Tom Allen – Country Director
After practicing law in Los Angeles for 30 years, Tom began a Halftime adventure that led him to move his “home” to Rwanda in 2008 to serve as General Counsel and donor relations coordinator for the Urwego Opportunity Microfinance Bank. Today, as B2R’s Country Director and chief relationship officer, Tom serves as our senior host and guide – responsible for expanding B2R’s dense network of friends and connections in Rwanda and beyond. He is the only American member of the Rwanda Bar Association. Tom attended College of Idaho, University of Vienna (Austria), and UCLA School of Law.
Mark Darrough – ISOKO Reporter & Research Coordinator
Mark serves as a photojournalist at the ISOKO Institute – highlighting entrepreneurship and Africa’s vibrant private sector. He also hosts and facilitates research opportunities for visiting universities, scholars and journalists. Mark moved to Rwanda in 2009 and served as B2R’s in-country business manager until 2011. Mark earned a BS in business management at Clemson University. He grew up on his family’s Christian sports and mountain adventure camp in Colorado – Camp Timberline.
Dale Dawson – Founder & CEO
Dale is an investment banker and entrepreneur. He serves on President Paul Kagame’s Presidential Advisory Council and on the boards of Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda and OneHundredX. During his first half, Dale was in charge of investment banking at Stephens Inc (private investment firm); partner and National Director at KPMG (global accounting firm); and Chair & CEO of TruckPro (distributor of commercial truck parts, sold to AutoZone). He is a University of Texas graduate and divides his time between Little Rock and Kigali.
Clay Parker – Managing Director
Clay is responsible for Business Development – providing research, financial analysis, investment advice, capital raising and facilitation services for new and growing business ventures. Before moving to Rwanda, Clay worked for 3 years at Circumference Group (an investment and consulting firm) and as a B2R Project Coordinator – getting TOM’s Shoes and Kris Allen to Rwanda and bringing Ivuka Arts Kigali to the US. Clay earned his BBA and MBA at University of Central Arkansas.
Anna Reed – Program Director
Anna coordinates programming for Bridge2Rwanda and ISOKO Institute. She is responsible for our College Prep Center, Starkey hearing aid distribution project and other healthcare initiatives. Previously, Anna taught English and college test preparation at Sonrise High School in Musanze Rwanda. Anna is a experienced speech pathologist having earned her BS at University of Arkansas and MS at University of South Carolina. She worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital before moving to Rwanda in 2009.
Griffin Richards – Hospitality Coordinator
Griffin is responsible for developing and coordinating B2R’s invitation-only tour business – offering high capacity visitors a first class “vacation with a purpose” experience. After graduating from Colby College in 2009, Griffin moved to Rwanda and worked for a year at the Ishema Hotel in Musanze. He grew up around the hospitality industry – interning at The Athens Group, a resort development company founded by his father.
Sandy and John Rogers – Business Manager & Financial Advisor
As Business Manager, Sandy is responsible for B2R’s administrative, financial and database management functions. Before joining B2R, Sandy provided outsourced bookkeeping services and served as a church financial secretary and in cash management at Dillard’s Department Stores. Sandy’s husband, John, is the Chief Financial Officer at Stone Ward and serves as B2R’s special financial advisor. Prior to joining Stone Ward, John served as Chief Information Officer at TCBY.
Blayne Sharpe – Managing Director
Blayne is responsible for Operations and Programs at Bridge2Rwanda and ISOKO Institute – managing hospitality, borrowed talent and administration. Before joining B2R, Blayne spent 5 years in commercial banking with Simmons First National Bank. He served 2 years as B2R’s Business Manager in the US before moving to Rwanda in 2010. Blayne earned his BBA from the University of Central Arkansas.
Millie Ward and Larry Stone – Marketing & Communications Advisors
Millie, her husband, Larry, and their firm, Stone Ward, serve as B2R’s creative marketing partner. They play a primary role in developing B2R’s and ISOKO’s brand identity, websites and communication programs. Millie and Larry founded Stone Ward in 1984 and have built it into an accomplished and well-respected full-service creative, marketing and public communications firm.
Tom and Linda Wilson – Borrowed Talent Program & Special Operations Director
Tom and Linda are responsible for managing our Borrowed Talent program. Tom also provides management oversight and guidance to B2R’s operations. Linda is a Family Therapist and Tom serves as President & CEO of OneHundredX, the parent company of Leadership Network and Halftime. Tom and Linda served together for over 30 years as senior leaders with Young Life. They live in Fort Worth, TX
Melissa Yates – Development Director
Melissa is serves as B2R’s chief relationship officer at this end of the bridge – responsible for our network of friends – Halftimers, corporations, universities, churches, supporters and Rwandan students. She led the initiative to introduce Community Bible Study to Rwanda which now serves over 7,000 individuals. Prior to joining B2R, Melissa served as Community Bible Study leader and teacher, Real Estate Director & Legal Coordinator at TruckPro and Administrative Coordinator at Stephens Inc.
