Board of Directors

Leanne Wilkinson is the Canadian Chair, she lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband, Dave, and their two sweet kids, Anna (9) and Derrick (7). Leanne is proof that God can use any means to awaken ones heart for Africa.

An avid knitter, Leanne was told by a friend that there was an organization looking to collect 15,000 knit beanies (or toques, as we call them in Canada) for the orphans of Swaziland, Africa. So, Leanne and her sister Wendy immediately got busy knitting! Sixty-four hats later, they decided they would like to hand them out in person.

Both Leanne and her sister travelled to Swaziland in July 2010 to deliver the knit beanies and serve the wonderful people of Swaziland. During those 10 days, Leanne had a piece of her heart forever planted there among the people of Swaziland, and will continue to pray, speak out, raise awareness and financial support for this country and its vulnerable children through her involvement with Heart For Africa.

Ian Maxwell works at Heart for Africa. Ian’s vision for self-sustainable food security for all people is at the core of community transformation. Ian successfully unites and partners people from many nations to work together for comprehensive and lasting solutions.

Ian has a degree in economics from Bishops University in Lennoxville, Quebec and is the former vice-president of operations for Onyx Marketing Group in Toronto, Canada.

Ruth Noble is a United Church Minister currently serving at Thornhill United Church is team ministry. Ruth has been to Africa three times and plans

to return summer 2012. She was inspired to go to Africa after meeting Janine Maxwell before she and Ian created Heart for Africa. Janine’s words and enthusiasm so inspired Ruth that she asked Janine to speak at Aurora United Church in the Fall of 2007. From that visit Ruth signed up to go on her first trip to Swaziland in March 2008, then returned to Swaziland October of the same year. Ruth was able to take a small group of teens with her July 2010 and plans are in the works to bring a larger group the summer of 2012.

Derek Edwards is president and owner of 3K Consulting a recruiting and consulting firm located in Keswick Ont, 1 hour outside Toronto on Lake Simcoe. Derek is committed to excellence which is reflected in his company and his clients. Derek has been the owner of 3K Consulting since 2000.

Derek is very involved in his church, which is also a mission focused church. He first got the mission bug when the church sent a group to Africa in 2001 and subsequently every year after that. Being part of Heart for Africa, and looking forward to the plans that God has for the organization, is a very humbling experience. "I am great full that He would allow me to serve Him in this unique experience."

Derek and his wife Malee have 5 children, 3 girls 2 boys: Jadon (JJ) 2 years old, Morgan 4 years old, Ara 6 years old, Shea 8 years old, and Keely 10 years old.

Karen King an elementary special education teacher, is a wife and a mother of two grown children, and grandmother of three. She has traveled to Africa with Heart for Africa on three mission trips; Kenya (2007), Swaziland (2008), and Swaziland (2009). Karen has been a member of the Canadian Heart for Africa Board for the past three years. She attends St. Thomas Anglican Church in Brooklin, Ontario where she is actively involved in various outreach roles.

Each trip has allowed Karen to share basic necessities to children’s homes and the members of these, provided a hand in planting and offering love and encouragement to the women, and children she came in contact with. Karen has had the opportunity to travel with friends, family and on her own. During these times she has been blessed in numerous ways. She has been able to develop continuing relationships with others with similar interests, from participating on these trips. She encourages anyone who has ever considered taking part on a short term mission to take time to learn more about Heart for Africa and to sign up for an upcoming trip.

Bobby Ramjist is a Business Development Representative for Ash City Worldwide, a North American leader in the manufacturing and supply of promotional apparel.

Bobby first heard of Dream for Africa at the inauguration ceremony for Ian Maxwell by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson at Unionville Alliance Church in 2006. A “sender” he was happy to help others go; but this day he found himself saying yes to a trip to Swaziland. He has since returned to Africa twice, the last time in the company of his wife, Heather.

Bobby and Heather have two children, Michael and Taryn and reside in Town of Markham, just outside of Toronto.

George Easey is a retired Elementary Principal. After retiring from teaching, George took courses at Emmanuel College and he has been doing supply ministry in York Region and Muskoka.

George and his wife Carol now live in Ballantrae a small community north of Toronto. George is a member of Aurora United Church and he is very involved in the church's Outreach Program. In 2008, he went to Swaziland with Heart for Africa to work at a children's home and in June 2011, he will be returning to Africa to work at Project Canaan.

George and his Carol have 2 boys and 3 wonderful grandchildren.

Sandra Mann was introduced to the challenges faced by the people Swaziland, through Janine’s book; It’s Not Okay with Me. and from stories shared by family  who had traveled to Swaziland in 2009.  She made her first trip with Heart for Africa in the summer of 2010, and plans to return again. She is drawn to the sustainable business practices of the and believes that this is the way to help the people of Swaziland to create a lasting change in their country.
 
Sandra is currently employed with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority - Primary Health Care Program and is responsible for business operations and quality Improvement.

Sandra lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ray Stadnick is a retired educator who spent most of his career as an Elementary School Principal in North York, Toronto.  In addition, for over thirty years Ray was extensively involved in Teacher Education for qualified teachers in Ontario, primarily through summer and night School.  Most of the courses were conducted Internationally in countries throughout Europe and Asia and he was responsible for these courses and the Ontario teachers who were gaining additional qualifications for their records.  For two years Ray was also the Principal of the Lab School for the Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto.
 
Ray was introduced to Janine Maxwell through his Son-in-Law and pastor of the North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church where Janine made a presentation.  After hearing about Heart for Africa, he became interested in taking his grandson to Swaziland for his 13th birthday, feeling this would make a lasting, positive impression.  Ray and Colin went to Swaziland during the Summer of 2011 and it was a great adventure.
 
Ray and his wife Pat have two daughters and four grandchildren. Their eldest daughter Michelle has a daughter, Jessika (16), and a son, Colin (13).  Their younger daughter Cheryl-Anne has a daughter, Leanne (8), and a son, Matthew (4).  All live within 20 minutes, so life is great!
 
Ray and Pat have recently started to attend Cedarview Community Church in Newmarket.   He enjoys golfing and is a member of a small sing-along-band called the Pacemakers where he plays the banjo or guitar.
 
Ray is really looking forward to getting more involved with Heart for Africa and seeing where the Lord leads.