Our Team

Beatrice Williamson

Founder and Director

Beatrice Williamson is a distinguished leader known for her warmth, humor and commitment to learning. She was born January 19, 1976 in Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya. From the age of nine years old until her second year of college, Beatrice received a scholarship for education from Swedish missionary Anna Lanson. Education was what Beatrice needed to rise above her circumstances and realize her potential.

“Aunty Bea” as the Maisha children affectionately call her, came to The United States in 2001. She founded Pamoja International Ministry to provide outreach services to international students in Oklahoma. She also consults regularly with international executives from a variety of fields to help create synergistic solutions to impacting problems these students face.

In the meantime, Beatrice’s family, living in the village of Kano, just outside of Kisumu, expressed the need and dire situation of the orphans and widows living in their community. The fruition of Beatrice’s dream began in 2006, when she founded Maisha in response to this call for help. Now, her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and provide them with the same opportunity Anna Lanson gave her. By making a difference in the lives of the children from her home village, Beatrice strives to create a brighter future for the next generation. Her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and continue the Legacy of Hope Anna Lanson began.

Beatrice Williamson

Board Co-Chairman

Beatrice Williamson is a distinguished leader known for her warmth, humor and commitment to learning. She was born January 19, 1976 in Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya. From the age of nine years old until her second year of college, Beatrice received a scholarship for education from Swedish missionary Anna Lanson. Education was what Beatrice needed to rise above her circumstances and realize her potential.

“Aunty Bea” as the Maisha children affectionately call her, came to The United States in 2001. She founded Pamoja International Ministry to provide outreach services to international students in Oklahoma. She also consults regularly with international executives from a variety of fields to help create synergistic solutions to impacting problems these students face.

In the meantime, Beatrice’s family, living in the village of Kano, just outside of Kisumu, expressed the need and dire situation of the orphans and widows living in their community. The fruition of Beatrice’s dream began in 2006, when she founded Maisha in response to this call for help. Now, her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and provide them with the same opportunity Anna Lanson gave her. By making a difference in the lives of the children from her home village, Beatrice strives to create a brighter future for the next generation. Her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and continue the Legacy of Hope Anna Lanson began.

Emily Bernhard

Program Administrator

Emily is a Texas Native, who came to Oklahoma for school, and never looked back! A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Emily studied journalism, public relations, and nonprofit management. Emily fell in love with what she saw stirring in Oklahoma City through her internship with The Spero Project. She found a deep love and language for Kingdom justice and seeing the local church engaged and equipped to love their communities well. Before joining staff at Maisha, Emily served as resident manager for HopeHouse OKC, and worked with Novo Ministries to mobilize churches and volunteers in inner-city ministry. Connecting the Church in healthy, sustainable ways to under-resourced communities for the flourishing of both is her deepest passion.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

Cody Lawson

Missions & Outreach

Cody has always been passionate about helping others and going on international missions by visiting 12 countries before traveling to Kenya in 2013. Cody stayed actively involved with Maisha after his first visit by helping with photography and assisting with 2014 summer missions planning. Cody has been to Maisha many times and has adopted the Luo name Ochibo. He is passionate about the vision of Maisha and the transformation that is happening in the village. He is thankful for the relationships built with the incredible people of Kenya and is excited to see all that God is doing in and through their lives.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Mia Rabon

Assistant Child Sponsorship Coordinator

Mia is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma studying Nursing. She is passionate about people and helping those around her. Mia jumped head first into Maisha in 2014 and hasn’t looked back. After volunteering with Light the Future Choir in 2014, she began interning that next spring and spent her summer in Kenya in 2016. Mia fell in love with the people in Kano Village and considers Kisumu a second home.

‘Life’s more persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ – Martin Luther King Jr.

Mark Nehrenz

Videographer

If you have seen a video about Maisha, Mark probably made it.

Mark has been Maisha’s videographer since the first Team Maisha mission trip in 2008. He met Bea in Oklahoma City in 2007 at a prayer service for the post-election violence in Kenya, decided to go on the mission trip and hasn’t looked back since. Mark has been to Maisha five times and many people in the village consider him a member of the community. He has also spent a lot of time in South Africa. As a result of his connections in South Africa and his deep love of Maisha, three mission trips of South African students have travelled to Maisha to serve.

Mark is a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, getting his master’s degree in journalism. He spent nearly a year in South Africa on a Fulbright Grant making documentaries, wishing he could be at Maisha doing the same with the kids there!!

