Our Mission and Values
Relationship, humility, and hospitality guide everything we do.
Our Approach
As a young and agile organization, HEAL partners with local leaders, volunteers, and donors to deliver quality care and educational workshops. Our staff raise their own salaries to keep operational costs low, focusing every dollar on making a tangible difference.
Key Partnerships
We work with a growing network of career professionals and volunteer teams to deliver hands-on training and humanitarian aid.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Peter Staker
President
Peter brings eight years of nonprofit experience in the Middle East to HEAL. His previous work in Jordan honed his expertise in managing complex initiatives, forging collaborative networks with local communities, and delivering transformative programs that foster hope and health. With an M.A. in Historical Studies, Peter’s cultural insight enriches our engagement in diverse regions, ensuring compassionate, effective outreach. His leadership inspires creative solutions that empower and uplift lives. A father of five, Peter delights in hosting guests, sharing his Italian American heritage through a cherished family recipe of spaghetti and meatballs and fine espresso. His dedication to building meaningful connections and restoring dignity drives our organization’s impact.
Matthew Rogers
Chairman of the board
Matt brings us a decade of nonprofit expertise and he embodies HEAL’s values of partnership, humility, and hospitality. With extensive Middle East experience and fluency in Arabic, he builds strong partnerships, ensuring resources reach communities in need. His expertise in procurement, logistics, and capacity building sparks creative solutions, empowering local leaders with a humble, service-oriented approach. Holding a Master’s degree, Matt combines strategic insight with a lighthearted spirit, often lifting spirits with his humor and repertoire of memorized camp songs. As a funny, devoted husband and father of three, he fosters hope and dignity through compassionate, joyful engagement. His warm, creative leadership inspires our organization to deliver lasting impact with a welcoming touch.
Nathaniel Green
Director of Operations
Nate brings over two decades of nonprofit expertise to HEAL, championing our vision to restore dignity, hope, and health to those affected by geopolitical conflicts, poverty, illness, and discrimination. With a remarkable talent for coordinating and leading volunteer teams, he has driven impactful initiatives that strengthen communities. Raised in South America and fluent in Spanish, Nate’s deep cultural insight enhances our efforts in diverse regions, fostering meaningful connections and effective outreach. His strategic leadership ensures our operations align with our organizational values. As a father of six, Nate is deeply committed to building a world where hope and dignity prevail for all, infusing his work with compassion and dedication that inspire those around him.
IRAQ FIELD OFFICE
Peter Staker
COUNTRY DIRECTOR
Peter brings eight years of nonprofit experience in the Middle East to HEAL. His previous work in Jordan honed his expertise in managing complex initiatives, forging collaborative networks with local communities, and delivering transformative programs that foster hope and health. With an M.A. in Historical Studies, Peter’s cultural insight enriches our engagement in diverse regions, ensuring compassionate, effective outreach. His leadership inspires creative solutions that empower and uplift lives. A father of five, Peter delights in hosting guests, sharing his Italian American heritage through a cherished family recipe of spaghetti and meatballs and fine espresso. His dedication to building meaningful connections and restoring dignity drives our organization’s impact.
Rebekah Slinger
OFFICE COORDINATOR
Rebekah S. brings years of humanitarian experience to HEAL, a young and agile organization rooted in partnership, humility, and hospitality. Having served as an outreach coordinator for a humanitarian hospital in Guinea, she now serves in our field office, coordinating foreign based short-term teams. Fluent in French and English, and conversational in Arabic and Susu, her Master’s in Ancient Languages enriches our cultural engagement in Erbil. Rebekah leads a vital partnership with another organization to provide language training, empowering communities through education. Reflecting humility, she raises her own salary, maximizing our impact. An incredible baker of sourdough bread, she loves hosting with a glass of kombucha, creating welcoming spaces.
Paul Bishop
PROJECT MANAGER
Paul Bishop brings years of expertise as a gifted educator to HEAL. His experience teaching youth in secondary schools throughout the region aids in our organizational mission to bring educational resources to communities in need. As a certified beekeeper, Paul leads our beekeeping initiative in northern Iraq, working alongside local communities to promote sustainability and health. To connect deeply with the culture, Paul and his wife devote long hours to studying the Behdini Kurdish dialect, enriching their community engagement. He is also working on materials to empower expat educators abroad.
Manar Gorgis
Accountant
Manar, born and raised in northern Iraq, brings professional accounting expertise to HEAL. Fluent in Arabic and Suret, she provides accounting services through our partnership with Higher Ground Consultancy Firm, expertly managing our books and ensuring compliance with local government requirements. Her meticulous work supports our efforts to deliver quality care and educational opportunities to communities in need. Her dedication to precision and community connection strengthens HEAL’s mission to create meaningful, lasting impact through collaborative efforts.