Meet Our Team
US Office Staff
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LAUREN PHILLIPS
Executive Director, USA
Lauren developed a love for cross-cultural missions during a three-month YWAM Crossroads course in 1991 after her 1st husband passed. Since that time, she has helped inspire others to fall in love with serving the poor in Jesus’ name. “I’ll go wherever He sends me because my life is simply not my own. What a joy it is to live for Jesus!”
Lauren enjoys life in Boise, Idaho, with her six children and eleven “grandbeauties.” She loves God, her church, the outdoors, riding bikes around town, and sharing life with friends.
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MARTY BECK
Stewardship Director
Marty grew up in Boise, Idaho and was raised in the Episcopal Church. He earned his BA in Recreation Management from Metropolitan University in Denver, Colorado where he served as the President of The Society for Recreation Students. Before he joined the team at Expansion International, he was the Executive Director of Paradise Point Episcopal Summer Camp for 14 years. Prior to that he directed summer camps for New York City’s YMCA.
With a passion for supporting mission driven non-profit organizations, Marty currently serves on the Local Council of Leaders for the American Camp Association and on the Advisory Committee for the YMCA Camp at Horsetheif Reservoir. He also previously served as a Board Member for the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers, Inc. and International Student Exchange, Inc.
Marty enjoys spending time with his daughter by taking advantage of the Idaho snowfall as a skier, riding bikes along the Greenbelt, taking scenic road trips, and slowly remolding his 1950’s brick home on the Boise bench.
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MEGAN HILL
Donor Relations Manager
Megan joined the Expansion International team after hearing about the amazing work being done in education and youth empowerment in Kenya. As a former elementary school teacher, her passion for accessible education led to her role in Donor Relations. She is inspired by what God is doing through Expansion, and eager to form new partnerships that expand the ministry.
Megan graduated from Grand Canyon University, has taught in private and public schools, and has mentored high school students with Young Life. She loves being deeply relational and hearing testimonies of God’s goodness!
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MORGAN LARSEN
Social Media Coordinator
Morgan is deeply passionate for the Lord and His people. From a young age, even before she knew the Lord, it was her heart to make people feel seen and encouraged. And while she studied and had a career in marketing operations, the Lord had other plans.
At age 26, Morgan met the Lord, and everything changed. She would go to bible college and end up in ministry for several years. During that time, she went to Africa on a mission trip, where she saw first-hand the heartbreaking effects of poverty. Fast forward to November 2022, Morgan would get brought onto the Expansion team. She was ecstatic to bring her corporate, ministry, and design skills to the table while doing it for a cause so close to her heart.
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VERONICA LUCKEY
Programs Coordinator
Veronica's lifelong passion for teaching and serving began with her journey into elementary school classrooms after receiving her bachelor's degree in education. With an ever-growing heart for helping communities in need, she found ways to connect through traveling and volunteering, and enjoyed sharing the Light of Jesus wherever she was led. Veronica was consistently reminded of the world's need for Christ and continued pursuing her calling found in Romans 12:10 that encourages her to "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
After her recent move to Idaho to be closer to family, Veronica was ecstatic to learn about a new opportunity at Expansion International where she would be surrounded by others with similar passions and heart values. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, cooking with family, and playing with her puppy.
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BRONTE KLEBOLD
Marketing & Communications Manager
Bronte's lifelong love for photography and videography led her to a career in social media. She is passionate about using social media to create engaging, educational, and inspiring content that matters and makes a difference in the world. Having a degree in psychology, her passion for seeing people live healthy and whole runs deep, which is what drew her to the work of Expansion International. She loves connecting with people and hearing their stories of growth and hope.
Bronte spends her free time with her partner Ryan, family and friends. She loves reading, doing arts and crafts, and all animals.
US Board of Directors
EVANS BAIYA, PhD
President, USA & Kenya
Dr Evans Baiya is the visionary and founder of Expansion International. He has been involved with serving others in Kenya since his home church, first sent him in 2002. He lead the development of Expansion International into what it is today. Dr. Evans Baiya is a technology and innovation strategist with over fifteen years of experience. He holds a doctor of philosophy in engineering and technology development, a master of business administration, and has completed postgraduate studies in chemistry, electrical engineering, and business strategy and intellectual property with Harvard Business School, Harvard University.
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Dr Baiya spends his time working in the USA with clients and with several businesses in Kenya where his family is now residing.
ARLENE HARDY
Vice President, USA; Treasurer, Kenya;
Arlene has been working in Kenya since her first trip there in 2003 and is one of the original founders of Expansion International. She has been key in the organization's development over the years. Arlene was the acting Executive Director for the first ten years of the organization. In 2018 she became the Vice President of the US Board of Directors. Arlene is also the treasurer of Expansion International, Africa.
