BOARD MEMBERS

Special Hope Network is governed by a Board of Directors who oversee all aspects of the organization’s vision and its implementation, both in the US and in Zambia. Our board members bring a diverse set of skills, gifts, and experience but share a common passion for Jesus and enthusiasm to love orphans and vulnerable children with intellectual disabilities.

As Special Hope Network continues to grow as an organization, we prioritize excellence in every area of our work. Therefore, we also brought together a group of various talented support professionals to form our Advisory Council. Special Hope looks to these individuals to provide specific expertise to SHN staff and Board of Directors.

U.S. Board of Directors

Min Kim | Board Chair

Min Kim is a CPA with extensive humanitarian experience, having traveled to many remote parts of the world to serve God’s children. Min was drawn to Special Hope because of its mission to improve the lives of children and their families who have limited access to proper support and help. She currently serves as Chief Audit Executive for the Global Assurance and Advisory Group at World Vision International, where she supports the organization’s mission through governance and accountability. At home, she is a busy mother of two children and married to Mathew. They reside in Long Island, New York.

Elizabeth DeWitt, Ed.D.

Elizabeth DeWitt is a Curriculum Designer and Implementation Specialist, a former Get Set for School Complete Pre-K Curriculum Designer and Curriculum Specialist, Content Advisor to the Handwriting Without Tears NEW edition of Cursive Kickoff for 2nd grade, a national early childhood consultant, keynote speaker and early childhood conference presenter with experience in teaching educators and children beginning in 2001. Before joining Learning Without Tears, she was an inner-city public school inclusion preschool teacher. She has presented educational material on developmentally appropriate practices at many educational conferences across the country including: the Texas Region 13 Education Service Center Summer Preschool Conference, the Chicago Metro A.E.Y.C.’s Opening Minds Conference, the Lake County IL Pre-K for All Conference, and the Alabama Preschool Conference. Dr. DeWitt earned her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Leadership. She earned her Master of Education degree from the University of South Alabama in Early Childhood Special Education, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Collaborative Teaching K-6 with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education where she later served as an adjunct professor in the College of Education.

Rebecca Lamendola Fry, M.Ed., NBCT, BCCS

Rebecca Lamendola Fry has been a special education teacher since 2000, a life skills coordinator, and has spent the majority of her life passionately engaged in the work of serving children with disabilities and their families. She has served as a special education state trainer and independent consultant for school districts since 2010. Rebecca has traveled to Zambia for extended periods of time to donate her incredible energy and organizational skills to our annual Night to Shine prom for young adults with intellectual disabilities. When she visits, her love for fitness inspires our team to exercise with her daily!

Brandon Harkless

Brandon Harkless has a driving passion to take care of those who are neglected and overlooked. He fell in love with what Special Hope was doing in Zambia and has been a longstanding partner with Special Hope in advancing the Gospel through their work with children, and families of children with special needs. His goal is that everyone that Special Hope has the privilege of serving feels loved, valued and genuinely cared for. Brandon graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Finance and owns multiple technology companies. He lives in Kirkland Washington.

Grace Murphy

Grace Murphy is an attorney whose work is rooted in her commitment to Christ. With more than twenty years of legal experience—including fourteen years as Senior Associate General Counsel at World Vision, Inc. (U.S.) —she has helped organizations achieve their missions and navigate governance, compliance, legal, and operational risk. Her career also includes practicing as an associate in Food and Drug regulatory law at K&L Gates LLP and founding her own practice, Grace Murphy PLLC, advising faith‑based, humanitarian, and other non-profit and for-profit corporations. Grace holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a B.S. in Biology from Stanford University.

Her deepest passion is advocating for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a mother to a daughter with special needs, she brings firsthand understanding of the challenges families face and a steadfast belief in the God‑given dignity and beauty of every child. Grace lives in Virginia, and her happiest times are spent with her husband, three daughters, and greater extended family cooking and eating. She is honored to support Special Hope Network’s mission to help children with special needs thrive in environments of love, belonging, and hope.

Eline Nelson

Bio coming soon.

