Our Board

Providence Ministries is a U.S. corporation, managed and operated by a joint U.S. and Kenyan Board of Directors.  The U.S. and Kenyan Board team members govern Providence Children’s Home to ensure fundraising, business strategy, budgets, policies and procedures all align with our Vision and Mission.    

The Board is comprised of individuals who are passionate about this ministry. They volunteer their time and resources to PCH and give freely of their time without compensation. Our board members are from many walks of life and professions bringing depth of experience and education for the PCH governance. Some board members have been involved from the beginning of PCH, while others have become involved through mission trips and interest.  

The PCH Board is a working board and currently has seventeen members, seven members on the ground in Kenya and ten U.S. members. The Board meets monthly online and the committees each meet monthly separately. The joint board meets in person at an annual retreat to review accomplishments, revise long term planning and plan for future needs.

Meet Our Board Members

Ruth Chepkosgei Ketyenya

I am a psychologist as well as a registered nurse in Nairobi, Kenya. I currently work as a health coordinator for the Methodist Church in Kenya. My association with Providence Children’s Ministry dates back to 2010. Larry and Bill requested that I assist in establishing a PCH clinic. I happily agreed and joined as a PCH Clinic committee member. I was moved by the fact that I was going to join a Christian organization dealing with orphaned and vulnerable children. In 2014, I joined the board as a member and in 2017 was appointed the chairperson for the Kenyan Board. I thanks God for the opportunity to serve in the Providence Children’s Ministry together with Kenya and USA board members.

Ann Crowell

My name is Ann Crowell and I have been a PCH board member since 2014. I live in Toledo, Ohio with my husband Jimmy and our two children, Grace (16) and Reed (13). I grew up in Southern California and graduated from Westmont College in 2001 with a degree in Religious Studies. While I have been a full time mom for the last 16 years, I also began working outside the home about 4 years ago as a Hospice Chaplain. My first trip to Providence Children’s Home was in 2012 with my dad, Rob. The trip was a source of great joy for me! So much so, that six years later my dad and I went back, this time with my husband and two children as well! My family now has a shared love for the girls and the ministry of PCH! I am grateful to serve alongside such a loving group of people, and trust that God will continue to guide PCH into the future.

DR. STEPHEN GITHUMBI

My name is Dr. Stephen Githumbi. I currently serve as the Executive Director at PCH and Joram G Academy, a position I have held since 2011. My wife and I returned to Kenya in 2011 after 20 years of study and teaching in the USA. I was also able to complete my PhD work in Ministry and served as an Associate Pastor while living and working in the U.S. My passion is working with the disadvantaged peoples in Kenya and the US. I am very passionate about issues of justice discrimination, racism and tribalism. Before moving to the US I was a senior manager with World Vision International. While working in the US I served as a minister in La Canada Presbyterian Church and KICC, a Kenyan Church based in San Bernardino. I am married to Hannah Kamau and God has blessed us with 4 children. We currently have four grandchildren.It's a privilege to serve God and to see our orphan children and the Joram G. Academy students.

Donna Heebner

I live in Claremont, California with my daughter. Most of my professional career was in the Defense/Aerospace industry as a Program Manager on major military contracts. I have a B.S. in Management from the U. of Utah and an Executive MBA from Peter Drucker School of Management . I have also been a church administrator and a General Manager of a small winery. I had always wanted to go on a mission trip and I had a dream to go to Africa. Through a chance remark by a friend, who was going on a mission trip to Africa, I was introduced to Bill. In 2016, my daughter and I went on our first mission trip to PCH. And fell in love - with the girls, with the staff, and with Africa. There is no doubt that God orchestrated that chance comment. I was asked to become a board member in 2017 and was humbled to be considered. I currently serve as the chair of the board and feel it is a blessing, a privilege and an honor to serve on the PCH board.

Stacy Howard

My name is Stacy Howard. I moved to Southern California to attend college and received a Master’s of Education from University of La Verne. I have been teaching for the last 10 years and have experience in both elementary and secondary education. During college, I learned about Providence Children’s Home and went on my first mission trip to Kenya in 2006. I was so touched by how well cared for and loved the children were. I continued to be involved with the PCH ministry through my church, La Verne Heights Presbyterian. On three subsequent mission trips to PCH I was instrumental in staff development for Joram GM Academy. I became a board member in 2019.

John Kanja

My passion for serving God began when I became born again in 1975, especially serving the Maasai in church planting and leadership training. My passion for students extended to reaching out to high school students in Maasai lands, conducting activities which included preparing bible study material, organizing weekend challenges and regional and national youth camps. I have served with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, choir master, worship leader, deacon, elder and president of a local church council. My passion for youth led me to Providence Children’s Home and joined the PCH board in 2017, but had participated earlier in PCH fundraisers. I hold a BA and MA in Communication Studies and am currently working on my PhD at the University of Nairobi. I am on faculty at St. Paul’s University as as Head of Department Communication 2011-2017.

