Seminar Reflection Paper: Jo Anne Lyon

Kevin Jones

Indiana Wesleyan University

Dr. Joanne Barnes

DOL 865-C Advanced Global Leadership

June 10, 2008

Revised November 9, 2008

Revised February 12, 2009
Seminar Reflection Paper: Jo Anne Lyon

Summary Report

Jo Anne Lyon is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of World Hope International, Inc. World Hope International is a relief and development agency that focuses on three areas: education, enterprise, community health, and relief (World Hope International, n.d.). The mission statement of the organization is: "World Hope International is a faith-based relief and development organization alleviating suffering and injustice through education, enterprise, and community health." (p. 4).

An important aspect of World Hope International's work is in the area of human trafficking. The organization is heavily involved in several countries with attempts to bring human trafficking to an end. Jo Anne Lyon has personally witnessed trafficking in various countries (Personal communication, 2008).

Jo Anne Lyon founded World Hope International in 1996 working from an office that was a converted bedroom in the family home. Over the past 12 years the organization's annual budget has grown surpassing nine million dollars in 2006 (World Hope International, n.d.).

Learning High Points

Key to personal learning high points was the board of director selection process. Ms. Lyon communicated to us that the three key areas the organization looks for in selecting board members are wisdom, wealth, and work. Those asked to serve on the board have demonstrated wisdom, have made significant financial contributions, and have displayed a willingness to work while on the board.

The organization is very conscious that, as is any organization that depends on donations and grants, it is susceptible to becoming donor driven. This has the potential of causing the organization to deviate from its mission. 

A second high learning point was the transparency of World Hope International I regards to finances. One can view their audited financial statements on their website. I think this is an incredible level of accountability to maintain. I also believe that this is very important particularly for not-for-profit corporations.

I have been fortunate enough to have known JoAnne Lyon for several years now and know her to be a person of high integrity. As such, it is easy for me to listen when she speaks. I know that she carefully practices what she preaches and this gives her additional credibility in my view. The integrity she personally demonstrates is reflected within the organization as well.

Finally, I was impressed with the simplicity of the organization chart of World Hope International in spite of its great detail. What I really liked was the fact that the organizational structure is not matrixed.  I believe this to be a well thought out structure that is efficient in that it clearly delineates the reporting structure of the organization.

What I Might Do Differently

I am working on putting into place safeguards in the Alliance for International Christian Business Education (AICBE) program that will assist us in avoiding becoming donor driven. We must focus on our mission (Appendix A) and vision (Appendix B).

Second, I am working on developing a framework for selecting advisory board members for the AICBE program. This will take some time and study to develop. I am in communication with Jo Anne Lyon for advice in this area.

Third, I am working on continuing to develop my interpersonal skills in order to deepen my relationships with our AICBE contacts internationally. This is a big challenge at times because of the rate of turnover at the international schools. Three of the four current schools will have a new contact person next year and we are adding two new schools as well. When this takes place the challenge is to become familiar enough with the cultures of these countries in order to understand what the potential pitfall in communication might be.

Over the years I have worked diligently to develop a relationship with our associates at these international universities that demonstrate my concern for them as individuals as well as for their institutions. Recently I received an email from Grace Kabuye, my associate from Daystar University in Kenya, that I believe demonstrates this relationship building (Appendix C).

Much of the work I have done with the AICBE program has been based on my love of culture and of learning. I have incorporated much of the model as proposed by Moran, Harris, and Moran (2007) which includes an understanding of a sense of self and space, communication and language, dress and appearance, food and feeding habits, time and time consciousness, relationships, values and norms, beliefs and attitudes, mental process and learning, and work habits and practices as keys to leading cross culturally.

I have spent a significant amount of time as well as money in order to be able to study more about the cultures in those countries we serve. This is beginning to pay dividends in my leadership of the program and I believe that this will continue to improve my global leadership skills.

References

(Moran R T Harris P R Moran S V 2007 Managing cultural differences: Global leadership strategies for the 21st century)Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2007). Managing cultural differences: Global leadership strategies for the 21st century (7th ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier, Inc.

(World Hope International Inc n.d. World Hope International, Inc.)World Hope International, Inc. (n.d.). World Hope International, Inc. [Brochure]. Alexandria, VA: Author.

(World Hope International Inc)World Hope International, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2008, from http://www.worldhope.org

Appendix A

AICBE Mission

The AICBE is an alliance of U.S. Christian universities committed to providing Christian market-based business education to institutions of higher education in developing countries.
            This education will be of the same quality that students studying at U.S. universities enjoy. AICBE members strive to be good stewards of what God has entrusted them.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48 NIV)

Appendix B

AICBE Vision

The vision of the AICBE is to enhance the ability of developing countries to succeed in the market-based business environment.

Appendix C

Dear Kevin,

Thank you so much for the grades. They were so timely especially since some of the students are graduating.

 I would also wish you to know that I will be leaving Daystar University by 1st August 2008. I have been with Daystar since 1987. God has opened a door for me with Food for the Hungry in Uganda. It will be a pleasure to serve God in my own country.

 I have really enjoyed working with you. If God ever opens an opportunity for you to visit Africa, please know that our home will be opened to you and your family. We will keep our Kenyan home open for holidays.

 I will be available till end June however, I will continue to help on-line when need arises. I will let you know the next Coordinator as soon as a decision is made.

The on-line courses seem to be rising in popularity once more. At one time our numbers went down a bit when we introduced classes at our Nairobi campus. Now the students are beginning to appreciate their convenience. Plus more and more students are becoming more computer literate!!

I have one very fond memory of our time working together. That is during the skirmishes at the beginning of this year in Kenya. You encouraged my family and the entire Daystar community when you lifted us up in prayer to the Lord during our deepest time of need. Thank you so much!! May God Bless You,

Grace Kabuye