Our Team
Kim Kargbo
President & CEO, Founder
Kim cut her teeth on missions when she moved to a small West African village at the age of 9. Since then, her life’s focus has been on reaching those who have no access to the Gospel. Kim’s passions lie at the intersection of advocating for those who are victims of injustice and facilitating the spiritual formation of those who labor in that struggle. Kim has served as the President & CEO of Accessible Hope International since 2009, reaching people with disabilities around the world with the hope of Christ through the vehicle of theologically informed Christ-followers. She received her Bachelor's degree in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University and her Master's degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. Kim also leads retreats and spiritual formation exercises for ministers of the Gospel around the world, helping those who are serving others live a life of flourishing. Kim has 3 grown children, 2 of whom are married, and lives in Central Florida. She travels around the world teaching, training, and consulting.
Amy Hawkins
Administrative Director
Amy has a heart for the Lord and a deep desire to see people changed by the power of the Gospel, finding their true identity in Christ and walking a journey of transformation through Him. She has experienced personal transformation through being a part of this ministry and can testify to the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in all things. Amy lives with her husband Rich and their 5 daughters in Central Indiana.
Melanie Bedogne
Development Director
Melanie is a grateful follower of Christ with a heart for discipling others to invest their lives for eternal impact. In her role at Accessible Hope, Mel is privileged to connect Kingdom-minded believers with an opportunity to help the marginalized around the world experience unfettered and wholistic access to the Gospel. Outside of her role at AHI, Mel loves hosting people in her home, writing on matters of faith and scripture, and spending time with her family and friends. Mel and her husband, Jason, live in Northwest Arkansas with their four daughters.
Kristin Will
Director of Global Partnerships
Kristin is an occupational therapist and disability inclusion specialist who has been working in East Africa for the past 10 years. Her passion for disability inclusion work deepened when she discovered the profound impact of integrating the Gospel into her efforts, aligning her faith with her professional mission. Kristin lives in Denver, Colorado, where she loves being the fun aunt and godmother to her niece and nephews. Kristin looks forward to what God has in store as she joins the AHI team.
Jackie Nyamutumbu Kimani
Training & Curriculum Coordinator
Jackie Kimani is passionate about the vulnerable and unreached receiving hope and life through the Gospel. God used that passion to send her back home to Zimbabwe to serve as a missionary after living in the US for almost a decade. She believes that God is raising a generation of disciples from the “Global South” who will participate in the missionary task - and knows that people with disabilities are co-laborers in that effort. She enjoys traveling and equipping ministries to more effectively reach and love unreached people, especially people with disabilities. Jackie lives in Harare, Zimbabwe with her co-laborer, husband, and best friend, Brian, and their two-year-old “miracle baby”, Spurgeon.
Karen Cooley
International Programs Coordinator
Karen has been passionate about the ministry, the women, and the direction the Lord has been leading Accessible Hope International since the ministry began. Her love for the Gospel being proclaimed across the nations, however, developed when she grew up on the mission field in Sierra Leone. Having been a faithful volunteer and partner with AHI over the years, Karen is thrilled that God opened the door for her to use her skills in a full-time capacity with AHI. Karen lives in Wisconsin, with her husband, Dennis. They have four grown children, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. Karen enjoys spending time with family and traveling to new countries and cultures.
Tessa Smith
Communications Coordinator
Tessa has had a heart for the vulnerable for many years. Her love of travel has allowed her to live and work in several contexts internationally and in the US. She is now living in London, England, with her husband and sons. Tessa loves being involved with the amazing work that God is doing through Accessible Hope International.