Board Of Directors
The Embrace Rwanda International Society was formed in 2013 and a talented and committed Board of Directors gave their support to the vision for the future.
Following a call from God to support the people of Rwanda in 2006 I have been amazed at how “God driven” the work of Embrace Rwanda has been as it multiplies every year. I graduated from the University of London, UK in Education and taught in High Schools in London for 10 years. After emigrating to Canada I worked in Community Health Management and then in Community Development for the North Shore Health Region. Lastly, I was Leader of Community Engagement for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. These careers have prepared me for the role I play now as the Founder and Executive Director of Embrace Rwanda. I am committed to this ministry and trust in God for all that we need to grow Embrace Rwanda. To sum up, I feel that this work gives glory to God, blessings to others and satisfaction to my life.
Felt called by God to support the Rwandan people. She feels that this work gives glory to God, blessings to others and satisfaction to her life.
HILARY KING
HILARY KING
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rob Conley is a finance and human resources professional with over thirty years of experience in the Canadian credit union system. He is currently the Manager of Human Resources and Administration for BC211, a not for profit organization that provides information and referral to vulnerable individuals regarding community, government, and social services. He describes his first trip to Rwanda as a life changing experience as he was humbled by the severe poverty in the rural villages, but also encouraged by the resilience and determination of the Rwandan people.
Has been humbled to see the severe poverty in rural villages, but also encouraged by the resilience and determination of Rwandan people.
ROB CONLEY
![Rob ERIS[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26ab1f_8dba12a2e5204881a0ef857e03b5de65~mv2_d_2585_2585_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_297,h_361,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Rob%20ERIS%5B1%5D.jpg)
ROB CONLEY
PRESIDENT
Bill retired from his position as Chief Financial Officer of BlueShore Financial in July 2017, but continues to serve as a director of a mid-sized Mortgage Investment Corporation and as Vice Chair of a not for profit organisation supporting outreach ministry across Africa. He has extensive experience and expertise in finance, strategy and banking, and has held senior management and executive positions in Canada, the UK and South Africa. Bill is an FCA (UK), has a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) and obtained his Canadian Securities Course, with honours, from the Canadian Securities Institute. He also holds the designation ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors and was named BC Chief Financial Officer of the Year in 2012 by Business in Vancouver.
Having lived in South Africa for many years, Bill has a passion for Africa and in supporting outreach to underprivileged communities there.
Now retired from his position as CFO of a major financial institution, lived in South Africa for many years and has a passion for Africa and for supporting outreach to underprivileged communities there.
BILL KEEN
![Bill Keen[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26ab1f_bb2cf1c9dc7f4e59b18d90da2d9077af~mv2_d_1865_2486_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_297,h_361,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Bill%20Keen%5B1%5D.jpg)
BILL KEEN
VICE PRESIDENT
A Computer engineer and businessman. It is very exciting to see God blessing and expanding the work of Embrace Rwanda. It is my privilege to make whatever contribution I can and to be part of this ministry that is touching so many lives. My purpose is to support the Director as much as possible.
Sees God blessing and expanding the work of Embrace Rwanda and feels privileged to make a contribution.
PETER TURNER
PETER TURNER
PAST PRESIDENT
I was born in Trinidad, West Indies, tenth in a family of eleven children. I grew up serving and praising God, and I have from a very young age been surrounded by children being born and looked after by the “Village.” I have spent the past 19 years in the chaos of raising three boys and working full time. Now that the boys are older, I looked around for charitable work of the faith with which to immerse myself. For the past five years I had been listening to and buying from Hilary on every occasion that she came back from Rwanda. Over these years I kept hearing this little voice in my head saying “get involved, get involved”. Then one Sunday morning earlier this year, Hilary mentioned that she needed to work on establishing a formal Society under which to put “Embrace Rwanda”, with a fully functioning Board of Directors.
Having raised three boys and worked full time, looked around for charitable work of the faith with which to immerse herself and found it in Embrace Rwanda.
SUSAN ROMEO GILBERT
SUSAN ROMEO GILBERT
DIRECTOR
Graduated from Edinburgh University with MA and PH.D. Joined HM Diplomatic Service as an Africa specialist, working in 35 African countries.
The most challenging and rewarding posting was to Rwanda, 1994-1995, in the aftermath of the Genocide. Immigrated to Canada in 2009, discovered Embrace Rwanda and was invited to become a Director.
Worked with HM Diplomatic Service in 35 African countries, including Rwanda in the aftermath of the Genocide. Discovering Embrace Rwanda, she was invited to become a Director.
DR LILLIAN WONG
DR LILLIAN WONG
DIRECTOR
Susan Conley was the Regional Manager, Public Health, Perinatal & Early Childhood Development for Vancouver Coastal Health Region. While she has enjoyed an extensive career in healthcare including roles in Primary Care, Mental Health and Palliative Care, it has been her roles in neonatal and public health nursing where her passion for babies, children and mums has truly stood out. Even before there was an Embrace Rwanda, Susan had responded to Hilary King’s quest for a nurse with maternal-child experience to help her set up what would become the “Healthy Mum’s” program in the remote Rwandan village of Kigeme. As a health care leader, she was hopeful that she could contribute to Kigeme’s vision of creating a model of care that would improve the health of the most vulnerable children in rural Rwanda.
Is a highly experienced health care leader who contributes to creating a model of care that is improving the health of the most vulnerable children in rural Rwanda.
SUSAN CONLEY
SUSAN CONLEY
DIRECTOR
Lois Carter is an award winning musician who enjoys writing. Currently residing in Vancouver BC with her husband Paul – an ex-military Chaplain in the British Army and ordained Anglican priest in the Anglican Church. Lois has a keen interest in the physical and spiritual welfare of all Rwandan people and is particularly looking forward to developing stronger links with the Healthy Mums project. As a mother of three daughters herself, two of whom have spent time in Rwanda, Lois has a strong sense of connection with the women’s outreach and mission of Embrace Rwanda.
Has a keen interest in the physical and spiritual welfare of all Rwandan people and has a strong sense of connection with the women’s outreach and mission of Embrace Rwanda.
LOIS CARTER
LOIS CARTER
DIRECTOR
Paul Carter is a retired Anglican Priest who served for sixteen years as a Chaplain to the Forces with the British Army in the Parachute Regiment. He first visited Rwanda in 2006 feeling very privileged to work alongside the local Rwandan community and build relationships. Although he suffered a severe heart attack in 2007 which prevented him from returning to his parish work, his appointment as the Chaplain for Embrace Rwanda means he can serve the Rwandan people again. Rwanda is a country which is very close to his heart.
Is a retired Anglican Priest and a British Forces Chaplain. Rwanda is very close to his heart since he first visited, feeling very privileged to work alongside the local community and build relationships.
REV PAUL CARTER
REV PAUL CARTER
CHAPLAIN
I joined Embrace Rwanda because I am compassionate to rebuild my motherland, Rwanda, following the Genocide in 1994.
In 1995 I started an organization called “Fear not Humura” which was to support displaced children and I stayed in Rwanda for 6 months. I had also volunteered with the Canada Red Cross.
Here in BC, for 9 years, I have been on the marketing and fundraising team at BC Christian Academy.
I am currently a community support worker for people of all ages who have a mental illness.
Knowing Jesus personally since a young age, I always wanted to reach out to the needy, the unfortunate and the orphans for His kingdom. That is what Embrace Rwanda does.
ROSEMARY PAIS RURANGIRE
ROSEMARY PAIS RURANGIRE
DIRECTOR
