Meley Ghirmay was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After high school, she moved to the United States with her sister Milen, settling in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Meley has always been driven by a desire for self-sustainability and personal growth. She first earned an Expanded Dental Assistant Diploma from Fortis College and worked in dentistry. Later, she expanded her horizons by obtaining a real estate license from a reputable agency. Currently, she is passionately pursuing a master’s degree in counseling and theology.

Growing up in Addis gave Meley a deep understanding of the devastation poverty causes in a community. She saw that many people had the drive to succeed but lacked the opportunity. Inspired by her parents, who helped others in their neighborhood with whatever they had—whether food, medicine, or school supplies—Meley embraced their core belief: "Kindness is learned." This lesson shapes her every action.

Now, Meley is committed to giving back to her community through The Lazarus Mission Inc. As a wife and mother of two children, she cannot imagine a life where her children's needs aren’t met. This fuels her mission to ease the burden on families by addressing their immediate needs, with the long-term goal of empowering them toward self-sufficiency.

Inspired by the quote, "If we all come together, the goal could be accomplished faster than alone," Meley is dedicated to giving back through The Lazarus Mission Inc. and she encourages everyone to join her mission, emphasizing that any donation, large or small, brings us closer to ending poverty, one community at a time.

Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer

Matthew Dillon is a retired maritime shipping executive now residing in Naples Florida. As a young man he felt the call serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was a member of the armed forces for six years. Much of his career was spent at a remote outpost on the Philippine islands as well as several countries in Southeast Asia and East Africa. This experience gave Matt a bird’s eye view on the effects of poverty on our fellow human beings.

Matt launched direct impact philanthropical projects in rural villages in Central Mexico, Krabi, Thailand and Luzon & Leyte, Philippines. These projects are based on vocational education, coupled with the creation of local industries. The projects taught new farming methods, opened factories, raised livestock, and operated fishing fleets all due to his efforts.

Meley Ghirmay approached Matt Dillon about the Lazarus Mission, Inc which has similar objectives. He immediately recognized a fellow traveler in Meley in the desire to end global poverty. Matt joined The Mission as a key member of the leadership team. He now utilizes his business acumen and professional contacts to advance the cause.

Co-Founder/Director of Operations

Arthur is a visual media and information technology professional with over twenty years of experience. He is the child of Liberian-American immigrants, born and raised in Washington, DC and is a first generation American citizen. His father, also Arthur, was a former controller with the Liberian embassy, amongst his other accounting related positions. His mother Grace was an internationally trained surgical nurse for 33 years with education in Africa, Germany and England.

His parents moved his sisters from New York to Washington DC, where he was soon born. They were hard workers and instilled values of charity, faith-based support, and service to your community. Flashforward decades later and those basic tenants permeate in Arthur.

He envisions a training program for The Lazarus Mission, Inc which will provide workshops for at risk individuals in the realm of information technology and other vocational programs. The advent of online training and video conferencing lends itself towards ease of reaching individuals with a broad spectrum of resources. Even in remote regions if there is an internet connection.

Arthur has assembled a team of IT professionals that would start from basic computer skills to as far as system administration and networking. He has gathered more tactile educators in the arenas of sewing and clothing related manufacturing.

The Mission wishes to help at risk individuals to “learn how to fish.” Mr. Kparr intends to be at the forefront, implementing these programs within our global community.

Board Member

Abrahm(Abe) Smith is a seasoned U.S. tax attorney based in Miami, Florida, with over 20 years of expertise. Throughout his distinguished career, he’s worked with international law firms like White & Case and Baker McKenzie before taking the bold step of establishing his own firm in 2020. Abrahm’s passion lies in helping international families navigate the complexities of U.S. tax law, and he has built a reputation for representing clients from all over the world with integrity and care.

But Abrahm’s dedication goes far beyond his professional life. His commitment to serving others is deeply woven into his leadership roles within his church and local community. Whether advising on legal matters or engaging in volunteer work, Abrahm always finds ways to give back.

Abe generously donated his time and effort to help establish The Lazarus Mission Inc. during its early stages. His dedication and hands-on involvement were critical in laying the groundwork for our mission.

Outside of his legal and service commitments, Abe calls a beautiful farm in Miami home, where he’s cultivating vanilla commercially—a testament to his love for nature and sustainability.

Board Member

Christopher (Chris) Kelly is an experienced real estate professional who has been serving the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland (DMV) areas for decades. He is known for his integrity and dedication and is deeply committed to giving back to his community. Chris spent his childhood years in India, where his parents served as missionaries, building schools for underprivileged families. Chris understands the challenges of developing countries and the significant impact that philanthropy can make on changing lives.

Chris is an active member and volunteer of his local Rotary Club. His passion for philanthropy, education, and community development aligns closely with The Lazarus Mission Inc. and shares the organization's commitment to uplifting and empowering communities.

Fundraising Executive

Karen R. Cooper is the President and Founder of KRC Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits and philanthropists, particularly with international causes. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit infrastructure, fundraising, and strategic planning. Karen has held key positions at organizations like The Nature Conservancy, the African Wildlife Foundation, and Plan International USA, where she worked on donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and partnership development.

Karen has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from Salve Regina University and is actively involved in professional associations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also contributes her skills to The Lazarus Mission Inc., where she is a valued team member.