Who We Are The Serve to LEAD Team
The Serve to LEAD team shares a common vision for the transformational development of young people and communities. We are passionate about living our love for God and neighbor through our programs that develop heart and mind, shape world-view, build community, and engage worldwide to address critical global issues.
We are a team of educators, creators, community developers, business people, activists, and philanthropists who believe that demonstrating God’s love for all of creation through meaningful education and service across cultures brings people together and promotes our core values of Love, Equity, Altruism, and Dignity. We believe that only by addressing global poverty in a holistic way: personally, socially, and materially, can we truly create sustainable world change and meet the global goals.
What We Offer
Education
Increases understanding of global issues, fostering compassion and relationships across diverse cultures, practices, and beliefs.
Experience
Integrates knowledge and skills into action to address global challenges.
Personal Development
Heightens awareness of moral and ethical responsibilities to people and the planet.
Service
Bring together people from different cultures, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds to serve and learn together, addressing global poverty.
Who We Are
Meet Our Executive Director
Our Executive Director, Jessica Tripp, brings over 25 years of cross-cultural experience in education and global service. She’s spent 15 years in Christian Education and Missional Leadership with the United Methodist Church. She has worked on international development projects in regions like Haiti, Africa, South America, and South Asia. As the founder of Serve To LEAD, Jessica leads both local and global education programs and poverty alleviation initiatives, embodying our mission to address poverty through education and development. She holds a BA in Religion and Christian Education from LaGrange College and an MA in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College.
Meet our Programs Manager
Our Program Manager, Mary Lawson, has worked with Serve To LEAD since 2015, both locally and globally. She first began with Serve To LEAD in high school and volunteered with their World Changers Club. She traveled to Kaoma, Zambia, where she worked with community leaders to address their environmental and health issues, supported eye clinics, and made washable sanitary pads. During her last semester of college, Mary Lawson was Serve To LEAD's grant intern and led a healthy eating project where she created a community garden.
Mary Lawson is an Asheville local and a graduate of Appalachian State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a Concentration in Social Inequalities and a Minor in Social Work. She is certified in Ethical Leadership Development and continues educational development in non-profit management.
Mary Lawson is dedicated to implementing Serve To LEAD's core values of Love, Equity, Altruism, and Dignity in her daily life. She is an active community member who works on dismantling the academic achievement gap through after-school programming and will continue to meet our global goals to reduce world poverty.
Meet our Board of Directors
Jim Bowers: Chairperson
Jim Bowers, with a background in economics and finance, joined Serve To LEAD after working in investment banking and wealth management. He’s been an active participant in local youth programs and international service trips, particularly in the Dominican Republic. Jim believes in the transformative power of Serve To LEAD’s leadership and community-focused programs, emphasizing the unique impact the organization has both locally in Asheville and internationally.
Claire Hug: Secretary
Claire Hug, a graduate of Central Michigan University, specializes in Audiology and works in Clyde, NC. Passionate about community service, Claire has volunteered throughout her life, organizing food drives and delivering meals to the elderly. Her professional expertise and commitment to service align with our mission, bringing both care and technical skills to our efforts in the community.
Bradford D. Burlingham: Treasurer
Brad Burlingham, a CPA with a background in economics and business administration, has lived in Asheville for over 20 years. He’s led multiple humanitarian projects in the Dominican Republic, focusing on health, nutrition, and educational support. Brad's extensive nonprofit experience includes serving as Treasurer for various organizations, contributing his expertise to both local and international causes.
Lesli Hollowell
Lesli Hollowell, a long-time Asheville resident, has served in leadership roles at Central United Methodist Church and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She’s dedicated much of her life to mission work, participating in medical and construction missions in places like the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka. Lesli’s dedication to service in Asheville and beyond aligns deeply with our mission.
Patrick Jordan
Patrick Jordan, a former Managing Director at Wells Fargo and Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank, has a long history of financial expertise and community service. He’s been a friend of Serve To LEAD for years, valuing the organization’s unique approach to fighting poverty through education and leadership development. Patrick’s leadership in corporate banking complements his commitment to poverty alleviation efforts locally and globally.
Betsy Cunagin
Betsy Cunagin, a Senior Financial Advisor, moved to Asheville from Cape Town, South Africa. She has extensive experience in financial planning, including work with high-net-worth clients, and focuses on global service through programs like the one she ran at the American International School of Cape Town. Betsy’s expertise and her commitment to service make her a valuable asset to Serve To LEAD.
Kendall Wagner
Kendall Wagner, a music producer and songwriter, has been involved in service trips to the Dominican Republic and is deeply passionate about using music and art for advocacy. Through his work with Serve To LEAD, Kendall is inspired by the organization’s focus on empowering youth and creating a culture of leadership and change.
Sean Frabitore
Sean Frabitore, a Mechanical Engineering student at NC State, became involved with Serve To LEAD during a service trip to the Dominican Republic. Sean’s passion for missions and community leadership drives his involvement with the organization, where he hopes to use his engineering skills for local and international community development projects.
Melissa Wiggins
Melissa Wiggins, a recent graduate of Queen's University, has worked with Serve To LEAD since 2014. Through her experiences on service trips to the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka, Melissa was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. Her dedication to service and healthcare exemplifies the values of Serve To LEAD, both locally and globally.
