A man distributes pills in a public school
in Vikuge, Tanzania. The pills include
praziquantel and albendazole.
Photo by Paul Jeffrey
A man distributes pills in a public school in Vikuge, Tanzania. The pills include praziquantel and albendazole.
Photo by Paul Jeffrey
Governance and management
Members
Founded in 1950 by Protestant churches, IMA World Health serves as an ecumenical membership agency representing 11 faith based organizations. Our mission to serve the most vulnerable is grounded in our belief that we are stronger together than we are alone. Members gather annually for a Members meeting to provide ultimate governance and oversight of IMA in electing its Board of Directors, affirming the agency’s chief executive, and funding and collaborating on IMA programs. Together, IMA and our Members share resources, collaborate on projects and share a common goal of advancing health and development through faith networks.
Members are:
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency
- American Baptist Churches USA
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion
- Church of the Brethren
- Church World Service
- Episcopal Relief & Development
- Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
- Lutheran World Relief
- Mennonite Central Committee
- Presbyterian Church (USA)
- United Church of Christ
Board of Directors
IMA World Health is governed by a Board of Directors made up of Member agency representatives and members-at-large. The Board is the principal governing body guiding strategy and ensuring accountability and the achievement of our mission.
Chair
Lisa Rothenberger
Lisa Rothenberger-Winter has served International Ministries, the global mission organization of the American Baptist Churches USA for 15 years. Her ecumenical connections include eight years on the Board of Church World Service and service on IMA’s Board since 2010.
Vice Chair
Dr. Gregg Sylvester
Dr. Gregg Sylvester is a preventive medicine expert with a passion for disease prevention and health promotion on a local, statewide and global basis. He has extensive experience in corporate pharmaceutical work, and has served the state of Delaware in a variety of public health roles.
Treasurer
William C. Clarke III
William C. Clarke III retired from the business world in 2007 to pursue philanthropy full time through his family foundation, The Osprey Foundation. As a catalyst for change, the foundation has concentrations in worldwide water-based issues and interfaith thinking.
Executive Committee Member-At-Large
Bjorn Sorenson
Bjorn Sorenson serves as counsel, consultant and coach to mission-driven social entrepreneurs, businesses and leaders. Bjorn has advised diverse stakeholders in post-conflict and developing countries on complex issues of economic development, investment regulation, international law and human rights.
Secretary
Sarah Newhall
As the president and CEO of Pact, Inc. from June 2000 until May 2009, Sarah was responsible for the overall leadership and strategic management of nearly 1,000 employees across the globe. She led to Pact becoming a premier grant-maker for USAID funds.
Members of the Board
Frank E. Dimmock
Frank has lived and served with Presbyterian partners in six African countries for 35 years, working in health and with vulnerable children. Since 1997, Frank has been helping to network national Christian Health Associations across Africa into a continental platform.
Sonya Funna Evelyn
Sonya Funna Evelyn is the Director for the Program Technical Support Unit at ADRA International. In this role, Sonya works with a team of technical experts in the design and backstopping of U.S. government grants and in producing best practice products from across the ADRA network.
Dr. Deborah McFarland
Dr. Deborah A. McFarland is a professor in the Hubert Department of Global Health and the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University. Dr. McFarland is the director of the Foege Fellowship program, the Global Field Experience Program and the Peace Corps Master’s International Program in addition to her teaching and research activities.
Martine Polycarpe
Martine Polycarpe is a 15-year veteran of the international health and development profession. Her experience includes leading, managing and contributing to USAID and World Bank programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Dr. Samuel Mwenda Rukunga
Dr. Samuel Mwenda Rukunga serves as General Secretary for the Christian Health Association of Kenya, as well as the vice-chair of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform. He recently was presented the 2016 Christian International Health Champion Award by Christian Connections in International Health.
Shannon Trilli
Shannon Trilli is the Director of Corporate Responsibility for McGraw Hill Financial. Shannon previously served at the Director of Global Health for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, where she designed, scaled and led UMCOR’s Signature Health and Sustainability Program to provide funding and technical support to community-based health organizations.
Abagail Nelson
Abagail Nelson is the Senior Vice President for Programs at Episcopal Relief & Development. She has worked throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States with the worldwide Church, responding to disasters, alleviating hunger, fighting disease and reducing exposure to risk for more than 15 years.
Executive leadership
Rick Santos
President & CEO
Jim Cox
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Dragana Veskov
Vice President, International Public Health Programs
Tracey Stevens
Chief Financial Officer
The Rev. Amy Gopp
Vice President, External Relations
Senior Management
Susan Duberstein
Senior Technical Director of Programs
Mary Linehan
Senior Technical Director
Ron Otteson
Director of Internal Audit
Laura Shahi
Senior Director of Business Development
Imran Babayev
Director of Accounting
Matthew Hackworth
Director of Communications