Ann Bueler
Board Member
Ann brings 40 years of business experience to her role as President & CEO of Midwest Equipment Company. Headquartered in Fenton, MO, Midwest is an ESOP-owned, award-winning distributor of industry leading commercial food service equipment providing sales & service to food service establishments across a six-state region. Her background includes corporate account sales into the telecommunications industry for a Fortune 500 technology company, VP of Sales & Marketing and Co-President of a national health science book distribution company, and VP of Sales and Co-President of a regional cleaning & restoration services company. In addition, she owned a leadership development company focused on the creation & delivery of corporate training programs, speaking engagements, seminars, and facilitation for numerous corporate, civic, and professional organizations. Beyond her corporate roles, Ann has served as an advisor & board member to privately held companies, is an ambassador, volunteer and past board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, a raving fan, volunteer and current board member for Microfinancing Partners in Africa, current board member for CORE+, an industry related network cooperative, and board member for the Midwest Equipment Company ESOP. She and her husband reside in Des Peres, Missouri. They are the proud parents of three amazing adult children, three wonderful in-law kids and seven perfect grandchildren!
Rebecca Buell
Board Member
Rebecca Buell holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, along with graduate degrees in Church and Community Ministries and Marriage and Family Counseling. Her professional background centers on building partnerships, programs, and people, with over 15 years in higher education administration. She has led a $3M-per-year international nonprofit, supported humanitarian initiatives in Uganda, and helped shape statewide education pathways through service on the Kentucky College and Career Readiness Taskforce and P-16 Council. We are excited to welcome Rebecca to the MPA Board and value her passion for equitable education and community impact.
Mojeri Coker
Board Member
Mojeri Coker is a filmmaker whose portfolio includes international projects based in Kenya and Uganda. He is the director, and producer of the feature-length documentary film Pipe Dreams, which tells the true story of Silvester Nzuki Mwami, a 9-year-old Kenyan villager who embarked on a 20-year journey to save his village from a 50-year drought. His mission is to bring about measurable, positive change with the inspiring and informative power of storytelling, particularly in developing communities. His work has provided funds for education, women’s health, and water for thousands of villagers in Africa.
Molina Dayal
Board Member
Molina is currently the Co-Founder and Medical Director at STLFertility, the only physician-owned and all-female operated fertility clinic in St. Louis. Growing up and being deeply influenced by her experiences in India, Molina became acutely aware of the challenges faced by families, especially women, in overcoming poverty and accessing education. With degrees in medicine and public health from Johns Hopkins University, along with an OB/GYN residency at Washington University in St. Louis and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Pennsylvania, she is committed to using her knowledge for meaningful change. Molina’s time volunteering in India exposed her to the harsh realities of poverty, and while she may not have made lasting changes then, it solidified her belief that empowering women and families through microfinancing initiatives could lead to significant improvements in their lives. Together, she believes communities can be uplifted from the grassroots level, fostering sustainable change and transforming lives.
Dr. PeggyAnn Hoyle, Esq.
Board Member
Dr. Hoyle is an accomplished attorney with a unique combination of experience at the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of State and USAID, and private law firms. Her expertise includes international law, foreign assistance and development programs, grants and cooperative agreements, and risk and crisis management. She is a teacher and mentor who is committed to identifying and nurturing talent from around the globe. She received numerous awards for her public service, including a Distinguished Service Award for Leadership and Outstanding Legal Counsel. Dr. Hoyle’s education includes a BA and PhD from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a JD & LLM from Duke University.
Tapiwa Mupereki
Board Member
Meet Tapiwa Mupereki, a pharmacist and public health practitioner with extensive experience working domestically and internationally, including in Africa and Europe. Tapiwa is the Co-Founder and CEO of JewelRide, a healthcare mobility company focused on providing non-emergency medical transportation. Based in Edwardsville, IL, JewelRide operates in Southern Illinois and the greater St Louis, MO metro area with a dedicated staff of 25 employees as of 2023.
In addition to his work with JewelRide, Tapiwa is also the Co-Founder and President of T and R Philanthropies, a 501c3 organization focused on increasing access to education and public health services in disadvantaged communities in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Tapiwa was inspired to join the board of Microfinancing Partners in Africa because he admires their approach that prioritizes building sustainability in all their programs. As an African who was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tapiwa has a deep connection to Africa and a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by impoverished communities. He believes that Africans have great potential if given access to opportunities.
In his free time, Tapiwa enjoys reading business books, especially biographical ones that talk about ultra-successful entrepreneurs. Tapiwa’s dedication to healthcare and philanthropy, along with his extensive experience in both fields, make him an invaluable member of the Microfinancing Partners in Africa board.
Paul Piechowski
Board Member
Paul is a native of Chicago, IL. After completing his accounting degree from Marquette University and Masters in Finance from De Paul University, he spent the next 45 years in the financial services industry. Paul and his wife Cindy have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He spends his free time playing golf, traveling, reading, gardening, and being with family. Paul’s reason for working with Microfinancing Partners in Africa is his passion to support the idea of eradicating extreme poverty in Africa.
Mark Schaeffer
Board Member
Recently retired from the marketing communications business, Mark brings to Microfinancing Partners in Africa hands-on experience in microfinance as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic where he worked with micro-entrepreneurs receiving loans from a Dominican microfinance bank. Mark later received his Master’s degree in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis where his thesis explored microfinance models in Latin American and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Sherry Teefey
Board Member
Dr. Sherry Teefey is a dedicated board member of Microfinancing Partners in Africa (MPA), bringing her expertise in radiology and ultrasound to support the organization’s mission. A pioneering figure in abdominal imaging, Dr. Teefey has contributed to over 140 research publications and is recognized globally for her work in ultrasound technology. Since 2013, she has been involved with MPA, focusing on the Safe Birth Project in Uganda. This project leverages portable ultrasound technology to reduce maternal and fetal mortality by identifying high-risk pregnancies in rural communities. Dr. Teefey’s efforts have significantly improved antenatal care, and she remains committed to expanding the initiative to other African countries. Her remarkable contributions earned her the 2020 Distinguished Community Service Award from Washington University School of Medicine.
In addition to her work with MPA, Dr. Teefey has a longstanding commitment to mentoring the next generation of radiologists, sharing her passion for improving lives through medical education and technology.
Adrien Webb
Board Member
Adrien Webb has spent the last 30 years working in the investment industry. He is currently Managing Director at Granger Management LLC. Mr. Webb graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. He and his wife, Erica, were especially drawn to the “hand-up not hand-out” philosophy at MPA.