Our team.
Michelle Mann
Executive Director
Michelle has worked in the international world of non-profits for over 30 years. Her specialty is organizational development and the establishment of accounting and internal control systems for non-governmental organizations.
Widely travelled and having lived abroad for a number of years in various countries including Albania, Germany and India, she is experienced in public speaking in multilingual settings and is able to bring business skills into culturally diverse settings. Whether through teaching accounting skills in a mud and grass hut in South Sudan, training entrepreneurial leaders in the mountains of North India or reviewing non-profit practices in the Balkans, she seeks to help enterprises and leaders grow in integrity, transparency and effectiveness as they serve their local communities and society. Michelle also teaches as a guest lecturer at Nehemiah Gateway University in Pogradec.
It was during her years in Albania in the late ‘90s where she was first introduced to the expanding and impactful work of Nehemiah Gateway.
She currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Doug, and has three grown children.
Joana Mimini
Program Director
Joana is a person with a passion for numbers, organization, and helping others. Originally from Albania but born and raised in Greece, her international background and multilingual skills gives her a unique perspective and ability to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Joana graduated from Nehemiah Gateway University in 2019, with a bachelor’s in Economics and Business Administration, where her love for finances and making an impact was ignited.
Her journey with NG began during her university years in Albania and has been a key part of her personal and professional life ever since. After graduation, she spent 4 years in Berlin and took on roles as Head of Office and Accountant for Nehemiah Gateway in Germany, ensuring smooth project operations and financial accuracy across the organization.
Currently living in Texas with her husband, Etien, she continues to be part of Nehemiah Gateway through the NG USA office.
Joana’s passion for bringing people together, supporting communities in need and exploring new opportunities to make an impact is what brings her energy into everything she does.
James Leithart
Communication Director
James Leithart is a communications professional with a background in community development and extensive experience in strategic storytelling. His work integrates visual media, writing, and campaign development to clearly communicate mission, impact, and organizational values.
Since relocating to Albania in 2018, James has led and supported communications efforts across Nehemiah Gateway, including video production, website management, social media management, copywriting, public relations, and campaign strategy, contributing to the visibility and cohesion of the organization’s programs and initiatives.
Board of Directors
Stephen Kaufman
Vice President, Chairman of the Board
Stephen Kaufman is the Chief Technology Officer for BlueSoftware, and has served for ten years as the Vice President of GBA/Nehemiah Gateway USA currently holding the position of the organization’s Treasurer/Secretary. Stephen is an engaging speaker featured at many technology and industry conferences around the world and is a visionary leader able to connect technology enablers to real business and social challenges in an approachable way.
Professionally, Stephen manages all aspects of product strategy, product roadmap, and product development for BlueSoftware LLC. Stephen also brings a passion for assistance to the world's poor through education, sanitation, economic development and access to clean water. He has led training on topics of marketing and entrepreneurial pursuits in Sudan, Ghana, India and the US and has also been involved in assisting with the establishment of microfinance programs in Western and Eastern Africa.
Stephen came to BlueSoftware from Schawk/Matthews where he served as the CTO of this pre-media concern for eight years. Kaufman served multiple terms as Chairman of the Intelligent Packaging Consortium (IPC) which created XMLs standards for the packaging supply chain that evolved into full GS1 standards.
Stephen lives in Saint Charles, Illinois, with his wife and three daughters.
Lazaron Gusho
Director
Lazaron Gusho, CCM, DBIA, PMP, is a civil engineer and construction manager originally from Pogradec, Albania. After graduating as valedictorian of Nehemia High School’s first class, he moved to the United States to study civil engineering and architecture at Idaho State University, later earning a master’s degree in construction management from NYU. Over the past decade in New York City, Lazaron has managed the technical, financial, design, and legal aspects of multimillion-dollar private and public-sector projects.
He is currently serving as Senior Director of the Capital Programs Department, overseeing more than 100 capital projects valued at over $1 billion and ensuring they meet New York City Housing Authority's standards for quality, efficiency, safety, and stakeholder engagement. Lazaron is also co-founder of Lyhnida Fund, a scholarship initiative supporting outstanding students in his hometown, and remains passionate about education, sports, and community development.
Scott Cufr
Secretary/Treasurer
Scott is the Business Development Director in the Healthcare Life Sciences Sector for Plexus Corp, a multi-national corporation. He received an undergraduate BA degree in Business/Marketing from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. He went on to earn his MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Scott and his wife Michelle were Youth Pastors at his church in Crystal Lake, Illinois for 28 years. In that role, they provided leadership and mentoring to countless numbers of teenagers and young adults. Scott also led youth outreaches to a number of countries including China, Albania, Israel and several Central American nations. He served as school board president for a private K-12 institution for over ten years in Cary, Illinois. Scott has been married to Michelle for 35 years. Michelle is a junior high teacher at Rockford Christian School in Rockford, Illinois. Scott and Michelle have 4 grown children living around the country and were excited to have their first grandchild born in March 2025.