About IMA

History

IMA’s Medical Outreach (1983-1992)

In 1983, a young Newport Beach mother of two, Tina Sechrist Randy, was watching a documentary about birthing practices in Africa. Her heart was moved as she compared her Westernized birth experiences to that of African mothers, who were dying of preventable diseases and infections during childbirth. Equipped with a determined heart and a basic knowledge of Lamaze and instrument sterilization procedures, Tina—along with her sister Sheri Ciotti and friend Mary Ann Heaps—planned a trip to Nigeria. Later that year,
IMA’s first operation outside of the United States, a birthing clinic, was established in Abak, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria. In 1983, a medical outreach program was initiated in India. Both efforts served to reduce the number of needless deaths and improve health care among women in those regions.

IMA’s School in Guatemala (1993-present)

After devoting nine years to the Nigerian project, and feeling a new tug on their hearts for the war-torn country of Guatemala, the founders of IMA handed over the birthing clinic operations to the people of Abak. Mary Anne Heaps left behind family and friends to prepare the way for the next IMA project, learning the culture, language and geography of the organization’s next place of focus, Guatemala City.
Mary Anne discovered that while Guatemalans had access to basic health care, only the very wealthy were receiving a proper education. She was also shocked to learn that while giving up a son to an orphanage was considered an act of mercy, daughters were kept home and expected to generate income through begging, child labor or prostitution. In accordance with IMA’s mission to help females wherever their programs existed, it was clear to the founders that their next project needed to be a school for girls that could help break this cycle of poverty and exploitation. IMA began educating impoverished girls in Guatemala in 1993 and added a grade each year until a full elementary school was established in 1999.

Volunteer Staff

Jamie Randy

IMA President

Jamie took her first volunteer trip to Guatemala in 2003 and fell in love with the mission of IMA. She began volunteering with IMA and joined the board of directors specifically to grow IMA’s educational philosophy and teaching practices. She stepped into the role of president of IMA in 2010. She is an educator and mother of four little girls which helps fuel her passion to help the girls at IMA. Jamie is an advocate for girls’ rights, social justice and education. She leads IMA’s team in the U.S., with her husband, Jason Randy, and dedicated volunteer staff.

Pam Capone

Sponsorship Coordinator

Pam is a long time supporter of IMA’s work in Guatemala. She was first introduced to IMA through co-founder, Tina Randy, and took her first trip to the school in 2008, promptly falling in love. She then stepped into the role as sponsorship coordinator and matches students with sponsors. Pam is an intricate part of IMA’s communication between sponsors, donors, and the work in Guatemala. She is the author of three books, the backbone of our email blasts and contributes to social media updates. She takes annual trips to the school, in which she updates all student information and distributes profiles, photos, videos and student work to sponsors throughout the year. Pam is a mother to two grown children, a grandma, an author, an actor, an avid mountain biker and a passionate advocate for IMA.

Sandy Lee

Volunteer and Trips Coordinator / Board Member

Sandy and her family were first introduced to IMA through a short term missions trip with Jamie and Jason Randy. At the time, her two young children were oohed and awed over by the IMA girls. Now her two pre-teen children are also getting involved with IMA. Hudson has volunteered on three trips and Sayanna has helped with the newsletter, led fundraising projects, in addition to volunteering on a number of trips.

Sandy joined the board of directors and then stepped into the needed role of missions trip coordinator. She has led and participated in many trips to the school and has bridged a relationship with Mosaic in Los Angeles. Sandy is a pediatrician who offers a health perspective to the board in making decisions for the school. Sandy is passionate about serving others, specifically in times of great need, and has traveled to different parts of the world for disaster relief. She has involved her kids in this passion through authoring children’s books of her experiences and aiding them in finding their own ways to serve others.

John Capone

Technology Director / Board Member

John was introduced to IMA through co-founder Tina Randy and his wife, Pam Capone’s, enthusiasm. He joined the board of directors in 2009 in order to offer business insight and advice to the organization. He then began volunteering as IMA’s technology director in 2010 in order to support IMA’s student database and has since taken on many of website and scheduling responsibilities. John is the father to two adult children. His relationship with his daughter is what prompted him to invest in IMA’s mission to provide a better life to young girls living in poverty. John loves to travel and surf and has been integral in helping IMA form professional fundraising relationships.

Jason Randy

Business Manager / Board Member - Chairman of the Board

Jason’s first trip to Guatemala was a gift given to him by his aunt, co-founder Tina Randy. He was 19 years old and excited to travel. Little did he know, this trip promising fun and adventure would change the course of his life. Jason shortly took a follow-up trip and began leading teams to the school to volunteer. He joined the board of directors and then moved into the role as business manager. Jason is a father of four little girls and works in the Silicon Valley as an engineer at Tesla. He is passionate about education, music, and growing in community.

Michelle Lepak

Board Member

Michelle was introduced to IMA by co-worker, Jamie Randy. Her husband joined a volunteer trip soon after and both have been committed to IMA’s mission since. Michelle joined the board of directors in 2012. Michelle is a school psychologist and educator who provides educational expertise to the board of directors. She has provided important feedback to the board regarding educational practices, organization, and structure in schools. Michelle is a mother of both a young and grown daughter and a new grandmother. She is passionate about education and IMA’s mission in Guatemala.

In addition to our directors and board members, IMA is grateful for the committed and passionate volunteers who keep IMA running in various capacities: Sue Clineff, Jessica Morrissey, Sandy Capone, Frank Ciotti, Lydia Knowles, Henry Ha, Suzanne Piskadlo, Kelsey Gooden, Jessie Yarborough, Jamie Albert, Roberta Schuller, and Omar Padilla.