The Heart for Africa Team
Ian Maxwell - Co-Founder and C.E.O.
Ian Maxwell works at Heart for Africa, a faith-based organization focusing on bringing hope to the people of Africa in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education. 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.
Janine Maxwell - Co-Founder
At the age of
24 Janine Maxwell founded what would become one of the most successful
marketing companies in Canada. For 16 years Janine led Onyx Marketing Group
boasting some of the most well known companies in North America.
On 9/11 she
found herself a part of thousands fleeing New York City. This life-changing
event sent Janine on a search for the meaning of life. Her journey took her to
Africa where she encountered the AIDS pandemic, hunger and disease. Janine was
stirred by the faces of children, mothers and grandmothers fighting daily for
their life. She turned from her boardroom savvy to be the voice sounding an
alarm for those too weak to cry for help.
Together Janine and her husband Ian co-founded Heart For Africa, a faith
based organization focusing on Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education in
Swaziland.
Janine is a
graduate of Evangel University. She is the author of two books, Is It Okay With You?
and It’s
Not Okay With Me. For more information about booking
Janine to speak at your event, please send an email to speaker@heartforafrica.org.
Read Janine's Full BioPress Release for Is It Okay With You?
Jimmy Wilferth - President
Jimmy lives in Cape Girardeau, MO where he was born and raised. He has been married to Chrisy for 20 years and has two children, Bo age 16 and Anne age 13. Second only to his love for the Lord, they rank at the top of his list! Jimmy came to Heart for Africa in 2011 from another not-for-profit ministry named Men at the Cross, where he served for 5-years as Vice President of National Operations. Prior to that, Jimmy served as the COO of a major Stihl power equipment distributorship in the US and as the President of United Oil Company. His full-time service with Heart for Africa began at the beginning of 2012. Jimmy has served in the short-term mission field since 1982 and is committed to the calling on his life to serve those who cannot serve themselves. Please contact Jimmy at jimmy@heartforafrica.org.
Tricia Ford – Assistant to Janine Maxwell
Tricia has worked with Heart for Africa since 2005, serving as assistant
to Janine Maxwell. In her tenure with Heart for Africa, she has had
the opportunity to travel to both Malawi and Swaziland. Considering it a
privilege to work with an organization committed to changing lives, she
looks forward to what God has in store for the future of HFA and the
work they are doing in Swaziland. Tricia lives in Schaefferstown,
Pennsylvania with her husband, Craig, and they have three grown
children.
Amber VanWinkle - Trip Coordinator
Amber
grew up with a heart for the nations and an appreciation for the many
amazing things God does as He unfolds His strategic plans for our
lives. God knows what we will do, where His path will take us, and He
uniquely prepares us along the way. Amber graduated with an education
degree in Middle School Math and Science from LaGrange College, and
taught middle school for four years. After teaching, she worked as the
Director of Children's Ministry at Auburn Church, a strategic partner of
North Point Community Church. God has continued to cultivate a passion
in Amber's heart for missions and children. Her first trip to Africa
was to serve at Litsemba 2010, and now she is living out her passion at
Heart for Africa. Amber lives in Cape Girardeau, MO with her husband, Kenny.
Strib Stribling - Director of Development
Strib began his fundraising career in 2004 with Camp
Highland, a high adventure camp in the North Georgia mountains. He enjoys building relationships and
working with donors, helping guide the passions God has placed on their
hearts. He had the privilege of
travelling to Swaziland in 2010, and loved the ministry and direction of Heart
for Africa. Strib is a native of Atlanta, and currently resides in Vinings with
his wife Jennifer and their four children Strib, Demi, Josie, and Win.
John McCarthy - Director of Finance
John lives in Chattanooga, TN with his wife of 20 years, Tracye, and their two sons, Calvin age 17 and Conner age 14. John joined the Heart for Africa team after a trip to Swaziland with his family in the summer of 2012. The McCarthy family was moved and inspired by the work that God was doing through the staff and volunteers in Swaziland. John has over 20 years of Accounting and Operational management experience in the business world. In addition he has extensive non-profit experience. He has served on boards of several nonprofit organizations as the Finance Chairman including Hickory Valley Christian Church, Hickory Valley Christian School, Tres Dias of Southeast Tennessee and Christway Community Church. He believes that God has provided him with all those opportunities to prepare him for this role at Heart for Africa.
Volunteer Staff
Norma Tibshirany – Travel Coordinator
Norma Tibshirany manages all airline bookings for our volunteers. A full time travel agent, Norma has been instrumental in ensuring that the hundreds of volunteers traveling to Africa each year have a seat going to Africa and coming home from Africa. Originally from South Africa, Norma lives in Alpharetta, GA.