Two Organizations, One Mission: to share challenges, solutions and resources to equip people to lift themselves from extreme poverty. VIP and its Board of Trustees are responsible for all U.S. operations, partner development, fundraising, and strategic planning collaboratively with Villages in Partnership International, a separate NGO headquartered in Zomba, Malawi, who along with its own Board oversees program operations in Malawi, partner development in Malawi, and adherence to government regulations and procedures.
Melton Luhanga
Chairman of the VIP Int'l Board
Melton Richard Luhanga is the Executive Director of a locally-based organization in Malawi, Churches Action in Relief and Development. Luhanga is also chair of the Membership and Nominations Committee for ACT Alliance, a globally funded body with about 140 agencies working in over 100 countries doing development, humanitarian, and advocacy work. He holds a Masters of Arts […]
Gillian Kachikondo
Treasurer
Gillian Kachikondo graduated from the University of Malawi with a Bachelor of Accounting in 2000. Since then, she has worked in fund management, audit, finance and operations for over 20 years. Currently, she works as the CEO for Continental Asset Management. She has also served on several governance committees, including chair of the board for […]
Liz Heinzel-Nelson
Executive Director
Liz received her BA in Psychology from LaSalle University and MS in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a mother of four, an entrepreneur and a visionary leader. Her expertise is start-up ministries and mission enterprises. She has been a stay-at-home mom, classroom teacher, consultant to classroom teachers, community developer, youth ministry director, […]
Lucy Goeke
Class of 2023
Lucy has worked as a nurse and a Nurse Practitioner for the past 36 years and currently works at Xavier University and as a home care nurse practitioner. She became interested in VIP 9 years ago after listening to the passion Liz and Stephen have for Malawi. Lucy is Liz’s younger sister, a mother to […]
Steven Mauluka
Class of 2023
Steven Mauluka has worked in airfreight for over 37 years, currently performing as Director of Operations with Air Cargo Malawi. With many years heading a division of over 50 staff, including 6 departmental managers, Steven brings to the board of VIP a wealth of experience in administration and project management. He initially joined the international board of VIP in […]
Jonathan Thorneycroft
Class of 2023
Jonathan is an early career development consultant with 5 years’ experience in project management and community engagement in southern Africa. He applies logical and creative thinking to his work with a meticulous and task-driven approach. As an introduction to his professional career, Jonathan’s workstream has focused on projects seeking win-win outcomes for people and conservation through […]
Bob Rhoad
Class of 2023
Bob is an ordained Elder in the Allentown Presbyterian Church in New Jersey, and a partner in the international law firm Dechert LLP, specializing in intellectual property litigation. Born and raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, he is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Harvard Law School. He and his wife, Audrey, […]