In his own words: “Maisha has made Kenya a home away from home for me. I find incredible joy in telling the story of what God is doing at Maisha through the videos that I make. When Bea and I are at Maisha and reflect on how much growth has happened since 2008, we are just blown away and humbled at how much has happened because of our incredible supporters around the world. My experiences at Maisha have forever changed me into someone who has life- long connections with my brothers and sisters in Africa. I look forward to telling their stories in the best way I know how for as long as I can! The people of Maisha are changing Kenya, and I think they can change the world!”

Bruce Edwards

Volunteer Director of Sustainable Farming

Bruce Edwards is a retired army non-commissioned officer that created a second career by taking advantage of his GI Bill benefits after retiring from the army in 1994. He studied Horticulture at Oklahoma State University – OKC and has since worked in the related fields of landscaping, greenhouse management, horticulture therapy and retail nursery and garden sales.

Bruce is now the Maisha Volunteer Director of Sustainable Farming. While visiting Kenya in 2011, Bruce directed the establishment of a garden at the Maisha Village named Shambas of Maisha (Gardens of Life). This garden is now providing garden fresh foods for over 450 orphans and widows, supplementing the feeding program of beans and rice. He continues to direct the growth of Shambas of Maisha from his home in North Little Rock Arkansas. He fundraises for improvements of the garden and food related issues with the goal of getting the village to the point where it can sustain itself without a feeding program. A hand up, not a hand out!

Lisa Beard

Board Co-Chairman

Lisa Beard, of Chicago, IL, has been dedicated to Maisha Project’s Mission since 2008. Lisa and her husband, Steven Beard, aided in the development of Maisha’s Medical Clinic, Academy, Feeding Project, Water and Sanitation, Community Center, and Boys Home.

Lisa spent 9 years in the surgical device industry with Johnson and Johnson. She has experience in Sales, Sales Training, Surgeon Training, Marketing and Corporate Accounts. She graduated Cum Laude from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing.

Mark Aduddell

Board Treasurer

Mark Aduddell is the founder and Lead Pastor of Vintage Church, Edmond, Oklahoma. Mark’s wife Amy is an artists, kids pastor, and women’s conference speaker. They have two sons, Christian and Joel. He and Amy began Vintage Church with a desire to reach people of all ages, backgrounds, denominations, and ethnicities. The people they attract most are those who are looking for more to life. At Vintage those people find that we worship a God that is “more than enough.”

Mark grew up in a pastor’s home and has been in full-time ministry since 1986. He has earned (B.B.A) Bachelor of Business Administration and (Th.M) Masters of Theology degrees, and holds an Honorary (D.Min) Doctorate of Ministry. He has served on staff in churches both small and large in Oklahoma and Texas; planted two churches; traveled the country as an evangelist, revivalist, camp speaker, and church growth/ministry consultant; and served as a board member for national and international ministries.

Mark is passionate about taking the gospel of Christ across the street and around the world. He is gifted at communicating God’s Word in a way that is practical, inspiring, convicting, and challenging. God uses him to raise up young men and women into ministry, as well as equipping and sending believers into mission fields around the world.

Ann Riley

Board Secretary

Ann Riley is honored to have practiced social work for almost 30 years as a clinical therapist & social work educator. As an alum from the University of Oklahoma, she has three degrees: Bachelors of Special Education 1981; Masters of Social Work 1987; and a PhD in Adult & Higher Education 2010. Currently, she is faculty at OU with the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. Her role in facilitating student interns with Maisha (both locally & in Kenya), as well as, meeting with the Maisha social work staff for professional development this past summer 2015, has been among the highlights of her career as a social worker.

Ann & David Riley have three great kids (Jonathan age 26, Jillian age 23, & Jessica age 16) and have been married for 28 years. The Riley family has been involved with Maisha since 2009 and became one of the first family’s to experience the joy of sponsoring a child through Legacy of Hope. Their African daughter, Linda Wanjira age 18, has now completed high school & they couldn’t be more proud of her. Looking forward to sponsoring another child, they feel so blessed to be a small part of these good works. The Riley family has been expanded & lifelong friends made through connection with the Maisha community; for this we are so very grateful.

Chuck Lewis

Board Governance

Chuck Lewis has been married to Liz Lewis for over 40 years. They have two children Cliff Lewis and Amy Rutherford who are both active in the family business. Cliff and his wife Wendy have one son, Chase Lewis. Amy and her husband Gary have two sons, Landon and Grayson.

