About the EBZEF Team
Linda O. Bowers, Executive Director
Linda is a retired Associate Professor of English from Willamette University where she taught Shakespeare, poetry, the literature of the Holy Grail, and courses in Japanese culture for over 20 years. As Executive Director of EBZEF she sees herself as a steward of her daughter Beth's vision of world peace and understanding. She is "mama" to over 300 Zambian daughters. Linda and Gerry live on a 25-acre farm south of Salem with Beth's flying Zambian cat Blake's successor, Keats, a young German shepherd named Sir Lancelot, a flock of peafowl, discus aquaria, and many wild birds, fish, and other woodland creatures.
Mr. Fordson Kafweku, Board of Directors
Fordson Kafweku is from Zambia with two decades of experience in development and humanitarian program management. He has worked with Plan International, World Vison International, ECHO, USAID, DFID, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, FAO Global Fund in Zambia, Malawi and South Sudan. Fordson has an MA in Organizational Leadership (Eastern University, USA), a BS in Tropical Agriculture (Larenstein International Agricultural College, Netherlands), and a University Diploma in Agricultural Engineering (University of Zambia/Natural Resources Development College). He holds post graduate qualification in Development Studies from University of South Africa, is a certified Grants Manager for USAID Government grants, and is a Certified Project Manager for Development (PMDPro). He has received Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP) training for executive leaders as well as Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). He is married to Prisca. They have three daughters: Womba, Nkisu and Lubuto.
Karen Chittick, Secretary, Executive/Library/Advisory-Fundraising Committee
Karen Chittick has served as Secretary of the EBZEF Board since 2007. She knew Beth and has supported EBZEF since its inception. Karen retired in December 2017 after working in the American Studies Program at Tokyo International University of America (TIUA) for 25 years. The best part of her job was getting to know the students. Karen has two grown children and two adorable grandsons. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, and home projects.
Dan Irvine, Global Director
Dan Irvine currently works as the Global Director of Health and Nutrition for World Vision International. His responsibilities include strategy development, operational management and capacity building for WV's health sector programming in over 65 countries. He also taught a graduate course in Development and Peace Operation for the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. With 20 years of international development experience, most of which was spent in Africa, Dan brings a multi-sector, community-development emphasis to his work. Dan was employed by Peace Corps and worked with Beth while she was a volunteer. He was instrumental in working with Linda and Gerry to define the EBZEF program to honor Beth's memory in a way to promote her vision for world peace and help those in the Lumwana West village that she loved.
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Gerard Bowers, Board of Directors
Gerard Bowers is a retired Professor of English from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he taught writing and literature for over 35 years. His academic focus is on modern and contemporary English and American poetry. Born and educated on the east coast, he earned his degrees from the City College of New York and Harvard University. In 1971 he married Linda, moved to Oregon, and raised two daughters--Jennifer and Elizabeth. Aside from his abiding commitment to EBZEF, Gerry's interests include fly fishing, running, gardening and landscaping, as well as studying tai chi, yoga, and Japanese/Chinese culture.
Kathy Ellis-Kelemen, Treasurer
Board member and EBZEF Treasurer Kathy Ellis-Kelemen is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Malaysia 1978-80) Kathy retired as CFO of her husband's financial planning firm in 2017. She has also served as Assistance League's National Director of Finance (2014-16), National Director of Technology (2016-17), and continues to be involved locally with Assistance League of Salem-Keizer. She is the Treasurer and Webmaster for the MidValley Travel Club. In 2011 Kathy and her husband Ron were honored as Salem's Distinguished Citizens, and their business, The H Group, Inc., received Salem Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year award. They have done service trips with Rotary International in Indonesia and India. Now fully retired, they are travelling as much as possible, exploring North America with their Airstream trailer, and exploring abroad with independent and group travel. Ron and Kathy have walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage three times and enjoy seeing the world by foot and bike whenever possible.
Advisory Board
Michal Wert, Executive/Finance Committees
Michal Wert is the sister of Linda Bowers and Beth's auntie. She has been a strong supporter of EBZEF from the beginning, helping to organize EBZEF as a non-profit business and providing on-going strategy and support for the program. Her son Eric is a realist artist and painted the EBZEF protea in honor of his cousin Beth. Michal has over 35 years' experience in environmental and public policy management. She is retired from her firm, MW Consulting, where she worked on Oregon public policy and transportation planning issues for over ten years.
Angela Wanak, Education Committee
Angela Wanak earned her JD and MBA at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, in May 2009. Angela joined EBZEF because she believes everyone should have the right to an education and a chance to pursue their dreams. Angela is living her dream as an inspirational singer and songwriter as well as the Music Director at Unity of Salem. She is a life-long learner, an enthusiastic gardner, a creative plant-based cook, and an advocate for the diversity of life and beauty on our planet. Angela is married to Jeremy and together they are raising two daughters who they hope will someday become women of wisdom, courage and compassion.
Bob Kister, Fundraising Committee
Bob has served EBZEF since 2009 as an ad hoc advisor, a research intern, Master of Ceremonies at Zambia Night events, and a Fundraising Committee member. His work background is in higher education administration and computer database management. He holds a degree from Marylhurst University in Organizational Communications, with concentrations in Public Relations and Professional Writing. He has a deep-seated interest in helping non-profits communicate more effectively, and brings expertise in research, website development, social media and strategic planning. Bob lives with his wife, Liesa, another long-time EBZEF volunteer, in a century-old farmhouse in Mt. Angel, Oregon.
Cassandra Farrin, THE PROTEA Designer
Cassandra has collaborated with Linda Bowers to design and edit THE PROTEA since 2008. An adoptive parent and US-UK Fulbright scholar, she values strengthening intercultural and interfaith relationships locally and globally, especially by sharing stories that change the way we see one another. She has handled book production for small and mid-sized independent publishers more than ten years. She currently serves as the Associate Publisher and Director of Marketing for Westar Institute and Polebridge Press.