global team
Karmen Friesen
Executive Director
With a business background, a degree in intercultural studies, and experience organizing inter-denominational conferences, teams and events since high school and college, Karmen has a passion for seeing Christians come together for what is on God’s heart. He led the CoMission for Children at Risk for 20 years, networking, resourcing and equipping leaders, organizations and faith communities globally to effectively serve orphaned and vulnerable children. In helping to develop the Russia and Ukraine Without Orphans initiatives, Karmen experienced the power of Christian leaders coming together to engage faith communities in their own countries for family-based care and a vision for a world without orphans. Karmen lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children, is a founding member of World Without Orphans and currently serves as the Principal Coordinator of the Executive Team.
Lubo Hlavačka
Global Coordinator for Ambassadors and Teams, Executive Team
Having been involved with the leadership of WWO since 2015, Lubo loves to share the Father heart of God through mentoring and coaching. Being passionate about growing the capacity of national and regional teams, Lubo is involved in forming and growing the WWO learning communities in different parts of the world and seeing nations collaborate to solve the orphan crisis in their own local context. He brings over 30 years of ministry experience, with a background of working in the context of churches, Christian organizations and consulting.
Susan Hillis
Global Coordinator for Strategy and Senior Technical Advisor, Executive Team
Dr. Hillis has been a believer for 38 years, married to a godly servant for 36, a mother for 27, a US government federal official for 20, and a university professor for 10 years. She is the mother of 11 children, 8 of whom were adopted from Russia after the tragic death of her first-born son on the day before his tenth birthday. Susan has worked and ministered in countries in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. She has published more than 80 articles in scientific medical journals and is considered one of the leading infectious diseases experts on the HIV risk among vulnerable youth around the world. Dr. Hillis is a recent recipient of the Outstanding Service Medal as a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service.
Ruby M. Johnston
Global Capacity Building Lead, Executive Team
Ruby has been focused on Capacity Building all her career, as a social worker working for the Institute for Human Services and later as a global consultant and trainer. In 2004, Ruby and her husband registered a global charity called LAMb International, which is working in 37 different countries, conducting training, coaching and strategic planning. Prior to LAMb, Ruby led several IHS teams to develop training systems in the US and Canadian Child Welfare Systems. She is an author, curriculum developer, organizational development consultant, mother of 6, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 6. Ruby along with her husband Lynn and their amazing cat, are passionate about WWO and the impact it has on strengthening families and ensuring all children reach their God given potential while ensuring their rights of Safety, Permanency and Well-being, all in the context of a loving family.
Praveen Gomez
Implementation Lead, Operations Team
Praveen dreams of a day when communities flourish, leaving no one behind. To achieve this, Praveen believes that the family unit plays an integral and crucial role in modeling and fostering a safe, loving, and nurturing environment that empowers children. To this end, Praveen joined World Without Orphans to further their vision.
Praveen was previously attached to a non-profit organization where he led a country-wide campaign in partnership with the government, inter-faith groups, and grassroot community leaders. Before that, he managed a branch of an IT firm in North America, served as a project initiator and educator in a remote village in Timor-Leste, and managed the Human Resource function of a corporate in Sri Lanka. Praveen currently lives in Colombo with his wife and three children while serving as the implementation lead for World Without Orphans.
Andrii Fedun
Events and Logistics Lead, Operations Team
Born and raised in Ukraine, Andrii Fedun is passionate to advocate for the fatherless around the world. In previous roles Andrii served as Director of the Alliance for Ukraine Without Orphans and as Program Director of the Ukrainian Bible Society. His personal focus has been to support the needs of neglected children and orphans through direct care and transition programs. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of child welfare, working with churches, NGOs, and the government. Andrii resides in Kyiv with his wife and young son.
Dmytro Bereza
Technology and Web Design Lead, Operations Team
A native of Dnipro, Ukraine, Dmytro has been with the World Without Orphans (WWO) movement since its inception, providing technical expertise to multiple areas. His journey in orphan care started with a call in his childhood to build a friendship with an orphan. Later Dmytro would marry his wife Tanya, who ministered to teens aging out of orphanages. These events ultimately led to Dmytro joining the orphan care ministry full time in 2012. Dmytro enjoys life in Ukraine with his lovely wife and their two sons, almost identical twins full of bright ideas and kind hearts. Dmytro has a passion to see children thriving and families strong, and is delighted to put his effort into the next generation.
