Being a board member for Women’s Enterprises International requires an ability to not only govern effectively in the boardroom, but a sincere willingness to provide hands-on leadership in the field. We are privileged to have a board comprised of powerful women who are skilled and motivated to create real change in the lives of women around the world. The vitality of this work originates from the joy they share.

Theresa Schulz Norris

Theresa is Co-Founder and President of WEI.  She has worked in over a dozen countries and has served on the Board of Directors of Agros International, the World Vision Micro-Enterprise Investor Council, and is a member of Seattle First Presbyterian Church where she serves on the Missions Committee.  Theresa spent 16 years in the technology industry managing technical teams, product development and marketing, with companies such as Microsoft, Aldus and Pointshare.  In 1998, Theresa left high-tech to dedicate her life to inter-
national development and poverty alleviation, and co-founded WEI in 2000.

Paula M Rowland, PhD

Paula has been involved with WEI from the beginning, helping to craft WEI’s mission, vision and program delivery.  Paula has a Masters Degree in Public Health with a focus on International Health, and a PhD in Comparative International Education.  She currently works as a consultant, helping nonprofits evaluate the impact of their work. She has lived and worked in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Her passion is to assist families to better their own lives through grass roots development efforts.

Leola B Ross, PhD

Leola has been involved with WEI since 2001.  She has traveled to Kenya, El Salvador and Guatemala with WEI and serves as Treasurer.  Leola has a MA and PhD in Economics both from Southern Methodist University.  In her career, Leola has headed up operations for a commodities trading company, taught at East Carolina University and Seattle University, and is currently a Senior Investment Strategist at Russell Investments. She is also an avid singer and is currently on leave from Sacred Music Chorale, but continues to manage their Endowment Fund.

Sylvia Schulz

Sylvia has been committed to the vision and mission of WEI since its inception in 2000.  She actively supports WEI as a member of the Board and as the Kenya Program Champion.  Highlights of her WEI involvement include three WEI team trips to Kenya and one to El Salvador to work alongside the women’s groups.  After a successful career in Manufacturing Engineering, Sylvia retired from the Boeing Company and has dedicated her life to her family, church, WEI, and various volunteer activities.  Her love of music finds her playing keyboards Sunday mornings with the Seattle First Presbyterian worship team.

Emily Woo

Emily graduated from the University of Washington with an International Business and Marketing degree.  She has a passion to serve underprivelege commmunities through sustainable methods and loves to venture abroad.  After traveling with Women’s Enterprises International to Kenya in 2009, she joined the board in 2010 and works on the marketing and social media efforts for WEI.

Anastasia Miles

Anastasia is a professional businesswoman, entrepreneur, philanthropists, political activist and mother. She has worked for large global corporations and medium sized national and regional companies and is currently Business Development Director for Hearst Media Services and Seattle PI.com.  In addition Anastasia has worked in has founded and co-founded several businesses.  Anastasia has been involved with WEI since 2004  and serves on the board of directors. Previously she was on the board of Village Theatre and has volunteered for numerous other community organizations.

Katie Brown

Katie has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and a Masters in International Business from Seattle University.  She has worked in both the consumer goods and the aerospace industry for the past ten years.  Katie has a passion for bridging the gap between cultures.  This is evident in her work as an Engineering Manager for the Boeing Company, with WEI, and in international development work in Asia, Central Asia, and Africa.  She has been involved with WEI since 2005, including work trips to Kenya and Guinea Bisseau.