Staff
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Ruth Lapp Guengerich began her work as Co-Executive Director with Mennonite Women USA on May 1, 2011, focusing on Program and Administration. Prior to that she served as chair of the board for two years. |
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Rhoda Keener works as Co-Executive Director of Mennonite Women USA focusing on Development and Sister Care. From the fall of 2000-April 2011, she served as the Executive Director, a work which joyfully connected her with women across the United States and world. |
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Ruth's most recent employment was at Mennonite Mission Network as international personnel counselor and recruiter. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a clinical counselor in community mental health, college, and corporate settings where she has led workshops for women on self-esteem, stress management, grief and loss. Ruth and her husband Ron spent three years teaching English in Japan, where their two children were born. She currently lives in Goshen, Indiana and attends Silverwood Mennonite Church, where Ron is one of the pastors. Ruth takes care of herself by reading, playing golf, singing in choirs, and spending time with their adult children and eight grandchildren. |
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Rhoda’s background includes mental health counseling in a variety of settings including a Mennonite congregation, a medical center, and a domestic violence shelter. She taught English at Bethany Christian High School, Goshen, Indiana. Rhoda is the co-editor with Mary Swartley of She Has Done a Good Thing: Mennonite Women Leaders Tell Their Stories. She and her husband Bob live in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and are members of Marion Mennonite Church. They are parents of three adult children. To help stay balanced Rhoda swims, plays with her grandsons, and walks in the woods. See Rhoda's travel schedule to find out when she will be in your area. |
Contact Ruth. Contact Rhoda
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Timbrel Editor Claire DeBerg, Minneapolis, MN, is an active member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church and a graduate of Bethel University, St. Paul, MN and of the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA. She has extensive experience as project manager for numerous websites, as copywriter and copyeditor, and as a writing instructor at the University of Northern Iowa. She is a published writer of poetry and prose, and a musician as well.
DeBerg says: “All facets of Mennonite Women USA's mission inspire me, especially at this time of technological advancements in the midst of a long-established Anabaptist faith tradition. It begs the question: How do Mennonite Women USA publications maintain relevancy during exponential change in how we communicate via media? In particular, I am drawn to the notion of ‘…empowering women as we nurture our life in Christ through…hearing each other…’ I firmly believe Christ modeled the ultimate example of a ‘hearer’ when he listened to the people in his community and then continued the conversation by offering insights into the Kingdom of Heaven.” Contact Claire. |
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Executive assistant Berni Kaufman keeps the Mennonite Women USA office in Newton, Kansas running smoothly. Berni received her bachelor’s degree in education from Bethel College and taught five years in elementary grades. She attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. and has served in both the Mennonite church and Church of the Brethren.
In the fall of 2004 Berni came to work for MW USA combining her passion to educate with her love for the church. Berni is a resident of Moundridge, Kansas and also works at the Moundridge Public Library. She enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Contact Berni |
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Project/volunteer coordinator Lois Loflin also works from the Newton office. Lois is a graduate of Bethel College with a Master's Degree from Wichita State University. She taught high school English for 31 years. Before coming to MW USA, she edited the Western District Conference newsletters for three years and the South Central Conference newsletters for four years.
She and her husband James live in Halstead, KS, and are active in church and community activities. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their two children and four grandchildren. Contact Lois |
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