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Arlene splits her time between Boise, Idaho and Scottsdale, Arizona where she spends time with her sons and their families.
MARIETTA THOMPSON, MD
Medical Director, USA; Secretary, USA
Marietta’s first mission trip to Kenya was with Capital Church and Genesis World Mission in 2003. She then joined the Kenya Coalition for Christ to help facilitate continued mission work in Kenya. In 2008, when God gave the vision of Expansion International to E.I.’s president, Evans Baiya, Marietta was asked to join as a board member. Now, as Missions Director, Marietta loves helping others go and experience first-hand what God is doing in Kenya.
Marietta and her husband, Charley, have been married for over 42 years and are blessed with two children, a great son-in-law, and two wonderful grandsons. She loves to travel and visit with family and friends in her spare time. She is a medical doctor specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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JEANETTE JOHNSON
Director of Education, USA
Jeanette has been involved with Expansion since she heard about it from her sister Marietta who told her how God was bringing light and salvation to the dark, oppressed area of Kirasha and the Kieni people. “Many of my family members had been on trips with this wonderful ministry from the very beginning and I finally went in 2006. I love seeing how people’s lives in team members, my family, my church, and in Kenya are being impacted by this ministry.”
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“I have loved being a member of the board and watching God guide and then provide in only ways He can do! God has taught me to trust His faithfulness even when things seem impossible.”
PAM HAITT
Board Member, USA
Pam’s experience with Expansion International began with her first mission trip in 2014, leaving a lasting impact and fueling hours spent volunteering in the Boise office. “I felt the Lord directing my path in such a way as to bring glory to Him and to spread Christ’s love around the globe.”
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As an E.I. board member, Pam contributes a wealth of experience and wisdom to our team. She has served on St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital advisory board and the board of the Children’s Home of Idaho. She also served four years active and five years reserve duty in the US Army and attended Boise State University as a history major. Pam and her husband, Todd, have three grown children whom they thoroughly enjoy and feel tremendously blessed by.
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COLLEEN ZIMMERMAN, MD
Board Member, USA
Colleen, a family physician, learned about E.I. in 2010 through doctors Marietta Thompson and David Gee. “When they spoke of the work God was doing in Kenya, I knew I wanted to go and see myself. What I found was that the ministry of E.I. is completely Spirit-led and is transforming lives both in Kenya and in the United States. The partnerships that have formed are amazing – bringing together the gifts of God’s family from around the world to meet the needs of others.”
Colleen joined the board in the fall of 2017. Since then, she has become an integral part. Colleen and her husband, Chris, live and work in Spokane where they enjoy their son and the great outdoors.
ANIKA PHILLIPS
Missions Director, Board Member, USA
Anika, a registered nurse, had the Expansion International seed planted In 2015 when a new coworker told her about serving on medical missions in Kenya. “I could never have dreamed this big! Jesus chose me to be his hands and feet?!” After joining her first trip in 2016, she was hooked. “I absolutely love witnessing what Jesus does between and through us. There is such a beautiful partnership with the communities that EI walks beside. The US team transforms just as much as the Kenyan communities. It is my absolute privilege to witness.”
Anika loves spending time at the farm that she grew up on with her family and friends, gardening, and traveling. Her favorite time talking with Jesus is while finding shells on the beach, listening to the waves, and being still. She loves that she has had her two boys and momma (Shosho) join her on mission trips with EI. God is oh so good!
MOLLY MCCORMICK
Board Member, USA
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Molly went on her first trip to Kenya in 2007 and it left such a deep impression that she would then go on to pursue a career in medicine and return multiple times over the coming years. She was able to witness communities transform from poverty to thriving as Expansion International has partnered with local Kenyan church communities to invest in the bodies, minds, and souls of the men, women and children who live there.
Molly is a mother to three crazy kids, a wife, a doctor and a lover of Jesus. When she isn’t building their house with her husband, homeschooling her kids or working with her patients, she enjoys gardening and taking care of her chickens.
Kenya Office Staff
JOYCE NDEGWA
Executive Director EIA, Kenya
Joyce holds a master’s degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Management, both from ST. Paul’s university. Joyce is a dedicated professional with over two and a half decades of successful career growth in various fields in the region.
Joyce’s passion lies in Christian leadership, fostering development and empowering individuals to be the best version of themselves. She is grounded in unwavering leadership principles and strong Christian values. She champions strategies for organizational development as she works with communities to foster positive change, sustainability and growth. She believes that a strong family value system is the backbone of great communities and the nation.
Joyce has been married for 26 years and is a devoted mother of 3.
