Our mission is to cultivate community development and economic capacity by empowering families through education, health, and income generating activities.
By partnering with vulnerable communities in Ethiopia, we strive to equip vulnerable people to live stable and sustainable lives. We work with the local church to respond to the expressed needs of the community because the church is a vital structure and a critical part of community life. Through the organization of the local church, the community is best able to mobilize volunteers for participation. By building local leadership, the church can truly lead development efforts in the community. Through their faithful care of the poorest among them, our local church partners are demonstrating God’s power to transform lives and families, one day at a time.
Our Story |
Three Roots is building on existing relationships with the local community in Ethiopia. The Leadership Team has nearly ten years of experience working in the same communities with many of the same people. We began Three Roots International to support and expand the work of the local church, while giving more people the opportunity to participate.
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We are Christian.
We are Christ-followers who are shaped and motivated by our belief in the value of every person. We are responsive. We are driven by the expressed needs of the community, and seek to communicate and act with efficiency. |
We are focused.
We are intentional in relationships and strategic in execution. We are partners. We value collaboration and we desire to work and learn with others. |
Meet Our Team
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Susan Conway
Executive Director Board Member Susan grew up in Great Falls, VA, and first traveled to Ethiopia in 2007. Since 2007, Susan has returned to Ethiopia every year and has built strong partnerships with the local church, which has facilitated the foundational work of Three Roots. She has lived in Africa, led multiple short-team teams to Africa, Europe, and Asia, and holds a Master's Degree in International Education and Development, focusing on marginalized communities. Having worked in the education and nonprofit sectors for fourteen years, at World Vision, World Relief and International Justice Mission, Susan now leads the Three Roots team by developing organizational vision and operational strategy, and works collaboratively with the Three Roots Country Director on programmatic implementation in the field. Susan enjoys traveling and photographing the people and places she sees along the way. "I'm drawn to the vibrancy and resilience that I see in Ethiopia. The beauty of the landscape is compelling, but the humble friendship, faith, and hospitality of the people has taught me so much, and continually draws me back."
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Demissie Tilahun
Ethiopia Country Director Demissie was born in Central Ethiopia, a few hours south of the country's capital. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Theology, a Master's degree in Theology, and also a MBA from St. Mary's University. He has held several senior leadership positions with the Kale Heywet Church (KHC), the largest Protestant church in Ethiopia. Several of those positions included serving as a missionary in India for three years, serving for six years as a National Board member for the KHC, and most recently Demissie was the General Secretary for the Central Zone, responsible for the oversight of every KHC church within the Central Zone of Ethiopia. He is now the Country Director for Three Roots, responsible for the strategic implementation of programs, as well as the oversight of operations in Ethiopia. "I am strongly convinced that Three Roots International is God’s provision to serve the poorest people here in Ethiopia. God always begins His plan with small and humble beginnings and then He expands those plans beyond what we could ever envision."
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Deborah Williams
Operations Manager Board Member Debbie had never planned on going to Ethiopia, but found that after her first trip in August 2012, she couldn't stop going. Before changing careers to teaching, Debbie worked in the nonprofit sector on community planning, grant writing, and outcome measure development and monitoring. Combining her professional and personal experiences, she is focused on budget development for the organization, and helps to manage volunteer team development and growth. When she isn't in Ethiopia, you can find Debbie with her sister in the stands of RFK Stadium cheering on the DC United soccer team. "When I was in Ethiopia I just fell in love with the people and the ways that I saw God move through the communities and in my own life. I've just kept going back."
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Courtney Taylor
Communications and Partner Support Coordinator Board Member Courtney grew up in Herndon, VA, but she is no stranger to East Africa. Prior to her first trip to Ethiopia in August 2012, Courtney led trips from her church in North Carolina to Kenya four times. She has returned several times since, not liking to be away from Africa for too long! As the Communications and Partner Support Coordinator for Three Roots, she manages social media accounts, maintains brand consistency, communicates with and cares for partners and supporters. Courtney loves to play guitar, chat over buna (coffee), and go on adventures with her husband and two young children. "The people of Ethiopia have such a warm, resilient, hopeful spirit. Ethiopian hospitality is beautiful and humbling, and the collective, collaborative nature of the community is incredible. It is clear that the Lord is moving in Ethiopia, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to be part of His work there."
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Abigail Butts, MS, RN, CCNS, CCRN
Communications Project Manager Abby is a Northern Virginia native and a critical care nurse with over eighteen years of experience. She has a Master’s degree as an Acute and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and currently works as Clinical Nurse Educator at a large, not-for-profit, acute-care teaching and research hospital. Abby first visited Ethiopia in 2008 on a team serving in a medical capacity. As the Communications Project Manager, Abby works on editorial and design projects for Three Roots. Although she keeps busy, she always finds time to spend with her adorable nieces! "What draws me to Ethiopia is the heart of the people; their kindness and internal beauty is so humbling and has been a powerful motivator in my own life. You can't help but be compelled to return and be a part of enriching their lives."
