Todd Evans

Founder 

Todd is a retired retreat center minister, co-­founder of Seeds of Learning, a playwright, gardener and founding director of End World Hunger. He holds a Doctorate in Ministry focused on the education of First World people on the needs of Third World countries. Through numerous trips with North American volunteers to Latin America and two trips to Africa he has honed his perceptions on why the world’s poorest starve in an age of plenty. He and his wife have dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to pioneer solutions to serve the disadvantaged. 

Barry Tanis 

Treasurer 

Barry is recently retired after a career in management focused on computer security and business continuity in the financial industry. Barry spent several years living and teaching in Taiwan and traveling throughout Asia. Barry is passionate about promoting cross-cultural understanding and helping foster solutions that make a real-world difference in the lives of the underserved.   Barry is a graduate of Wheaton College and holds an M.A from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Cathy Webber

Secretary

Cathy is a business process consultant, facilitator, and project manager who works with all types of organizations to smooth out their operations to achieve more with fewer resources. Cathy has an extensive background in business process automation and global project management. Cathy is passionate about collaborative decision making and working together to achieve great things. Cathy holds a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California.

Tony Passantino

Board Member 

I am an Environmental Educator coordinator for Sonoma Ecology Center, organizing K-12 programming for children and teens in outdoor education and sustainability. As the vice chair of the Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Group at Sonoma Valley High School, i'm intimately involved in programming for teens in Agricultural education and workplace learning. As a geographer, I have a passion for travel and cultural exchanges including several recent trips to Central and South America.

Antoine Bigirimana

Board Member

Antoine is a business professional with over 20 years experience in computer technology, corporate management, equity investment, alternative energy and ICT for development. He is interested in practical solutions to challenges in developing countries. He has successfully led teams to develop large software applications for the government of Rwanda after the genocide, and co-founded and co-managed THVF (Thousand Hills Venture Fund), the only privately financed US-based Africa investment fund working in Rwanda. Antoine holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Electronics from University of Liege, Belgium.

Steve Hagstrom

Board Member

Steve is a champion for underserved communities. With over twenty years of experience in the Tech Industry and ten years in Event Management, Steve is a true professional with a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

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He also has a lifetime association in the Theater as a Freelance Technician.

Not content with simply working behind the scenes, Steve has taken on leadership roles in the arts community. He is currently the Chair of Sonoma's Cultural and Fine Arts Commission and sits on the Theater Advisory Board at the Polly Klaas Community Theater. In addition, he is a manager at Bon Marche, a 501(c)3 non-profit and thrift store in Sonoma.

Steve's dedication to supporting underserved communities is evident in his work. He is passionate about using the arts to empower and uplift young people, particularly those who are food insecure or unhoused. His tireless efforts have made a real difference in the lives of countless individuals.

One of Steve's proudest achievements is his association with the End World Hunger Foundation. He believes that hunger is a global crisis that requires grassroots solutions. Steve is helping raise awareness and funds for hunger relief efforts locally and internationally through his work with the foundation.

Steve is proof that one person can make a significant impact on the world. His commitment to serving others is an inspiration to us all. As we face unprecedented challenges in our communities and around the globe, we can see Steve as an example of what is possible when working together towards a common goal.

Shireen Ellis

Board Member

Shireen Ellis is a high school social studies teacher in Sonoma Valley, California. She grew up with an appreciation for cultural exchange and the joy of building connections. She has traveled through Central America, most recently spending time in Guatemala.

Shireen is very supportive of our goals of Ending World Hunger through supporting efforts globally to encourage best practices in water management, fight malnutrition, and revive plant-based protein opportunities using Amaranth.

Shireen has an MA in Educational Leadership from Sonoma State University.

Maya Ibitz

Board Member

Maya, an accomplished interior designer with a Bachelor's Degree in Design, harbors a passion beyond her professional realm. 

Her dedication to positively impacting others' lives became profoundly evident after participating in one of our educational tours to Guatemala. 

During her visit, Maya witnessed firsthand the challenges of food scarcity faced by various communities and understood the profound effects it 

can have on individuals. Deeply moved by the historical context of Guatemala and inspired by the tangible benefits of contributing, Maya is now more committed than ever to pursuing knowledge and taking actionable steps toward making a meaningful difference.