Staff

Jena Lee Nardella, Executive Director
At the age of 22, Jena founded Blood:Water Mission alongside the band, Jars of Clay. Jena has been featured in Sojourners Magazine, Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, and the documentary film, Sons of Lwala. Her collaborative writing includes Hope in the Dark, Zealous Love, and The Revolution: A Field Manual for Changing Your World. She serves on the board for the Center for Nonprofit Management and the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. Jena is a graduate of Whitworth University with a degree in Political Studies. She and her husband live in Nashville and travel often to Africa.

Aaron Sands, Administrative Director
After almost 10 years of touring and recording with Jars of Clay, Aaron has transitioned into a life closer to home. A part of Blood:Water Mission from the beginning, Aaron continues to work to show dignity, respect and love in the world, especially for those seeing no hope.

Mendy Myers, Administrative Assistant
After moving to Nashville Mendy spent the past 6 years honing her administrative skills in the music industry.  She has a passion for serving others and a heart for the sanctity of all human life. She provides administrative support for the Blood:Water Mission staff while also serving as an assistant to both Jena and Aaron.

Lauren Hitch, Finance Manager
Lauren received her undergraduate degree from Belmont University, where she majored in Accounting and minored in Political Science. After working in public accounting for several years and spending a season in private accounting, she is taking great pleasure in handling the financial operations of Blood:Water Mission.

Alyssa Womack, Finance Assistant
Alyssa recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Business.  Having lived in Texas her whole life, she made the move to Nashville shortly after graduation.  Alyssa developed a passion for Africa during a post-graduation mission trip to Kenya and is excited to be a part of the team at Blood:Water Mission.

Katherine Andrews, Development Manager
After working in Washington, DC at International Justice Mission for nearly four years, Katherine joyfully joined the Blood: Water Mission team to advance the fundraising and event initiatives on behalf of the poor in Africa. She holds a BA in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, is passionate about seeing hope and transformation in a hurting world, and is thankful to be living true to her southern roots here in Nashville, TN.

Mike Lenda, Director of US Programs
After over 15 years of marketing and PR experience in consumer, retail and entertainment industries, Mike returned to Nashville to lead the strategic development and implementation of US Programs to enable the growth of the organization in the US, thus increasing the desired impact in Africa.  His passion to join the team was motivated by his desire to use his experience to see lives changed locally and globally and be encouragement to his own children to make an impact in the world around them.

Matt Ward, Grassroots Manager 
Matt, originally from Jackson, MS, is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, TN where he majored in Religion & Music with his studies focusing on the arts and social justice. After years of voluntary grassroots service with a number of organizations committed to Africa, Matt served as a U.S. delegate at the 2005 G8 Summit lobbying on behalf of the ONE Campaign during its inaugural year. For Blood:Water, Matt spends much of his time on the road with artists and advocates supporting campaigns all across the country.

Kellie Lutito, Production Manager
Kellie graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Marketing. She started her professional career in music working at a management company and record label. Using her experience in artist relations and event planning, Kellie serves in planning and implementing US-based fundraising campaigns in the Grassroots Initiatives department.

Victor Huckabee, Brand Design Architect
Victor fell in love with visual communications at a young age and has always strived to use his talents as a catalyst for change. Victor joined Youth With a Mission's University of the Nations in 2001 and was able to see the world from a wider perspective. Ever since that time, Victor has strived to use graphic design and art to make an impact on the world.

Barak Bruerd, Director of Africa Programs
Barak is a development practitioner with a passion for village communities and wholistic approaches. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Taylor University, and a MS in Water Resources from the University of New Mexico. Barak has extensive experience living and working internationally, most recently in Cambodia.

Pamela Crane, Africa Field Manager
Pamela brings to the job a passion for education, good science, and sustainable community development. She has a BS in Environmental Biology from Taylor University, a MS in Environmental Geology and a PhD in Water Resources, both from the University of Notre Dame. Pamela also has extensive experience living and working internationally, most recently in Benin, West Africa