Our Board

Directors

Elaine Griswold

Executive Director, Real partners Uganda and Board Co-Chair, Tree of Life Ministries-Uganda

Dana W Hiscock

Treasurer, Real Partners Uganda and Director, Tree of Life Ministries – Uganda

Kathryn Hiscock

President, Real Partners Uganda and Director, Tree of Life Ministries – Uganda

Diane Falk

Vice President & Secretary, Real Partners Uganda

Lee Whitton

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Judy Sconyers

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Robert Barney

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Executive Director, Real partners Uganda and Board Co-Chair, Tree of Life Ministries-Uganda

Elaine Griswold

In 2003, on the way out to see the mountain gorillas, we stopped in Lukaya, Uganda. We met several young leaders, and the gospel choir of the local school performed for us. I was captured by the children and came home determined to do something. With a lot of help, that ‘something’ materialized into Mustard Seed Academy.

Treasurer, Real Partners Uganda and Director, Tree of Life Ministries – Uganda

Dana W Hiscock

I am one of the four Americans who first met the children of Kalungi/Lukaya in 2003. How could I have known that my already full life, as husband, parent, lawyer, environmentalist and committed Christian, would take on a new purpose. I treasure my connections with the children and with the teachers and staff. They have added purpose to and become a vital part of my life.

President, Real Partners Uganda and Director, Tree of Life Ministries – Uganda

Kathryn Hiscock

I am a retired chemist and artist. Church connections led my husband and me to travel to Uganda with the Griswolds in 2003. The people we met in the village of Kalungi changed our lives forever. We continue to work with these same leaders at the Mustard Seed School in Lukaya.

Vice President & Secretary, Real Partners Uganda

Diane Falk

I am Professor Emerita of Social Work at Stockton University, where I directed the MSW Program, created a statewide education program in child welfare, and led several international study tours. Colleagues, students and friends who have joined me on trips to Mustard Seed Academy have helped introduce service learning and career exploration. My interviews with numerous students in the Career Opportunity Pathways program confirmed the importance of such efforts and moved me to become coordinator of COP sponsorships.

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Lee Whitton

Resilience is learned. Resilience has served my now middle-aged children well. As a middle school and elementary counselor for 26 years, I met children who lived in horrendous situations for most of their lives yet were excellent students. Resilience. Given opportunity, the children I have had the privilege to meet at Mustard Seed Academy in Lukaya, Uganda are empowered by their own resilience. They are simply amazing..

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Judy Sconyers

I live in a rural area of West Virginia with my husband and our dogs and cats. I volunteer three days a week at Hart for Animals. I like traveling, learning about other cultures, reading, and watching birds and other wildlife. I’ve enjoyed being involved with RPU and traveling to Uganda yearly since 2006

Board Member, Real Partners Uganda

Robert Barney

I am an Associate Professor and Chair of the Masters in Social Work Program at Stockton University. My teaching and research have focused on cross cultural service delivery and international social work. I have helped lead several international study programs for students, including a trip to Mustard Seed Academy.

Advisors

Donna Paakkonen

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Kristen Pettet Haley

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Joe Everett

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Pastor John Scotland

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Donna Paakkonen

I first visited Uganda in 2010 at the invitation of my friend Judy Sconyers. We went on an amazing Safari and visited Lukaya and the Mustard Seed Academy. I have returned nearly every year since. I have made many good friends and have come to love this country. Through the years I have given a little and received a lot. MSA has become an important part of my life.

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Kristen Pettet Haley

I graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Community Health Education in 2011. Soon after, I began working as a volunteer with RPU as the Health Programs Coordinator and had the opportunity to live in Lukaya, Uganda for the duration of 2012. I now work as a Senior Health Educator at the Washington State Department of Health. I keep in close contact with my many friends and special students from my time in Uganda.

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Joe Everett

I work in the Child Welfare Education Institute at Stockton University in New Jersey, administering programs that use social work education to improve the state public child welfare system. I also serve young people and adults as the Head Deacon of St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church in Monroe, NJ.

Advisor, Real Partners Uganda

Pastor John Scotland

I am the Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Brigantine, NJ. I have been instrumental in the development of Sister Jean’s Kitchen in near-by Atlantic City. Community Presbyterian Church made the original grant in 2004 that launched the Ugandan Project.

Volunteers

Mandi Bray

Volunteer, Coordinator of the Primary and Nursery School Sponsorships

Mandi Bray

My family and I have been sponsors since 2010. In 2015, I traveled to Uganda with my husband and youngest daughter to visit Mustard Seed Academy. We met our student and his family and spent time in the classroom as well. The trip was life-changing and since then, I have volunteered with RPU and have very much enjoyed the involvement.