BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CALEB SPENCE
Board President

Caleb has been with Hawassa Hope since its founding. He first began supporting child care and education through Hawassa’s community sponsorship program. Later he traveled with Hawassa Hope to lead HIV and Malaria prevention training sessions, and had the opportunity to visit the child he had corresponded with through the sponsorship program. After a return visit he witnessed dramatic improvement in children’s lives and became even more committed to serve and advocate for Ethiopia.

Caleb lives in Virginia with his wife and six children and serves his local community through law enforcement.

 

CHARISA KNIGHT
Executive Director and Co-Founder

After seeing examples of injustice against women and children in Zambia, Charisa became convinced of God’s passion for justice and deep love for oppressed people. This pursuit led her to serve as a justice advocate with International Justice Mission from 2008-2014. She became a founding member of a nonprofit in Zambia that sought to educate and empower the poorest of poor people. She also founded a local chapter for The Forgotten Initiative, a ministry that engages churches to bring joy and purpose to foster care children, families, and workers.

After adopting her youngest son from Ethiopia in 2011, Charisa and her husband Greg committed themselves to work in Ethiopia. They founded Hawassa Hope in 2016 after being under another non profit for several years.

Charisa is the mother of five children. Her two youngest are adopted from Ethiopia. She lives with her family in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

 

“When Charisa speaks, people listen and feel inspired into action. Her messages and wisdom come from an honest and heartfelt place of deep faith, love and compassion for all humans…”

Allison Waddell- fellow adoptive mom and Oct 2013 Hawassa Hope Team

 

Carrie Covey
Board Treasurer

Carrie Covey joined Hawassa Hope’s board to offer her vast knowledge of development and fundraising to the program as well as relationship management expertise.  She has been involved in non profit work for many years.
She is a well respected in her local community and is known for her authentic faith and care for others. 
 
Carrie lives in Virginia with her husband Drew and their son Wyatt. 
 

Alison Hartman
Board Secretary

Alison brings to the board a passion for vulnerable families, a love for God’s Word, and a deep commitment to prayer for the people we serve and Hawassa Hope Programs. She is responsible for the weekly prayer newsletter that provides the focus and direction for the prayer of our supporters.  Alison has been on several trips with Hawassa Hope using her nursing skills and knowledge to provide child development training for the nurses on staff at Ajuuja and HIV education for our sponsored families.

Alison lives with her family in Ohio.

GREG KNIGHT
Co-Founder

Greg was led to advocate for the people of Ethiopia during the adoption process of his youngest son in 2011. After seeing the skill, integrity and resilience of community members and organizations in Hawassa, and understanding the impact that even modest financial support could make in people’s lives there, Greg and his wife Charisa began advocating for Ethiopia under another non profit. In 2016 they founded Hawassa Hope.

After a successful career in the corporate world in consumer packaged goods, Greg started a second career in domestic food banking in 2010 as a food sourcing specialist. Beginning in 2007 he served alongside Charisa as a Justice Advocate for International Justice Mission.

Greg lives with his wife in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is father to five children.

 

Nate Rippke 
Board Trustee

Nate Rippke (owner of Rippke Design)  brings a heart of compassion and a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Hawassa Hope board.  Nate and his wife, Ashley have adopted two children from Ethiopia and have been involved with Hawassa Hope from the early days. We are grateful for their family and their passion for giving back to Ethiopia.

Nate and his family call Iowa home-keeping busy with their family and engaging in their local community. 

 

Silvia Windley
Board Trustee

Silvia joins the Hawassa Hope board to offer her leadership and a longstanding heart for vulnerable people across the globe. Silvia has broad international experience that is helpful for our work in Ethiopia.

Silvia lives in Virginia with her husband, Josh and 3 children.

Jennifer Cline
Board Trustee

Jennifer joins the Hawassa Hope board to offer her broad range of experience. As a local realtor, her favorite program is the Building Hope Initiative. She loves to connect others with this program to join together to offer safe and protective housing to vulnerable families.

Jennifer lives in Virginia with her husband, Robbie.