill | Ministry Advancement Representative

Alyssa first became acquainted with Partners and its work in 2015 when she spent the summer volunteering with the International Ministries department. She earned her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington. Soon after graduating, she spent a year abroad working with a team of missionaries doing outreach to refugees and immigrants in Europe. Through her studies at UW and her experiences abroad, God instilled in her a passion for cultures, languages, community development, and cross-cultural ministry. Alyssa loves working at Partners because of the close-knit Christian community and its commitment to building the Church in the least reached places. She is excited to work on the Advancement Team with such uniquely gifted people, building connections and relationships between donors, staff, and our partner ministries. In her free time, Alyssa likes to play the cello, read, and catch up with friends over coffee.

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.

Cindi Norsworthy | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

In the summer of 2017, Cindi rejoined the Ministry Advancement Team of Partners International after a nine-year absence due to other assignments God directed her to pursue. Cindi says, “Now, nine years later, I am incredibly excited to again be part of a ministry that is passionately focused so strongly on growing God’s Church in the hard places around the world. Partners International is doing it all.” Her passion is to connect the Western Church with Partners International and the non-Western Church, and also to help givers find joy and purpose in their giving as she serves them as well as our ministry partners. Cindi and her husband Bob have three adult children and seven grandchildren. She is a native Californian and feels privileged to serve the Western region of the United States. When she isn’t out loving on people and sharing stories of God and His people, she enjoys reading, cycling, swimming and exploring the beauty of the Bay Area.

Colby Wayenberg | Communications 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 Grewe | Ministry Advancement Representative

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.

Jessica Elston | Accountant/Human Resources

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.

Joel Endress | Director of Marketing & Communications

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.

Jonathan Jones | Digital Media Technician

Jonathan joined Partners in June 2018 as a videographer and editor. He graduated from Washington State University in 2012 with a B.A. in Communication, focusing on video production, and worked at TVW at the state capital covering state public affairs prior to Partners. Jonathan loves doing all things digital media, especially video and motion graphics. He has a beautiful wife and two adorable daughters, and in his free time he enjoys writing and recording music, bicycling, playing video games, and lounging in his hammock on warm summer days.

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!

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.

Mary Pudaite Keating | Generosity Specialist

Mary comes to PI with a rich history in faith-based, non-profit fundraising. Her own family’s story is even more rich, flowing with the amazing grace and Providence of God. Mary traces her spiritual legacy from Northeast India where her Grandfather became a follower of Jesus because a Welsh Missionary, Watkin Roberts, boldly shared the gospel with the Hmar people group. The missionary’s actions were bold because the Hmar were known as one of the fiercest headhunters in that part of India. Mary’s father, Rochunga Pudaite, eventually came to the USA and Wheaton College where he finished the Bible translation for the Hmar in their heart language. Mary and her husband, Dan, along with their family, currently live in Antioch, Illinois. She started her personal journey with Partners International last year as a Board Member.

Patty Gouert | Sponsorship Coordinator

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.

Sam Rima | Pacific Northwest, Regional Director

Sam Rima joined Partners International in July 2018 after serving many years as a church planter, pastor, and executive minister. He directed the Doctor of Ministry Program at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where he also taught. Before that, Sam worked with the Columbia Baptist Conference, overseeing churches in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to Partners, he directed the Social Innovation Research Center at Heliopolis University in Cairo, Egypt. Sam says, “Serving with Partners International is the realization of my life-long passion to more directly minister to the least reached and least resourced people of the world.” Sam was born and raised in Spokane, WA, and enjoys spending time with his family, reading, camping, hunting, and fly-fishing. He and his wife Sue have four adult children and six grandchildren. Sam has a BA in Political Science from Eastern Washington University, an M.Div., and D.Min. from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a Ph.D. in Socio-Economic Transformation from the University of Buckingham, U.K.

Shelley Markham | Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator

June 2017, Shelley started working part-time at Partners doing data entry. In March 2018, she transitioned into the position of Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator. Shelley says, “I am excited to invest in Partners’ mission in a broader way as I facilitate our fellow servants on the Missions Advancement Team.” Before having children, Shelley worked outside the home. Then, she was promoted to stay-at-home mom and homeschooled her four girls for most of the last 20 years. Recently, she survived the excruciating pain of a failed marriage of over 30 years. “Through all these changes, God has remained faithful,” she said. In her free time, Shelley loves being a grandma to her granddaughter who, along with her momma and one of her aunties, lives with her. Shelley says, “I pray almost as much as I think, and consider intercession a priority for myself and those I love.”

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.

Zak Sommers | Writer/Graphic Designer

Zak joined the Partners International Marketing and Communications team in May 2018. He is from Orrville, Ohio, a small rural city known for the J.M. Smucker Company and the surrounding Amish communities. He studied online through Liberty University, earning a Certificate of Theology while serving as a middle-school pastor at his local church. In 2016, Zak moved to Spokane to attend Moody Bible Institute and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies. While at Moody, Zak led a small team to produce the student newspaper, The Moody Mosaic. Zak loves to communicate stories that have the potential to impact entire communities for Jesus. In his free time, Zak likes to go to the theater, snowboard, golf and host gatherings for his friends. He is actively involved in his local church serving as a high school small group leader.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.