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Sarah Erath
Administration Coordinator Sarah has lived in several different places in America, growing up mostly in Alexandria, VA, but her first trip overseas was to Ethiopia in 2012. She uses her planning and organizational skills from her full-time job as a fifth grade teacher to help coordinate trips to Ethiopia from recruiting and training to logistics and planning. One of Sarah's favorite memories was from one of her recent trips to Ethiopia where she was able to pray with a group of Ethiopians about the need for clean water in their community. She uses that memory to remind her to stop and pray for others daily in America. "The first time I went to Ethiopia, I thought I was going there to share God's love with others so that their lives could change for the better. Little did I know that God would also change my own life for the better. I am blessed to be a part of this organization as we partner with communities in Ethiopia."
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Chandra Artman
Mobilization Coordinator Chandra is married with two children. Texas was home for 23 years prior to moving to Cary, NC for the last 6 years. She has her degree in nursing and spent most of her career caring for pediatric patients with cancer and blood disorders. Going on a mission trip was always a dream, but the timing never seemed to work out. Watching the work of her childhood friend, Abby Butts, through Three Roots drove her to jump into her first trip to Ethiopia in March 2018. Wow! There will be no turning back! Chandra spends most of her time caring for her family and foster children of Wake County. If she has time for herself, she enjoys reading, working out, playing with her dogs, and hanging out with friends. "My experience in Ethiopia was more than just the tasks at hand that were thoughtfully planned out. It was one of a special spiritual nature that only God could control. Joy and hope are in the smiles of the children and women in these villages! It was a beautiful time of service to God's people, through God's people. Three Roots International is making a difference in the lives of multiple generations, and I am so blessed to be a part of the journey!"
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Chelsea Jaetzold
Manager of Volunteer Teams and Special Projects Chelsea was raised in Houston TX and always desired to travel the world and effect change. She moved to Washington DC to pursue a Master’s degree in International Economics from American University. Chelsea currently works in data analytics for the non-profit sector during the day, but for Three Roots will help manage the volunteer teams and special projects. When not working, Chelsea loves baseball and can normally be found at a coffee shop. "I was drawn to the work of Three Roots International because it is clear through the stories told that the work is making a difference in the lives of people in Ethiopia. I am excited to be part of the work God is doing."
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Amber Corson
Board Chair Originally from Arlington, TX, Amber had no intentions of going to Ethiopia during her lifetime. She participated in her first short-term mission trip to Ethiopia in 2011 and returned the next year to lead a full team and then continued to return with Susan as they explored the possibility of beginning the organization. Amber is the General Manager for a commercial services company in Atlanta, where she leads a team of 30 and is responsible for growing client relationships, financial growth of the organization and developing her team. She serves on the Board of Directors as Board Chair for Three Roots, helping to guide the organization as it continues to grow. Amber enjoys traveling and has a passion for food. "Each time I return to Ethiopia, my commitment and passion for the people continues to grow as our relationships grow."
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Lindsey Baine
Board Member Lindsey is a member of Three Roots' Board of Directors, and previously, served as Communications & Strategy Manager on Three Roots' staff from 2015-2019. With over a decade of experience in marketing and communications, she currently leads marketing for the Americas region of Pexip, a video conferencing software provider. Prior to Pexip, Lindsey led marketing for a healthcare technology provider and advised B2B clients at a marketing and public relations agency. Outside of work, Lindsey is an avid marathon runner and enjoys spending time outside with her husband and dog. "I was blown away by the generosity, hospitality, and genuine love shown by the people I met in Ethiopia. They serve as amazing examples of what it looks like to live a Christ-like life."
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Christine Conway
Board Member Chris has been involved with Three Roots since its inception in 2015, as a supporter and advisor, and as a member of the founding Board of Directors. With degrees in education and counseling, and after raising two daughters, Chris became a clinical mental health professional, a career she pursued for almost three decades. During her time as a psychotherapist, Chris co-founded and -directed a successful group practice for 18 years, after which she operated her own independent practice until her retirement in 2018. Chris first traveled to Ethiopia with Three Roots in 2015 and she has returned every year since then. Her passion for working with women and children led her to help teach a parenting curriculum designed for rural Ethiopian populations. She looks forward to continuing her work with Three Roots and to returning to Ethiopia as often as possible. “I have been blessed to know many wonderful people in my lifetime, but my heart was never more moved than when I met the mothers of some of our sponsored children. They greeted us with hugs and kisses, and their joy and gratitude was overwhelming. I can’t wait to go back!”
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