Executive Director & Board member
Dr. Ken Lowey
Relationships are the key to life. Ken enjoys a very special relationship with his wife, Anne, whom he met at Logan Chiropractic College and married in 1982. They have three loving and fun adult children and three similarly spirited grandchildren (hopefully more someday!). In 1995, Ken initiated the opening of the Boston Benevolent Chiropractic Clinic (clinics offering free care to people in need of care). Ken has cherished the camaraderie with many other doctors as they've served the needy in Boston.
Ken has been inspired by serving alongside many caring and talented volunteers who support HOPE worldwide. Bringing hope and seeing people connect with other people while putting their faith into action means the world to Ken.
President & Board Chair
Oby Ukadike-Oyer
For as long as Oby can remember, her family has always been involved with being integrated and involved in the community. She cares deeply about opening up opportunities and access to all people and fighting for justice.
Oby received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her MBA with a double concentration in Nonprofit Management and Entrepreneurship. For the past 15 years she has spent her professional career in the education technology space. Oby works with HOPE worldwide MA because it gives her the opportunity to work with and support local communities in and around Boston, which is exactly where she wants to be - shoulder to shoulder with people working to try and support each other and do good.
Director of Finance & Treasurer
Gary Slebodnick
Originally from Philadelphia, Gary moved to Boston in 1988 to pursue a career in music as a transfer student from Penn State to the Berklee College of Music.
God had other plans however, and after graduating and working behind the scenes in the music business for some years, he began working in the office for the Boston Church of Christ in 1994. Over the years he has been blessed to serve in a variety of administrative roles in the church and missions society, and along the way he earned an MBA degree and became a CPA.
He currently serves as the Lead Administrator of the Boston Church, and as the Treasurer of HOPE worldwide - Massachusetts.Gary has been married to the love of his life Anne-Mer for over 25 years, and together they love their family of three boys who are in their college years or beyond.
clerk & Board Member
Melissa Sheetoo
Melissa has always called Massachusetts her home. She currently works as a Senior Implementation Consultant creating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs for companies that offer funding or in-kind giving to nonprofits. She takes great pride and joy in creating the programs in which NPOs can request support from companies that want to give back to their communities.
Melissa has enjoyed volunteering with HOPE worldwide for many years, both locally and internationally. One trip to Guatemala in 2012 for a HWW Medical Brigade sparked a love for international service projects; she returns at least once a year to Central America to take part in these brigades. She has also participated in other volunteer programs in India, Nepal, and New Zealand and has been on the HWW Volunteer Corps Global Advisory Committee since 2014.
Board Members
Michael Lamb
Michael began volunteering for HOPE worldwide when he was in High School. Having faced childhood leukemia, he saw and felt the impact of human compassion and care. Inspired by the love and example of Jesus and others, he has a strong passion for meeting the needs of the hurting and overlooked.
Michael graduated with a degree in Child Development, Early Education. After meeting in college, he and his wife, Kristen married in 1999 and have four children. Michael currently leads the Northwest Mission Center of the Boston Church of Christ.
Milton & Debbie Drake
Milton is a practicing Primary Care physician in the Boston area and Debbie is a Health Educator. They have both been involved with the work of HOPE worldwide in Cambodia for over 20 years, helping to establish a meaningful liaison with the Boston Church and a “sister-hospital” relationship between Lowell General Hospital and the two HOPE worldwide Cambodian hospitals. They have also worked under the leadership of Walter and Lori Kotkowski in developing and implementing the highly successful Medical/ Community Service brigades in Central America over the past 10 years.
Locally, they have worked with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) and local volunteers in several outreach programs.
“We have found work with HOPE worldwide, its leaders, and its wonderful volunteer base a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling experience.”
Ken Ostrowski
Ken was one of the original founders of the Framingham Food Pantry back in 1993 and served as the director for seven years. For Ken and his wife, Judy, the pantry and serving the needy in the Framingham area continues to be an important part of their lives.
Ken has worked his entire career in food manufacturer, primarily as a maintenance manager. Ken and Judy enjoy the blessing of having their son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren along with their daughter and son-in-law all living in the New England area. Ken has served for the past 17 years as an elder in the Boston Church of Christ.