Jeff Rogers is a rural development expert and co-founder of Child Legacy International (CLI), which he and Karen Rogers established in 1987 to bring hope to disadvantaged rural populations in Africa. He has over 30 years of on the ground experience in rural development, successfully implementing sustainable initiatives in healthcare, clean water access, vocational training, orphan care, and agriculture advancements in Zimbabwe and Malawi. Jeff’s state-of-the-art renewable energy system is used in both countries and has been recognized as a model for rural development by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). CLI’s holistic Sustainable Village model is somewhat unique and proven effective. CLI’s philosophy is to provide a “hand up, not a handout.” Thereby training and developing local people to do the work and become future leaders.
Jeff’s work through CLI has earned multiple endorsements from members of the US Congress and international government ministries from Great Britain, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. He also serves as an active board member for The Life Link and as a founding board member of Hallmark University, a US-based educational institution. He is also the Founder and CEO of Moyo Goods, PBC. In December 2022, Jeff was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philanthropy and Humanitarianism by Rocky Mountain University for his work in Africa.
Future CLI Priorities include:
Kevin is a retired oil and gas executive with a passion for international ministry work. He spent 40 years in the industry, including 14 years as President of Tana Exploration. He has a degree in Geology from Oklahoma State University. He has been involved in international ministry work for the past 20 years, with CLI being his main focus. He was International Ministry Coordinator for Church Project in The Woodlands and helped found Church Project Winter Park in Colorado and serves on its Board. He is also a Staff Mountaineering Guide for Voice of Wilderness.
Kevin’s involvement with CLI began in 2013 when he participated in the Kilimanjaro Clean Water Climb and visited CLI’s project site in Malawi. Since then, Kevin has been captivated by the work being done by CLI and has been an active member of the Board since 2014.
As Chairman of the Board, Kevin is committed to helping CLI achieve its mission of bringing hope and a future to rural Malawi and Zimbabwe through sustainable development programs in Clean Water, Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He believes that CLI’s work can serve as a model for other rural ministries throughout sub-Sahara Africa.
Kevin has participated in 14 Clean Water Climbs, leading four trips to South America and three in Colorado. He has also visited the Malawi project site 13 times and plans to make his 14th trip in May of 2023. Kevin was elected Chairman of the Board in 2020 and was re-elected in 2023.
Kevin and his wife Lesa have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. They split their time between homes in Granby, Colorado, and Montgomery, Texas, and are committed to creating a better world for future generations.
Steve first became involved with Child Legacy during a visit to Malawi in 2010 where he discovered the organization’s mission and saw how the model was transforming the lives of the local community. A short time later he was asked to join the Board and has been back to Malawi several times including with his family. His work on the Board includes planning and communicating compelling stories that motivate people to take action.
Steve is the Area Director for Tensar International, a division of Commercial Metals Company. Throughout his career, Steve has held numerous leadership positions in the Church and private organizations including managing a $250 million business. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University and his Master’s Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Steve has been married to Jennifer since 1994. They have three boys together and two additional children they sponsor through Compassion International. Their greatest desire is to see the Gospel permeate people’s lives such that they live the mission of Jesus.
Mike Navolio is a retired exploration and production petroleum seismologist with 43 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He obtained his BS and MS degrees in Engineering Geoscience from Cal Berkeley in 1973 and 1975, respectively. After his successful career in the industry, he decided to embark on a new journey that involved giving back to society through mission trips to Africa.
Beginning in 2007, Mike went on a series of life-changing mission trips to Africa, visiting countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and Malawi. During his second visit to Child Legacy in Malawi, he got the idea to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for Child Legacy’s water well ministry. Thus, the Mt. Kilimanjaro “Clean Water Climb (CWC)” was born, which he has organized and led since 2011. Through 2022, CLI’s has repaired 5,328 well benefiting more than 10 million people.
Mike has led 15 treks to the summit of Kilimanjaro, 3 treks to Everest Base Camp, and 1 to the summit of Mt. Mulanje, all in support of Child Legacy’s water well ministry. He has also made 20 trips to Child Legacy and brought over 200 people with him since his first visit in 2009.
Mike’s devotion to his work and his philanthropic endeavors is only matched by his love for his family. He has been married to his wife Jennifer since 1972, and together they have two grown children and four grandchildren. They attend Church Project and host House Church every week in their home.
Michelle Ernst currently serves as the Co-Founder of 100 Women of the Hill Country and Principal at Mayfair Haus. Her professional areas of focus include brand marketing, brand strategy, public relations, and interior design.
As the former Founding Partner and creator of The Dienger Trading Co., she immersed herself in fulfilling a market gap for a rapidly growing community from 2014 until Spring 2022. Prior to launching DTC, Michelle held a ten-year career in public relations, brand and strategic marketing, with side passion projects in interior design.
Child Legacy found a place in Michelle’s heart after a happenstance meeting with Co-Founders and Visionaries, Jeff and Karen Rogers, in 2012. After a conversation about CLI and Jeff’s vision for the organization’s future, Michelle wanted to help in any way to move forward toward making those dreams a reality. In 2013, after a trip to Malawi to visit the project, it was official. Child Legacy would forever in some way be a part of her life. The impact of the Project and the trip was a life-changing experience. The innovation and forward-thought of the Project were something she did not expect at the level it was in rural Msundwe. It has since grown beyond any dream mentioned at the first meeting with the Founders. Once back home, ideas flowed as she assisted with marketing, public relations, and branding efforts where needed while brainstorming new ways to share who Child Legacy was in their home away from Malawi in Boerne. Michelle used her business at the time, The Dienger Trading Co., to partner with CLI in their fundraising efforts and to share who they were. Fast forward to 2021, Michelle officially joined the board where she serves on the Marketing and Fundraising committee.
Michelle has always been drawn to cast a wider net of giving back but credits the trip to Africa as the pivotal jumpstart of her service to others. She has the honor of serving as a board member for the Cibolo Center for Conservation, The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, and as Co-Founder of 100 Women of the Hill Country. She previously held a board seat on Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau board and Art Al Fresco Public Art Committee, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
At home, Michelle and her husband, Paul, are working hard to raise two good humans while exploring the Hill Country.
Dacia is a physician, entrepreneur, and community leader, with a longstanding commitment to improving women’s and children’s health and economic sustainability. Dacia has been a supporter of CLI for many years and joined its Board in 2020, where she plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s focus on these areas.
Dacia is a founder of MOYO Goods, a Public Benefit Corporation that is expected to generate significant positive cash flow to offset CLI’s expenses. Born in Guam to a military family, Dacia grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and earned a Biochemistry and Art History degree from Rice University. She then attended UT Houston Medical School, where she earned her medical degree. After completing her residency in diagnostic radiology, chief residency, and fellowship in abdominal imaging, Dacia became the first woman president of M&S Imaging in San Antonio. She then assisted in developing the center Avestee Women’s Imaging in San Antonio.
After retiring from her radiology career, Dacia devotes her time to Moyo Goods and CLI. She serves on the board for Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the San Antonio Museum of Art. She led the capital campaign for Girls Inc. Of San Antonio’s new campus. Dacia is a collector of contemporary art for enjoyment and investment. She has also launched a new career as an artist working in ink and acrylics.
Dacia and her husband Lanham have two adult children, son Cade studying for his phD in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, and daughter Avery an honors psychology senior at Tufts University. Her husband of 30 years Lanham is a business investor and former CEO of Rackspace.
