T E A M

We have been blessed with an amazing team of people. Here’s your chance to meet our growing team!

Ethiopia

Alayu Tadesse – ET Director, Co-Founder

Alayu is one of the founders of Embracing Hope Ethiopia and serves as the Ethiopian Director.   With a long history in development circles, including World Vision’s micro-enterprise operations, Alayu brings a lot of experience in work among the poor.

Alayu provides oversight to all operations in Ethiopia as well as the Management Team for the organization.   Alayu’s heart for the poor is obvious as he continually is compelled for us to be able to serve more Mothers and Children – so that they might embrace hope in all areas of life.

Alayu originally grew up in Northern Ethiopia.  He holds a BA in Theology from Evangelical Theological College, an MA in Leadership from Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and an MA in Holistic Child Development also from Evangelical Theological College.  Alayu lives near to Kore’ with his wife Kidist and their son Amanuel who is 11 years old.

Our Team in Ethiopia has grown to over 50 employees who run the Day Care, School, Spiritual Ministries and other activities

 

 

US Based Team

Sarah Visser – Managing Director

Sarah joined EHE at the end of 2021. She is a lover of Jesus, other cultures, and those on the margins. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Wheaton College and has worked teaching ESL and volunteered with organizations serving immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers both in Brooklyn, NY and New Hampshire.

Sarah is excited to be a part of EHE and possesses a fervent desire for women to see themselves as image bearers of God, precious in His sight. Sarah and her husband have 3 children: 2 sons and a daughter. They adopted their sons from Ethiopia in 2008. It was at this time that they met our Ethiopian director, Alayu, his wife Kidist and the Shannon family. They kept in touch over the years and became EHE sponsors. Now Sarah and Alayu regularly communicate about the ever-changing needs on the ground in Ethiopia.

Judy Taylor – Administrator

Judy joined EH in 2013 as our Administrator and handles many of the office duties for EH on the US Side. She lives in New Holland, Pennsylvania with her husband John.

Judy holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood, Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy and Expressive Arts.

Judy and John have a two adult children and two grandchildren.

If you have administrative questions or would like more information, you can contact Judy at info@EmbracingHopeEthiopia.com

U.S. Embracing Hope Ethiopia Board of Directors

Dr. Kirsten Ditzler           Lancaster, PA

Jerry Shannon                Cincinnati, OH

Tymm Hoffman               Colorado Springs, CO

Dr. Jennifer Pascoe       Boise, ID

Rev. Mark Muthler      Pottstown, PA

Dr. Rachel Hohman       Hershey, PA