Who We Are / Board & Staff
Get to know
the team
Across our board of directors and staff, we bring together valuable expertise and talents to drive the mission forward. To contact a member of our staff, call (660)-225-0810 or email us at info@lbt.org.
Board of Directors
- Board of Directors
Marlis Norton
ChairPreviously worked in Information Technology project management in the marketing and media arenas; retired and serving in numerous capacities at church and elsewhere.
- Board of Directors
Dr. Johnnie Driessner
Vice ChairDoctoral Faculty and Dissertation Chair (Part-Time), University of Phoenix; previously served in a variety of faculty and administrative posts at Concordia University Portland, including Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, and Interim President; previously deployed to the Concordia University Educational Network (CUEnet) as Director of Academic Programming.
- Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Wayne Braun
SecretaryAfter 38 years in full-time pastoral ministry, including time as a missionary in Germany, Dr. Braun has retired to Denton, TX.
- Board of Directors
Ed Lamb
TreasurerRetired IT Executive. Currently an Executive Advisor/Life Coach and Owner of Fruitful Connections. Board Secretary at Christ Greenfield Church in Gilbert, AZ.
- Board of Directors
Deaconess Sonja Baumeister
Board MemberProgram Coordinator for Mission Training Center which helps lay leaders learn to engage in God’s mission in their own communities.
- Board of Directors
Robin Domeier
Board MemberOwner and operator of Nibbles Personal Chef and an associate with Project Outpour, a mobile-shower service for the homeless.; former journalist, and a student with the Lutheran Diaconal Association.
- Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Peter Meier
Board MemberServes the Florida-Georgia District, LCMS, as Executive Director of Missions and Outreach. Prior to the FLGA District, Peter served as Executive Director of the Center for United States Missions, Concordia University Irvine from 2013 to 2019. He is a Senior Master Trainer for Dynamic Church Planting International, Oceanside, CA. Peter is a Director on the Mission Haiti Board and serves as Chairman of the Board of Project Video, which proclaims the Gospel through locally produced video in Southeast Asia. Peter served the Minnesota South District, LCMS, as Executive Assistant to the President (2005-2006), and Assistant to the President for Missions (2005-2013). He served as Senior Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church and School in Mayer, MN from 1982-2005.
- Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller
Board MemberNow retired, served as the Executive Director of the Center for Applied Lutheran Leadership and Director of the Mission Training Center, Concordia University, Portland; Regional Director – Africa and Evangelistic Missionary in Liberia for LCMS World Mission; and full professor teaching mission and outreach courses at Concordia in St. Paul, MN and Portland, OR. He is the secretary for the North American Mission Executives group.
- Board of Directors
Nickie Wilson
Board MemberUSAF Lieutenant Colonel, retired; varied international and domestic mission experience.
International Offices Staff
- Executive
Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo
Associate Executive Director- Field Programs
Paul Federwitz
Director for Field Programs- Marketing
Seth Hinz
Director for Brand + Marketing- Development
Alyssa Petty
Director for Development- Operations
Angela Tayloe
Director of Operations + CFO- Marketing
Jessica Albers
Social Media + Content Coordinator- Operations
Charlotte Brandt
Gift Records Coordinator- Field Programs
Sarah Esala
Regional Director | Southern & East Africa + Pacific- Member Care
Ali Federwitz
Member Care Coordinator- Field Programs
Rev. David Federwitz
Regional Director | West Africa- Member Care
Valerie Federwitz
Nutrition & Wellness Consultant- Field Programs
Katie Hogan
Program Data Coordinator- Operations
Calvin Inman
IT Coordinator- Marketing
Jill Inman
Marketing Assistant- Operations
Matt Kistler
Senior Measurement & Evaluation Analyst- Operations
Kathy Knipmeyer
Gift Records- Executive
Jennifer Kunkel
Executive Assistant- Operations
Stephanie Luetjen
Accounting Assistant- Development
- ·
- Field Programs
Andrea Mitchell
Administrative Assistant- Field Programs
Janine Pluger
Ethiopia Programs Data Coordinator- Marketing
Molly Poppe
Creative Content Writer- Marketing
Sarah Rudowske
Creative Coordinator- Operations
Melissa Schweigert
Human Resources Manager- Development
Audrey Seider
Systems Support Assistant- Operations
Eshinee Veith
Innovation Manager
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