She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. Her doctoral research examined ecosocial work and the role of third-sector organizations in advancing sustainable social and environmental transitions. She also holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in leadership and nonprofit management, a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health policy and management, and a Bachelor of Social Work with Honors from Indiana University Indianapolis.

Before entering full-time academic research, Dr. Shackelford held several nonprofit and community leadership positions in the United States and South Africa. As Program Director at the Immigrant Welcome Center in Indianapolis, she supervised a diverse program team, developed organizational programming, expanded monitoring and evaluation systems, strengthened community partnerships, and supported immigrant and refugee leaders through training, advocacy, and community organizing.

She also served as Women’s Platform Manager at the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town in South Africa, where she developed and managed programs supporting refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant women. Her work included leadership development, advocacy, professional development, community integration, individualized action planning, grant reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Director of Central Indiana Jobs with Justice and led community-organizing initiatives related to economic, social, racial, and environmental justice.

Dr. Shackelford has taught graduate social work courses in executive leadership, social policy, and social services. Her international research and teaching experience includes engagements in Finland, Estonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Oman, South Africa, and the United States. Her publications and presentations address ecosocial work, environmental justice, sustainability transitions, community resilience, organizational change, gender and development, and social justice education.

She brings to the SOVAN International Board valuable expertise in nonprofit leadership, sustainability, program development, community organizing, monitoring and evaluation, cross-cultural engagement, immigrant and refugee empowerment, environmental justice, and international social development. Her experience will help strengthen SOVAN International’s programs, partnerships, organizational systems, and commitment to sustainable, community-led development.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Natural Resource Management from the University for Development Studies in Ghana. He also completed professional teacher training at Bagabaga College of Education in Ghana. His multidisciplinary education has equipped him with expertise in public health, environmental sustainability, education, community development, and human services.

Professionally, Richard has held operational, training, and Environmental Health and Safety roles, including experience with Amazon. He has contributed to workplace-safety programs, employee training, risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and the development of practical safety systems designed to protect employees and strengthen organizational performance. He also has experience in family case management, child welfare, community engagement, and supporting individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Before establishing SOVAN International, Richard co-founded and served as Managing Director of the Sung-Taaba Educational Fund in Ghana. Through this initiative, he helped provide scholarships and vocational-development opportunities for children with visual and hearing impairments in northern Ghana. His work has also included rural needs assessments, community profiling, child-welfare research, educational programming, and initiatives supporting sustainable livelihoods in underserved communities.

Richard has additionally volunteered with Exodus Refugee Immigration and the Immigrant Welcome Center in the United States, assisting efforts that support refugees, immigrants, and newly arrived families as they integrate into their communities.

Having lived and worked in both Ghana and the United States, Richard brings a cross-cultural perspective and a strong understanding of the challenges facing underserved populations. As Founder and President of SOVAN International, he provides strategic leadership in education and youth development, public health and community wellness, water, sanitation and hygiene, climate-resilient agriculture and food security, and community empowerment.

Richard is committed to transparent governance, meaningful partnerships, community participation, and solutions that create lasting change. His vision is to connect resources, expertise, and partnerships in the United States and internationally with community-led action in Ghana, helping individuals and communities build healthier, safer, and more sustainable futures.

At CARE International in Ghana, Chrys served as Acting Chief of Party for the Agriculture Governance, Resilience and Economic Empowerment Activity. In this role, he provided leadership and implementation oversight for a major development program operating across five regions of northern Ghana. His responsibilities included consortium coordination, donor compliance, financial and technical performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance, and collaboration with government institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners.

Chrys helped manage the approximately US$19 million AGREE program and led the development, piloting, and national launch of the District Agricultural Governance Index. The index was designed to help districts assess their performance and responsiveness to local agricultural needs. He also contributed to a successful US$4 million proposal to expand the program’s peacebuilding and conflict-management activities. His work supported women’s participation in agricultural decision-making, institutional capacity development, early-warning systems, social accountability, policy advocacy, and improved coordination between communities and government institutions.

During his work with SNV and MSI on the USAID-supported Ghana Local Governance and Decentralization Program, Chrys managed approximately US$1.325 million in grants awarded to 42 civil society organizations. He facilitated more than 250 community dialogues, radio discussions, accountability forums, and public feedback sessions designed to strengthen citizen participation and improve government responsiveness. His work also supported district planning, water and sanitation governance, public-private partnerships, and the development of pro-poor Medium-Term Development Plans in 11 districts.

