FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Paola Theaker
(519) 342-3703 ext.102
Tearfund Canada Announces New Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
Trisha Okenge to take the reins of the international and development agency, following Jesus where the need is greatest
MARKHAM, Ont., July 9, 2024 – Tearfund Canada is pleased to announce Trisha Okenge as the incoming Executive Director and CEO, effective September 1, 2024. Okenge is a strong leader with decades of experience in fundraising and managing programs, bringing a depth of strategic leadership operations experience. With a passion for church-based community transformation, organizational health, and maximizing programmatic impact, Okenge has earned her reputation for growing the organizations she has led.
“When Wayne Johnson prayerfully announced his resignation one year ago, we knew it would be a difficult task to find a new Executive Director and CEO who would build on the incredible foundation Wayne helped Tearfund Canada build,” said Helen Reimer, Chair, Tearfund Board of Directors. “We began our search with prayer and can confidently say that Trisha Okenge is a Godsend. We believe she will continue our focus on the church impacting sustainable change, bringing hope and opportunity to local communities.”
Okenge has been involved in transformational conservation agriculture for over 12 years. In her role as Country Director in Ethiopia and Uganda with Food for the Hungry International, improved seeds and new cycles of crop management helped increase food production as much as fivefold.
She oversaw significant growth in Ethiopia, taking the organization from a $30 million US annual budget with eight donors and 1,000 staff members to over $82 million US budget with 20 donors and over 1,700 staff.
Okenge believes in the incredible impact of women’s savings and loan groups. She has witnessed the transformation within the community when women are empowered to provide for their families. More than that, she has seen the change within families when women gain dignity and self-esteem, and trust is built.
“I am so honoured to be joining the Tearfund Canada team. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the organization for years as a partner and have seen firsthand the incredible impact the local church can have when equipped and resourced,” said Trisha Okenge, incoming Executive Director and CEO, Tearfund Canada. “Biblically, we know the local church should lead in ministering to its community; however, often, there are resource gaps that need to be bridged. This is where Tearfund Canada comes in. When that gap is bridged, the power of the local church is unleashed in a sustainable, powerful way that creates a genuine, lasting impact in communities. I look forward to growing our impact and moving the organization forward on the strong, steady foundation that Wayne Johnson worked so hard to build.”
For information and interviews, please contact Paola Theaker: paola@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x102.
###
About Tearfund Canada:
Tearfund Canada is a Christian international relief and development charity with a vision to see all people free from poverty, living transformed lives, and reach their God-given potential. Called into existence by the church, to serve with the church, our roots trace back to 1970 when a group of pastors encouraged Canadian churches to respond to the immense need of the Ethiopian famine. Today, our heart remains the same. We are committed to respond and serve communities in greatest need through networks of churches across Africa and Asia. As part of the Tearfund Family, we are connected with over 250 church-based organizations in over 50 countries around the world. Visit www.tearfund.ca for more information.