Our Team

PAM COPE, Executive Director

Pam Cope is the Co-Founder of Touch A Life and the author of Jantsen’s Gift, a powerful memoir published in three foreign markets. Pam and Randy have four children and have been committed to a life of purpose since losing their oldest son in 1999. That life of purpose has been organically taking shape in the most creative ways.

From the streets of Saigon to the adventures of West Africa, Pam firmly believes that the world can be changed one child at a time. Pam lives in Northwest Arkansas and she and Randy have four children – Jantsen, Crista, Van & Tatum.

RACHEL BROWN, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Rachel Brown has served as the Director of Project Development for Touch A Life since January 2009 and in 2016 was named Director of Development. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University with a degree in Journalism and it was at her alma mater where she met Pam Cope. After traveling to Ghana with Pam in August 2008, Rachel was brought on board to manage special projects, craft donor communication strategies, and organize volunteer efforts for the organization. Rachel’s role has evolved and, like the other staff members at TAL, she wears a lot of hats. She loves meeting & engaging new supporters, leading trips to Ghana for volunteer groups, and dreaming up new ways to share TAL’s story. She lives in McKinney, Texas, with her husband, three daughters, Ruby, Vera, and Alice, and their adorably large English mastiff.

Linda OToole

Angie Dickerson, Communications Manager

Angie Dickerson is a Registered Nurse by trade, married to Kevin for 20 years, and mom to four pretty cool kids. Angie and her family began traveling to Ghana in 2012 and soon she discovered her passion for caring for women and children, as well as advocating for medical and human rights. Angie made the jump into the full time non-profit world in 2016, focusing her work in Ghana, the birthplace of their youngest son. As her kids have grown older, Angie has found incredible joy in this new season of life, being able to travel more and serve Touch A Life and survivors of human trafficking around the globe. Angie loves filling her time with her kids’ sporting events and musical theater shows, travel, and sweet time with her family.

BERNARD FIANKU, GHANA COUNTRY DIRECTOR

Bernard Fianku was born in a small village along Lake Volta in Ghana and was sent to live with an aunt and her husband at the age of nine. During that time he was subjected to child labor until he was able to move and continue his education. Bernard went on to attend International Theological Seminary where he studied faith-based counseling in addition to biblical studies. He earned a degree in counseling and certificate in addiction, grief, and behavioral therapy and later went to the University of Ghana to study economics and sociology. Bernard was on staff as director at various child support and schooling organizations from 2003 until he joined the Touch A Life team in 2009. Bernard was named TAL’s Ghana Country Director in 2013 and lives in Ghana with his wife, Irene, and their young son, David.

ESTHER YANKYERA, ORGANIZATIONAL LEAD

Esther Yankyera attended Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where she earned a degree in real estate. She has worked in various project coordination roles and has strengths in organization, logistics and communication. Esther enjoyed volunteering for various children’s organizations and began working with Bernard Fianku to assist the high school and university students in 2017. In 2019, she joined the Touch A Life team as the University/Mentorship Lead. In this role, she is responsible for day to day support of the university students. She is uniquely qualified and caring which makes her a great fit for this very important role.

Esther assists the students with academic planning, financial budgeting, housing, compliance with TAL programming and mentorship training. She provides regular program updates to TAL stakeholders and management.

MICHAEL & PAULINA MORGAN, HEAD HOUSEPARENTS

Michael Morgan is the Director of the Care Center in Kumasi. He currently celebrated his 10 year anniversary working with Touch A Life since joining the team in January 2009. Mr. Morgan has a background as a teacher and is also a very talented basket weaver. His claim to fame is his infectious smile and always jumping in the middle of every dance party that breaks out. He and his wife Paulina are the head houseparents, and the two of them working together have created a safe place for the children to call home.

Israel Agbovi, Media Content Provider

Israel Agbovi is a fourth-year student in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He is studying Business Administration with International Business as his major. Israel wants to be a college professor after acquiring a Masters Degree. He loves to write poems and take photos in his free time, making him the perfect choice for the person to capture images that Touch A Life can use in promotional materials both online and in print.

Gideon Degbe, Executive Assistant

Gideon Degbe has been a part of the Touch A Life family since he was rescued in 2008 and it has been an amazing experience for the Touch A Life Family watching him grow into a leader and an exemplary figure for both his siblings and his colleagues in school.

His will and zeal to succeed has also driven him to achieve many successes that makes Touch A Life as an organization very proud to have him on board as part of the team in the capacity of an Executive Assistant. In 2017, he became the president of the Students Representative Council in his high school. He is currently an active member of the Youth Leadership Parliament and was also elected as the president of the Heritage Christian College Students’ Representative Council in December 2020.

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