Hannah N. Kamau

I was born and raised in the Central part of Kenya. My first assignment was teaching in rural Kenya. It was during this time that I met and married Dr. Stephen Githumbi. Stephen and I have been blessed with 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Our family moved to the United States for my husband to pursue further studies. During and after my studies in California, I was privileged to work in a Private Christian School for 3 years and for another eleven years with Pomona Unified School District. We relocated to Kenya in 2011 to help in the running of PCH. This was Joram’s dream before he passed on. Immediately upon return to Kenya, I immersed myself with what I knew to do best – taking care of young children. My main assignment was with running and managing the affairs of the Primary School, a job I still do. To me teaching is a vocation and I love doing what I do.

Samuel Kiarie Wairachu

I am a mechanical engineer and currently work as the area sales manager in charge of East Africa for MAN Energy Solutions, a German multinational company that produces large-bore engines and turbomachinery for marine and stationary applications. Previously, I worked with American companies; Cummins Inc. and the Chevron Corporation in different roles in their African operations. I am a Rotarian and a past president of Rotary Club of Westlands in Nairobi, Kenya. It was through the Rotary network that I came to know of Providence Children’s Home. I liked the ministry  PCH  is engaged in, i.e transforming the lives of vulnerable girls in Kenya,  as this is in line with Rotary work and projects. I joined the Kenyan board in  2017 and serve as the secretary and am a member of the facilities committee of the joint Kenya and USA board. I am married to Irene and we live in Nairobi.

Kelly Mahan

I am an architect in Austin Texas. I joined the PCH board in 2003, after being introduced to Providence Children’s Home while a graduate student at UT in Austin, Texas. Joram Githumbi served up a great cup of Kenyan tea during an informational event and sparked a desire to put my skills to work for the team. After visiting the home and campus in 2005 I helped develop an ever-evolving master plan. I feel blessed and thankful to witness the growth of many orphaned girls, previously in dire circumstances, to become women leading extraordinary lives today.

Roseanne Mbaya

I reside in Naivasha, Kenya. I work professionally in community development utilizing my Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees. My passion is to empower women and young girls with leadership and entrepreneurial skills in order to propel them to startup small businesses and embrace leadership roles in their communities. I served as the Humanitarian Relief and Church Development Administrator when I first heard about Providence Children’s Ministries. In October 2015 I was formally asked to join the board of directors. I continue to serve on the Board and on the Finance and Employee Relations committee. From Ceo Global I have received the Continental Lifetime Achiever Award in 2018-2019. I also work with The Rotary Foundation.

Regina Mule

My name is Regina Mule. I'm a Christian, born and raised in Kenya. I work for the Ministry of Health in Kenya, in the public health department. My work involves inspections of all foods, food sampling and water samples. I'm currently working for Kajiando Country Gvt. and live in Kiserian Kajiado County. I am a women leader in my church and our sub-region churches according to the structure of our church, Deliverance Church International. I am a champion of organizing prayers and women fellowship. I'm married and a mother of three children. I love with all my heart serving Providence Children’s Home. It's my favorite ministry for whom I pray for daily.

stan Pipkin

I have strived to live a life of service. As a board member for nearly 20 years with Providence, it has been most gratifying to be a part of a committed group of people directly serving the community of children and their caretakers in Kenya. Stateside, I have started and manage several businesses, currently, serving as an architect, solar designer and software designer. Pipkinc, Lighthouse Solar and Bodhi are the businesses whose communities complement and inform my participation with Providence. I also serve as a board member on Solar Austin, an Austin based advocacy and education focused non-profit, as well as the Architectural Solar Association, committed to integrating solar technologies into the architectural design practice nationally. It is my vision to continue to contribute through engaged and informed action.

Debby Summerlin

As a retired middle school theater teacher, I’ve always loved kids, especially middle school kids. After 33 years, I retired and went into the travel business. I’m a born and raised Texan and now live in Sugar Land, Texas. Providence Children’s Home started at my home church, Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, in the early 2000’s. From the beginning, I had a heart for the mission and for the girls. In 2011 I traveled to Providence Girls Home and met the girls in person for the first time. They sang for us and it was like hearing angels. In 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2021 I went back with small mission teams to work, teach, do projects and play with the girls. We also read and did projects with the younger kids at Joram G. I’ve always loved introducing the girls to things they’ve never eaten or done before. I love being a board member and look forward to serving for many years!

Nancy Thomas

I live in Sugar Land, Texas where Joram Guthumbi attended my church and had a dream about starting the mission of Providence in his homeland. He persuaded several mission minded people to consider making that dream become a reality. My first trip to Kenya was in 2008 with my daughter, Stacey. It was a double blessing to meet “our girls”with my girl. I was asked to join the board after that trip. It is an honor to serve God in this ministry and to develop relationships and friendships with both the U.S. and Kenyan members. God has never failed to provide what is needed in Kenya, so I believe He is pleased with this ministry and decisions by all board members working together. After 41 years, I retired from a career in insurance most of my time was spent in the Special investigations Department working to deter fraud. I also have a grown son, Ryan, but my joy these days comes from being a grandmother!