Staff Profiles
The work of The Girls’ Brigade International wouldn’t be possible without a large and inspirational team.
We’re grateful to the thousands of volunteers who lead and support our groups in over 50 different countries.
Each fellowship is also led by an amazing woman—their International Vice President. Together, these women form the International President’s Committee. They have a unique insight into the needs of their fellowships and they work together to turn up the volume of hope for girls.
We’ll let them introduce themselves…
Priscilla Penny
International President
Elected at the International Conference in Zambia 2018, to be GB’s International President (2018–22) and at the 2022 conference for a further four years (2022-2026). Priscilla was previously VP for Africa for eight years and brings a wealth of experience to her new role in Girls’ Brigade.
Priscilla Penny lives in Harare, Zimbabwe with husband Claudio. As well as all that she does for GB, Priscilla and Claudio also have a busy family life, keeping abreast of all that’s happening in the lives of their four children and five grandchildren!
Priscilla shared at the closing ceremony:
As we begin on this journey together for the next four years, I wonder what plans God has for us. I can only believe that it will be an exciting and fulfilling journey. What will be our objectives?
- That GB will take its place as the Oldest and Strongest Christian Organisation focusing on Girl Child Issues.
- That GB members will be good stewards and take care of God’s creation – The Earth.
- That GB will make a Loud Noise that cannot be missed as it turns up the volume of Hope for Girls around the world. May the Girls Brigade be the FIRST TO PRAY, THE FIRST TO SPEAK AND THE FIRST TO ACT for safety and justice for the Girl child. As it say in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy.”
- GB will empower and nurture our young women to drive the Mission and Vision of GB.
The theme for 2019 is “Fruitful and Overflowing… Live Joyfully”. I tried to understand the term “Overflowing”. Producing Fruit is a process from preparing the soil, to harvest and then sharing the fruit. How do we get there? How do we get to a point where we move beyond private and personal breakthrough to being so full of the Holy Spirit that we become carriers of His Glory and have His presence overflow out of our inner spirit into every area of our soul, body and around us, bringing healing and freedom to those we come into contact with, to our girls especially as we seek to Transform Lives.
We maybe separated by land, water, different cultures, but we are one family with one Mission … to Transform the lives of the girls. ONE GB … ONE MISSION!!!
Africa
Aruk Omori is married to John and has three children, two boys and a girl. She is from Calabar in Cross River State of Nigeria where she works as a school principal.
She has served as a captain of 13th Calabar company for ten years. She has also been the Cross River State Council Secretary for ten years and National Assistant Secretary GB Nigeria for five years. She has used her professional skills serving as chairman of The Cross River State Education department of the Girls ‘ Brigade preparing girls for competition, has been involved in training camps and leading officers’ refresher courses. These roles have involved her in National and International Conferences and she is called now to serve GB AFRICA as their International Vice President from January 2018.
Her interests include writing, reading , working with children, travelling and meeting with people.
Asia
Elected in 2022, Nancy is looking forward to serving Asia as part of the international presidents Committee.
Nancy brings tremendous experience to the role of IVP for Asia, and the International Leadership team is blessed to add her wisdom to the team as GB moves forward in this next phase of mission.
“Thank God for broadening my horizon, that I can see the world. Knowing that I’m loved and privileged to have lots of opportunities to lead and to serve. I was loved and nurtured in GB. Throughout the years, GOD showed me His love and His plan for me, and I’m very grateful that I can know Him and serve Him with my life.”
Caribbean & Americas
IVP for the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship, Quindell lives in the beautiful setting of Jamaica. 2018 marks the beginning of her first term as IVP. Quindell says:
‘I’m really looking forward to this new post. Your prayers and support would be appreciated during this time so that God will help me to carry out my duties.’
Quindell has served the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship in many roles over the years and is really looking forward to this new post. Your prayers and support would be appreciated during this time so that God will help her to carry out her duties.
