Board of Directors

President: Ted Campbell

"I first traveled to Central America over 10 years ago at the urging of my Pastor, Leslie Penrose, who was helping me overcome spiritual abuse issues. I found a new kind of faith in the communities of Central America. Even though they had been ravaged by war and poverty, their spirits where rich and vibrant. And I found them warm and welcoming. I was deeply moved by their ability to persevere in spite of the absence of the basics of life…food, adequate housing, security. I gained more than I received those first several years. Later we found we needed a more constant, more mutual relationship and settled into a partnership of solidarity with a community in Nicaragua. This relationship continues to grow and I continue to learn more about myself with each visit among my Nicaraguan brothers and sisters. Even though most of their basic needs are unmet, their spirits are strong and their hope is contagious…so we continue this journey together."

Ted Campbell is trained in Clinical Social Work with a masters degree from the University of Oklahoma. After 18 years in private practice psychotherapy, he and his life partner of 25 years, moved to Florida where he now sells real estate. Ted continues to nurture his passion for justice in the world by serving as the President of JustHope's Board of Directors and continuing to accompany the people of Nicaragua.

Vice President: Kristi Frisbie

I first traveled to Nicaragua six years ago, and have gone every year since… not including 2009, although this year isn’t over yet. I was amazed by the people, and horrified by the conditions, not only for the humans, but the animals. This is a country that has so many issues, many because of the United States, although you don’t read about most of those in your history books. Standing there, overlooking the city of Managua, seeing the city dump community (literally, a community inside the city dump to scavenge for food), viewing Lake Managua (that is so polluted the people are afraid to even touch this natural water source because of a political mess our government dove into), and being bombarded by some of the thousands of street children trying to sell you a piece of grass that they made into a flower so that they can have something to eat, it is hard to imagine that anyone lives that way.
 
Yet, rarely do you see a people with that much hope and faith that they will survive, that things will get better, that there is a better plan for their lives. But they can’t do it alone. That is where JustHope steps in. They are the voice of the people in need. JustHope is the resource to make global partnerships a reality without creating a “Santa Claus” effect.
 
Kristi Frisbie was born and reared in Colorado, and moved to Missouri, where she finished high school. She returned to Colorado where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She received a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, and currently lives in Tulsa. Kristi founded H.O.P.E. –– Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc. –– and served as the Executive Director for 8½ years.  She is now an independent business consultant, mostly assisting start-up companies, including non-profits and 501(c)(3) applications. Kristi has been on the JustHope Board of Directors since its inception and is now holds the position of Treasurer. 

Secretary/Treasurer: Randy Leisey

"I love JustHope because of the partnering and fellowship with Nicaraguans who have to be entrepreneurial to make a living in their setting.  I value the vision and experiences I have received by working with JustHope."

Rev. Dr. Randy Leisey of Cody Wyoming is a retired UCC minister who has served churches in four regions of the US.  He was the pastor of the congregation that formed the first Covenant Partnership with Chacraseca -- United Church of the Valley in Murietta, CA.   Randy currently serves as part-time pastor of a congregation in Columbus, Montana; as Spiritual Counselor and Volunteer Coordinator at Spirit Mountain Hospice in Cody; and as Executive Director of FOAL (Friends of a Legacy) which helps the Bureau for Land Management care for Mustangs (wild horses) on a Horse Management Area east of Cody.

At Large: 

Patrick Nixon

"I am a pastor in Cheney, Kansas. I am married to Sally and we have two sons, both of which have said that someday they will learn Spanish and go to Nicaragua with me, not necessarily in that order.  I enjoy going to Nicaragua and getting to know people, whose lives are so different from my life.  The Nicaraguan people have shown me how little our things do to contribute to real joy.   I serve on Just Hope board because I believe in the mission.  Sustainable partnership is, in the long run, the only way to achieve real progress." 

Pat Nixon serves as the Pastor or Trinity United Church in Cheney, Kansas - who were the first Covenant Partners in Santa Emilia, Nicaragua.  He has traveled to Santa Emilia twice a year every year since 2007 and has developed deep and lasting relationships with the people of Santa Emilia -- especially the children who call him "Patricio!"

Margaret Lee 

 "I agreed to serve on the board for JustHope because it is one place where hope breathes.  It is tangible and has a human face.  I have witnessed the power of an unlikely partnership between Chacraseca, Nicaragua and Tulsa Oklahoma, one that has lived and grown.  JustHope helps me to remember that solidarity is its own reward - we are not alone."  

Margaret Lee is the Dean of Learning Assessment and Student Success Strategies at Tulsa Community College.  She earned an M.Div. from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa and a Th.D. from the Melbourne College of Divinity in Melbourne, Australia.  In addition to serving as an effective administrator and student advocate, Margaret is a biblical scholar and published author.   One of Margaret's special passions is hand spinning and weaving.  She is currently exploring ways that her love of weaving might intersect with JustHope's micro-credit program for women in Nicaragua.

Colin Smith- Coordinator 

Colin Smith is 63 years old and retired from a career in social work and business. His wife Becky and he have been married for 41 years, and have one daughter and two granddaughters, that are the love of their lives. Colin is a semi-professional photographer. focusing mostly on wildlife and landscapes, but he has also been motivated to capture in photographs the beautiful tapestry of life in Nicaragua.
 
"I became involved with JustHope through my friendship with the Rev. Leslie Penrose.  I have visited Nicaragua twice and cannot wait to return.  JustHope has given me an opportunity to express my yearning for peace and justice in the world, as there is hardly a more gentle and gracious people, who have least deserved the injustices they have experienced.  Most of all I am grateful for the insights my friends in Nicaragua have given me into my own life. They truly know that the way to happiness is to live in the day, and to count our riches not in material things, but in those we can truly call friends."

Connie Inglish

Connie Inglish has a degree in Sociology and an MBA.  Her work has been centered in higher education and with the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.  For 16 years, Connie worked in development/fundraising for the Oklahoma Christian Foundation, the Oklahoma Christian Retirement Community and Phillips Theological Seminary.  Currently, she is the director of employer services for the Pension Fund of the Christian Church. 

Connie is married to Bill Inglish, the minister at Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, OK.  Their daughter Angela lives in Kampala, Uganda and keeps them informed about the world outside the borders of the USA.

Allison Wolfe

My name is Allison Wolfe. I'm 19 years old and I am a sophomore at UC Berkeley, double majoring in Anthropology and Integrative Biology. I'm originally from Southern California, and that's where my church (United Church of the Valley) is located. I got involved in JustHope through my church and went with them on their first trip to Chacraseca in 2008. I have been on their annual summer trip ever since then (for a total of 4 trips). During our trips we build a house (the past few years we've built houses in the Las Lomas sector) and run a music camp at the Maryknoll School. I teach recorder to the children, while others teach handbells, singing, percussion, and (this past year) marimba. At the end of our week there we have a concert for all the parents, and then later in the afternoon a house warming party at the house site. Being involved with JustHope for these past 4 years has truly changed the way I look at the world.