Dedicated experts with a proven record of success.
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Dedicated experts with a proven record of success. 〰️
Ground Team
We have a team of Ugandan Social Work and Economic Development Professionals.
Thomas Gabito
Judith Cheptegei
Glades Asillo
Senior Leadership
Jackie Bustamante
CO-FOUNDER
Jackie developed her interest in children and Africa at age 8 when she began sending her allowance to an organization feeding children in Africa. Over the years her interest and commitment grew until as an adult she began focusing on vulnerable communities in the US and developing countries. She has volunteered in family homeless shelters and traveled to Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, providing hands-on love, nurturing and business expertise to orphanages and international nutritional projects such as Project Peanut Butter. Her dedication frequently involves several months of onsite support and collaboration with the staff, government officials and community stakeholders; as well as active fundraising while back home in the US.
After Jackie graduated from UCLA, she began her career as a social worker, working with culturally diverse families in Los Angeles. For the past 15 years she has had a successful career as a marketing executive and consultant with Fortune 500 companies in San Francisco and London.
Jackie brings her strategic business, marketing and development expertise to all her volunteer endeavors. She believes every single child deserves the basics to lead a healthy life and is committed to making this happen.
Wendy Hinton Sweetmore
CO-FOUNDER
Wendy Hinton is an internationally seasoned Executive, Producer and Writer with over 20 years experience working across the globe; Australia, Africa, London, New York and LA.
In 1993 she travelled to Africa and it changed her life forever. As a freelance Producer Wendy worked in Kenya and Ghana generating story content for News networks, but it was always hard for her to walk away. She knew one day, she would return and get involved.
In London, she worked for the consulting arm of Disney/Buena Vista, as Creative Director, for their Special Events, launching multi-million dollar films in Europe. In the USA, she has worked for Oprah and all the major networks. Wendy was the Senior Vice President of Development and Current Programming at One Three Media – a Mark Burnett and Hearst Company. In August 2016, Wendy launched her own media company.
Wendy is married and has two amazing children. She understands first hand how important raising children in a loving and safe environment is and wants to give this to the world. Wendy believes that every child has the right to grow up in a loving family.
David Waechter
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ CO-BOARD CHAIR
David Waechter brings more than four decades of leadership experience across global logistics, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries to his role as Board Chair of Roots of Promise. He began his career with DHL Airways, rising to Vice President of Operations for the Eastern Region, and went on to found and successfully exit Worldwide Express, a disruptive air transport company pioneering same-day delivery services.
Transitioning into the entertainment world, David founded Imagine Music, managing internationally recognized artists and producing Song of Lahore, an award-winning documentary that gave voice to Pakistani musicians. In 2021, he established DLW Diversities, a film investment and production firm in Los Angeles. Today, David applies his diverse background in business development, global partnerships, and creative storytelling to advancing Roots of Promise’s mission of caring for vulnerable newborns and families in Uganda.
BANJI OKE
CO-BOARD CHAIR
Born in the United States to Nigerian parents and raised in Nigeria, I carry a deep personal connection to the mission of uplifting African communities. My upbringing in Nigeria was a gift—one that shaped my worldview and instilled in me a profound sense of justice, compassion, and responsibility to serve. I witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty and inequality across the continent, and those experiences continue to fuel my commitment to meaningful change.
Driven by a passion for equity, I pursued a Law Degree at King’s College, University of London. Today, through my role at Roots of Promise, I strive to champion a vision that goes beyond meeting urgent needs. We aim to build lasting foundations—empowering children and families in Uganda to rise above adversity and become agents of transformation in their communities.
I believe deeply in the power of humanity to uplift one another. That belief is at the heart of everything we do at ROP.
Board of Trustees
Erin Spaulding
Treasurer
Emily McGee
Board
Victoria Young
Board Member
Kecia Colby
Lola Gets Active
Jordan Lerum
Global Fund
Raya Hudson
Board Member
Marilyn Fitzgerald
Board Member
ROP Support Angels
Janice Mollinari
Marguerite Smith
Caroline Hollister
Jordan Lerum
Natalie Palafox
Susanna Arvidson
Courtney Paulson
Kristy Charlier
Michael Teh
Ceila Wise