Personnel
Kara Waddell
Managing Director
I’m serving as the General Manager for Operation Blessing in China and am one of two foreigners running around our three offices in China. I understand my role as helping define the vision of Operation Blessing in the context of the PRC – and to help build a dynamic, professional management team and staff to “flesh out” such a vision. An average week for me may include a meeting with a government official, correspondence with an exec of a multinational company in China, a gazillion emails, and a late night Skype conference call.
I’ve lived in Greater China now for ten years and have been involved with the work of NGOs on and off during those years. I had worked with an affiliate of Operation Blessing [OB] previously, and came back to working with Operation Blessing in China in Dec.’03. I love working in China with OB! It’s a great role for me as a foreign expatriate… to help build a team of local Chinese who build programs that serve the needs of the poor. Also, as a Christian, I find it quite meaningful to be able to live out my faith in a real way in Chinese society.
I’m a Duke grad (does anyone else in Beijing like ACC basketball?!?), and have lived in Greater China for 10 years now. In 1999, I met a Beijing-based American businessman on a blind date in Hong Kong and we married just four months later. We now have two young boys – Ethan and Luke. I mostly love hanging with my family on the weekends and occasionally trying out a new restaurant or a new recipe at home. I love a good book and the massage lady who can work out those bad knots. What I miss from the U.S.? Coffee and an oversized scone from Foster’s Market in North Carolina, our family, and Oregon blueberries.
Grace Zhang
Assistant General Manager
Assisting the General manager & Chief Representative in managing the vision, strategy, work plan, and operations of CBN and OB, and our humanitarian programs, structures, and partnerships in the PRC.
Human Resources: Serving the staff by offering a good working environment, so that the team can work effectively and efficiently for external and internal customers.
To join Operation Blessing China is a very important phase of my life. I know very well that I need to develop myself from day-to-day and it is such a joy to be able to mature in my career while I am working for Operation Blessing China: Not only do I love my job, but I also love the team I work with, they are full of understanding, respect and encouragement. I like to come to work every day and I am always feeling blessed at work, because I am strongly interested in what I am doing, that is, to help the needy people with all our efforts despite our limited resources; moreover, it is the right thing to do.
I have been married for 14 years and still going strong. As yet, we don’t have any children; my husband and I maintain close links with our parents, relatives and friends. I spend my spare time reading books, visiting relations and friends and traveling.
Anna Liu
Director of Operation Blessing Projects
No matter whether they are co-workers from my office or from other Operation Blessing offices, I feel that we are like one family where there is a sense of belonging.
Although being a doctor in a famous hospital in Beijing is a great career move, these large hospitals in Beijing are certainly not lacking in talent. Instead, working in Operation Blessing China has allowed me to better use my medical knowledge and other abilities to help the poor.
I was born in Beijing and grew up surrounded by family and my friends. After graduating from university, I worked for 5 years as a physician in a hospital. Following that stint, I joined Operation Blessing China and have been here ever since. I just had a baby after 10 years of married life and have finally waved goodbye to the “Husband & Wife only world”. I am a person who is easy-going and content with life – one filled with harmony, peace, warmth and that is interesting. I like classical music and old songs. I enjoy reading whodunits and watching suspense and comedy movies. I like cats and huskies. I am also keen on trying different sorts of delicious foods and traveling all over the world. I love nature and wandering around historical cities, which gives me that feeling of being back in the past. Currently, my biggest dream is to see the wild animals in Africa.
Junyan Wang
Finance Manager
Finance Department
- provide Head Office accurate and timely financial reports
- provide General Manager of Operation Blessing China Office effective financial management information
- maintain good communication with finance and tax bureaus
Operation Blessing China is aimed at helping the disadvantaged. Through its different humanitarian projects, many people’s lives are changed and they have an access to a fuller life.
I remember that during my childhood, there was a little girl next door who suffered from the cleft lip and cleft palate. Because of her cleft lip and cleft palate, her family was mistreated by others. They gossiped about their family having done something evil in the past to have deserved this punishment on the girl. Her family couldn’t afford surgical treatment and even considered abandoning her. Fortunately, they collected enough money to afford a surgery for their daughter by the time she was 10 years old. This family had suffered a lot of discrimination and underwent a lot of pressure.
When I knew that Operation Blessing China can help children born with cleft lip and cleft palate and offer other types of assistance, helping more people in need through donations from generous donors, I was eager to join Operation Blessing China and now my hope is achieved.
Catherine Dong
Director of Development and Public Relations
Corporate Development Department’s main duty is to cooperate with Chinese and overseas partners and raise funds on behalf of our humanitarian projects.
In the past 5 years of serving at Operation Blessing China, what I have been committed to is sharing love. Everyday I tell people stories of what is truly happening and share with those who donate their money to the poor that the value of their donation can create a better future for more needy people. I am happy to be a part of this significant work, through this, I have more deeply experienced that “Love Never Fails”. I hope my persistence and efforts will serve the needy better and better.
I enjoy leading a joyous and calm lifestyle, but like challenging myself through work to reach my potential. Mixing and communicating with others always allows me to learn from their insights and grow in understanding.
Michelle Ma
Regional Manager of China Northwest Office
Northwest Projects Office
This office focuses on humanitarian projects such as clean water, educational assistance, medical clinics and mobile medical vehicles, solar ovens, community development for poverty-stricken villages in northwestern China, mainly in Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia provinces.
I majored in clinical medicine in college. During the times I worked as a doctor, I found that people suffered from mental and psychological problems just as much as they suffered from physical ailments. Then I realized how much help the poor from underdeveloped regions needed, thus I committed myself to charity and helping the poor. I hope that I will grow more professional in my work when serving the poor who need help.
I like reading and dancing, I’m also a ballet dancer in a gym club. Often, I invite my friends over to play badminton and table tennis to hang out. After I moved to a new place at the foot of a mountain, I started taking mountain walks enjoying the fresh air and quiet surroundings.
Heidi Zhang
Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Administration: Support staff and respective departments by having a reception, IT coordinator and drivers, so that staff can do their jobs assigned well.Assist General Manager and vice general manager with tasks, project assignments and requests
I am confident to say that God led me to join Operation Blessing. Before I came to Beijing for an interview by OB China, I quitted my job in a college in Zhengzhou city. The next Monday after my interview, I started my work in OB China. Just from that day, I had my 2nd home in Beijing-OB China office. I enjoy my work in OB China because I don’t want to live a selfish life. I think human being is precious and has right to live in dignity. But there are many people around us, who are living a poor life materially and spiritually. Before I was selfish and focused on my own life-to find a good job and live a comfortable life. That is so selfish. I don’t want to live that kind of life. Operation Blessing works on humanitarian projects, which aims to help those in need, which matches my value;
I am living in Beijing with my husband and daughter. I enjoy spending my time with my family. Besides that, I enjoy shopping and reading. When time permits, going around new places makes me feel happy and relaxed.
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