Leadership

It all began with a dream.

Corinne Gunter, our founder and CEO, dreamed of a day when women from different parts of the world would no longer be strangers. They would call each other by name and become friends and sisters who supported and strengthened each other. They would share in each other’s joy and sorrow. They would share their passions and plans for making a lasting impact and then cheer as they take action. This dream is becoming a reality through the work of Rise Up and its partners.

Corinne is confident that as women rise up and live to their fullest potential, the world becomes better for everyone. When you invest in the lives of women and girls, the positive impact goes far beyond a single individual and extends to the world around her.

In addition to her work with Rise Up Woman, she is one of the Pastors at Mercy Road Church Northeast (Indiana). Corinne began her career as a partner and senior analyst in a market research and business strategy consulting firm. She then joined the staff at Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana, where she used her leadership, teaching, and writing skills to create various experiences for personal growth and spiritual transformation. She led women’s ministry, developed a discipleship model, and worked alongside hundreds of leaders for nearly 20 years. Corinne also directed the Center for Leadership Development, where she was responsible for developing staff, volunteers, interns, and residents.

In 2013, Corinne was instrumental in developing a partnership with ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries) and Grace Church. Corinne has served alongside ALARM’s African staff in Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan. Together, they have conducted multi-year leadership development programs, trauma healing and recovery conferences, business entrepreneur training, conflict transformation workshops, and supported peacebuilding initiatives.

  • Corinne Gunter

    CEO

    Corinne is a founding Board Member and currently sits on the board as the CEO.

    Corinne brings proven leadership and an incredible passion for equipping and empowering women. She has supported and strengthened hundreds of leaders in the United States and East Africa. She brings 25+ years of experience from the marketplace, nonprofit sector, and church.

    She believes sustainable change is possible through coming alongisde local oranizations and collaboratively investing in their leaders.

    Corinne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Marketing, a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation, and a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership. She has participated in the Summer Institute for Reconciliation at Duke Divinity School and the Summer Peacebuilding Institute at the Center of Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.

  • Judah Holland

    BOARD CHAIR

    Judah is a founding Board Member, Board Chair, and a Rise Up trainer. She has served alongside women in East and Central Africa since 2016. Watching Judah encourage, equip, and empower women and girls has been amazing.

    She believes all women and girls deserve protection, fair access, the opportunity for quality education, and a way to earn an income.

    Judah is a strategic organizer and justice advocate. She has an undergraduate degree in Business and has completed a Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University and a Certificate in International Women’s Health and Human Rights from Stanford University.

  • Jennifer Foulke

    TREASURER

    She took her first trip to Africa with Rise Up in 2023 and was impressed by the deeply seeded partnerships that Rise Up had with local community leaders and organizations to drive sustainable change. Jennifer believes that all women and girls deserve equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership to share their unique gifts and impact their communities.

    Jennifer is the procurement director for the healthcare industry. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management/Finance from Purdue University and an MBA in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University.

  • Jama Davis

    FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

    Jama is a founding Board Member and trainer for Rise Up. She has partnered with Corinne for over fifteen years by developing curricula, planning workshops, and offering training opportunities for women in the U.S. and Africa.

    She is passionate about seeing women experience healing and positive life change while learning to embrace their strengths and giftedness and move forward with a renewed sense of hope.

    Jama is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and an Associate Professor at Liberty University. She has undergraduate degrees in Business and Psychology, a Master's in Counseling Psychology, and a PhD in Professional Counseling.

  • Allyson Arbuthnot

    FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

    Allyson is a founding Board Member and has been a critical partner in developing leaders and empowering women and girls in Rwanda for several years.

    Allyson wants to see all girls have the opportunity to get an excellent education - and if that education includes science and math, all the better! That’s why she strongly supports the work of Rise Up and educating girls. Allyson believes in coming alongside organizations and indigenous leaders dedicated to raising the next generation of well-educated girls who become women leaders of tomorrow.

    Allyson worked as an analytical chemist and quality manager for Lilly before retiring. As a female devoted to scientific research and development, she understands the importance of providing an opportunity for women and girls to receive a quality education.