Meet our Board of Directors
Samson Cheffa, CEO
Samson Cheffa is fully committed to the Great Commission of Jesus, with a firm faith that all things are possible for those who believe and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. He serves Beside Bridge for Life ministers and assists in distributing Bible study materials throughout Ethiopia in connection with CrossConnect Ministries of Tustin, California. In addition, he serves in a worship band at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, California.
Professionally, Samson holds a doctoral degree in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis. With over 18 years of experience, he is now employed as Finance and Accounting Manager for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy in Irvine, California. His exceptional skills are developing new financial models and monitoring expenses, sales, and revenue. These skills have also been utilized by not-for-profit organizations that focus on Christ’s mission.
Before working for the Irvine Ranch Conservatory, he served in Ethiopia with the SOLARKIOSK company, which focused on renewable energy services, products, and solutions.
Yuichi Suda
Yuichi Suda was born and raised in Japan. At age 20, he came to the United States to pursue undergraduate and graduate education (Concordia University in Nebraska & Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri).
Yuichi has more than 35 years of business experience creating strategic business partnerships between investors, businesses, governments, and financial institutions in 17 countries. He has had broad-ranging success in various industries: banking, real estate investment, turnaround management, energy, avionics, and risk management in small to Fortune 500 firms. Yuichi has demonstrated knowledge and expertise in business management, bank credit, deal structuring, insurance, and investment to create win-win strategic partnerships in domestic and international markets.
For the past 17 years, Yuichi has worked as a business consultant primarily focused on start-ups, strategic partnership development, and transition management.
Jeff Berkel is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a Certified Public Accountant. He held executive leadership roles within a number of successful companies in the service, consumer electronics, and recycling industries before becoming a principal of Project Insight, a leading SaaS project management software developer and seller. Jeff led the development of information systems to track geographically diverse operations and tie them together using a centralized network for information reporting and communication. He was involved in the development of key business processes and information systems including web-based applications and ERP that positioned the companies for further revenue and profitability growth, improved customer service, and enhanced employee productivity.
With extensive experience in business processes and strategic planning, Jeff helps clients leverage their existing business and technology infrastructures, enhance them where needed, and maximize their efficiency and technology ROI.
Jeff Berkel
Gladys Kempe
Gladys Kempe has lived in California since 1970 but spent her early years in Illinois, growing up in the Chicago area and attending a local Lutheran church. She studied at Augustana College, a Lutheran liberal arts school, and later earned a Master’s degree in German Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. After teaching German at a high school for three years, she and her husband moved to Southern California with friends, hoping to be a positive influence in a region they had heard much about.
They eventually settled in San Diego, where Gladys became a full-time mother to their two sons. Later, a job opportunity brought the family to Orange County, and she began teaching English to adult speakers of other languages.
She joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, where she continued supporting language learners and serving others. At a church event, she met Samson Cheffa and learned about his ministry in Ethiopia. After prayerful consideration, she was honored to join his mission. Now retired, Gladys remains eager to serve and trusts that God will continue to use her experience for His purposes
