Steeve Tshipau - President
Steeve Tshipau moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Computer Science from LaGrange College and a Masters of Business Administration in International Business from Argosy University School of Business. In addition to work in the accounting field, Steeve has worked in Information Technology and in the Financial and Investment areas. Passionate about helping the community, the move to get involved with Friends of Katanga Methodist University was a natural fit. In his free time, beside charity work involvement, Steeve loves to practice aikido, jujitsu and play tennis.
Michelle Mouang - Vice President
Michelle was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She moved to America in the late 90’s to pursue education and graduated from St. Kate University in Minnesota with an associate degree as a Dialysis technician; then a Bachelor degree in Health Management with a concentration in health business from University of Phoenix.
Michelle is also certified as a medical assistant, and phlebotomist. She is currently working with Emory Hospital in the dialysis department for the past 8 years as an access manager.
Michelle is married and has 3 children’s; helping people are just some of Michelle’s passion, and she loves to spend time with family and friends.
ken futch
Ken Futch is president of Ken Futch and Associates, an Atlanta-based training company that teaches organizations and individuals how to recognize and capitalize on opportunities. Ken got his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was commissioned as a lieutenant and served three years in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Viet Nam as a combat platoon leader. In 2014, Ken was inducted into the “Speakers Hall of Fame.” He is a past president of the Georgia Speakers Association and a former Toastmasters International humor champion. He is the author of the book of the highly acclaimed book Take Your Best Shot.
Dr. Neil R. Nickelsen
Neil is a retired pediatrician and practiced in the Atlanta area from 1971-2005. He is board certified in Pediatrics and was elected a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1998 and also a Fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. He served on the active staff in the Department of Pediatrics of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and at other Atlanta area hospital. He is an active member of Tucker First United Methodist Church in Tucker, Georgia and has served in many different positions. He is presently on the Board as the pediatric medical advisor of Voice Tday, a non-profit faith based organization whose mission is to bring awareness, prevention and healing of child sexual abuse.
Vivian Nickelsen
Vivian is a graduate of Houghton College with a degree in Sociology. When her husband opened his medical practice she became his office manager at his Pediatric office and worked there while she was raising her three children. In 1989 she switched careers and completed the last 13 years of her career as the Technology Support for a local Elementary School. She is active in several of her church groups at Tucker First United Methodist Church and enjoys the arts and outdoor activities. She enjoys painting and craft work in her spare time.
Joe Wesley Kilpatrick
Joe is and his wife of 54 years Carole have two sons, eight grandchildren (4 boys and 4 girls) and one great grandson. Joe is a certified public accountant, self-employed in his own firm, until his retirement in 2013.
He grew up and lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area and is a lifelong United Methodist. Joe has been elected by the laity of the North Georgia Conference as a General Conference delegate eight times, having served each quadrennium since 1988. Joe also serves as a director of the United Methodist Publishing House on the finance, investment and audit committees.
Joe is concerned with seminary education and serves as a trustee of Asbury Theological Seminary, the largest Wesleyan holiness seminary, serving 1,700 students. He is the treasurer of The Confessing Movement, a member of a renewal coalition seeking revival within The United Methodist Church.
In 2013, Joe established a non-profit organization, Bikes and Bibles, Inc. This ministry, endorsed by North Georgia’s Connectional Table, raises funds for bicycles and bibles distributed through The United Methodist Church to the poorest pastors within the UMC serving in African towns and villages.
In 2006, Joe began to travel annually to various Episcopal areas in Africa, at the invitation of the African Bishops, teaching their leaders and delegates about various General Conference matters, with the objective of strengthening the voice of Africa within the UMC. In 2016 he has completed teaching in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. He has taught in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Mozambique.
Izula Mushinda
Izula was born to a Christian Methodist family in Lualaba province in RCDCongo. He and his wife of 40 years are parents of four children and 16 grandchildren. He has a Master’s Degree in Finance from University of Birmingham (UK), a Diploma in Psychology and several more certifications.
He started as an elementary school teacher and later became a principal then was the Regional Episcopal Treasurer of the United Methodist Church of South Congo. He then became Director of the Methodist Library and also worked in the government occupying the role of Counsellor to the Governor and State Minister in the region of Katanga.
He is the founder of Katanga Foundation which focuses on the cooperation of all tribes in the region. In his words “My faith is based on the love of others and in retirement am still working as a volunteer to utilized my education and longtime professional experiences to help the new generation”.