Board of Directors

Linda Bowers, Executive Director

Linda is Associate Professor of English at Willamette University where she teaches Shakespeare, poetry, the literature of the Holy Grail, and courses in Japanese culture. As Executive Director of EBZEF she sees herself as a steward of her daughter Beth’s vision of world peace and understanding. She is “mama” to over 100 Zambian daughters. Linda and Gerry live on a 25-acre farm south of Salem with Beth’s flying Zambian cat Blake, a huge white dog named Apollo, koi, a flock of peafowl, and many wild birds, fish, and other creatures.

Gerard Bowers, Executive Committee

Gerard Bowers is currently Professor of English at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he has been teaching writing and literature for over 35 years. His academic focus is on modern and contemporary English and American poetry. Born and educated on the east coast, he earned his degrees from the City College of New York and Harvard University. In 1971 he married Linda, moved to Oregon, and raised two daughters--Jennifer and Elizabeth. Aside from his abiding commitment to EBZEF, Gerry’s interests include fly fishing, running, gardening and landscaping, as well as studying tai chi, yoga, and Japanese/Chinese culture.

Jeani Bragg, Grant Writing/Library Committees

Jeani Bragg has over 18 years experience in the field of intercultural communication teaching, training, and giving workshops and seminars. She has a BA in International Relations and German from the University of Minnesota and a MS in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University. Jeani is currently the Associate Director of the Lilly Project at Willamette University. She previously worked with Tokyo International University of America and as a faculty member of the Oregon Intercultural Management Institute. Jeani believes that everyone deserves an education. A one-time supervisor and mentor to Beth, Jeani works to help make Beth’s vision a reality.

Karen Chittick, Secretary, Library/Grant-writing Committees

Karen Chittick was elected Secretary of the EBZEF Board in July 2007. She knew Beth and supported EBZEF since its inception. Karen has worked at Tokyo International University of America (TIUA) for 15 years. TIUA is a one-year English language and American studies program for students at Tokyo International University in Japan. Karen is the Associate Director, Academic Services and works with the academic database, grades, and course registration. Karen has two adult children (son and daughter). Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, hiking, and home projects.

Fordson Kafweku, Intercultural Advisory Committee

Like Beth’s Girls, Fordson was born in the NW Province and is a member of the Lunda people. He is currently Operations Director for World Vision Zambia in Lusaka.  Fordson has a BS in Tropical Agriculture from Larenstein University of Professional Education in the Netherlands and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. He lives in Lusaka with his wife Prisca and their three daughters, Lubuto (10), Nkjsu (11), and Womba (15).

Dan Irvine, Intercultural Advisory Committee

Dan Irvine currently works as the Senior Technical Advisor for World Vision International’s Global Health Centre. His responsibilities include strategy development, operational management and capacity building for WV’s health sector programming in 85 countries. With 17 years international development experience, most of which was spent in Africa, Dan brings a multi-sector, community-development emphasis to his work. Dan was employed by Peace Corps and worked with Beth while she was a volunteer. He was instrumental in working with Linda and Gerry to define the EBZEF program to honor Beth’s memory in a way to promote her vision for world peace and help those in the Lumwana West village that she loved.

Leonard Kelly, Treasurer, Executive/Finance Committees

Leonard has been Vice President of American Baptist Homes Foundation, a California non-profit corporation headquartered in Pleasanton, California, for 10 years. Prior to his current position, Leonard was the Executive Director of the American Baptist Homes of the West facility located in Fresno, California, for 14 years. He received an undergraduate degree in Public Health from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Fresno State University.  Leonard is also qualified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).  He and his wife, Linda, have two adult children and two homes, one in Salem, Oregon, one near Yosemite National Park. 

Advisory Board

Michal Wert, Executive/Finance/Technology Committees

Michal Wert is the sister of Linda Bowers and Beth’s auntie. She has been a strong supporter of EBZEF from the beginning and helped to organize EBZEF as a non-profit business. Her son Eric is a realist artist and painted the EBZEF protea in honor of Beth. Michal has over 30 years experience in environmental and public policy management. She owns and manages MW Consulting, working in Oregon on public policy and transportation planning issues.

Angela Wanak, Education Committee

Angela Wanak received her JD and MBA at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, in May 2009. Angela joined EBZEF because she believes everyone should have the right to an education and a chance to pursue their dreams. Upon completing gradate school, Angela plans to be an advocate for women and children and a leader in the abolitionist movement fighting against modern day forms of slavery, trafficking in persons and the exploitation of human beings. Angela and her husband Jeremy enjoy hiking and making music together.