Board Members
Jason Anderson founded Kenya Matters in 2005 and served as our director through March of 2011. As an ordained pastor, he has led cross-cultural service learning trips for faith-based organizations since 1995. Jason has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and completed his masters degree in social work from Grand Valley State University in April of 2011. As the director of Kenya Matters, Jason combined the spiritual ethic of loving one another with practical and theoretical training in cross-cultural adaptation, community planning, social justice, and human development. Influenced by Kenyan culture, the Anderson family resides on a small hobby farm in Rockford, Michigan. As our founder, Jason will continue to be active as Kenya Matters continues to grow and mature.
Jason can be reached via email: Jason@KenyaMatters.org
Randy Buist is a lover of the ways of Jesus, chasing after justice and mercy and hoping that we as humanity increasingly care for our neighbors regardless of where they live. Randy is passionate about life, his family, this Kenya Matters project, and exploring this amazing world. He has been involved with Kenya Matters since January of 2009, serving as President of the board. He took his fourth trip to Karai over the Christmas season of 2010, bringing his family, parents, and a friend along for this adventure. Besides time spent with Kenya Matters, he is seasonally involved with his family’s business, Micandy Gardens, which his parents started after getting married as high school sweethearts. He lives in Jenison, Michigan with his wife, Kathy, and his three children.
Randy can be reached via email: Randy@KenyaMatters.org cell: (616) 822-0422
Chad Caughran is the territory manager for Straumann Dental Implants. He received his bachelor of arts in accounting from Michigan State University and his MBA from Western Michigan University. Chad’s focus is helping to create sustainable and effective programs that will benefit the orphans of Karai, Kenya for years to come. Chad is also an avid Michigan State University football fan. He has yet to figure out how this passion will create avid fans in Karai, Kenya. He lives in Ada, Michigan with his wife and son.
Blake Mazurek is an 8th grade U.S History teacher in Grandville Public Schools where he has been employed since 1994. Blake has been involved in missions in Kenya since 2001. He traveled to Kenya in 2006 during the initial stages of Kenya Matters development, and he worked closely with Jason to begin the Kenya Matters project. His perspective and relationships within the country proved helpful in establishing relationships for our efforts. He resides in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife and two children. [Blake is pictured with Elijah, the director of our children's home in Karai.]
Blake can be reached via email: blakemazurek@att.net
Mathias Metzger holds the position of controller at Micandy Gardens, which is where Randy Buist first introduced him to Kenya Matters. In the summer of 2011, after learning more and more about the organization, Mathias decided to join the board and serve as Treasurer. Although he has not yet traveled to Karai, Kenya, he is excited to get involved as much as he can and wherever needed. Mathias is a graduate of Calvin College and currently lives in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife Bethany and his two children.
Mathias can be reached via email: Mathias@Micandy.com
Heidi Swierenga is working as a Public Guardian and Conservator for the Department of Human Services and Kent County Probate Court. In this position, she works with adults who are not able to make their own decisions, ensuring their needs are met. Heidi graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. She worked with mentally ill adults for 11 years at a Grand Rapids mental health agency. Heidi is passionate about advocating for indigent populations and social justice issues. She has been a supporter of Kenya Matters for the past several years. Heidi has not visited Kenya yet but hopes to get more involved in the Kenya Matters family. She lives in Zeeland with her husband and daughter.
Kurt Wilson is the President of Compass Outreach Media which provides award-winning TV commercials, internet marketing and consulting to nonprofit organizations around the country. In addition to his work with Compass, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at Western Michigan University in the Evaluation of Nonprofit Programs. Before joining Compass, Kurt spent six years in professional philanthropy, overseeing substantial grant-making programs based in both Denver and Colorado Springs. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife and two children.
Kurt can be reached via email: wilson@compass-om.com
