Our Leadership
INVEST THEIR TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE
WITH EXCELLENCE AND GRACE
MDE is led by a distributed team of experienced leaders who are supported by an engaged and active board of directors. Together, they bring a depth of professional, cross-cultural, and ministry experience to the work of supporting members and equipping volunteers around the world.
Staff Team
Herbert Severin, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Based in Dallas, Texas, Herbert leads MDE’s work to support believers building businesses and pursuing professional work in spiritually dark marketplaces.
He brings extensive experience in business leadership and organizational development, along with a deep commitment to integrating faith and work in meaningful ways.
Since joining MDE, Herbert has focused on strengthening the organization’s model, expanding its reach, and supporting the growth of members and volunteers around the world.
Michelle Gillespie
Missional Services Director
Based in Wasilla, Alaska, Michelle leads the recruitment, development, and support of MDE’s Missional Mentors—connecting them with members and strengthening those relationships over time.
She brings cross-cultural experience from living and working in Central Asia, including leading a development venture in a challenging context. That experience shapes how she equips and guides mentors serving members in complex environments.
Michelle plays a key role in ensuring members are supported not just strategically, but spiritually and relationally throughout their work.
Ruth Hubbard
Director of Marketing
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ruth leads MDE’s marketing and communications, shaping how the organization expresses its identity and invites others to engage with its work.
She brings decades of experience in branding, storytelling, and organizational leadership, with a particular focus on helping mission-driven teams clarify purpose, culture, and message.
Ruth is especially passionate about helping people see how their work connects to God’s mission—creating moments of clarity that lead to meaningful next steps.
Jenni Myers
Director of Volunteer and Member Services
Based in Springfield, Ohio, Jenni supports both members and volunteers—helping coordinate relationships, maintain systems, and ensure communication flows smoothly across the MDE network.
She brings extensive international experience, including years of cross-cultural living and work in remote settings, along with strong organizational and administrative skills.
Jenni’s attention to detail and steady coordination help sustain the day-to-day connections that make MDE’s support model effective.
Florence Nzau
Director of Prayer
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Florence helps cultivate a culture of prayer that undergirds the work of members and volunteers around the world.
She brings both global perspective and personal experience to shaping prayer initiatives that reflect the realities of life and work in spiritually dark marketplaces.
Florence serves with MDE as a volunteer alongside her full-time professional responsibilities.
Board of Directors
Mark P. Canada, JD
Founder & Board Chair
Mark founded MDE in 2015 and served as its CEO through February 2025, shaping the organization’s vision and model from its earliest days.
He brings a background in law and global mission work, including 12 years with SEND International and service alongside his wife, Charlene, in several locations across Eurasia.
Mark continues to support MDE as a volunteer legal advisor to members. He and Charlene live in Carmel, Indiana.
Ronald Clipp
Board Member
Ron serves as Chief Operations Officer at Shepherd’s Staff Mission Facilitators, where he has been part of the team since 2005.
His background includes leadership in the U.S. defense industry, where he co-founded a consulting firm supporting U.S. Navy shipbuilding, maintenance, and modernization programs.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ron lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife, Kathi, and their family.
Alan D. MacDonald
Board Member
Alan brings decades of global experience through his 32 years with Wycliffe Bible Translators, serving in a variety of roles in locations including Mexico, the Philippines, and China.
He later served for 10 years as Pastor for Global Engagement at a church in the Washington, D.C. area and now continues his work as a consultant with Wycliffe while advising MDE as a board member.
Based in Fairfax, Virginia, Alan and his wife, Doris, remain actively engaged in local ministry. He is fluent in Chinese and Tagalog and has a deep interest in cultures around the world.
Alexandra Martin, MBA
Board Member
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ali serves as a Product Manager with Carrier, where she focuses on furnace product lines within the HVAC industry.
She brings experience in sales, marketing, and product strategy across multiple markets, with a track record of strengthening partnerships and driving growth.
Ali holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business and a degree in Agricultural Business from Purdue University. Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing, traveling, and setting an annual reading goal.
Ruth D. Hubbard
Board Member
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ruth leads MDE’s marketing and communications, shaping how the organization expresses its identity and engages others in its work.
She brings decades of experience in branding and organizational leadership, including senior roles with Wycliffe Bible Translators and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and currently serves as Board Chair for Dark Bali.
Ruth holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary and is especially passionate about helping people connect their work to God’s mission.