There is great reward when we embrace others in need and equip them with skills (not handouts) so that dignity and sustainability can be passed on to others!
USA BOARD
Ron was the president of L & H Construction, Inc., a residential home construction company that built over 450 homes and developed 35 subdivisions in the Sacramento area. Mr. Higgins received his Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University in 1980 and has been a licensed architect in California since 1983.
Ron has also been a professor at the Azusa Pacific University Business Department and taught real estate development from 2001 thru 2010.
Mr. Higgins first became acquainted with ELI in 2004 while on a short term team. He has served on ELI’s Board of Directors from 2006 thru 2012, rejoining the Board in 2014. Ron is currently serving as the Board Chair of ELI.
Ron lives in Northern California and shuffles between homes in the Sacramento area and Lake Tahoe. He and his wife Terry married in 1974. He has 2 daughters and 3 grandsons.
Don is the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of ELI, which began in Kenya and has now expanded to Tanzania, DR Congo and South Sudan. A short-term trip to Tanzania in 1989 was the first of many that eventually led Don to establish ELI in 1994. The work was pioneered by developing relationships with key national leaders to establish Skills for Life Training Centers, Christian schools, and children’s homes. Don serves with his family, both in East Africa and the United States, dividing time according to the needs of the ministry.
When Kenya is the “home base,” Don travels to Tanzania, DR Congo and South Sudan as needed, providing input/guidance to the overall ministry and integrating new appropriate technologies and business ideas. Don and his wife Amy invest strategic blocks of time in the U.S., sharing the vision of ELI with individuals and groups in order to Ignite World Changers and connect with supporting partners. The Rogers also work alongside the ELI-USA staff and help equip short-term teams traveling to Africa. Don graduated from Azusa Pacific University and received his M.A. from Asbury Theological Seminary with a focus in Cross-Cultural Missions. Prior to ELI, Don served with Youth For Christ in Southern California, as well as the church as youth and senior pastor. He is an ordained minister with the Free Methodist Church. Don and Amy have two boys, Joshua, and Nathaniel.
Marijo Bos is a facilitator of board strategy and growth programs for executives across industries. The virtual and in-person programs are customized to current business opportunities and challenges her clients are facing. With 20+ years in talent management and development, she also supports executives embarking on transitions. Marijo is dedicated to supporting NGOs and inspiring positivity through purpose for individuals and teams. Bos Advisors programs have been recognized in a variety of academic settings from Duke CE, ESEC in France to executive programs at IE Business School in Spain and Cotrugli in the Balkans. Her corporate client roster includes Disney, Pfizer, Amazon-AWS, Norton Lilly International , NTT, MAFT Dubai and Expedia Group among others.
Marijo became involved in ELI through Orphan’s Hope, one of ELI’s financial supporters. She and her husband traveled to Kenya as a STT to provide leadership training for ELI and were amazed at the impact and reach of the organization, compelling them to get more involved.
Marijo and her husband Juan Carlos currently live in Madrid Spain.
Liz’s strengths include her collaborative team approach, empowering and developing people to perform to their full potential and satisfaction. She is an enthusiastic, hands-on leader in the community and in non-profit organizations in the greater Sacramento area.
In retirement, Liz is active in several non-profit volunteer projects: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and coach/mentor for job seekers with Job1. Liz was first introduced to ELI when Jim Caya, current CEO, shared his passion for creating opportunities for East African families to come out of poverty and into the arms of God. After an impactful trip to see ELI in Kenya, she became even more passionate about having deeper involvement in the ministry.
Mike is the Lead Pastor of Lamb’s Fellowship in Lake Elsinore, CA. He also serves as the senior developer for Praxis Center for Church Development and is the President and Dean of the School of Church and Ministry for The Trivium Institute of Leader Development. He has co-authored four books that focus on Church Planting, Creating a Multiplication Culture and Church Health. Mike has mentored and coached hundreds of leaders to help them discover their identity as a son or daughter and understand how to steward the life and ministry that God has so graciously given them.
Mike has been involved in international travel to the Philippines and East Africa in establishing multiplication centers that develop disciples. Mike has been deeply blessed by his relationship with Don and Amy Rogers and their passion to ignite hope and empower lives to live with restored identity in Christ, healed hearts, healed families and healed communities that reproduce the same hope and life in others. Mike holds an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. He & his wife, Teresa, have been married since 1983 and have two beautiful daughters.
Since Ken’s retirement as a senior level manager at Intel, he has served as the executive pastor in two large Sacramento area churches, lead and managed the merger of a mission organization into the Navigators, and provided organization development guidance to several large national Christian ministries. Ken’s passion is coming alongside others—a role he characterizes as “shadow leadership” as it best positions his ability to help others succeed. Ken has been involved in multiple aspects of ELI ministry for over a decade; captured by ELI’s holistic and pragmatic approaches that embrace, enable and advance the empowerment of nationals. Ken and Nancy have been married 43 years, have two sons, four grandchildren, and currently live in the greater Sacramento area. Ken is an avid bicyclist, instrument rated pilot, and handyman.
Cameron Demetre is an experienced public policy professional who works at a leading government affairs Firm in California. He has extensive knowledge of the technology startup ecosystem, ranging from venture capital and early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. Cameron became involved in ELI in 2010 when he first visited Ilula, Kenya, and later in 2012 when he returned to volunteer at ELI's Tanzania office. He was forever changed by the people of East Africa and blown away at ELI's profound impact in transforming lives from the inside out. Cameron received his bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University and his master's from the London School of Economics. Cameron lives in Sacramento with his wife, Emma.
Christy served as Product Manager at the global consulting firm GP Strategies, Director of Product Development, and senior consultant with the Tom Peters Company. Christy has extensive global experience and enjoyed a half-year world service adventure with her family with extended stays in India, Africa (with Empowering Lives International), and Latin America. Christy is energized by helping leaders combine character strengths, competence, and personal connection for a more significant impact. She is also the host of Leaders Get Real, a Podcast featuring best-selling authors & authentic leaders who are using their influence for good (www.LeadersGetReal.com). Christy lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and has two grown, world-changing children.