Michelle Keadle-Taylor
Communications Lead, Operations Team
As an adoptee herself, Michelle knows the value and benefit of being placed in a loving and nurturing home and its crucial role in helping a child to grow into their God-given potential and destiny. After working briefly in television, Michelle lived and worked in Europe for eight years. She began her time in Europe in Hungary in 1990 and experienced the immense changes in the region during that time. She worked for DHL International in Eastern Europe, the UK, and then as Regional Communications Manager based in Greece, serving 34 countries which included parts of Europe, Africa, and Israel. She worked 11 years for DHL and also worked in Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean region, writing and producing weekly news programs in three languages.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications Studies (emphasis Broadcast Journalism) and Spanish as well as a Masters of Christian Counseling. She is married to a New Zealander and has three wonderful children. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the WWO family and mission and is looking forward to seeing a world without orphans and where every child feels valued and loved.
Daniel Kaggwa
Regional Ambassador, Africa
Pastor Daniel Kaggwa is a Senior Pastor at The Sign of the Dove Church-Kampala, Uganda. Born and raised in a dysfunctional family in Uganda, he was later Fostered into a Christian family. Today Daniel is married and is father to 4 biological children and many fostered children. He and his wife Erika are directors of Dove Christian School, whose main purpose is to help orphans and vulnerable children through Food, Education, and Spiritual support. Daniel leads the work of Alliance for Uganda Without Orphans and also serves as the National Coordinator for Orphan Sunday. Daniel is an author and also hosts a Family for Every Orphan Radio Program on Saturday mornings. Daniel and Erika are founders of Embrace Child Care Ministries, Uganda whose main aim is to see that all children belong to Families.
-“I’m happy to represent WWO in Africa because of my passion to see that all orphans receive a sense of belonging.”
Richard Procter
Regional Ambassador, Europe
Richard joined World Without Orphans in 2018 as the Leading Coordinator for WWO Europe. Since the development of WWO Europe national movements are growing across the continent. Based in the UK, Richard served for 12 years in the government and volunteer sectors, spent 20 years starting and running his own business, worked with children and young people in his community, and served in church leadership. Richard and his wife Robbyn adopted 2 daughters in 2005, which led to establish a local ministry that supported adoptive and fostering families. He was involved in the national UK NGO, Home for Good, from its inception, supporting its development through consulting and coaching, and establishing it in his own county. Richard enjoys family life with Robbyn and their still-at-home daughters, still serves as a local church leader, and relaxes with books, dog walks, cooking, and following soccer.
Shelton Taguma
Regional Ambassador, Africa
Shelton Taguma is passionate about seeing all children flourish and grow into healthy adulthood. As a consultant, he provides strategic resources, capacity-building, and program support to organizations that serve vulnerable children and strengthen families globally. Having grown up in Zimbabwe, he directly experienced the challenges faced by impoverished children and youth. Committed to fostering positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families through effective global partnerships, Shelton is part of the Leadership Council for Faith to Action and a board member of Exile International. He was previously the Executive Director of Forgotten Voices International, a ministry that partnered with local churches in Southern Africa to empower caregivers and families to care for orphaned and vulnerable children. He holds a Master's degree in International Development from Eastern University, a degree in Youth Development, and a Bachelor's degree in Community Development from the University of South Africa. He has lived and worked in both Africa and Central America. Currently, he is based in Pennsylvania with his family.
Anu Silas
Regional Ambassador, South Asia
Anupama Silas (Anu) is the Founder and Executive Director of Vanitashray, a registered non-profit organization in Pune, India and is currently the Facilitator for South Asia Without Orphans. Since 1999 Anu has been passionately serving orphans and vulnerable children. Under her leadership, community education and feeding programs have been developed as well as programs to promote family preservation and women’s empowerment. Anu obtained her Master’s degree in social work and her post graduate degree in Human Rights. Anu has served with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) for over 30 years and is currently working alongside Loom International. Anu previously served as Executive Director for Maharashtra State for All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice, where she advocated on behalf of neglected young girls, standing against child prostitution and child marriages in India.
