Who We Are
Impact Romania’s work is led by a devoted team of Canadian and Romanian staff and volunteers, each contributing in unique ways towards fulfilling our mission.
Canadian Staff
Rhondi Fowler
Director Team: Staff Development & Communications
Rhondi has been involved with Impact Romania since our very first trip in 2001. She has many years of youth work experience including 9 years as a youth pastor at Chartwell Church in Oakville, Ontario. Rhondi has provided leadership on over 25 short-term mission teams all over the world. In 2012, she completed her Masters in Social Work. Rhondi loves to travel to Romania with her husband Jon and their daughter Kaitlyn (born 2014).
Bob Fukumoto
Director Team: Mission Development & Discipleship
Bob has worked in pastoral and discipleship ministry in the Toronto area since 1980. His passion is found in helping young people reach their potential in the context of “mission and community”. He has a Masters degree and over 35 years experience with youth and young adults. Bob is married to Jan, and they have 3 adult children.
Romanian Staff
Carmen Borza
Counselor
Carmen has a degree in Psychopedagogy specializing in work with special needs children. She has six years of experience as a school counselor and another three as a ministry coordinator. Carmen joined Pas cu Pas in 2012 and she is now involved in counseling, transformational programs, developing the volunteer team, and mentoring. Her wish is to help people grow, so they become the best version of themselves.
Monica Florea
Social worker
Moni has a degree in Social Work and first worked with Pas cu Pas from 2007 until 2012 when she and her family moved back to her home town for a few years. In 2016 she joined the team again and is currently leading our mentoring and social work programs. She is passionate about working with mentors and inspiring them to make a difference in the lives of orphans.
Dina Nechita
Director Team: Romania Operations & Development
Dina returns to the Romania leadership role after a 3 year absence. She brings a wealth of experience in ministry to the poor especially through organizational leadership. She is passionate about advocacy for the poor and growth in community. She is a founding partner in this program (2005).
Dinu Nechita
Pastoral Ministry Coordinator
Dinu was involved with Impact Romania as a volunteer since our very first trip in 2001. After heading to the United States in 2004 he returned in July 2012 with a beautiful family (wife Candice, daughters Marie & Sarah), a bible college degree, and many life experiences which would help him in his ministry. Dinu brings a hunger to disciple and develop young men and we are thankful to have both he and Candice as part of our team in Romania.
Gina Șipoș
Fundraiser
Gina started collaborating with us in 2010 as a volunteer and in 2015 she was hired as a fundraiser. She graduated from the Faculty of Economic Sciences in the marketing program. Motivated by the passion to serve, she continued with her undergraduate studies in NGO Management. In Step by Step, Gina contributes by raising awareness of orphans in Romania and organizing events to raise funds.
Gabriel Todeasă
Administrative assistant
Gabriel Todeasă began working with us as a volunteer in early 2015 and joined the team at the end of 2016. He helps us with driving and car maintenance, administrative tasks, and organizing special meetings with boys. He brings a rich experience in youth activities and the coordination of volunteer teams in the country and abroad and has a special availability to serve others with discretion and dedication.
Maria
Manager assistant
Maria began her journey with us in the summer of 2013 driven by her passion for children and the desire to help them grow and have a positive impact. She graduated from the Faculty of Physics and she is also involved in activities at her church and in the Small Explorers Club. Currently she is in charge of the administrative part of the foundation making sure things are working the way they should. Her rational thinking, practical skills and organizational spirit fit perfectly within the team.
Volunteers
Mike Barlow
May Team Leader
Mike has over 20 years of youth ministry experience with Youth For Christ and Muskoka Woods Sports Resort where he is presently the Director of Staff Development. He has always been known to have compassion for children and so it was a natural progression for him to have an interest in Romanian orphans. Mike, and his wife Tina, first went to Romania in 2007. His grown children, Matt and Becky are also Romania Alumni.
Jon Fowler
Prayer Team Coordinator
Jon has been involved with Impact Romania since our first trip in 2001, and has been back several times since. He is passionate about investing in the young adults on the Romanian volunteer team and serving orphan children. He is married to Rhondi Fowler since 2004 and works as an Electronic Medical Records System Administrator at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto.
John Wood
Website
John first became involved with Impact Romania in 2008. He has helped lead short-term teams and retreats and he also maintains the website. John was involved in youth ministry for five years while working for Muskoka Woods as the full time Athletic Director. Currently John works in Toronto as a web developer.