A few years ago, I sat in a room in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, eating dumplings and sipping fermented horse milk. Across the table, a man named Meega leaned forward to tell me something that has stayed with me ever since.
He lived with his family in an old, crumbling Russian-era apartment block—broken lights, trash piled up, no one taking ownership. But something had shifted. Meega had gone door to door, casting vision to his neighbors: “We don’t have to live like this. We can change this together.” He organized teams at each entrance, people began to meet, share meals, pray, and little by little, they restored their home—inside and out, together.
I asked him, “Where did you get the idea to do this?” He smiled and said, “From your visits.”
The truth is, we had barely begun any formal training. We had simply shared a few small ideas about community-led transformation. Yet those seeds had taken root.
That story shaped how I see leadership. Real change doesn’t come from outsiders bringing answers—it comes from within, when people rediscover their God-given dignity and potential.
Today, I’m honored to step into the role of CEO at Medical Ambassadors International (MAI). For decades, MAI has equipped people in overlooked places to break cycles of poverty through faith-rooted, community-led transformation.
What excites me most is not just the history of MAI—but the future. I believe our best days are ahead as we continue returning to this simple but powerful truth: when people take ownership, with God’s help, even broken things can be made whole again.
If you haven’t yet met me, let’s back up a bit:
I’m Steve, I’m 51, and I was born and raised at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
I live now Colorado, but do admit, the best BBQ is definitely in Kansas City… hands down… sorry TX, NC, OK.
This is some of my story so far:
- 1997: Got my first job in the biotech field. On “liver call” processing non-transplantable tissue for research. Gross as it sounds.
- 2000: Took my first mission trip to Paraguay and had my first child! Sadly missed her first Thanksgiving, but changed my life.
- 2013: Resigned from biotech and moved to Cambodia in Southeast Asia with my incredibly brave wife and daughters.
- 2015: Moved back to the US, to Colorado Springs and debated what to do with the rest of my life.
- 2016: Started working at World Challenge as the Director of Programs in SE Asia
- 2022: Moved to a different organization, MAI as the Global Coordinator
- 2025: Promoted to CEO of MAI
And that’s not even the half of it. Lots of joy, fear, struggle, disappointment and success.
If you need some help, thinking of making any big, crazy moves in your life, reach out and let me know.
Looking forward to connecting.
P.S. The photo is of me and my youngest daughter, hiking her first Incline in Manitou Springs over Thanksgiving. She killed it!