Chuck has been very active in the Central Oklahoma RV Dealers Association serving as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President. He has also served on various committes for the Oklahoma Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association.

Chuck is active in his local church Choctaw Road Baptist Church. He is an ordained deacon and is currently serving as the Building Committee Chairman. Choctaw Road Baptist Church has participated in Several mission trips to Maisha International in Kenya. As a result Chuck and Liz are sponsoring and investing in the lives of six children Gilfton Okore, Charles Ndege, Grace Ogola, Caren Agola and Cynthia Maguti. Chuck has visited Maisha two times participating in the building of the Medical Clinic and various activities at Maisha.

Chuck’s other interests include collecting and restoring antique and classic cars, jukeboxes and other memorabilia. He also enjoys woodworking and he has recently received his private pilot’s license.

Cathey Byerley

Board Member

Cathey Byerley is a grateful parent of 6, adoring grandparent of 3, and blessed to be the wife of Nathan. Given the opportunity in 2006 to sponsor a couple of teens at Maisha ultimately increased her family by 12. Considers the relationships born from the Legacy of Hope sponsorships to have clarified her purpose and enlarged her world.

Mel Hurst

Board member

Mel Hurst was born and raised in Lancaster County and has been married to Ruth for 54 years. He is the Co owner of Hurst Williams real estate company, the 4th largest real estate company in Lancaster County for 8 years in the mid 80’s. He developed numerous real estate projects in Lancaster County including The Maples in Leola, The Millpond in Manheim Township, Westpointe Ridge in Ephrata, Quail Ridge in Lititz as well as building and owning many small apartment projects.

Mel is the Co founder of Triple H Construction. He’s a charter member of the Ephrata Chapter of The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International and served as President for 5 years. He also Co founded The Worship Center, a 4,000 member independent church in Leola, Pa.

Mel retired from real estate at age 53 and now acts as a small business consultant, life coach and personal mentor.

Michael Votaw

Board Member

Michael Votaw is a follower of Jesus, a husband, a father of two, and a small business owner. He currently lives in Bad Soden, Germany (near Frankfurt), supporting the US Army. He has been spending his time supporting the IT needs of the Army, growing his business, and supporting his family; a family that is now extended into east Africa. Michael has made it a goal to give his time and effort to using his resources in a way that lives beyond him. Michael first visited Kenya with his family in December of 2010. He was changed. He went to Kenya again to build a computer center. Now he looks forward to making his resources give hope. He wants to use his skills in computer technology to make a difference and create a future.

Britni Portrey

Child Sponsorship Coordinator

Britni felt the calling towards humanitarian relief shortly before her graduation from OU. She has since used her degree in Conservation and Pre-Veterinary Medicine as well as her achievements as a tiny home builder to advocate for conservation efforts and sustainable living around Oklahoma. She does this though consulting, public speaking, and her website www.tinyisnow.com.

More than her passion for sustainability is her heart for children. Britni’s goal to fight under-education and generational poverty is what drew her to Maisha Project. She finds joy in engaging in such a wonderful, life-giving organization that brings sustainable health and education to children and their families living in Kenya.

In her free time, you can usually find Britni exploring the menus of OKC’s local good eats (Ramen! Coffee!) or searching for her next big read. If she’s not there, she will be deep in some sort of refurbishing project.

“With rare exceptions, all of your most important achievements on this planet will come from working with others—or, in a word, partnership.” ― Paul Farmer, To Repair the World

Nicole Del Mastro

Development Director

Nicole fell in love with Maisha Project during a visit to Kisumu in 2016. During her time there, she witnessed a resilient community. At that time, she knew her journey with the organization was just beginning. Maisha Project’s vision to empower communities by creating long-term solutions motivates her to assist in implementing holistic solutions to break the cycle of generational poverty. As the Director of Development, Nicole seeks partnerships that will assist in giving the Maisha community the necessary tools to become self-sustainable. It is often easier to offer a “hand out”, but a lasting solution is to empower through education, proper programming and resources necessary to cultivate change that will spread throughout Kenya and beyond.

Upon graduating college, Nicole worked in sales and account management for 7 years before transitioning into the nonprofit sector. Her journey into the nonprofit sector began with a direct service career as a literacy instructor for a Chicago-based organization. She thrives when given the opportunity to serve and assist in leaving the world a better place. As a Pittsburgh native, Nicole can’t help but appreciate Roberto Clemente’s words of wisdom;

“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”