Kelly Ballard, Finance Specialist

Nikki Brown, Program Development Manager


Nikki guides program management in 15 countries including development, planning, monitoring and evaluation. She interacts with a wide range of non-governmental organizations and international partner agencies, as well as facilitating government grants. Nikki came to American Leprosy Missions from the agency world, where she worked with major corporations throughout the Southeast on public relations and marketing initiatives. She is a proud Hoosier but stayed in the South after graduating with a B.S. in marketing from Bob Jones University. Nikki is very active in her church and loves exploring the beauty of South Carolina with her friends and family. She also enjoys being the world's greatest aunt.

Rachel Cohee, Process Analysis Assistant

Beverly Elmore, Director of Finance


Beverly joined American Leprosy Missions 17 years ago. During this time, she has worked in all areas of the finance department. Beverly is responsible for all financial records as well as the cash management and operating budget. She also coordinates employee benefits including insurance, retirement plans, HSA accounts and workers' compensation. Beverly has a B.S. degree in financial management from Clemson University. She has a passion for people affected by leprosy and has enjoyed the opportunities to visit projects overseas.

Gary Fischer, Chief Development Officer

Gary leads and oversees the development team, sharing his expertise in non-profits, fundraising, communications, marketing and organizational management. He came to American Leprosy Missions with 30 years of experience from both the private sector and non-profit worlds,including Douglas Shaw & Associates, Questscope, the Alzheimer’s Association and Prison Fellowship. He earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and previously lived in Naperville, Illinois. Gary and his wife enjoy walking in Greenville’s parks and exploring hiking trails in the mountains.

Mary Jo Geyer, PT, Ph.D., C.Ped., Technical Consultant

Dr. Geyer directs the Legs to Stand On program at American Leprosy Missions which aims to improve limb care, preserve mobility and prevent disability in limited-resource environments. She has taught and practiced for many years as a physical therapist, pedorthist and board-certified specialist in wound and lymphedema management. For many years, Dr. Geyer was co-director of one of the first outpatient cardiovascular rehabilitation services in the U.S. Known for her national and international work in wound and lymphedema care, she promotes standardized practice guidelines and has conducted training programs in India, Mali and Ghana. Dr. Geyer earned her master’s degree in exercise science from Slippery Rock University and her doctorate in rehabilitation science from the University of Pittsburgh. She resides in Jensen Beach, Florida with her husband and two red, long-haired dachshunds.

Karen Gordon, PHR, Executive and Human Resources Administrator


Karen handles human resources, but spends the majority of her time working on special projects and assisting the president and CEO. Karen has more than 20 years of experience in the human resources and legal fields. She holds a B.A. in political studies and a post-graduate certificate in paralegal studies, both from Meredith College in North Carolina. Karen is a certified Professional in Human Resources.

Liz Griffith, Artist Program Manager

Will Hall, Data Assistant - Process and Analysis

Will provides data and gift processing support to the development team. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a B.S. degree in business administration.  After college, Will returned to the Greenville area where he grew up, and began his career in the field of transportation and logistics. His passion for public service later led him to positions with The American Red Cross and The Blood Connection. In his free time, Will enjoys reading and outdoor activities.

Larae Harvey, Development Process and 
Analysis Manager

Rose Herrle, Receptionist/Correspondence Coordinator

Sarah Hesshaus, M.A., Communications Manager


Sarah manages marketing, public relations and communications strategy. She seeks to raise the profile of American Leprosy Missions and to inspire people to support its mission. From an international healthcare consulting firm to a science museum and several construction management companies, Sarah has successfully promoted both for-profit and non-profit organizations for more than 12 years. She has a B.A. from Calvin College and a M.A. in French from Middlebury College. After growing up in Boston, Sarah appreciates the fabulous climate of upstate South Carolina and is still shocked that she can plant vegetables in early March.

Christina Miller-Colton, Senior Donor Relationship Officer


Christina is responsible for fostering relationships with major donors and producing high-impact events. She has traveled to both India and Nepal to see projects firsthand. Prior to joining American Leprosy Missions, Christina worked in Washington, D.C. as a fundraiser and event planner for a host of non-profits, associations, corporate clients and political candidates. Additionally, she has experience working in the U.S. House of Representatives and for a national news organization. Christina has a B.A. in political science from Trinity University. When she is not busy being a control freak, Christina enjoys traveling, volunteering and gardening.

Jim Oehrig, M.A., Chief Program Officer

Jim oversees the selection, monitoring and evaluation of our partners, programs and projects in 15 countries as well as inter-organizational coordination, member care of field staff, and cooperation with the development and finance teams. He graduated from Houghton College with a B.A. and received a M.A. in Latin American studies / international development from the University of Connecticut. Jim also did post-graduate work at the Centre for Development Studies at the University of Wales, Swansea. Before joining American Leprosy Missions, Jim and his wife were World Relief staff members in Honduras and Guatemala; from 1993 to 2005 they served with MAP International from the Latin America Regional Office in Quito, Ecuador. After repeated tries, he has still failed to qualify for American Idol.

Julia Quast, Fundraising Coordinator


Julia provides support to the development department. She joins American Leprosy Missions after moving south to Greenville from Wisconsin. She has a B.A. in psychology from Trinity Christian College and is certified in non-profit marketing. Julia is an enthusiastic Green Bay Packer fan who enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her golden retrievers, Charlie and Lucy.

Darren Schaupp, Director of Program Operations

Darren provides strategic oversight of day-to-day operations and management of projects around the world. Previously he led Samaritan’s Purse's work in Ethiopia, orchestrated emergency famine relief in East Africa and developed global field management guidelines. His non-profit experience also includes six years in Kenya as a Program Director and Regional Networker for Eastern Mennonite Missions. Darren has an undergraduate degree from Southern Wesleyan University, received a M.A. in cross-cultural studies from Asbury Theological Seminary and has done post-graduate work in organizational development. Between living and working overseas, and raising teenagers, his favorite phrase has become: “What could possibly go wrong?”

Bekah Schwanbeck, Assistant Manager, Donor Relationships

Linda Sholtis, Grants Manager

Bill Simmons, President and CEO


Bill is passionate about the mission of American Leprosy Missions. He sets the pace of the organization, helping to maximize the team's potential. He brings more than twenty years of management experience to his role having served as President and CEO of two nationwide, Christian, retail chains. Born in Tennessee, Bill spent his teenage years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire), where his parents were missionaries. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in political science. Bill has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations. An avid cyclist, he attacks hills -- and leprosy -- with the same passion and determination.

Barkley Sippel, Donor Relationship Officer