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About Us

A united effort to help the most vulnerable poverty-stricken children and families, and you can help.

“We partner with local officials and communities to help Filipino families Rise out of chronic poverty, develop independence through self-reliance, and Build better lives for themselves and future generations."
Our founders, Ray and Debbie Goodson, have a deep connection to the Philippines.  Ray first arrived in the Philippines in 1961 as one of the first missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He returned with Debbie in 1974 as mission leaders and their love for the Philippines and Filipino people has grown deep from those experiences.

In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Central Philippines, killing thousands of people and leaving tens of thousands homeless and hungry.  For four months the Goodsons helped marshall recovery efforts on the island of Leyte, bringing back dozens of former missionaries to aid in building bathrooms and houses and feeding thousands.

Ray, Debbie, and a few other visionaries saw more opportunities to help.  Initially the focus was on building housing and restrooms, but morphed into helping Filipino families rise out of poverty through better nutrition and education.  Rise and Rebuild was born and farming sites were purchased to produce food and improve lives.

Meet Our Leaders

Philippines Leadership Team

Patricia Espinosa

× Patricia Espinosa
Vice President of Farming and Nutrition
Patricia Santa Cruz Espinosa is a mother of three, and a relentless problem solver driven by an innate love for people, especially children. Her passion for gardening ignited with Rise and Rebuild. Shaped by early life experiences, her innate love for people, especially children, drives her every action.  Her entrepreneurial spirit fuels innovative ventures, inspiring many to become successful in their chosen field. A farmer with a deep connection to the land, and a mission to nourish lives, she champions agricultural resilience. Her unwavering commitment illustrates compassionate leadership and community building.  

Marcelino Abril

× Marcelino Abril
Director of Finance, Site Director Lucban Learning & Gardening Center

Marcelino “Mars” Abril is a seasoned finance and administration professional with a degree in Commerce, major in Accounting, from Ateneo de Naga University. His career spans over three decades in private companies, including key roles such as Auditor for Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Corporation and Finance & Records Supervisor and Accountant for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mars joined Rise and Rebuild Foundation in 2021 as Site Director for Lucban. Alongside his wife Stella, he brought his extensive corporate experience to the development sector, helping to strengthen partnerships with local government units, communities, and the Department of Education in support of the foundation’s mission and vision. He currently also serves as the Foundation’s Director of Finance and Corporate Secretary.

Lia Del Rosario

× Lia Del Rosario
Director of Child Nutrion and Parent Education
Liahona Mae B. Del Rosario is a Registered Nurse in the Philippines and currently serves as the Nutrition and Education Director. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduated with distinction from the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod. With a commitment to health and education, she strives to combine clinical knowledge with practical outreach. Liahona is married to Joshua Del Rosario, and together they support efforts in service, wellness, and community engagement through thoughtful, compassionate care.

Ronnel Gaco

× Ronnel Gaco
Site Director, Sogod Learning & Gardening Center
Ronnel R. Gaco, 35 years old, is the Site Director of Rise and Rebuild International Foundation – Cebu Site, Philippines, where he leads large-scale humanitarian, agricultural, and educational programs focused on community development and child nutrition. He studied Computer Engineering, Information Technology and Communication, and Physics, and earned a Project Management Certificate under the Business in Applied Management program from BYU–Pathway Worldwide and Ensign College. With extensive experience in project management, he has overseen intricate decorative works for multiple Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spearheaded a pandemic-era nutrition initiative across 60 barangays, and led the hydroponic farming operations of Goodson Hydroponic Farms through a year of intensive training and implementation.

Aizha Guzman

× Aizha Guzman
Director of Farming
Aizha Guzman is a native of Moncada, Tarlac. Growing up in a small Barangay she developed a love for farming while helping her parents on their vegetable farm. Aizha graduated with a  Bachelor of Elementary Education degree.
At Rise and Rebuild International Foundation, she manage the day-to-day operations, including crop planning, staff coordination and sustainable practices that help every site to have a high yield. She is passionate about educating the community on the benefits of locally grown produce and the importance of maximizing the space on our yard at home and perimeters in the farm.
In her spare time, she enjoys helping the Post-Harvest team sort the vegetables for our delivery in feeding programs. She believes in the power of nurturing the land and our future is where our vision meets the soil.

US Executive Team

Kevin Leak

× Kevin Leak
President
Kevin grew up on dairy farms in Utah and Idaho and spent a 35 year career in Agri-Business involved in R&D, Sales and Management.  He served in the Philippines Manila Mission under Ray and Debbie Goodson in the 70’s, and then served again with his wife Jeanne in the Philippines Angeles Mission from 2018-2020.  Kevin has been working with Rise and Rebuild since 2021 first as an advisor, then Vice President of Farming, Board Member and now as President of Rise and Rebuild, overseeing all R&R operations in the Philippines.  Kevin and Jeanne reside in Colorado.

