Hi! I am Steph.

I have spent well over a decade learning, researching, and practicing ethical and intentional community development. My areas of research and lived practice are in: child protection, international community development, local leadership development, and social enterprise.

I am passionate about the world around us, and believe we all can play a part in easing the suffering we all face. My goal is to support people honing their skills to serve one another, whether it is down the street or across the globe. I am an advocate for children's rights, ethical mission, and indigenous/local development across the world.

I hold a Master’s Degree in International Community Development and have taken PhD courses in research and development.

I love Jesus, my husband, and both of my homes: the island of Hispaniola and the southern coast of Alabama.

You’ll find my writing, and other published works here.

some background.

My work began full-time on the island of Hispaniola after years of volunteering with local ministries and non-profits. In my time in Haiti, I have helped found a global ministry, an international arm of a ministry, and then my own non-profit.

After the founding and growth of my non-profit in Haiti, I went back to school to get my Master’s in International Community Development where I researched resiliency and community-based options for development. During this time, I furthered my own belief about the importance of community involvement and capacity for any development venture.

my heart.

Like many people, my experiences as a child and young adult propelled me toward action as a young woman. For years, I have worked with local and international organizations whose mission is to make life easier and more life-giving for others. What I have often seen is that though the intentions are always there, visionaries + directors can often get caught up in the (necessary) minutiae of the life of the organization, and end up losing their passion and drive.