Meet new board member Debbie Wuerffel

Debbie Wuerffel was elected to the board in November 2023 as a member-at-large for a two-year term (2024-25).  Liz Andress, board chair, asked Debbie to respond to a few questions.

Debbie, tell us about your education.  What did you study and why?

Debbie with her family

I graduated from Valparaiso University with a BA in Biology and a minor in Humanities. While at Valpo, I spent a semester studying in Namibia and South Africa with the Center for Global Education. This experience was my entry point into issues of social justice and anti-racism work, as I learned from Professor Pandu Hailonga the importance of "decolonizing our minds."  

What then did you pursue as a career?

I started my career in the non-profit housing arena, including providing homeless youth services and working with homebuyers at Habitat for Humanity. I also spent ten years in foreclosure intervention and homeownership counseling, managing programming at the Minnesota Homeownership Center. 

What fills your life these days?

I decided to return to school in 2018 to pursue a teaching license.  I earned a Masters of Arts in Education from Augsburg University.  I’m now a middle school teacher for English Language Learners. I live in Minneapolis with my husband, Jake, and our two kids. I love spending time outdoors, especially hiking and gardening. I also have fun preserving food, especially making pickles and salsa with produce from the yard! 

Where did you learn about Mwendo Congo and the work of our partners in the DRC?

I’m a member of the Community of St. Martin faith community, and in between housing jobs I managed their nonprofit café and bookstore, St. Martin's Table from 2006-2008.  In 2015 Dr. Edwige Mubonzi and Pastor Kubisa Muzenende spoke at one of our community education hours about the realities in the eastern Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC).  Their visions for healing and wholeness in the lives of people in their communities and the work they had been doing inspired me and many in the Community.  I have been a supporter since then.

We are so happy to have you on the Mwendo Congo board of directors.  Why did you choose to accept this invitation and how do you hope to contribute to the work?

There are so many issues in the world that deserve our attention and energy.  What draws me to Mwendo Congo is its unique structure - a working board that fosters relationships and works in close partnership with the staff of Laissez L'Afrique Vivre (Let Africa Live), our primary partner in Congo.  As a board member, I want to widen our U.S. network of supporters and contributors to this important work.  I also hope that my experience with nonprofit management will contribute to the long-term success of our organization, so that we can continue to advance health, education, and peace in the DRC.