Robert Johnson

× Robert Johnson
VP of Strategy and Development

Bob graduated from BYU with a degree in communications. This led to a career in media serving as president of Malcom Clark Inc., a film and video production firm; and Media Partners Corp., a leader in soft skills media training.

Bob’s relationship with the Philippines began in 1974 as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After serving as Stake President of the Bellevue Washington South Stake, Bob and his wife Vicki returned in 2017 to serve as Mission President of the Philippines Angeles Mission for the LDS Church.

Sandra Rogers

× Sandra Rogers
VP of Nutrition and Education

Raised in Northern Arizona

Degrees in Nursing from Brigham Young University, University of Arizona, the University of California, San Francisco

Philippines Health missionary under Ray Goodson

International health work in Jordan, Nigeria, Romania, and the Philippines

LDS Church service as teacher, counsellor, organist, camp director

Employed at Utah Valley Hospital, Orem Community Hospital, and Brigham Young University

Enjoys sports, history, music, stage plays, and taking kids to trampoline park

Hiked to Delicate Arch and rappelled down a cliff near St George – once!

Duane Herfel

× Duane Herfel
Executive Director

Duane grew up in a small Idaho town before moving to Utah to continue university studies.  He earned a Bachelors degree at Brigham Young University and a Masters degree in Business Administration at the University of Utah.  While studying at Brigham Young University, Duane began his career in the direct sales industry.  He spent over twenty years in a variety of roles that included accounting, finance and international development and expansion.  Duane has been married to his beautiful wife since 1996.  Duane and his wife has three amazing children. 

Ed Snow

× Ed Snow
Director of Development
A fundraiser, writer, manager, and public policy analyst with nearly 45 years of experience working with prominent non-profit, government, and business leaders.  Demonstrated success in fundraising, writing, editing, management, strategic planning, and public communications. Worked as a congressional aide to three U.S. Members of Congress and as a donor liaison at Brigham Young University.

Board of Directors

Ray Goodson

× Ray Goodson

Undergraduate degree BYU

Graduate degree Stanford University

President of several Chemical companies

Founder and Chairman 3form

Mission President Philippine Manila Mission ’74 – 77

Founded Rise and Rebuild Foundation in 2014

Mark Ballif

× Mark Ballif

Mark builds enterprises with intense regulatory and people demands. He has over 30 years of executive experience. In addition to commercial board experience, Mark has served on several not-for-profit boards ranging from international development organizations to an independent school.     

Mark and his wife Julia served as mission leaders of the Philippines Manila Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kevin Leak

× Kevin Leak

Kevin grew up on dairy farms in Utah and Idaho and spent a 35 year career in Agri-Business involved in R&D, Sales and Management.  He served in the Philippines Manila Mission under Ray and Debbie Goodson in the 70’s, and then served again with his wife Jeanne in the Philippines Angeles Mission from 2018-2020.  Kevin has been working with Rise and Rebuild since 2021 first as an advisor, then Vice President of Farming, Board Member and now as President of Rise and Rebuild, overseeing all R&R operations in the Philippines.  Kevin and Jeanne reside in Colorado.

Evan Schmutz

× Evan Schmutz

Evan A. Schmutz was born in St. George, Utah on June 6, 1954. He met his wife, Cindy Lee Sims in 1978 while they were both attending BYU. They share five children and 20 grandchildren.
Elder Schmutz graduated in 1982 with a law degree from BYU. He practiced law with prominent regional law firms from 1982 until 2011, when he and Cindy were called to lead the Philippines Cebu Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2015, Evan was called to serve as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area. In 2016, he was called as a General Authority Seventy.  Elder and Sister Schmutz were assigned to return to the Philippines where they served in the Philippines Area Presidency from 2016 to 2020.  Elder Schmutz has also served in the Utah Area Presidency and as president of the North America Southwest Area President.  After becoming an emeritus General Authority, Elder Schmutz joined the board of Rise and Rebuild.

Goodson Hydroponic Farms

Tony San Gabriel

× Tony San Gabriel
President
Tony San Gabriel President, Goodson Hydroponic Farms Tony San Gabriel serves as President of Goodson Hydroponic Farms, bringing decades of experience in leadership, development, and education. He previously held key roles including Area Self-Reliance Manager, Chairman and President of Survey Sampling International – Philippines, and Executive Director in multiple enterprise and mentoring organizations. He also directed the Institute of Religion and Seminary for the Church Educational System. Tony holds a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and a master’s degree in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management. He is passionate about helping others reach their full potential.