GRACE NJUGUNA
Operations Manager EIA, Kenya
Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Commerce and a diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of Nairobi. Her passion for empowering employees and optimizing processes drives continuous
improvement and growth within the team. Grace’s leadership and commitment to excellence are instrumental in supporting Expansion International Africa’s mission of making a positive impact in the community. Grace invites you to explore the journey of championing excellence and driving success at every level.
Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her family, singing and swimming.
ESTHER KABEERIA
TUYEP Youth Development Coordinator Subukia, Kenya
Esther Kabeeria is an advocate of inspiring and empowering, children and youth. She joined Expansion International Africa through the Internship Program and was exposed to different programs including Children Development and Health Intervention. Esther later took up the Youth Development Coordinator’s role in E.I.'s Tujijenge Youth Empowerment Program (TUYEP) in Subukia.
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Esther believes that young people are assets and change agents of the community and the country. She is a trained early childhood educator, a social worker, and a community development expert. Serving the beneficiaries of TUYEP is something she greatly enjoys doing.
RACHEAL W. KAMAU
Economic Programs Coordinator EIA, Kenya
Racheal holds a university diploma in Community Development and Business Administration, and is currently pursuing a degree in Community Development at Mt Kenya University. She loves working with vulnerable communities to bring about change and is passionate about leveraging economic programs to uplift individuals and communities, providing them with opportunities for prosperity and self-sufficiency. She believes that through faith and action, lasting change that
impacts lives for generations can be achieved.
Racheal is a wife and a mother to three wonderful children and is honored to contribute to the transformative work happening in Kenya through Expansion International Africa.
ROSE NJOKI
Education Program Coordinator EIA, Kenya
Rose is the driving force behind our education initiatives at Expansion International
Africa. With a deep-rooted passion for education and community development, Rose brings a
wealth of experience and dedication to her role as Education Coordinator. Her commitment and
expertise drives positive change and inspire students to reach their full potential.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Development, loves Jesus, enjoys serving people, exploring new destinations and creating lasting memories through travel.
“My passion and dream has always been to work with communities and be part of promoting positive change”.
BRIAN OMBAYO
Programs Manager EIA, Kenya
Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Gender & Development
Studies from Kenyatta University. Brian brings over 7 years’ experience in designing and implementing tailored initiatives to address community needs. Brian is passionate about giving back to the community and providing
a platform for the vulnerable. His daily aspiration is to ensure impact is felt to those that he serves however little it is.
Brian is married and a father to one daughter. He loves spending time with his daughter, watching football games and traveling.
BRIAN SIFUNA
Community Facilitator EIA, Kenya
Brian is a compassionate Community Facilitator dedicated to empowering individuals and
fostering positive change. With a background in Community Development and a passion for
empowering others, Brian brings a unique blend of expertise to his role.
He is committed to serving others and actively engages with community members to identify needs and implement sustainable solutions. Through his passion for community development and
unwavering dedication, Brian inspires hope and creates opportunities for growth and
transformation.
His hobbies are cooking and traveling.
Kenya Board of Directors
PETER KIMEMIA, PhD
Board Member, Kenya
Dr. Peter Kimemia from Kenya has been intimately involved with Expansion International and its founders since the very beginning. He is an electrical engineer, has a PhD in Entrepreneurship and currently works as a Director at Kenya Power.
Our dear friend has been on the board of Expansion International Africa since they were established as a non-profit in 2012. Dr. Kimemia has been a great friend and help to this organization every step of our shared journey together.
SIMON KARIMI
Board Member, Kenya
Simon Karimi joined the Expansion International, Africa Board of Directors in 2014 and is helping develop our Economic programs in Kenya. He has an undergraduate degree in Agriculture and a Masters in Entrepreneurship.
Simon is currently working on his PhD and works in Micro-finance. He has had a passion for community development for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge, care, and experience to the communities we serve.
PERIS WAITHIRU, MD
Board Member, Kenya
Peris is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. She serves as the Secretary of Kenya Orthopaedic Association and Sports Medicine Society of Kenya. She is currently based at Thika Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Peris is a born again Christian dedicated to sharing her faith through both her career and community development. She has a special interest in training, mentoring, and conducting community outreaches as a way to empower and give back. We are excited to welcome her to our Board.
EDITH W. NJENGA
Secretary, Kenya
Edith and Harun Njenga were both heavily involved in the formative years of Expansion International ministry.
Edith has been key in the organization’s development into what it is today. She has hosted many missions since inception, and she loves working with communities. She has been Expansion
International Africa’s Executive Director for the last 11 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Psychology and Community Development from Daystar University.
Edith is also a Board member of both Ndumberi and Magumu clinics.
Edith has been married for the last 40 years and is blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
She loves serving the vulnerable and spending time with her grandchildren.