OA’s staff in the USA are all volunteer and unpaid. We do this work solely to benefit those we serve. We are interested in building peace between nations by providing assistance to those who are most vulnerable– the orphans and widows.
Carl Gann, Co-Founder, President
Carl Gann is a co-founder of Orphans Africa with his wife, Michele Torrey, and friend, Liza de Guzman. He began donating his spare time in 2007 to help the orphans and widows in Tanzania. This resulted in the creation of Orphans Africa in 2007. Carl has a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Missouri and a Master’s degree in Religion from Graceland University. Carl continues his work as a rehabilitation counselor in the Tacoma and Seattle, Washington area. He is an ordained minister with Community of Christ.
Elizabeth (Liza) de Guzman, Co-Founder, Vice-President
At eleven years old, Liza moved from the Philippines to a small farm town in Iowa. She remembers the hard life living in a third world country and continues to support her relatives with necessities, funds, and tuition. From an early age, her family lectured Liza on the importance of an education. Liza graduated with a bachelor degree in nursing. She is currently working as a pediatric flight nurse for a medical air transport company in Seattle. Liza also received her Master in Pastoral Study from Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. She uses this degree volunteering as a congregational support minister. Her passions are traveling around the world and making a difference in the lives of people.
Michele Torrey, Co-Founder, Secretary-Treasurer
Michele Torrey is a co-founder of Orphans Africa, along with her husband Carl Gann and friend Liza de Guzman. Ever since she can remember, Michele has wanted to help the children of Africa. Having lived for ten years overseas and traveled to over thirty countries, Michele understands the challenges and rewards of working in partnership with other cultures. She is the author of twelve books for children and young adults, is a professional speaker and presenter, holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Washington, an M.A. in Religion from Graceland University, and is an ordained minister with Community of Christ.
David Skoor, OA Board Member
Dave joined the OA Board in September 2011 while on-site in Tanzania as an OA volunteer. It was Dave’s desire to venture “outside his comfort zone” and answer the heartfelt call to service beyond himself that led to both the trip to Tanzania and the acceptance of the board position. Dave has worked for the Boeing Company for 33 years and is employed as a Senior Operations Analyst. He and his wife Leslie live in Everett, Wa. with two greyhounds and one cat. They have three sons and three grandchilden with an addition of twins coming soon. Dave has a bachelors degree in Industrial Technology Education from the University of Washington and is an ordained minister with Community of Christ.
Leslie Ryan, OA Board Member
Leslie Ryan came to OA as a volunteer in September 2011. Her volunteering came after having a discussion with her 14-year-old son, Nicholas. Nick was upset that Leslie would not buy him yet another game. She responded by saying that he had no idea how lucky he was and that there were children in Africa that didn’t even have electricity. From that moment Leslie knew that she needed to educate Nick on how truly fortunate he was. Vowing to take Nick to Africa someday, Leslie went first to get an understanding of some of the difficulties that come with traveling to a third world country. Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon, and has worked in the nonprofit field for a number of years as a senior accountant.
Elizabeth Else, OA Coordinator
Elizabeth is a Canadian who has travelled extensively and lived and worked in three additional countries. With a Master’s in Education from Western Washington University and ESL training from the University of Cambridge, she has been involved with international education for 28 years. She is passionate about cross cultural experience, learning and teaching and trying to make the world a more equitable place. She has a daughter and two grandchildren and is an ordained minister in the Community of Christ.
Cindie Ellwanger, OA Benefit Chairperson
Cindie Ellwanger lives in Auburn, Washington. For sixteen years she has worked with special needs children in the public schools and also has her own business with Partylite candles. She is very involved with her church, Community of Christ, where she is the director of a program called Backpacks to Go, partnering with the local food bank supplying backpacks of food for elementary age children for the weekends. She has also had the pleasure of cooking for several camps and has been a family reunion director for five years. Cindie served as the auction procurement chairperson for the Feb. 2011 Orphans Africa benefit and looks forward to serving as the chair of the Benefit for 2012.
Ian Swenson, OA Webmaster
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