Joey Abel
Joey is a Louisiana native that fell in love with WNC and moved here about 20 years ago. He graduated Louisiana State University with an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and a Masters degree in Social Work. He, his wife, and their two boys love to be outside any chance they get. Joey has worked in the nonprofit world since 2011 writing and managing grant programs and is currently the social worker at Given Highland Farms in Black Mountain. Joey served on the Warren Wilson School of Social Work advisory board, has volunteered at various area nonprofits, and is currently also serving on the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Serve to LEADs philosophy of building community through education and empowerment is something that Joey believes in and he's excited for the opportunity to support the mission in any way he can.
Meet our Global Leadership Team
Elinor Earle
Elinor Earle has directed Youthful HAND, an after-school program in Asheville, NC housing projects for over 25 years. She works tirelessly, devoting her energies to raising achievement levels of elementary-age BIPOC children. Respected across the generations, “Ms. Earle” uses her emphatic mothering and teaching talents to mold and encourage “her kids.” She spends her days in local schools advocating for underserved youth. She is no-nonsense and has only the highest expectations for her children. She expects them to achieve academically through vigorous practice and dedication and expects them to use their best manners. She supports them in homework completion, reviews essential skills necessary for classroom success, and mentors them by discussing their behavioral choices in and out of school. She takes every opportunity to expose her kids to artistic/cultural events and expand their worldview through experiential learning.
In addition to her work with young people, Elinor Earle volunteers tirelessly every election to get out the vote and increase awareness of the political process. A beloved community member, Ms. Earle has mentored and inspired across generations. Together, Youthful HAND and Serve To LEAD work to advance the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and families in Asheville.
Ambiorix Castillo Cina
Ambiorix Castillo Cina serves as President of Serve To LEAD Dominican Republic. He is a well-respected community leader, raised in Montellano, Puerto Plata, DR. Ambiorix is passionate about sustainable development and helping his community rise up. Ambiorix has been at the forefront of the Serve To LEAD DR community school program. This learning center provides schooling for vulnerable children who do not have access to schools during the global pandemic. Ambiorix organizes STLDR’s community programs in the village of Saman, providing management to infrastructure projects and business advice to STL’s income-generating initiatives.
Ambiorix is a 2019 graduate of Universidad Tecnologica de Santiago, where he studied law. His current law practice focuses on helping Haitian-Dominican community members gain their citizenship papers.
Marc Evens Nicoleau
Marc Evens Nicoleau serves as Vice President of Serve To LEAD Dominican Republic. Marc leads Serve To LEAD’s development projects in the Haitian Batey of Pancho Mateo in Montellano, Puerto Plata, DR, where he has lived since the age of three after immigrating from Haiti.
Marc is a Baccalaureate graduate from the Maria Teresa de Calcutta High School. He studied English at Creation English and has lengthy experience as a trained community health worker with Health Horizons International. Marc is a visionary with a passion for educating his community on global health while leading projects that improve vital infrastructure. Since the age of twelve, Marc has dedicated his life to helping others.
Tamara Isidore
Tamara Isidore is a native of Haiti. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She serves as president of New Earth Christian Ministries, Serve To LEAD’s Haiti partner. Tamara has been a member of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1991. She has served five churches in the Tampa Bay area since 1995. Currently, she serves as senior pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Bradenton, Florida. Among her many accomplishments, Tamara served as President of the United Methodist conference Haitian Committee on Ministry, Vice-President of the Haiti-Florida Covenant, and as a Justice for Our Neighbors host for seven years. She is a member of the Haitian League of Pastors of Tampa Bay, a member of the Gulf Central Leadership Council, and a member of the South Central District Board of Ordained Ministries.
Tamara is a graduate of Elim Bible Institute and College in New York. She obtained a Degree in Applied Science in Biblical and Theological Studies and a Minor in Christian Education in 1983. Tamara became licensed to teach by the Evangelical Teacher Training Association in 1984 in New York State. In 2011, she received a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Tamara is married to Jean-Robert Isidore, her high school sweetheart. They have seven children and six grandchildren. She feels blessed beyond measure to share the love of God with all people through the ministry of presence and service.
Dr. Rev. Ranjan Fernando
Ranjan serves as the founder and president of the United Christian Fellowship of Sri Lanka (UCFSL). UCFSL is an interdenominational ministry committed to expressing God’s love through church development, education, and humanitarian action to aid thousands across the country. In addition to leading UCFSL, Ranjan serves as the Founder Chairman of The Fuller Center for Housing in Sri Lanka. Working alongside Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity, Ranjan and Millard established The Fuller Center in 2006 to provide affordable housing to low-income earners.
Ranjan received his education from many institutions, including Bangarapath Bible College in Bangalore, India. His studies stirred a sense of urgency within his heart to work for peace in the world. He works towards the unity of the Christian church across denominations and alongside Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim leaders to build relationships and bring aid to vulnerable communities, including tea and rubber plantation laborers. UCFSL and Serve To LEAD work in partnership through community development to address the spiritual, social, and material dimensions of poverty.
Ranjan and his wife Agnes have two adult children and one grandchild. Their son lives in Cary, NC.
Building Strong Communities
Ethical leaders are the heart of strong communities. Motivated by love and respect for others, they value the unique talents and ideas of those around them, working collaboratively to achieve sustainable change and meet the global goals. Join us and help build a more just and caring world.