Our Leadership

Joni Eareckson Tada Headshot

Joni Eareckson Tada

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Although a 1967 diving accident left her a quadriplegic, she emerged from rehabilitation with a determination to help others with similar disabilities. Mrs. Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization which provides programs and services for thousands of special needs families around the world. President Reagan appointed Mrs. Tada to the National Council on Disability, then reappointed by President George H.W. Bush. During her tenure, the ADA was passed and signed into law. Mrs. Tada served as advisor to Condoleezza Rice on the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department. She served as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. The Colson Center on Christian Worldview awarded Joni Tada its prestigious William Wilberforce Award, and she was also inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University’s Society of World Changers. Joni Eareckson Tada has been awarded several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Humanities from Gordon College and Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. She is an effective communicator, sharing her inspirational message in books, through artwork, radio, and other media. Joni Tada served as General Editor of the Beyond Suffering Bible, a special edition published by Tyndale for people affected by disability. Joni and her husband Ken were married in 1982 and reside in Calabasas, California.

Joni Eareckson Tada Headshot

Joni Eareckson Tada

Founder and CEO

Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Although a 1967 diving accident left her a quadriplegic, she emerged from rehabilitation with a determination to help others with similar disabilities. Mrs. Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization which provides programs and services for thousands of special-needs families around the world. President Reagan appointed Mrs. Tada to the National Council on Disability, then reappointed by President George H.W. Bush. During her tenure, the ADA was passed and signed into law. Mrs. Tada served as advisor to Condoleezza Rice on the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department. She served as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. The Colson Center on Christian Worldview awarded Joni Tada its prestigious William Wilberforce Award, and she was also inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University’s Society of World Changers. Joni Eareckson Tada has been awarded several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Humanities from Gordon College and Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. She is an effective communicator, sharing her inspirational message in books, through artwork, radio, and other media. Joni Tada served as General Editor of the Beyond Suffering Bible, a special edition published by Tyndale for people affected by disability. Joni and her husband Ken were married in 1982 and reside in Calabasas, California.

Laura Gardner Headshot

Laura Gardner

President and Chief Operations Officer

Laura Gardner serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at Joni and Friends. She has been with the ministry for more than a decade providing fiduciary oversight, departmental integration, and strategic planning through various senior management positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the past five years. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Troy University and has received certification from the Harvard Business School Executive Education in Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation. Before joining Joni and Friends, Laura founded her own business, The Protocol Institute, LLC, where she developed world-class eLearning courses on character education, etiquette, and protocol. She was the first to introduce such tools for helping to instill these qualities in young people and wrote extensively on the topic for national publications. Laura currently serves as the Chairman of the Joni and Friends Foundation and Chairman of the Christian Leadership Alliance.

Arnulfo Cuevas Headshot

Arnulfo Cueva

Chief Financial Officer

Arnulfo is an accounting and finance professional with over 20 years of experience supporting or directly acting at the executive level. With a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA in Finance from UCLA, Arnulfo began his executive career in finance as Senior Controller with The Management Association, having earlier consulted for clients that included Disney, Dole, and Technicolor. Before Joni and Friends, he used his skills for designing and implementing finance, operations, and management strategies with organizations that include the Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and various companies as an Intacct Software and Finance and Operations Consultant. Arnulfo was born and raised in Los Angeles where he continues to reside with his wife and two children.

Greg Hubert Headshot

Greg Hubert

Executive Vice President, U.S. Ministries

Greg Hubert brings a unique blend of training, experience, and passion to oversee the U.s. Ministries at Joni and Friends. With BA from Biola University and MDiv from The Master’s Seminary, Greg’s career includes over 30 years of pastoral leadership and corporate management. Yet his passion for ministering to the disabled is deeply personal. He and his wife Gina have raised three boys who are all on the autism spectrum, each of whom is viewed as a gift from God. They know firsthand the fears and struggles, joys and triumphs that come with any disability. Greg enthusiastically views his role as Executive Vice President of U.S. Ministries as a culmination of his education, professional career, and life experiences to expand the ministry of hope and support to those individuals created with God-designed abilities.
Donna Lucas Headshot

Donna Lucas

Senior Vice President, Development and Marketing

Donna Lucas has spent more than 20 years working in product development, marketing, and brand management for powerhouse brands such as adidas USA, K-Swiss, and the Dickies Brand at V.F. Corp. As a strategic branding and marketing executive, her years of experience with high profile brands, strategy, and leadership serves Joni and Friends well in positioning the ministry for a long future. Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Philadelphia University and a Master’s of Marketing. She lives in Southern California with her husband Jack and their 3 daughters.

