After visiting Uganda in September 2006, she and her husband, David Thelen, founded ChangeALife Uganda the following March.

Email: jsemler@changealifeuganda.org

David received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, his master's degree in Counseling and Supervision from Kean University and an EDS degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Seton Hall University. David had a successful career as a guidance counselor at Old Bridge High School, Old Bridge Township School District.

In 2007, he helped co-found ChangeALife Uganda. David is also a Board Member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, past President of the Central Jersey Step Family Association of America, facilitator for Survivors of Suicide support group, and continues to volunteer at The Center in Asbury Park.

Email: dthelen@changealifeuganda.org

Wayne graduated from Ohio Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering. He started his career as a Systems Test Engineer, working on computers used by NASA for the Apollo moon landings. Soon after, he went into the Quality Engineering field where he worked on oil well logging equipment, radiation detectors for the space shuttle, telecommunication satellites for private industry and foreign governments, weather satellites, interplanetary spacecraft and experimental satellites for NASA. His work includes satellite systems for the U.S. Government such as the Global Positioning System and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

Wayne retired in 2006 from Lockheed Martin Co. where he was working on the U.S. Navy's AEGIS Weapons System. Besides his work with ChangeALife Uganda, Wayne volunteers for the Jackson Police Department.

Patrina graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. After her graduation, she went on to become a practicing graphic designer. She also attended a design program at the prestigious Kunstgewerbeschule in Basel, Switzerland.

Today, she is Principal of Davidoff Associates Inc., a communications and design consultancy in New York City. She brings her visual communications expertise to her work with a wide range of Fortune500 corporations, hospitals and retail businesses, as well as non-profit organizations such as ChangeALife Uganda. Patrina specializes in strategic brand identity design and management.

Kerry received a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Teacher Training / Athletic Training from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s degree in Physical Education, Sports Fitness and Management from New York University. In the past, Kerry has been a teacher at Essex Fells Elementary School, Randall Carter School and the Holton Arms School. She also worked with for the Department of Energy in Washington, DC.

A former Peace Corps volunteer, Kerry currently volunteers in a wide variety of activities in the community and in local schools, some of which include, CCD teacher, coach, and coordinating service projects. Kerry’s family proudly sponsors two ChangeALife Uganda children. She has worked primarily with the ChangeALife Uganda Quarters for Water program.

Susan began her educational career as a school psychologist in the Hazlet School District and later became a supervisor of curriculum/instruction and special services at Spring Lake Heights Elementary School in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey.

Currently, she serves as the principal of Emma Havens Young Elementary School in Brick, New Jersey. Susan earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University and believes very strongly in global education, service learning, and constructivism. She is the coordinator of the education committee for ChangeALife Uganda as well as a board member.

Rosemary received her bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Theology from the College of Saint Elizabeth. After graduation, Rosemary pursued careers in journalism, public relations, and fundraising. She was the first editor of The Lawrence Ledger, part of The Princeton Packet chain, and won a first place award for general excellence from the New Jersey Press Association during its first year of publication. She went on to serve as Director of Community Relations at Mercer Medical Center in Trenton and later Westlake Community Hospital in Illinois. She went on to become Director of Public Relations for Plimoth Plantation, Director of Development and Public Relations for Jordan Hospital, Director of Development and Public Affairs for The Seeing Eye, and most recently Director of Development for New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

Rosemary joined ChangeALife Uganda in 2010. She also currently serves as Director of Seton Associates for the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey. She has served on various committees including the Centennial Celebration Committee, as well as serving on the Alumnae Association Board—two years as President. She has received numerous awards for her fundraising and public relations, including The Athena Award.

Nancy has over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry primarily in the areas of Sales, Marketing and Operations. She started her career at Merck and has worked at AstraMerck and AstraZeneca before returning to Merck in 2007. Nancy has held senior leadership positions in the areas of sales, marketing, training, and customer service as well as business ventures and strategic alliances. She currently has responsibility for Enterprise Learning focusing primarily on leadership development and learning technologies for all divisions of Merck around the world.

Nancy volunteered her time as an active member of the Board of Trustees at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, NJ for over 10 years before joining the ChangeALife Uganda Board. She holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from Rutgers University and MBA in Marketing & Finance from LaSalle University.

Alison Joslyn comes to CALU from Merck & Co. Inc. where she was most recently a Vice President and Division Compliance Officer, International Human Health. Her previous experience includes Vice President Strategy and Innovation, Europe/Canada and Vice President and General Manager, Merck/Schering-Plough JV, Europe, Middle East and Africa. She has traveled extensively in Africa and hopes to contribute a passion for the mission of CALU combined with the experience and network she has gained in her 25 year career at Merck, much of which was in General Management and Global Strategy, and included nearly 13 years of in-country operational experience.

Alison has her MBA from Dartmouth College and a B.S. in Biology from Yale University.

Dr. Evelyn Wells MD is board certified in Emergency Medicine. She has an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Princeton University, received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and was Chief Resident at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Evelyn is now an attending physician in the ER at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

As a medical student she spent some time in the ER and knew that being the last resort for people is the role she wanted to play. She is eager to share her skills with people who have limited access to care either because they cannot make an appointment or because they have no insurance. Evelyn sees it all and that’s what she enjoys about her job: the young, elderly, pregnant, prisoners, undocumented residents, the critically ill and those with minor complaints. She just wants to help people. She does this not only in the US but advises the CALU Board about health related issues and personally travels to Uganda to help the people in Migyera and Nabbingo.