BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We believe in a diverse range of personnel to bring creative skills,
thoughts, and ideas to the table.
David Norman
Board Co-Chair
Dave is deeply committed to service and global empowerment, serving as Co-Chair for the Walking with Africans Foundation. Since 2008, he has volunteered with the foundation and supported women’s economic empowerment in Kenya and Malawi through microfinance and table banking, a group-based savings and lending model that promotes financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and community support.
Karyn Niles
Board Co-Chair
Karyn has been part of WAF since 2023, after visiting the groups while in Kenya. Karyn retired as a Director of Student Services in FCPS after a 28 year career in education. She is committed to several partnerships in both Kenya and Malawi, including WAF groups, educational support and orphan care in both countries.
James Munthali
Chairman Emeritus
A retired Advisor to the Executive Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), James worked as an economist, promoting and representing the interests of 21 sub-Saharan African countries.
Ed Parker
Chairman Emeritus
Ed has had a long career with the Federal Government in financial, information management, and related fields. Now retired, he is engaged in church work and faith-based service.
Lyle Barlow
Budget and Finance
Lyle is driven by a desire to contribute to a meaningful partnership and providing lasting solutions to the most vulnerable and impoverished locally and abroad.
Chimmy Munthali
Communications, Fundraising and Outreach
Chimmy was born in Malawi and raised in Northern Virginia, a bicultural upbringing that nurtured her deep passion for community service at home and abroad. She has been part of WAF since its founding and remains deeply committed to empowering women and communities in rural Kenya and Malawi.
Greg Diggs
Greg has been passionate about women’s development and microfinance since 2010. An engineer by training, Greg brings a data-centric focus to several volunteer causes, including church development, local food banks and WAF’s mission.
Jim Conley
Jim worked in computer security and cloud computing.
Jill Conley
Jill worked in international biomedical research and science education.
Andy Pettigrew
Andy has lived in the DC area for over 20 years. He is a retired Air Force Officer and Federal Employee. His career background is in Communications Technology and Systems Engineering.