Our Team
Donna Young
Founder and President
A former public school teacher of 33 years, Donna is the founder and President of Hope Rising Hearts Across Africa. Donna spent 18 months as a missionary in Africa for her church working with and serving hundreds of young adults from many African countries. As she listened to the stories of these young Africans and learned of their strength in often formidable circumstances, she developed a deep love and appreciation for this people, their fortitude and their culture. Through this organization, she is striving to help deserving individuals gain the skills and education that will help them achieve their dreams of sustainable employment.
Cameo White
Director and Fundraising Coordinator
An event organizer at heart, Cameo White shares with us her passion for spearheading both large and small special events and participation in service-oriented projects. For the past 10 years, she has served as a Wish Granter for the Make A Wish Foundation and now adds her enthusiasm and organizational skills as a Director and Fundraiser Coordinator for Hope Rising Hearts Across Africa.
Cherie Sorenson
Director and Treasurer
Cherie Sorensen has spent the last 30 years as a public elementary school teacher. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and in 2023 became acquainted with the people and cultures of several African countries. She serves as a Director and Treasurer for the organization and adds her years of experience and dedication to both public and private service.
Jeanette Johnson
Secretary
Jeanette is the mother of 5 children and 15 grandchildren. She has served 22 years as a volunteer in school, church and in her community. Some of those positions include Boys and Girls Club leader, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout leader, PTA and other school committees. She brings to the organization a heart as big as the world.
Don and Linda James
Directors
Don and Linda have 5 children and 21 grandchildren. Linda taught in the public schools for 30 years and Don worked for maintenance and welfare for his church and helped start what has become the Service Missionary Program. Together they served 3 missions, one in a Spanish speaking congregation, a second for 18 months in West Africa and a third in Denver where they worked with African refugees and immigrants.
Rispah Otieno
Local Coordinator
Rispah is a dynamic individual whose roots trace back to the beautiful country of Kenya. She believes in the power of education and its ability to transform lives. Rispah seeks opportunities to engage in mentoring individuals, especially young women, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams fearlessly. She is striving to make a long-lasting impact in her community in hopes that lives will be changed.
Nana Akosua Boatemma Ocansey
African Coordinator
Boatemaa is our Africa Coordinator from Accra, Ghana. She is married to a loving husband and has 2 adorable daughters. Boatemma has worked for 10 years as a Physiotherapist having also earned a MPhil in Human Anatomy which combines her interests in academia and healthcare. Passionate about healthcare and the well- being of people, she believes that accessible education can change the world and hasten the Lord’s work. Boatemaa is happy to be a part of the Hope Rising Hearts Across Africa team!
Patty Schmuhl
Technology Advisor
Patty is currently the data manager for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program located in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah. She has been involved in programming, web development, data visualization, and data management for almost 30 years. She was co-owner of Rimrock Interactive Media for a decade and has taught classes on web development and multimedia as an adjunct professor at the Salt Lake Community College. She has volunteered time for other non-profit organizations such as Communities for Decency, Camp Kostopulos, and the Foundations of Liberty.
Join us in supporting our mission by contacting us or click the link below for monetary contributions.
Hope Rising Hearts Across Africa 