The 2026 Global Partners Conference is here!

Milkias Taye Gutema is the Country Director for Children's HopeChest Ethiopia, leading its work with vulnerable children and communities. His background is in leadership and community development, and beyond his role at HopeChest, he trains, coaches, and mentors leaders across organizations, churches, and youth groups, with a passion for developing the next generation of young leaders. Off the clock, he's rarely far from a good cup of Ethiopian coffee and a conversation about what's next for the leaders he mentors. What Milkias loves most about HopeChest's mission is that it's rooted in Christ's love, and while it begins with children, it doesn't stop there — it transforms families and communities, empowering local leaders and building on the assets and potential already present in each one.

My name is Tenbit Zeleke, and I'm based in Ethiopia. I have the privilege of serving God through my role as the Community Relationship Manager at Children's HopeChest, where I connect people, stories, and communities to help create lasting change. I earned my bachelor's degree in Economics and later pursued master's degrees in Social Work and Christian Counseling, giving me a unique perspective on both sustainable community development and caring for the whole person. I've always believed that every child, family, and community has God-given potential, and I'm passionate about helping create opportunities for them to flourish. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our four children. What I treasure most about HopeChest is being part of a mission that restores hope, strengthens communities, and creates lasting impact through authentic relationships.

Yifrut Abebe serves as the Program Director at Children's HopeChest Ethiopia, where he provides strategic leadership, management, and overall direction for program implementation. In this role, he ensures that CarePoints effectively achieve organizational goals and deliver measurable, lasting impact in the communities they serve. His responsibilities include ensuring the long-term sustainability of programs and supporting the successful graduation of CarePoints. Yifrut holds degrees in multiple disciplines: a Bachelor's degree in Economics, a Master's degree in Leadership and Management, an MBA in Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Development Economics. Beyond his professional life, Yifrut is married, a father of three children, and outside of work enjoys spending time with his family. What he treasures most about working with Children's HopeChest is being part of a mission that ignites hope within communities and empowers families to break the cycle of poverty, creating opportunities for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Karina Bonilla is the Program Manager for Children's HopeChest in Guatemala, where one of the things she enjoys most is working alongside CarePoint coordinators and communities to create opportunities for lasting transformation. Before joining HopeChest, Karina coordinated church networks across several countries, equipping leaders in child abuse prevention and the development of child protection policies. She believes transformation is more than a job — it is a way of life that begins with sharing the love of Jesus and walking alongside others. Outside of work, Karina treasures time with her family, loves dogs, and enjoys singing and leading worship at church. What she loves most about HopeChest is being part of a family united by one purpose: empowering communities and creating a better future for children and their families.

Carolina Cardona has served as Country Director for Guatemala for more than 10 years. She is deeply passionate about serving her country and walking alongside children, families, and communities as they discover and reach their God-given potential. Through her leadership, Carolina has partnered with local leaders to cultivate sustainable community development, creating opportunities that inspire lasting hope and transformation. Outside of her work, Carolina treasures time with her toddler daughter, Emma, and finds joy in playing together, cooking, and learning new things. She is honored to share stories of how the faithfulness and generosity of Children's HopeChest donors and church partners are bringing hope, strengthening communities, and making a lasting impact in Guatemala.

Sam Montero is the Community Development Manager for Children's HopeChest Guatemala, where he works alongside communities to develop long-term, sustainable solutions that help families thrive. With a passion for community development, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment, Sam believes that lasting transformation happens when people have opportunities to create income, build businesses, and provide for their families with dignity. He enjoys helping local leaders discover the potential that already exists within their communities and turn ideas into opportunities that create jobs and foster long-term growth. What he loves most about HopeChest is its commitment to holistic community development—walking alongside communities, empowering local leadership, and creating lasting change that restores dignity, strengthens families, and reflects God's heart for every person.

Mafer Rodas serves as a Community Relationship Manager for HopeChest Guatemala, where she is passionate about advocating for child protection, serving her country, and cultivating meaningful relationships that create lasting impact. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a bridge between HopeChest’s incredible donors and the communities they so faithfully support, connecting hearts, stories, and shared purpose. What inspires Mafer most about HopeChest is witnessing relationships grow; relationships rooted in love, hope, compassion, and the heart of God. She believes that true transformation happens when people walk together in partnership, dignity, and commitment, creating a lasting impact in the lives of children, families, and communities.

