Our Team
The Woven Dignity team is a dedicated group of individuals driven by a shared commitment to empower refugee women in the Middle East. With diverse backgrounds and a deep passion for creating positive change, we are united by a common goal: to provide refugee women hope through sustainable work. Join us in getting to know the compassionate and dedicated individuals who form the heart and soul of Woven Dignity.
Ruth Boyd
Ruth Boyd is the dedicated Founder and Executive Director of Woven Dignity. With 12 years of experience serving overseas in Indonesia and Lebanon, she has empowered communities and driven positive change. Ruth holds a masters in nursing, specializing in education, which enhances her ability to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Her unwavering commitment and expertise make her a true force for good in the world.
Shiloh Harmitt
Shiloh Harmitt is the dedicated Chair of the Board for Woven Dignity, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. With a background in international political studies and a decade of consulting non-profits in the UK, Shiloh has a deep understanding of global affairs and community empowerment. He has also served as a pastor in the Middle East and currently advises a health business start-up in the UAE. With his compassionate approach and strategic mindset, Shiloh provides invaluable leadership, driving innovation and guiding Woven Dignity towards a brighter future.
Tina Bralley
Tina Bralley is the Chief Financial Officer of Woven Dignity. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, and 21 years of experience as an accountant working with entrepreneurs, Tina has a deep understanding of both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her expertise and diverse background contribute to her effectiveness in managing the organization’s financial operations. As a dedicated volunteer, Tina’s commitment to Woven Dignity is evident in her unwavering support. With her skills and experience, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organization’s financial stability and success.
Wendy Stumph
Wendy Stumph is a devoted volunteer and the stateside distributor and Secretary of the Board for Woven Dignity. With a bachelor’s degree in business education, a lifelong passion for supporting missions, and a talent for seamstressing and handicraft work, Wendy’s creative skills and dedication enrich Woven Dignity’s efforts. Her invaluable contributions as a distributor and secretary play a crucial role in advancing Woven Dignity’s mission.
Adelle Rouphael
Adelle Rouphael is the Director of Lebanese Refugee Artisans, bringing a wealth of skills and expertise to her role. Lebanese and fluent in Arabic, she serves as a valuable translator, bridging language and cultural barriers and facilitating communication. With a background in accounting and supply purchasing, Adelle effectively manages financial matters and ensures the smooth operation of procurement processes. Her dedication to supporting refugee artisans and fostering their artistic talents is evident in her role as director. Her multifaceted skills and passion make her an invaluable asset to the organization.
Sako Vartanian
Sako Vartanian is a dedicated volunteer at Woven Dignity, serving as an accountant and systems developer. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and currently pursuing an MBA, Sako brings financial expertise and a commitment to professional growth. Fluent in Arabic and knowledgeable about Lebanese culture, Sako effectively bridges cultural gaps. Sako has been with Woven Dignity since its inception and is an invaluable member of the team.
Pema Love Frasco
Pema not only serves Woven Dignity as the secretary, but also as a woman with a wealth of experience. Having served as a hospital administrator and now as a associate finance director, Pema brings strength, insight and guidance to our board. She is passionate about serving under privileged and vulnerable women.
Kalyapi Humpal
Creative and versatile, Kalyapi Humpal works as our personal graphic designer. She is the designer of our 80, and counting, one-of-a-kind Woven Dignity card designs. She helps in managing our website, runs the weekly newsletters, and brings to reality any other design related projects that the team needs.
A note from our Chair…
Dear Friends, Donors & Card-lovers,
This is my first opportunity to introduce myself to you as the chairperson of Woven Dignity. Thus, if you don’t mind, let me take a brief moment to introduce myself and the reasons why I joined this amazing organization and dedicated team.
I work full-time as a pastor in the Middle East along with my wife, who’s a teacher; we are both from the UK. We have lived and worked in the Middle East since 2015. I first met Ruth, our dynamic Executive Director, in March of 2022, I’m tempted to say “by chance.” But there’s “no such thing as chance” I hear you say, and you are right “all things work together for good…”
My encounter with Ruth is a longer story for another time, albeit I can say she left a deep impression on me when she described her work with refugee women in Lebanon and restoring their dignity through card making.
So, why did I become the Chairperson for Woven Dignity?
I think Ruth recognized in those initial conversations that I was someone who has a love for people. Especially, I’m compassionate to those who are disenfranchised and vulnerable. Maybe my ten plus years of working with, and consulting, not-profit organizations in the UK, prior to becoming a pastor might have helped.
Nevertheless, my role is boosted by having an incredible team who are dedicated to helping the most vulnerable people group in every society on planet earth – refugee women!
I have mentioned our Executive Director Ruth, who is a dynamo and the founder of Woven Dignity; our finance team and the “brains” are Tina and Sako; Wendy whose joy and willingness to service is infectious, is our secretary and distributor in the US; last but not least our gifted director who liaises and works directly with the women Adelle, provides a literal voice (in Arabic and English) between the women and the board.
We are a very small team that manages this organization, and our existence boils down to your purchases of cards, donations and most importantly your prayers. In all honesty, we need more of all three.
Woven Dignity wants to expand its operations so that we can help more refugee women. These women are the bedrock in keeping their families together. We want to expand by providing more employment prospects and bringing their plight to a wider audience.
For those of you who continue to support us, we are truly grateful and humbled by your generosity and wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I’m reminded of the words from a well-known Christian song: Little is Much When God is In It. This is certainly true of your generous support to us and to each refugee woman you help in restoring their dignity.
Sincerely yours,
Shiloh Harmitt
Chair of Woven Dignity