Our Leadership Team
Elaine Tymchak Yates
Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer
Elaine is a Brazilian-born leader with more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and community development across diverse cultures and contexts. She holds a Master’s degree in International Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociocultural Studies. An expert in locally led community development and the global movement to shift power to local communities, Elaine has dedicated her career to reimagining how the world approaches charity and development. Through teaching, advocacy, and challenging the status quo, she works to advance approaches that recognize the knowledge, leadership, and agency of communities themselves. A passionate believer in the power of people and communities, Elaine is inspired by the world’s diversity of cultures, ideas, and experiences. Through Cultivate, she brings together her experience, relationships, and networks to help build a global movement of local leaders creating lasting change.
"Elaine is an expert in community development and skilled at taking complex topics and making them simple and easy to manage. She is an expert at explaining processes, why they are important and how to put them in place." - Food for His Children Executive Director
Our Global Advisory Committee
Abbel Joseph
Senior Manager of Program Support at Compassion International
Edouard Nizeyimana
Community Development Consultant
Kelvin Nsekwila
Founder & Executive Director at Phoenix Foundation
Frankline Auko
Founder & Executive Director at Restoring Hope Ministries
Our Governing Board of Directors
Ryan Hertel
Board President
Jennifer Freeman
Founding Board Member
Rebecca Morse
Board Member
Brad Tetzloff
Founding Board Member
Could this be you?
Board Secretary, Treasurer or Board Member
Interested in joining our board? We are currently taking applications!
We prioritize the trust of our supporters and stakeholders. Our Board has established policies that ensure accountability in governance, finances, and program administration to maintain organizational health. Policies are available for public review upon request. For any questions, please contact us at hello@cultivatetraining.org or reach our Board President at board@cultivatetraining.org.