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Our Team
Stepping Stones for Global Development Inc is a US 501(c)(3) international charity. The organization is overseen by a Board of Directors responsible for reviewing programs and operations, monitoring annual plans, approving budgets and establishing policy.
Founder & Executive Director
Emily Caldwell, MA
Emily was raised in a suburb of Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois. Her eclectic job history has ranged from starting a nonprofit in the Galapagos Islands Ecuador, implementing International Programs at Illinois Central College, teaching Spanish at Illinois State University and Illinois Central College, working for BCA, read more...
TBA
Dr. Bernard Toney, PA-C, DMSc
Dr. Bernard Toney Jr. transitioned to the National Institutes of Health, NIH, in May 2022 after serving at the White House Medical Unit for 3 ½ years. He is retiring after 21 years of service in the U.S. Army. He earned a Doctor of Medical Science, DMSc, read more...
Vice Chair
Dr. Jay Miller, DDS
Dr. Jay A. Miller was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University (1982) in New York. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery read more...
Board Secretary
Maggie Flynn, MA
Maggie Flynn serves as the Director of Admissions at the University of Lynchburg. She has experience at several organizations and institutions in undergraduate and graduate admissions and recruiting, customer service and hospitality, and read more...
Board Treasurer
Rayfurd Thompson, MA
Rayfurd hails from the enchanting island of Saint Lucia, situated in the heart of the Caribbean. For the past nine years, he has proudly called Lynchburg, Virginia, his home, where he resides with his lovely wife and their delightful three-year-old son.
His educational journey led him to earn a bachelor's degree, an MBA, and another Master's degree in
Board Member
Dr. Daniel Zirkman, MD
Daniel M Zirkman is a native of Queens, New York. His educational path took him to Duke University in North Carolina where he received his BS in psychology and biology in 1979. From there he earned his MD degree at UT Read more...
Board Member
Dr. Jeremy Welsh, DHSc, JD, PA-C, CEL, DFAAPA
Jeremy has worked at the University of Lynchburg since 2013 and currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Provost of Academic Strategy, along with serving as the Dean of the College of Medical Science. Read more...
Board Member
Dr. Sabita Manian, PhD
Dr. Sabita Manian, PhD, is Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of International Relations and Security Studies at the University Of Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Manian is co-author of Sex Trafficking: A Global Perspective (2010) Read more...
Board Member
Dr. Lana Spry, PA-C, DMSc
Lana Spry was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. Her PA journey began with her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University (2009). Next, she earned a Master of Health Sciences from the University of South Alabama (2012), followed by completing a Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Lynchburg (2023).
Lana’s career as a physician’s assistant began in