Our Founders
Co-Founder & Board Chair
Andy Wiggins
A member of Messiah Lutheran Church and sponsor of a high school student from Nakabango, Andy made his first trip to Uganda in January 2011 and it deeply impacted him. While there, Andy was fortunate enough to meet the student and, after seeing the benefits his donations had made and the work yet to be done, Andy and Todd decided to create Hearts & Hope in order to expand the impact.
Andy and his wife Shea live in Defiance, MO with their two children.
Co-Founder, Executive Director & Board Member
Todd Larkin
A member of Messiah Lutheran Church and sponsor of a primary school student in Nakabango, Todd joined Andy Wiggins on his first trip to Uganda in January 2011. Moved to tears by the beautiful people of Uganda and the crushing poverty they faced every day, Todd teamed up with Andy to found Hearts & Hope.
Todd and his wife Michelle live in Saint Charles, MO with their two children
Our Board
Board Member
John Schrader
John Schrader has been involved in Uganda through Messiah Lutheran Church since before Hearts & Hope was formed. He joined Andy & Todd on their first trip to Uganda in 2011 and has been an ardent supporter of Hearts & Hope's vision. John lives in Eureko, MO with his wife Melissa and their two sons. John is the Lead Sales Manager for Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, which has delivered solutions for water and waste management for 150 years and operates on 5 continents.
Board Member
Ken Bennett
Ken Bennett has been passionate about Uganda ever since his first trip there in January of 2010. Ken has been a dedicated supporter to the communities in Uganda and Hearts & Hope. We often refer to Ken as our CFO - Chief Friendship Officer - because he is constantly spreading the good news and the joy of our work in Uganda. Ken lives in O'Fallon, MO with his wife Toni and their 4 children. He is the owner of C.Bennett Building Supply
Board Member
Wally Thomas
Wally Thomas has worked tirelessly to support Hearts & Hope and our mission by leading our team and organizing Hearts & Hope's Party With a Purpose, our annual fundraising event. In addition, Wally was the first person to sponsor a student through Hearts & Hope, back in November of 2011 and he was finally able to meet his sponsored student in June of 2017. Wally lives in Saint Charles, MO with his wife Cindi and their two daughters. Wally is the manager at Handyman True Value Hardware in St. Louis, MO.