In addition to Girls’ Brigade she is Co-Founder and Artistic director to the Jamaica Youth Theatre, Chairperson of Secondary School’s Drama Festival and the Caribbean Secondary School’s Drama Festival. She also run a local theatre costume design and rental shop. Quindell is one of Jamaica’s leading collectors of period costumes and theatre props. Finally she’s an active member in her church where she serves as Technical Consultant, Chairperson Fundraising and member of the Property Committee.
Europe
I joined Girls’ Brigade in 1992 as a girl at the age of five, becoming an officer in 2009.
Since joining GB, I feel fortunate to have had some amazing opportunities to be involved at local, national and international levels including serving as a trustee of Girls’ Brigade Ministries and representing England and Wales at three ICGBs. In addition to being IVP, I am currently a local leader at 4th Morden Girls’ Brigade.
Girls’ Brigade has played a key role in developing my Christian faith and many of the life skills I have today by providing opportunities otherwise not available to girls and young women. The love and support of caring leaders provided a safe space to try things out and make mistakes without fear, enabling me to grow in confidence and abilities.
I was elected as IVP in November 2022, having previously served as the England and Wales representative on the GB Europe Fellowship Executive for two years from 2015–2018 and as GB Europe Fellowship Vice Chair for four years from 2018–2022. I am excited to see how God can use me in this new role.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the last few years provided unique challenges to how we operated both locally and internationally. Despite these, our members found new and creative ways to continue to support our girls and young women, their families and communities. As we look forward as an organisation, I am excited to see how we locally and internationally can continue to embrace these new methods of working to increase our reach and grow stronger.
Alongside volunteering with GB, I work as a hospital consultant (doctor), specialising in Paediatric Histopathology. As a Paediatric Histopathologist, I work in the laboratory analysing samples from pregnant women and children down a microscope in order to diagnose conditions such as cancer which can then be treated by colleagues.
I live in Tooting, South London with my husband, Will. Living in Tooting we are close to many of the museums, galleries and theatres that London has to offer and we enjoy exploring in a spare weekend. When not busy with GB or work, I enjoy swimming or playing defence in a local netball team. I also regularly sew cross-stitch squares which can then be turned into quilts for sick children.
The most exciting place I have visited with The Girls’ Brigade is Buckingham Palace, where I was fortunate enough to attend one of the Queen’s Garden Parties!
Pacific
Renelle, from New South Wales, Australia, was appointed as IVP for Pacific in April 2016. She is married to John who is now retired, has four grown up children and four grandchildren with whom she loves to share time. Her family in their turn are her biggest supporters and encouragers!
At a GB volunteer she has a long association with the Blacktown GB group where she now serves as Chaplain. Over many years she has been involved in training around her local region. During her eight years as Deputy Chairperson of the Pacific Fellowship she assisted with a number of training sessions with leaders around the Pacific area. In her working life too she has worked for GB, managing the GB shop and serving as National Administrator.
Outside of GB she likes to be creative, loves the challenge of a daily crossword and enjoys completing jigsaw puzzles. She is also a keen stamp collector so watch out when she is on her travels.
Renelle recalls how , through the encouragement of her GB leaders, she became confident enough to show her faith to others. She believes that although she has seen seeds sown in young lives growing, there are still many more out there that are thirsting for the Lord. Her vision is for GB members in the Pacific to stay connected as together they transform girls’ lives for Christ.
Treasurer
Betty has grown up through Girls’ Brigade and celebrated 40 years as a leader in 2016. She is a local GB group leader on the Isle of Wight (very South of England) and a member of the England & Wales Network Executive.
Betty has two grown-up daughters who are also leaders in GB and is married to Colin – an avid golf player. She retired from her career in banking last year and enjoys walking along the beach with her daughter’s German shepherd, meeting with friends and being a trustee for Ryde Baptist Church.
Betty had a wonderful time at ICGB in Zambia and has lasting memories and lots of new friends on Facebook.