Steve Bundy Headshot

Steve Bundy

Senior Vice President, International Ministries

Steve is responsible for the execution of ministry programs around the world. He is a published author and co-author with Joni Eareckson Tada of Beyond Suffering: A Christian View of Disability Ministry. His latest book, with Doug Mazza, is Another Kind of Courage: God’s Design for Fathers of Families Affected by Disability. Steve and his wife Melissa know firsthand the joys and challenges of parenting a child with special needs, as their own son, Caleb, was born with muscular dystrophy and autism. Steve holds a B.A. in Theology and Missions, a Certificate in Christian Apologetics and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership. He is a licensed minister and has served as a pastor and missionary. Prior to joining Joni and Friends, Steve was VP of Business and Finance at William Carey International University in Pasadena, CA.
Jason Holden Headshot

Jason Holden

Senior Vice President, Operations

Jason brings over 24 years of experience in international business, portfolio management, and leadership to his position as Senior Vice President of Operations. He joined Joni and Friends in 2018 after retiring as a Command Master Chief from the U.S. Navy where he led teams and managed construction projects around the world for more than 20 years. Since joining Joni and Friends, Jason has overseen the Wheels for the World program, Domestic and International Family Retreat programs, Global Risk Mitigation and Travel programs, and strategic management and business improvement teams.

Jason graduated with a B.S. in Management from Regent University and is a certified Lead Like Jesus facilitator. He lives in Southern California with his wife Jannah and daughter Makenzie. His passion to serve the disability community is only second to his love for his faith. He feels blessed to continue serving the ministry as Joni and Friends helps people living with disability find their place in the body of Christ.

Evalerie Le'Heureux Headshot

Evalerie L’Heureux

Vice President, Talent Management

Evalerie enhances and implements programs and processes that develop and engage employees professionally, personally, and spiritually. She has made it a priority to support the staff so in return, they will have a greater commitment to the mission of the organization and the work which God has called them. Evalerie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing from Santa Clara University in CA. She is a certified facilitator in Lead Like Jesus and Biblical DISC, and a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader. She began her career in Marketing and worked for many years as a Director in various Property Development and Management companies. Evalerie had the opportunity to stay at home to raise four children with her husband Immanuel, and serve the schools, community, and church by offering organizational, marketing, leadership, and counseling assistance. Evalerie and her family are passionate in helping others and have developed a special love for those who are affected by disability.

Amy Hurtado

Vice President, Marketing and Engagement

Amy Hurtado has served with Joni and Friends for 15 years managing strategic communications, marketing, and brand strategies through various management roles. With a desire to connect all people to the vision of the ministry, Amy has spent her career developing engagement strategies across digital, audio, and traditional channels, while leading teams in content strategy, storytelling, and design.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Belmont University. Prior to her work with Joni and Friends, she spent several years teaching abroad through the Fulbright Commission and served in music ministry. Amy spends her free time running, traveling, and making music. She and her family reside in the Los Angeles area.

Andrew Grumm Headshot

Andrew Grumm

Vice President, Information Technology Services

Andrew Grumm brings over 25 years of IT experience, with 15 years in the Healthcare/Life Science industry, to his position as Vice President of Information Technology Services at Joni and Friends. He brings extensive technical knowledge and delivery of IT Operations and Services from his previous leadership roles at such organizations as Quest Diagnostics and Q2 Solutions.

Andrew holds a BS in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge and numerous technical certifications. Andrew is happy to apply his technical expertise and planning skills to help accelerate the growth of one of the best Christian ministries in the world!

Dinithi Jayakody

Dinithi Jayakody

Vice President, Accounting & Finance

Dinithi Jayakody brings over 20 years of global industry experience in accounting, financial planning, and analysis. Prior to Joni and Friends, she worked for various multinational companies, including Schneider Electric, Infineon Technologies, Semtech, and Countrywide. Her experience includes financial reporting, general ledger accounting, internal controls, inventory management, system implementations, cost controls, and process improvements. Dinithi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and an MBA in Finance, both from California Lutheran University. She was born and raised in Sri Lanka and later settled in Southern California. She is passionate about working with ministries in Sri Lanka that provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children. Dinithi enjoys being involved in both small groups and the choir at her local church. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve at Joni and Friends.