Earlier in his career, Chrys spent nearly a decade in Ghana’s Civil and Local Government Service, where he served in district administration and coordination roles. He supported decentralization reforms, public-sector administration, revenue mobilization, financial controls, district security coordination, sanitation initiatives, water-access programs, and collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, development partners, and local communities.

Chrys holds a Master of Arts in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration with Distinction, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Social Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He brings to the SOVAN International Board extensive expertise in governance, strategic planning, institutional strengthening, advocacy, community engagement, social accountability, conflict management, peacebuilding, agriculture and rural development, and water, sanitation and hygiene. His experience will help strengthen SOVAN International’s governance, partnerships, program quality, and long-term development impact.

John Balankoo Sumbo is an experienced development and environmental management professional with more than 10 years of leadership and program implementation experience across sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, community development, research, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.

He has held senior leadership and technical roles with development organizations in Ghana and has contributed to programs supported by institutions including USAID, USDA, Global Affairs Canada, the World Bank, and UNICEF. His professional experience spans climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, food security, conservation, renewable energy, sustainable livelihoods, peacebuilding, community mobilization, and rural economic development.

John has extensive experience designing and managing donor-funded programs, supervising multidisciplinary teams, developing monitoring and evaluation systems, managing budgets and resources, supporting smallholder farmers, and building partnerships with government institutions, traditional authorities, development organizations, and local communities.

His work across northern Ghana has given him substantial knowledge of the social, environmental, and economic challenges facing rural and underserved communities. This experience aligns closely with SOVAN International’s work in sustainable development, community empowerment, agriculture and food security, environmental resilience, and livelihood improvement.

John holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Renewable Natural Resources Management from the University for Development Studies, Ghana, and is pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Environmental Management and Sustainability at the same university. He has also completed professional training in project management, leadership, research methods, data security, and community-based development.

As a member of the SOVAN International Board of Directors, John contributes expertise in strategic planning, program governance, environmental sustainability, agriculture and livelihoods, monitoring and evaluation, partnership development, and community-centered development.

Elizabeth Greene brings experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant management, education, and community development to SOVAN International’s Board of Directors. Her career reflects a commitment to empowering others, advancing human rights, and helping individuals and families access opportunities and essential services.

Her professional background includes grant development at Sheltering Wings, where her work involves securing funding, monitoring grant utilization, and collaborating with leadership to strengthen programs. At Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, she supported fundraising events, donor stewardship, and corporate partnerships. Her experience with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority includes coordinating statewide partnerships, supporting funding applications, and helping improve services for people experiencing housing instability.

Earlier in her career, Elizabeth spent more than a decade teaching English language arts, mentoring students, and creating inclusive learning environments. Her volunteer service includes supporting refugees through Exodus Refugee Immigration and assisting individuals experiencing homelessness through community organizations in Indiana and Florida.

Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Ball State University, a graduate certificate in Philanthropic Fundraising, and a master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

As a SOVAN International board member, Elizabeth brings valuable insight into resource development, community partnerships, and inclusive programming to support the organization’s mission in Ghana.

Her work connects grassroots community engagement with advocacy, leadership development, and economic empowerment. Through SWIDA Ghana and SWFA, she has contributed to initiatives supporting more than 10,000 women farmers and women-led businesses and strengthening more than 375 women’s groups. She has also led and supported leadership and mentorship initiatives that have reached more than 756 tertiary students over six years, alongside work supporting youth-led organizations and emerging community leaders.

Alima brings extensive experience in strategic planning, programme oversight, partnership development, safeguarding, monitoring and evaluation, and donor reporting. Her advocacy addresses gender-based violence, harmful social norms, barriers to women’s participation, and access to sustainable livelihoods. She works with civil society organizations, public institutions, traditional authorities, and community networks to advance locally informed solutions.

She holds an MSc in Managing Rural Development from the University of London/Wye College and a BA in Integrated Development Studies from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. She is pursuing a PhD in Development Studies at the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa, Ghana. Her professional engagement includes women’s rights, peacebuilding, climate advocacy, and sustainable development networks at national and international levels.

As a member of SOVAN International’s Board, Alima brings practical knowledge of community priorities, strong partnership experience, and a commitment to accountable, inclusive development. Her expertise supports SOVAN’s mission to expand opportunities for underserved communities, with particular attention to women, young people, and people facing social and economic exclusion.