Steven Philbrook

Born and raised on the coast of Maine, Steven has spent his life close to the place where he grew up. At 16, his life was forever changed when he responded to Christ’s call. He went on to study English and biblical studies at Gordon College, where he formed lifelong friendships with Eric and Holly. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Amy, the couple settled on Little Cranberry Island, where she has taught for over three decades and he has worked in the lobster industry while raising their four sons—three of whom are now lobstermen themselves.

Faith, family, and community remain at the center of his life. An active lay leader in his church, he also enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and surfing with his family, as well as time with his grandchildren. He and Amy have supported Special Hope Network for 15 years, inspired by Eric and Holly’s passion and sacrifice for children with intellectual disabilities. After experiencing SHN’s 15th anniversary celebration in Zambia, he was deeply moved and is honored to join the board, eager to support SHN’s mission to serve “the least of these” in whatever way he can.

Patti Picardi

Patti serves as Director of Missions at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT. She is passionate about forging ministry partnerships both locally and globally, creating opportunities for outside voices to challenge American perspectives, and leading her congregation into meaningful engagement through philanthropy, international service trips, and creative gift-giving initiatives. With theological training, editorial experience, and nonprofit management expertise, Patti brings both strategic vision and attention to detail—able to strengthen governance, refine programs for impact, and connect collaborators in ways that extend God’s kingdom.

Patti deeply resonates with Special Hope Network’s mission of loving and equipping children with intellectual disabilities in ways that affirm their God-given value and purpose. She holds a BA in International Relations from Bucknell University and an MA in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Outside of her ministry, Patti loves to sing, sail, and sculpt, and delights in time with her sons—Owen, an architect, and Jaspar, a dancer and filmmaker. She also enjoys walking holidays, exploring unusual destinations, vegetarian cooking, and holding hands.

Dr. Rebecca Scharf

Dr. Rebecca Scharf is a neurodevelopmental pediatrician who has the wonderful privilege of caring for children with special medical needs. She sees patients at University of Virginia Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Neuromuscular, Myelomeningocele, Cerebral Palsy, and Neurocardiac Clinics, as well as the International Child Development Clinic. She teaches child development, global health and epidemiology at UVA Medical School, and does research on early childhood malnutrition and developmental stimulation around the world. She is grateful for organizations like Special Hope, who advocate for the world’s most vulnerable children.

Zambian Board of Directors

Ntazana Kaulule

Ntazana Kaulule is an experienced economist and legal practitioner with experience in the financial services sector, academia, independent consultancy, and currently as an Associate Advocate at a local law firm. He enjoys having the opportunity to give back to his community by serving on the SHN Board. Ntazana especially enjoys spending time with his wife, Mwitti, and their beautiful daughter. He also loves to read, travel, and both play and watch sports.

Annalena Musonda

Annalena Musonda received her Master of Science in Human Resources Management from the University of Zambia. She eagerly became an SHN board member to support children with disabilities and their families. As an HR practitioner, she missed getting to work directly with children, but through SHN she feels she is able to support children in a fulfilling way.

Mutinta Mupela

Mutinta Mupela graduated from the college of nursing and midwifery at Lusaka University. She is a registered operating theatre nurse. Mutinta adopted a passion for children with disabilities after giving birth to her own child with Crouzon Syndrome. She spent many hours in the hospital receiving care for her child, and frequently met other parents of children with disabilities. She learned about Special Hope Network and was compelled to serve as a board member. Mutinta is married with 4 children and enjoys cooking and reading.

Chalwe Nyirenda

Chalwe Nyirenda received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Development Studies. She currently works as a Tearfund Advocacy and Policy Advisor for Southern and Eastern Africa. Chalwe enjoys serving on the SHN Board because it gives her the opportunity to support children with disabilities who are bearers of God’s image like everyone else. She knows these children are often discriminated against in a society that does not reasonably accommodate them. Chalwe has over 6 years experience as a Disability Equality Trainer, and also received her Project Management Certificate from the University of London. Chalwe is a lifelong learner!

Joseph Kakoma

Provides financial oversight for Family Legacy Mission Zambia, ensuring sound financial management, accountability, and compliance with organizational policies while supporting the financial sustainability of programs serving vulnerable children and families.