Barbara Ruegger
Regional Ambassador, Europe
Barbara Ruegger is from Switzerland and has been working with children and youth for almost 30 years. She has worked with YWAM/King’s Kids as part of the international leadership team, as well as networking with many other groups and organizations. Since the start of World Without Orphans Barbara has been an active leader in the movement, realizing that in WWO she is part of a community of likeminded people. Today Barbara serves on the European Facilitation team, helping to build local WWO networks throughout different European countries.
- “I am part of the WWO community because I found a family here where everyone shares the passion and vision to see children grow up in families instead of orphanages.”
David Rihani
Regional Ambassador, MENA
David Rihani was born and raised in Jordan. After finishing college in the USA and living there for many years, David felt the calling to return to Jordan to serve the Lord. Since then, he has been involved in the church and evangelical councils of Jordan, the Holy Land and the World Evangelical Alliance. With his engineering and business background, he was instrumental in the establishment of a K-12 academy providing the first inclusive education program in the country. A founding member of several local charitable organizations serving the orphans, elderly, and refugees, David believes the church can play an important role in equipping leaders to be able to reach out to all sectors of society encouraging collective collaboration to assist the neediest. David resides in Amman, Jordan with his wife and two daughters.
-“I’m encouraged by WWO’s vision and commitment towards the crisis of the orphaned and vulnerable around the world and I am honored to be a part of the work.”
Rodrigo Rangel
Regional Ambassador, Latin America
Rodrigo Rangel has been married to Sara Vargas since 1996. He is a parent of 4 and inspired in their story, Pontes de Amor (Bridges of Love), a Non Profit Organization that prepares and supports adoptive families, as children in residential care. His dream and effort is to have every child and teenager in a safe and loving family. Rodrigo is a lawyer and an entrepreneur. He is a pastor in Sal da Terra Ministry. He is also an Orphan Sunday Coordinator in Brazil and a facilitator for WWO Brazil. Rodrigo is a financial counselor for ANGAAD, the National Association of Adoption Support Groups in Brazil.
Sara Vargas
Regional Ambassador, Latin America
Sara Vargas is married to Rodrigo since 1996 and they are parents of 4 children. She is a pastor in Sal da Terra Ministry. She is also a Founder and technical director of Pontes de Amor (Bridges of Love), a Nonprofit Organization that prepares and supports adoptive families, works for the development of the OVC and offers professional training. Her vision is to have every child growing in a loving and protective family. Sara was the president of ANGAAD – the National Association of Adoption Support Groups, that gathers 208 NGOs spread all over Brazil; now Sara is ANGAAD’s director of Institucional Relationship. Also Sara is a member of SEPAL (Serving Pastors and Leaders) governance council, SEPAL represents the Global Alliance in Brazil. She is an Orphan Sunday coordinator in Brazil, member of Christian Alliance for Orphans, also founder and representative of World Without Orphans in Brazil.
Audrie Siew
Regional Ambassador, Southeast Asia
Having worked with vulnerable children for many years, Audrie has seen the power of family for children. Audrie is the Executive Director of The Children and Youth Group (CYG) in The Salvation Army, Singapore, and oversees a continuum of services for vulnerable children, including fostering and family reunification support. Also, as a civil servant in Ministry of Social and Family Development, one of her memorable positions was as the first ever Director of Children in Care Service, where she oversaw the out-of-home care sector in Singapore. Audrie’s other positions included overseeing preventive initiatives such as parenting programmes and support services for vulnerable families. Having the privilege of seeing family-based care options and capacity building grow in Singapore, Audrie strongly believes in God’s plan for children to grow in healthy and caring families. She is passionate about the potential of systemic interventions. Audrie is born and bred in Singapore. She is the wife of one supportive and Godly husband, mother of 2 biological children, and has fostered 6 children.
