The Company
Freedom Stones International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Frisco, Texas. All donations are tax deductible.
Board Members and Other Key People
Wayne Hester, Founding Board Member
Wayne served as Leah Knippel's mentor and advisor while she was working in Asia. He was also at the time the Executive Pastor for FountainGate Fellowship Church in Abilene, Texas, which supported Leah's work in Asia. Wayne, along with his wife Tricia, have been a constant source of encouragement, advice and leadership as Freedom Stones has evolved since 2005.
Paul Knippel, Founding Board Member
Paul played a key role in the official establishment of Freedom Stones in Asia. In December of 2008 he traveled with Leah to Asia in order to jumpstart Freedom Stones partnerships in Thailand and Cambodia. Paul continues to assist in the development of the organizational structure of Freedom Stones as well as being a source of constant encouragement and support.
Amanda Moore, Consultant in Ghana
Amanda was born and raised in Western Canada and she started her career as a recreation business owner. Her humanitarian, entrepreneurial and artistic passions have taken her to Costa Rica, Uganda, and most recently to Ghana where she currently resides. In addition to being a consultant for Freedom Stones, she also works as the coordinator for an NGO conducting research and extension activities and as a tourism consultant. She is currently studying for a Masters in International Development, and also holds a degree in Tourism Management with a Major in Recreation, and an Associate Diploma in Recreation, Tourism and Community Development.
Lynne Ellis, Advisory Committee Member
Lynne has served as a mentor and advisor for Freedom Stones since before its inception. She is a Pastor at Overlake Christian Church in Seattle which supports the work of Freedom Stones by hosting home parties and raising funds for our cause. Lynne has visited our field partners in Pattaya multiple times and dreams with us of creating a model of economic development for victims of trafficking that can be replicated all over the world.
Kevin Fryatt, Advisory Committee Member
Kevin's involvement with Freedom Stones dates back to the organization’s formative stages in 2007. As an Advisor, Kevin brings a range of skills to the table as well as international experience in East and West Africa as well as Central America. He is currently employed by World Relief in their Economic Development Unit as a Technical Advisor – Finance & Data Analyst – providing technical program and financial oversight to a portfolio of microfinance institutions serving over 200,000 clients around the world. From 2006-2008 he worked as a Finance Manager for Samaritan’s Purse Liberia, financially managing 30+ development programs with a budget of approximately $5mil USD and for Equip Liberia, a local Liberian NGO, transforming their financial and organizational systems to take on USAID funding. He has worked with donors such as USAID, EU, CIDA, Tearfund, ERF, UNICEF, FAO, Global Fund, as well as many others. He also holds a Masters of Arts in International Development from Eastern University with concentrated studies in Microfinance as well as Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with concentrated studies in Accounting. Furthermore, he currently sits on the Board of Directors for New Hope Adventist Church, as well as their international missions ministry ‘Sharing Our Strength’, and acts as an Advisor to L.A.C.E.S. (Life and Change Experienced Thru Sports). His true passions lie in the destruction of evil, the Kingdom of God, and seeing the whole person (mentally, physically, socially, spiritually, and economically) transformed through sustainable, measurable, and accountable activities worldwide.
Marsha Ashabraner, Freedom Stones branded clasp designer
Marsha rose to the occasion at the last minute, when Leah Knippel had an idea for a clasp design for our jewelry in December of 2008. Five days prior to Leah's trip to Asia to commence Freedom Stones partnerships, Marsha used her jewelry making skills to smelt our branded clasp which is now on every piece of jewelry we make.
