The Care For Life Team

Cindy Packard
BLAIR & CINDY PACKARD
FOUNDERS

In 2000, Cindy Packard, a midwife, and her husband, Blair, traveled to Mozambique after learning about the devastating flooding and massive destruction in a country already drowning in abject poverty. After extensive research, they determined that many of the solutions in Africa were addressing the secondary problems, not the primary problems. These significant findings were the beginning of Care for Life. Teaching the basics and fostering self-reliance would bring lasting success.

After receiving NGO status in 2002, they established headquarters in Manga, Mozambique, which is located in the central eastern coast of the country. The Packard’s began hiring staff in Mozambique after starting a learning center and opening a small clinic to assist pregnant mothers. Soon after, the Care for Life team began teaching directly in villages in order to reach thousands of people. This evolved into the current Family Preservation Program (FPP), the cornerstone of Care for Life’s humanitarian model.

Becky Shiew

Becky Shiew 
PRESIDENT 

Becky Shiew developed a love for humanitarian work when she went to Greece to work with refugees.  Since then, she has lived in Jordan to study the humanitarian sector.

As part of her studies, she became interested in how humanitarian programs address self-reliance. She found Care for Life and recognized its success in this area.  She is very excited to join them and help take the Family Preservation Program to more people. Becky has also lived in Ghana and served with several NGOs there providing wellness classes, business skills training, and literacy programs. 

Becky graduated with a Master of Accountancy degree and a minor in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. She loves spending time with her two children and her family.  She loves hiking, cooking, reading, and helping other people.

Mary Ann Curtis
MARY ANN CURTIS
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Mary Ann Curtis has been actively involved in management and volunteer work at nonprofit organizations for 15 years. 

During graduate school, Mary Ann found herself searching for an organization that deliberately strikes at the root of poverty rather than one that unintentionally contributes to the cycle of dependency. When introduced to Care for Life, Mary Ann knew she had found what she was looking for. It is in nonprofit work that her natural inclination for process efficiency organization skills and poverty alleviation interests have found a place to fully take root.

If Mary Ann is not exploring desert red rock country, she can be found hiking, trail running, or lugging a standup paddleboard to a remote lake in the mountains with her husband – and occasionally with their three coerced children in tow. In her few spare minutes, you can find Mary Ann lost in a book, covered in paint, or working magic in her garden.

Richard
RICHARD ANDREWS
VICE PRESIDENT OF MESSAGING

Mr. Andrews is the Executive Vice President for Messaging with Care for Life.  Over forty five years of experience in Private and Public Sector organizations at the executive and managerial level have proceeded this volunteer NGO assignment.

Communities are the core of his professional career.  From concept, planning, governmental approvals, funding, development and daily administration of communities have given him unique insight into how people can be at their best while serving each other to accomplish common goals.  Living and working in Africa has enriched his life and provided an international perspective of how people succeed.

Mr. Andrews holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University (1973).

Linda Harper
LINDA HARPER
Family Preservation Program Director

Linda Harper has been working with Care for Life for over 20 years. Over the years she has served in several capacities including President from 2010 to 2021. Linda now serves as the Family Preservation Program Director.

 

Linda and her husband Todd have 5 sons, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. They own a successful remodeling company in Gilbert, Arizona. Their family fell in love with Care for Life when their son Ben did an eagle project for CFL in 2001.

 

Todd and Linda made their 1st trip to Africa in 2002. Linda has returned every year since that time, along with several of their sons. Linda spent the past 20 years loving the people of Mozambique, Africa and is thrilled with the opportunity to bring the Family Preservation Program to other countries.

Solomon Malidadi
SOLOMON MALIDADI
MOZAMBIQUE NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Solomon Malidadi has been the Care for Life Mozambique National Director for 14 years. He is a native of Mazambique, speaks fluent English along with his native Portuguese. 

 

He has a degree in business management and years of management experience. He is very respected by his coworkers. Solomon and his wife Amalia have 3 lovely daughters. Solomon is well named and is known for his wisdom, kind manner, and caring heart.

Blair

JODI & KEVIN THOMSON
Expansion Director

Kevin & Jodi joined Care For Life in 2023 to jointly fill the positions of Treasurer, Board Member, and Director of Finance. Combined they have over 25 years of experience working with various non-profit organizations, including Chairman of the Board (Kevin), and President (Jodi).

Both are active professionals in finance and business management with Kevin working in the home services industry with mergers and acquisitions, and Jodi working in aerospace & defense.  Kevin holds a bachelor degree in Technology Management, while Jodi holds a Master degree in Business Management. 

Although Kevin & Jodi were instantly drawn to the Care for Life purpose, their first trip to Africa solidified their dedication and love for the work. They have 3 children whom they hope will follow in their love for humanitarian work.

Ben

Eliza Terry
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Eliza Terry was born and raised in Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in family life.

She has worked for multiple nonprofits including various communications roles within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has a baby girl and loves to spend her time hiking, traveling, reading, and doing zumba.

Board of Directors

CURTIS CHRISTENSEN
CHAIRMAN
CARRIE THOMPSON
VICE CHAIRMAN
BECKY SHIEW
VICE CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENT
JODI & KEVIN THOMSON
Treasurer
Stephen Richins
BOARD MEMBER (Leadership Development)
ANNIE LEWIS
BOARD MEMBER (LEGACY)
RYAN NELSON
BOARD MEMBER (FINANCES)
BRIAN HILL
BOARD MEMBER (SOCIAL BUSINESS)
Sylvia Mcmillan
BOARD MEMBER (Program development)

Brad Andrews
Director of Fundraising