Maria de la Paz Zabala
Regional Ambassador, South America
María de la Paz, better known as “Pachi,” is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Having been adopted as a child, she has devoted her life to supporting children and adolescents in vulnerable situations and orphanhood. She is a kindergarten teacher and also a theologian, graduated from the International Baptist Seminary. Pachi also serves as an emotional support companion for two important soccer clubs, River Plate and UAI Urquiza, where she supports players in the women’s first division. Pachi opens her home in Buenos Aires as a safe space for female players from other regions or in vulnerable situations, helping them adjust to the city, maintain proper nutrition, study, and advance in their sports careers. Her dedication and vocation have made her a respected figure in both sports and social support. She served among the Muslim people by opening a soccer school for children in vulnerable situations in Albania. Currently, Pachi is a WWO Latin America facilitator. Maria’s life story and example of personal development have equipped her to testify as to how holistic support of vulnerable children and youth can help transform lives. Together, she believes, we can make a difference in the world if we understand the purpose and love of God.
Hazel Cedeño
Regional Ambassador, Latin America
Hazel is a professional in strategic planning, project management and team building. In 2006, she began to passionately serve vulnerable children out of the firm conviction that God’s plan for children and adolescents is to grow up in safe and loving families. Hazel worked as the director of a children’s home and managed the transition of its services to family-based care. She was also director of social action at her church, where she was responsible for five children's homes, the foster care program and a mentoring program (for adolescents from a residential center). Today, as director of Casa Viva Solutions for Latin America, Hazel seeks to motivate and equip governments, organizations, churches and various civil society groups that work with vulnerable children and adolescents to implement family-based care solutions. Hazel is married and is the mother of two daughters.
Nisreen Hawatmeh
Regional Ambassador, MENA
Nisreen Hawatmeh is the Founder and Managing Director of SANADAK Orphan Ministry, where she leads impactful initiatives to support orphaned and vulnerable children. She is also the Project Director of Hope Groups Jordan, overseeing efforts to provide psychological and emotional support to those affected by trauma and displacement.With a background in psychological and Christian counseling, Nisreen specializes in family counseling, behavior modification, and trauma-informed care. She is a certified trainer from Haggai Leadership Training and LAMb International and an Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, integrating this therapeutic model to offer holistic support to individuals and families in crisis. Nisreen plays a key role in the Middle East Without Orphans movement, serving on its Leadership Team, and is the International Coordinator for the Orphan Sunday Ministry in Jordan. Nisreen earned her bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from the University of Jordan and has extensive experience as a Senior Professional Architect in design and supervision. She lives in Amman, Jordan, with her husband Maher Abu Lail and their two children. Her mission is to enhance the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children by providing psychological, academic, and spiritual support, fostering a generation of self-reliant and socially responsible individuals.
Faby Ruesga
Regional Ambassador, East Asia
Faby Ruesga, originally from Mexico City, has dedicated nearly 30 years to serving marginalized communities, primarily in Asia for the last 24 years. With over two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, she holds a multicultural executive leadership role at Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Faby focuses on empowering marginalized communities through advocacy for fostering and adoption, raising awareness, and encouraging a mindset that values family units for children. As the founder of YWAM Tuen Mun and YWAM's Food Bank in Hong Kong, she impacts thousands of lives monthly, advocating for the city's most vulnerable populations. Utilizing her networking and team-building skills, she has formed teams from over 46 countries. Her advocacy promotes movements that support at-risk children in Hong Kong and East Asia. Committed to the vision of a World Without Orphans, Faby strives to develop global leaders who will further this mission.
Gary Kamaal
Regional Ambassador, South Asia
Gary Kamaal is the Director of Viva India. He has been in the non-profit sector for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing Viva in India. Viva’s networks connect and promote collaboration with over 400 churches and ministries in India, impacting the lives of more than 25,000 vulnerable children and families. He is actively engaged in promoting the WWO vision and best practices in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Gary is married to a school principal and has two children attending college. He has an MBA degree and has worked in the for-profit sector as well.