God has blessed me with a beautiful and wonderful wife, Anne Grace, and our marriage is blessed with six wonderful children. My work for God includes serving on the Leadership Team in my local church in Soroti, where I have participated in spearheading church development and coordinating both local and international missions. The region I come from was affected by insurgency that lasted for more than 20 years, during which time many people lost their lives, property, and were physically abused. It is also one of the poorest regions in Uganda, with many orphaned children and child-headed households who cannot afford education, food, medical, and other physical needs. I have always had a passion for the disadvantaged, especially children and youth. My wife and I regularly open our doors and commit resources to youth ministry and supporting vulnerable children. We believe that for the Uganda of tomorrow to become better, our country needs a new generation of leaders that fear God, love justice, and are committed to change. The arrival of Children’s HopeChest to the eastern region in Uganda was timely, and I consider my involvement a golden opportunity for me to fulfill my calling “to give hope to those in need, positively influence those around me and leave every situation better than I found it.” I want to thank everybody who has responded to the cause of the suffering children all over the world. Thank you for being a big part of what God is doing in the lives of people in Uganda!

Isaac Okwang is the Community Relations Manager at Children’s HopeChest Uganda, where he has the privilege of connecting global partners with CarePoints and communities across Uganda and supporting the work happening on the ground. Isaac has been with HopeChest since 2016, beginning as a Project Coordinator and growing into his current role overseeing CarePoint operations across the country. He is also a pastor, husband, and father of three sons. What he loves most about HopeChest is being part of a journey that goes beyond meeting a child’s immediate needs, seeing children discover their potential, grow in confidence and dignity, and ultimately transition into self-reliant adults who can make a difference in their families and communities.

I am Sandra Starcy Amollo, the Program Manager Children’s HopeChest - Uganda, a role I have held for the last 8 years (2018 to-date). My work revolves around fundraising for community economic empowerment projects, supporting implementation and monitoring progress of the said projects over time. I am also part of the Country Management Team of HopeChest Uganda, a team charged with strategic management roles. I am a wife and mother of three children; what I love most about HopeChest is witnessing the evolution of vulnerable community groups from hopelessness to living dignified lives. It is live giving people a second chance to ‘do what they can do and be what they want to be in life.

Pastor Richard Makani is a husband, father, pastor, and community servant with a deep passion for caring for vulnerable and needy children. Married to Hellen Asale, Pastor Richard is blessed with four children of his; Mercy, Mike, Faith, and Joshua. Beyond his immediate family, God has entrusted him with the privilege of caring for hundreds of vulnerable children in his community. Having been raised in a humble background, Pastor Richard developed a deep burden for children facing hardship. What began as a simple desire to help has grown into a lifelong mission of compassion, hope, faith, and service. In 2002, he began Seeds Children Ministry, a ministry dedicated to providing hope, care, and support to children in need. In 2019, he also began running Mt. Elgon Care Point, responding to the growing needs of vulnerable children within the community. 66 "I believe that every child matters and that, through God's grace and the support of caring people, we can make a lasting difference in their lives."

Been with HopeChest 16 years. I still wake up every morning thrilled and privileged to do the work we do with the people I get to do it with - that includes you. Before coming to HopeChest I was a pastor for a HopeChest church partnership in Uganda and Guatemala. Finding new partners and helping create two-way transformation is the life blood of my work. Excited to learn and grow together at GPC.

Tim Nussbaumer planted churches in the NYC metro area with the SEND Network and somehow ended up spending most of his week walking into church offices unannounced. As Strategic Partnership Director for Children's HopeChest, he connects churches across Tennessee and Georgia to communities in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Guatemala. He drives an EV, which means his routes are planned around charging stations and good coffee — in that order. Before all this, his church partnered with HopeChest communities in Uganda and Guatemala, and he spent years recommending HopeChest to anyone who'd hold still long enough to listen. Eventually they put him on payroll, which was less a hiring decision than a containment strategy.

Stephanie has spent the last ten years leading short term mission teams throughout the US and Central America, but everything changed in 2019 when her church partnered with a HopeChest CarePoint in Uganda and she saw what two-way transformation really looks like. That CarePoint is now home to 300 children — and one of her favorite memories is a color run that left her, the team, and a whole field of kids happily unrecognizable under clouds of pink, blue, and yellow. A year ago, she joined HopeChest team and now serves as Director of Cultural Experiences.

Speaker bio coming soon.

Once skeptical of global missions and traditional aid, Orion's perspective was transformed through his own experience with Children's HopeChest. What began as a volunteer grew into serving as a HopeChest Partnership Leader and now Strategic Partnership Director, where he is passionate about helping others discover the same purpose and impact.

Stephanie has spent the last ten years leading short term mission teams throughout the US and Central America, but everything changed in 2019 when her church partnered with a HopeChest CarePoint in Uganda and she saw what two-way transformation really looks like. That CarePoint is now home to 300 children — and one of her favorite memories is a color run that left her, the team, and a whole field of kids happily unrecognizable under clouds of pink, blue, and yellow. A year ago, she joined HopeChest team and now serves as Director of Cultural Experiences.