Synergy Ministries is a fully volunteer-run organization that bridges the gap between ministry and business. Each of our leaders is committed to serving the underserved through the talents and experiences we have been blessed with.
Our Staff
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Andy Michaels
Executive Director
Andy received his BS in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a 10 year veteran of the technology industry in both systems development and information technology. He began with Synergy Ministries as a missionary in 2003. In 2004, he served on the directorial staff, and he assumed the role of Executive Director in 2005. Andy served as a music leader at the Chinese Christian Church of New Jersey between 2003 and 2006.
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Brian Kwak
Director of Technology
Brian received his BS in Mathematics from Boston College. He has been fervently working with Synergy Ministries for 4 years now. Having gone one three trips in the past, Brian felt the conviction to join the organization as the Director of Technology. He currently works in Wilmington, Delaware for a publishing company but resides in Philadelphia PA.
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Derek Wong
Director of Business Development
Derek received his BA in International Studies and BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a Masters of Public Administration from the London School of Economics. Derek joined Synergy in 2009 as a Team Leader to South Africa, and became Director of Strategy and Operations in 2010. He currently works full-time in the online philanthropy space.
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Elizabeth Chan
Director of Marketing
Elizabeth received her MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business and a BA in Computer Science from Cornell University. Liz has worked in both the technical and business sides of the technology industry including product marketing. She first served with Synergy in 2004 as a missionary and joined as Director of HR in 2005.
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Gene Hsu
Director of Finance
Gene received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Pace University, New York, NY. He joined Synergy in 2003 on a project in Honduras. Gene joined the directorial staff in 2008.
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Kevin Maples
Director of Human Resources
Kevin Maples received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Virginia. He currently works for Deloitte Consulting in Washington, DC. He started serving Synergy Ministries as a project volunteer supporting Ikussasa Empowerment Trust in South Africa. Later that year, Kevin joined the organization full time as the Director of Human Resources.
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Robert Wu
Director of Business Development
Robert received both his Masters in Public Accounting and BBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Robert joined Synergy in 2007 as a Team Leader to South Africa. He was invited to serve as Synergy's Director of Business Development in 2007. Robert's professional work is in the financial and management consulting industry.
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Shannon Sarracino
Human Resources Lead
Shannon received her Bachelors in Social Work and Biblical Studies at Philadelphia Biblical University. She has been working in Human Resources in Philadelphia since college and oversees the Kids Ministry at her church. In addition, Shannon will join the Synergy team on a project in Ghana this year.
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Young Rhee
Training Lead
Young received her BS from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton school studying Management and Business & Public Policy. She also received her Masters at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs studying Economic Development. Young has worked for various non-profits including KIPP, Ashoka in South Africa, and Millennium Cities Initiative in Kenya. She is currently a management consultant for Deloitte.