Leadership Team
Tom Allen – Country Director
After practicing law in Los Angeles for 30 years, Tom began a Halftime adventure that led him to move his “home” to Rwanda in 2008 to serve as General Counsel and donor relations coordinator for the Urwego Opportunity Microfinance Bank. Today, as B2R’s Country Director and chief relationship officer, Tom serves as our senior host and guide – responsible for expanding B2R’s dense network of friends and connections in Rwanda and beyond. He is the only American member of the Rwanda Bar Association. Tom attended College of Idaho, University of Vienna (Austria), and UCLA School of Law.
Mark Darrough – ISOKO Reporter & Research Coordinator
Mark serves as a photojournalist at the ISOKO Institute – highlighting entrepreneurship and Africa’s vibrant private sector. He also hosts and facilitates research opportunities for visiting universities, scholars and journalists. Mark moved to Rwanda in 2009 and served as B2R’s in-country business manager until 2011. Mark earned a BS in business management at Clemson University. He grew up on his family’s Christian sports and mountain adventure camp in Colorado – Camp Timberline.
Dale Dawson – Founder & CEO
Dale is an investment banker and entrepreneur. He serves on President Paul Kagame’s Presidential Advisory Council and on the boards of Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda and OneHundredX. During his first half, Dale was in charge of investment banking at Stephens Inc (private investment firm); partner and National Director at KPMG (global accounting firm); and Chair & CEO of TruckPro (distributor of commercial truck parts, sold to AutoZone). He is a University of Texas graduate and divides his time between Little Rock and Kigali.
Clay Parker – Managing Director
Clay is responsible for Business Development – providing research, financial analysis, investment advice, capital raising and facilitation services for new and growing business ventures. Before moving to Rwanda, Clay worked for 3 years at Circumference Group (an investment and consulting firm) and as a B2R Project Coordinator – getting TOM’s Shoes and Kris Allen to Rwanda and bringing Ivuka Arts Kigali to the US. Clay earned his BBA and MBA at University of Central Arkansas.
Anna Reed – Program Director
Anna coordinates programming for Bridge2Rwanda and ISOKO Institute. She is responsible for our College Prep Center, Starkey hearing aid distribution project and other healthcare initiatives. Previously, Anna taught English and college test preparation at Sonrise High School in Musanze Rwanda. Anna is a experienced speech pathologist having earned her BS at University of Arkansas and MS at University of South Carolina. She worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital before moving to Rwanda in 2009.
Griffin Richards – Hospitality Coordinator
Griffin is responsible for developing and coordinating B2R’s invitation-only tour business – offering high capacity visitors a first class “vacation with a purpose” experience. After graduating from Colby College in 2009, Griffin moved to Rwanda and worked for a year at the Ishema Hotel in Musanze. He grew up around the hospitality industry – interning at The Athens Group, a resort development company founded by his father.
Sandy and John Rogers – Business Manager & Financial Advisor
As Business Manager, Sandy is responsible for B2R’s administrative, financial and database management functions. Before joining B2R, Sandy provided outsourced bookkeeping services and served as a church financial secretary and in cash management at Dillard’s Department Stores. Sandy’s husband, John, is the Chief Financial Officer at Stone Ward and serves as B2R’s special financial advisor. Prior to joining Stone Ward, John served as Chief Information Officer at TCBY.
Blayne Sharpe – Managing Director
Blayne is responsible for Operations and Programs at Bridge2Rwanda and ISOKO Institute – managing hospitality, borrowed talent and administration. Before joining B2R, Blayne spent 5 years in commercial banking with Simmons First National Bank. He served 2 years as B2R’s Business Manager in the US before moving to Rwanda in 2010. Blayne earned his BBA from the University of Central Arkansas.
Millie Ward and Larry Stone – Marketing & Communications Advisors
Millie, her husband, Larry, and their firm, Stone Ward, serve as B2R’s creative marketing partner. They play a primary role in developing B2R’s and ISOKO’s brand identity, websites and communication programs. Millie and Larry founded Stone Ward in 1984 and have built it into an accomplished and well-respected full-service creative, marketing and public communications firm.
Tom and Linda Wilson – Borrowed Talent Program & Special Operations Director
Tom and Linda are responsible for managing our Borrowed Talent program. Tom also provides management oversight and guidance to B2R’s operations. Linda is a Family Therapist and Tom serves as President & CEO of OneHundredX, the parent company of Leadership Network and Halftime. Tom and Linda served together for over 30 years as senior leaders with Young Life. They live in Fort Worth, TX
Melissa Yates – Development Director
Melissa is serves as B2R’s chief relationship officer at this end of the bridge – responsible for our network of friends – Halftimers, corporations, universities, churches, supporters and Rwandan students. She led the initiative to introduce Community Bible Study to Rwanda which now serves over 7,000 individuals. Prior to joining B2R, Melissa served as Community Bible Study leader and teacher, Real Estate Director & Legal Coordinator at TruckPro and Administrative Coordinator at Stephens Inc.