Executive Staff / Board of Directors
MEDA Executive Staff
MEDA’s strength is found in its staff — a group of individuals who are expert in their fields of responsibility and dedicated to MEDA’s mission. You can reach all of MEDA’s staff by calling 1-800-665-7026 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ALLAN SAUDER, President
Allan joined MEDA in 1987, and has worked in various capacities within MEDA’s international programs since that time. He was appointed President in 2002. Allan has also worked with the International Development Research Centre, Mennonite Central Committee, and Home Hardware Stores Ltd. He has lived and worked in Tanzania and Bangladesh, and his travels have taken him to more than 65 countries. Allan holds an M.B.A. from the University of Western Ontario and a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo.
GERALD MORRISON, Chief Financial Officer
Gerald joined MEDA in 1997, serving as Finance Manager and then Controller prior to his appointment as CFO in 2010. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Waterloo. Prior to joining MEDA, Gerald worked in public accounting for four years. He has completed internal audits, set-up accounting and financial systems and performed consultancies in more than 10 countries.
KIM PITYN, Chief Operations Officer
Kim joined MEDA in 1990 and has worked in various capacities in the organization, including Vice President, International Operations and Director of Human Resources (2003-2010), and Project Director of the Rural Small Business Development Program in Haiti. Her work has taken her to more than 40 countries. Prior to joining MEDA, Kim worked as a Regional Manager with the Contact Human Resource Group. She has an Honours Business Degree from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario; a Human Resource Professional Association of Ontario designation; and a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.
GERHARD PRIES, President, Sarona Asset Management Inc.
Gerhard Pries joined MEDA in 1993. He serves as Founding President of Sarona Asset Management, and Co-Founder and Director of MicroVest Capital Management. He has previously served as Chief Financial Officer of MEDA, Founding Chairman of MicroCap Capital Management and Latin America Challenge Investment Fund, and Founding Director of International Association of Micro Finance Investors. He cut his teeth equally at PricewaterhouseCoopers and at the feet of Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity.
SID BURKEY, Chief Engagement Officer
Sid is a long-time supporter of MEDA and served on MEDA's board of directors from 2005-2011. From his base in Nebraska, Sid provides leadership and strategic direction for MEDA's resource development, marketing, association engagement and MEDA Europe teams. He is also a member of the Sarona MEDA Investments Board and the Sarona Frontier Market Fund Board.
Sid has collaboratively founded, co-owned and co-led three technology-based businesses in the fields of animal genetics, production agriculture and electronic monitoring and communications. After selling two of these family businesses, he now has more time to participate directly in his MEDA passion. Sid considers it a privilege to be part of MEDA – an organization that creates entrepreneurial, sustainable solutions for the poor and disadvantaged, and also encourages the application of faith principles in the workplace for its members and supporters.
MEDA Board of Directors
OfficersDebbie Sauder David, Chair Michelle Horning, Treasurer U.S. Regional DirectorsDale Beachey, Gulf StatesOwner, Dale Beachey Financial & Management Consulting Michelle Horning, Middle West Associate Professor of Accounting, Goshen College Bryce Bergey, Northeast Vice President, Univest Corp. Kevin Dorsing, North West CEO/Partner, Royal Ridge Fruit Laura Stephenson, West Coast Debbie Sauder David, Great Lakes Tim Penner, Prairie Pat Vendrely, North Central Canada Regional DirectorsJames Schlegel, AtlanticPresident, RBJ Schlegel Holdings Peter Dueck, Midwest Co-President, Vidir Machine Inc. John Schroeder, Pacific Owner, Valleybrook Gardens Ltd. Abe Fehr, Eastern President/Owner, Uni-Fab Janelle Unrau, Western Principal, Stun Collective |
Members-at-LargeNelson Longenecker, Pennsylvania Robert Shuh, Ontario |