Jeami Duncan, President

Duncan founded Mercy’s Village in 2009 after several visits to Uganda. In the past ten years, Duncan, has travelled to El Salvador, Mexico, Spain and Uganda for humanitarian trips. During these trips, she has had the opportunity to work with several organizations, including Life Connections International, World Vision, and Cornerstone Development. She served in the administrative department of an Animo charter school in inner-city Los Angeles, using her position to initiate student programs in the school. She has over ten years of administrative experience, working in areas from information technologies to the insurance industry. Currently, she resides in El Segundo, CA, and is pursuing a degree in psychology while volunteering weekly at an area hospital.

Paul Duncan, Vice-President

Paul Duncan resides in the Los Angeles area, and he currently works as a musician/songwriter/producer. He graduated from Wheaton College in 1998 with a B.A. in literature. Duncan is the founder of an independent publishing company, Annie and Clyde Music, and has seen songs placed in various markets (country, inspirational, film, television), earning him an ASCAP award in 2004. His work in music has led him to travel in Europe and in Latin and Central America, allowing him to pursue humanitarian projects in Cuba, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Most recently, Duncan has made two trips to Uganda through his involvement with Mercy’s Village.

Nancy Grimes, Treasurer

Mrs. Grimes graduated from the University of Arizona in 1995 with a B.A. in English. She has been on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Los Angeles County since 2001 and has been active in planning various events supporting the Union Rescue Mission since 1999. She resides in Manhattan Beach, CA with her husband, Matt, and their three children. For the last three years, the Grimes family has sponsored four children in northern Uganda.

Jill Bredow, Secretary

Jill Bredow graduated from Biola University in 1997 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies. She has been actively working at the Westside Pregnancy Clinic since 2003 and is a volunteer at her daughter's elementary school. She resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Rob, and their two children. For the last two years, the Bredow family has sponsored one child in Uganda.

Sheri Allen Yengst

A Professor of Financial Management and Entrepreneurship at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Sheri sits on the boards of Alpha Phi Foundation, Nightstar Education and Schoolhouse Plaza. She earned her MBA in international business at the University of Massachussets Amherst and B.S. from Oklahoma City University. She is an active swimmer and tennis player and in 2009 she and her husband welcomed the arrival of their first child.

Matt Grimes

Matt Grimes graduated from Duke University in 1990 with B.S. Political Science. Mr. Grimes received his JD/MBA degree from Emory University in 1995 and is a California State Bar Certified Attorney. He currently resides in Manhattan Beach, CA, and he is the president of Puritan Bakery. Mr. Grimes sits on the board of the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, and he is a member of the Young Presidents Organization.

Phillip has been involved with Mercy's Village since the beginning. He has offered tremendous support and guidance, and his Acholi background has been extremely valuable in matters of language and culture. He graduated from Makerere University with a B.A. in Econonics and also has a Master's in Human Resource from Middlesex University (London). In addition to his leadership role at Mercy's Village, Phillip also works for Cornerstone Development, focused on creating leadership skills and qualities in Africa's youth. Phillip currently lives in Kampala with his wife Sarah and their adorable son Mark.

Mzee Paul (Mzee being a title of respect for his age) is the current Chief Education Coordinator for Cornerstone Schools and serves on several boards in advisory capacity – including Amuru District Service Commission and Restore Academy. He has over 30 years experience in education, having taught in both Kenya and Uganda. Paul has been headmaster for several schools, including the Cornerstone Leadership Academy for young men in Uganda, where he served for over ten years. He holds a BA in Education (Makerere University) and a Masters in Literature from a Kenyan University.

Tim is one of the Founders and now the Managing Director for Cornerstone Development, an rganization that works in Uganda and the surrounding countries. Tim has lived in Africa for over 35 years - his parents were Missionaries in the Congo, and he went to school in Kenya. Following his time in a U.S. university, Tim returned to Africa with his wife, and they settled in Uganda. He holds a great deal of knowledge and experience in the area of Youth Development, and holds a MBA Degree in the Economic Development of Third World Countries.

Paulo holds a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from the Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University, as well as a B.A. in Political Science of Makerere University. He has worked with Ugandan District and the Central Government, and has also been a consultant to the Ministry of Finance, a position he currently holds. Paulo also headed and administered groups which implemented the 12 million USD Institutional Capacity Building in the Ministry of Local Government, and brings a broad spectrum of contacts, along with his considerable experience.