Board of Directors
Elaine Ashby
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Elaine is President and owner of Lighthouse Hospice and Lighthouse Equipment Services based in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Her experience in hospice now spans more than 33 years. She has traveled and lectured at hospice programs, state and national conferences throughout the United States. She is a nationally recognized speaker on topics related to hospice care and planning, program management, and hospice staff development. Her expertise includes leading strategic planning processes, regulatory and survey practice issues, staff retreats and development, care in the nursing home, and professional management of hospice as a business.
Elaine is also a board member of Partners for Care, a US based organization that partners with Kenyan staff to educate, care for and support tribal Kenya and those who live in the slums. She is the sponsor for the Jewels in the Mountains Scholarship Fund at the University of KY – offered to MSW students who reside in eastern KY. She is an avid supporter of the arts in and around Atlanta.
Elaine holds degrees in social work from Morehead State University (BSW) and the University of Kentucky (MSW). She lives just outside Atlanta in Stone Mountain with her husband, Steve, and 19 year-old son, Bailey, a freshman at the University of Kentucky.
Bridgette Boylan
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As the owner of an Atlanta-based interior design firm, Bridgette’s primary objective has always been to provide a complete set of design services, which are based on sound advice and hands-on experience, while maintaining a strong level of integrity and exemplary customer service. When Bridgette is working with a client, they receive her individual attention, no mater the size or the scope of their project. Her proven leadership over 25 years in the industry has resulted in the creation of one of metro Atlanta’s most successful and respected interior design firms.
In addition to designing spaces, Bridgette’s other passion extends all the way around the world to Kenya, Africa. She is a board member and heavily involved in a nonprofit organization, Partners for Care, founded by a local Atlanta nurse and social worker whose work in East Africa is making a profound difference. It is Bridgette’s hope that by sharing her experiences there, knowledge and answers will lead to positive change in this part of the world.
Linda Grosskopf
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Linda resides in Northern Michigan with her husband and busy family. She is the Director of Development at a private school, where she also teaches high school Health and Psychology.
Linda holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Lake Superior State University. Prior to her current employment she worked as a registered nurse and parent educator at McLaren Northern Michigan Regional Hospital for 17 years. Her professional expertise was in Obstetrics, Childbirth and Parenting Education, Cardiology and Geriatrics. She homeschooled her three children for six years prior to enrolling them in school and not long after, added two South Korean long-term exchange students to her family.
Linda felt called to missions in Africa from the time she was a young girl. After sowing into faith-based ministries for over 20 years, God opened the door for her to serve in Kenya. While there, she met Connie Cheren, Founder and President of Partners for Care. In learning about the philosophy, integrity and work of this ministry, she realized it was the right fit for the call the Lord had put in her heart. Partners for Care believes in coming alongside the poor and equipping them according to their needs and assets, doing so through measures in health care, education, mentoring, and discipleship. Their goal is to be a vessel through which the fulfillment of God’s greatest desire for people’s lives can be fulfilled.
Linda serves state-side with Partners for Care, actively engaged as a board member. Whenever possible, she travels to serve alongside the Kenyan staff. Her greatest desire is to see the love and provision of God bring health, hope and sustainable solutions to the people of Kenya, transforming their lives through the work of the ministry.
David Gruber
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David Gruber is Vice President of Market Solutions with InComm, the premier provider of prepaid products, including prepaid wireless, calling cards, financial network debit cards, gift cards, music, content and gaming products.
In addition to his work with InComm, David is also co-founder of Partners for Care, a non-profit ministry serving in Kenya to provide hope and health by supporting local nurses, social workers and HIV/AIDS testing and counseling professionals. Partners for Care works through the local churches and leaders to encourage, empower, equip and enable Kenyan staff to serve in their communities and throughout Kenya, offering solutions for community health issues and preventable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and disease caused by unclean drinking water. Partners for Care has a passion to help Kenya create an HIV-free generation, and a heart especially for the children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2008, David partnered with Connie Cheren, a local nurse and social worker, to help build and finance Kathi’s House of Restoration, a ministry of Partners for Care. Kathi’s House is located in Maai Mahui, Kenya in the Great Rift Valley, and was built in honor of his late wife, Kathi, who had a passion for missions and a special way with children. Kathi’s House is a respite for widows and orphans, especially children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
David is an active board member of Partners for Care. He and his new wife Julie, live in Atlanta and have five adult children.
Mindy Miller
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Mindy is Director of Financial Reporting at HD Supply. She is a certified public accountant, specializing in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from the University of North Alabama and a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Alabama.
Mindy's heart was stirred toward Africa with her first trip to Kenya in 1997. In 2007, she met Connie Cheren and began volunteering as Partners For Care was in its infancy. She was drawn to the PFC philosophy of equipping, encouraging and empowering the people of Kenya and the wholistic view of addressing the physical, educational, and spiritual needs of those they serve. As a board member, Mindy has had an amazing view of how God moves among and through His willing servants.
Mindy's greatest passion is to see others experience the depth of God's goodness as they get to know Him through Scripture. She leads Bible studies in her home and at her church. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ryan Morris
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Ryan has extensive expertise in corporate/non-profit environments. He is currently the Director of Development with the Caridad Center, the largest free healthcare clinic of its kind in the state of Florida. The Caridad Center provides comprehensive health and dental services to the uninsured, working poor families of Palm Beach County, Florida.
However, Ryan’s heart is for the people of Africa. As an active board member and past Assistant Director with Partners for Care, Ryan has poured himself into serving the people of Kenya through a variety of programs, including children’s homes, AIDS prevention and awareness, and other health-related projects. He has helped direct organizational projects, including marketing, fundraising, and management of PFC’s Kenyan staff. He regularly interfaces with donors to build sustainable relationships with individuals, businesses, and churches to raise awareness and garner support for PFC’s programs on the ground in Kenya.
Ryan holds a Masters of Business Administration with a focus on international business and is an avid sportsman who enjoys golf and hunting. He and his wife Christa live in South Florida.
Chris and Gary Willis
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Gary and Cris Willis own Parsons Gift Stores in Cumming and Alpharetta, GA where they employ over 60 people. Parsons has been a family business for over 137 years and they are proud to be the ones carrying on the family business. Parsons has changed a lot over the years from a General Store selling feed & seed to a Home Décor & Ladies Accessories Gift store that also has a wonderful Christmas Shoppe. The key to Parsons success has been changing with the times, being flexible and always being open to new ideas.
Gary and Cris both graduated from UGA. Cris has used her Marketing degree to drive the Advertising & Marketing for the store. She also travels around the US buying merchandise for the store. Gary earned a degree in Finance and handles all of the corporate functions of the company. They both are members of a Christian business development group called C-12.
Having a child with diabetes, Gary and Cris have been highly involved in that cause. Cris worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for years leading support groups and putting on fundraising events. She also was the PTA President for years at her children’s school. After her youngest daughter graduated from school they took a trip to Kenya with Partners for Care and Cris was hooked. Gary served 6 years on the board for Camp Kudzu, the Georgia summer camp organization for children with diabetes. He has also held several administrative positions through the years with their church.
They are both thrilled to be board members of Partners for Care. They live in Dawsonville, GA and their two daughters, Ali & Kacey Willis are attending universities in Georgia and Virginia.
