Board Members
Jennifer Mora Trubenbach
CEO & Mission Director
Jennifer is the CEO and Mission Director of each surgical mission. She also manages all of the grant-writing, fundraising efforts, surgical supply inventories, donations, travel logistics, volunteer staff, as well as the day-today operations on each surgical mission. She works closely with the Embassies of each country, as well as, the respective governments and private citizens. Jennifer was named People magazine’s “Hero Among Us” on CNN’s All Star Hero Tribute, Thanksgiving night, 2008, after bringing to the United States, a young boy, Beloved, needing complex surgery after a land mine blew off the lower portion of his face. She received a “Well Done Award” by Kingdom Assignment and was named by Metro magazine as “OC Top 25 Business People”, in 2009. In 2012, another young boy, Blessing was given the gift of surgery after a land-mine destroyed his lower face. Partnering with SHARP Hospital, in San Diego, Blessing received his new face! His inspiring story has been featured on ABC The Doctors Show and winner of the “Independent International” and “My Hero” film festivals. Jennifer is proud to be Blessing’s “American Mom”.
Jennifer’s previous career spanned more than 20 years in the corporate field; She holds a Masters in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University and was honored as Pepperdine University’s 2009 “Distinguished Alumna” as well as, “Distinguished Alumna of the Year 2009″ from Azusa Pacific University. She is the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Award and an Honorary Rotarian.
Stephen Clawson
Vice President
Stephen Clawson is the Vice President for Operation of Hope. With a Bachelor of Science in Communications degree from the University of Oregon, Stephen has over 20 years of marketing and business development experience with a client base that included Nike, adidas, Hilton Hotels, The Bronx Zoo, The California Academy of Sciences, Woolrich, Columbia Sportswear and Patagonia. Stephen creates, manages and produces all marketing material as it relates to Operation of Hope’s fundraising and media needs.
Debbie Lenhart
Board Member
Debbie is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist with a private practice in Santa Ana, California. She received her bachelors degree from Cal State University Fullerton and a Masters degree from Hope International University. Debbie enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and jogging and is an avid sports fan.
Ted Trubenbach
Board Member
Ted Trubenbach, a licensed Marriage, Family, Child Therapist has had a private practice in Santa Ana, California since 1982. He has a Masters in Psychology from Chapman University and is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University. An avid road bike rider, Ted enjoys participating in various bike events throughout California including the annual “Tour de Hope” Road Bike ride that raises thousands of dollars for OOH and he has volunteered in Zimbabwe, Africa as a member of the Operation of Hope team.
Cindy Byers Atha
Advisory Board Member
Ms. Atha is a highly experienced Pharmaceutical Executive with a 24 year history of outstanding sales and marketing leadership in a series of Senior Management roles. She currently is the Vice President of Managed Markets and Trade with Depomed Inc. overseeing Managed Care Sales and Marketing, Pricing, Contracting, Trade, and Distribution. Previously, she was the Vice President of Managed Markets for Amylin Pharmaceuticals which was eventually acquired by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. While at Amylin, her team was twice recognized for “Best Marketing Programs and People” for a small manufacturer and also achieved the 2012 DIANA Award for best new product introduction. Ms. Atha began her pharmaceutical career in field sales with Merck & Co. and then moved to AstraZeneca where she advanced into Senior Sales Leadership. She was the recipient of more than 16 sales awards for exceptional individual and group performance and AstraZeneca’s highly prestigious “Leadership Excellence Award.” She helped bring over 14 new pharmaceutical products to market. Early in her career, she was recognized by several key healthcare clients as the best account representative in the industry. She gained formative experience as an Account Executive with Scientific Technologies, promoting the sale of research and medical equipment to leading biotechnology companies and medical centers. She was named to 2009-2010 Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs.
Ms. Atha received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She and her husband William reside in La Jolla, CA. She is Past Chairman of Public Relations and Marketing for the California Federation of Republican Women.
Mari Mora
Board Member
Mari Mora, has been an active volunteer on surgical missions since 2003. She is a graduate of George Washington University and holds a Masters in Marriage, Family Therapy from the Chicago School of Psychology.
Jerry Haught
Board Member
Jerry Haught is the founder and principal of the Haught Consultancy Group in New York City - focusing on direct marketing and e-commerce for the premium and value retail industry. Prior to launching his agency – Jerry held various executive roles with leading retailers – which include Victoria’s Secret, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. Jerry was a former college classmate of Jennifer and Ted Trubenbach– graduating with a BA in Communications from Azusa Pacific and a Graduate Teaching credential from UC Irvine. He has a passion for music, travel and is an avid supporter of the wonderful work being done through the Operation of Hope team.
Dr. JP Clawson
Founder
Dr. Clawson, from Longview, Washington, born in 1932, founded Operacion Esperanza (Operation of Hope) in 1988 and after 23 years of service with Operation of Hope, Dr. Clawson has stepped down from an active role with Operation of Hope.
In Memory
Gina Jefeti
Beloved's mother
April 2012