Our Team 

Mavis Bauman, President

Mavis is a writer, specializing in corporate communications from her home in Northern New Jersey. She is also a photographer, capturing images for corporate and private events, graduating seniors and newborns, etc. Prior to starting her own business 26 years ago, Mavis worked in the financial industry, managing areas of compliance in J.P. Morgan’s futures brokerage and securities firms. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, NE, and her graduate studies at The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy in Medford, MA, focusing on international finance and business relations and private international law. Afterwards, she served as a writer and fundraiser with the United Nations Association in Washington, D.C. Raised with five siblings in Western Nebraska, Mavis considers herself a “professional sister.” She was struck with a passion for Rwandan genocide survivors during her first visit there in 2008 and has served as the visionary for SEED since. "I believe I can do what my brothers and sisters did for me during difficult times," she says. "Any small act of kindness or compassion can have a huge impact on someone's life." (Read her story here)

Susan Riker, Treasurer 

Susan is a Leadership Coach certified by Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership, with three decades of experience in business development and team building in the private and non-profit sectors in the US and around the world. Her career began at Chase Manhattan Bank in international lending, followed by the role of VP of Specialty Publishing and Interactive Media at U.S. News & World Report. After two decades, Susan shifted into international non-profit development and advocacy work, first serving as Director of Communications and Development for Karamah, an organization that promotes Muslim women’s rights. Susan then joined HelpAge USA, an affiliate of UK-based HelpAge International, as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development, working with teams on the ground in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Susan is a graduate of The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and Mount Holyoke College. She and her husband Christopher have one daughter.

Vanay Walek, Secretary

Vanay currently serves as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Dallas, TX. Along with her husband Chuck, they are involved in the worldwide outreach of Wycliffe and its partnering organizations in Bible translation, language research, and literacy programs. Vanay's assignment at the International Linguistics Center as the Public Relations Director, gives her a large platform to tell many visitors about the needs of language communities all around the world. She has a deep passion for the urgent need for the Bible to be translated into the "heart language" of thousands of languages that are still waiting. Through her many years of working with linguistic and literacy missionaries and hearing worldwide reports, Vanay has become well versed in intercultural communications and possesses a deep knowledge of poverty and education in undeveloped regions of the world. She has also been involved in fundraising and recruitment in other various ministries including outreach to international students, single mothers in need, and food distribution in her community. Vanay and Chuck have three children and four grandchildren. Vanay is quick to remind everyone she meets in all situations, "To God Be the Glory!"