Paul Templer
Chief Executive Officer

Paul Templer grew up in Africa (Zimbabwe). After school he set off to explore the world; after gallivanting around the globe for a few years he served with the British Army for a while before returning home to a career in the safari industry until “a bad day at the office” – a deadly hippopotamus attack – forced him to rebuild his life and career.

Paul Templer has never really been able to hold down a proper job so settled for Adventurer. Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Author. Speaker.

He was raised Catholic, has explored and dabbled in more religions and spiritual traditions than he can currently name. Mystics, Shamans, poets, televangelists, survivors, barstool philosophers and neuroscientists intrigue him. He believes that crystals are a thing and buys into his horoscope. He’s fan of psychology, philosophy and science. A voracious learner with (for the most parts) an open mind, who believes that anything is possible, and that gratitude, kindness and love are superpowers that we all possess and that we have the power to utilize them at will if we choose to.

Paul loves being a dad and relaxing while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Sally Allen
Author, Early Intervention Programs

Sally Allen has lived and worked in Africa for most of her life. Starting as a kindergarten teacher in the 1960’s she became interested in and actively pursued a career working with people with special needs in 1980. She worked as a teacher and administrator before moving on to work at a national, regional and then global level, focusing on curriculum development, implementation and supervision of innovative programs focusing upon the care and well being of those with developmental disabilities, regardless of their ages or circumstances.

During the 1990’s she worked as a consultant for special education for UNESCO, responsible for developing home based teaching videos and handbooks to assist parents of severely handicapped children. At the same time, in a voluntary capacity she founded and directed a Toy Library and Special Olympics Zimbabwe.

Sally spearheaded the development and production of this early intervention program in response to the clear and apparent need for it…  “I felt there was need for a simple guide for parents who have recently received this daunting diagnosis for their child, and may have no idea of the implications, who want to help their child yet feel helpless and have no idea of where to start and what can be done.”

Sally has spent most of her life in Zimbabwe and enjoys working with children and adults who have developmental disabilities. She has been instrumental in developing educational opportunities for these students in regular schools and has been responsible for establishing and monitoring an appropriate curriculum in special schools for students from pre-school level to adulthood. Erin’s Light; the expansion and development of these humble beginnings; will empower parents globally and provide hope and confidence in them that they have the knowledge to make that difference in their child’s life.

Chipo Mlambo
Executive Director – Africa

Chipo Mlambo Mudavanhu, coordinates Erin’s Light, our Early Intervention Program in Zimbabwe.  She spends much of her time work with caregivers who genuinely do not know how to care for or support their children with developmental disabilities. It gives me such joy when parents report back to just say “Thank you for this program”. Parents of children with developmental disabilities spend most of their efforts tending to the child’s physical needs, not knowing that laughing, playing and even making simple gestures of acknowledgement can make a big difference in any child’s life. To be a witness of someone else happy moments is truly a blessing!

Amanda Bergen
Communications Director of the Americas

As a result of her lived experiences in Mexico and Canada, Amanda has dedicated her life to the protection and well being of children. Amanda had a skill set of being trilingual which has greatly assisted in her service in her multicultural community and now Erin’s Light. Amanda has experience in case management, advocacy services to families and assessing risk to children. Amanda obtain an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2012.

Rebecca Simons
Director of Development and Operations

Rebecca supports our global mission of Helping Others Help Themselves.  She leverages her deep experience and organizational skills to ensure consistent and timely communication with our team around the globe. Rebecca supports Templer Foundation both strategically and in day-to-day administration and operations.  

Rebecca has extensive experience operating both in the non-profit world and in the commercial sector. She is the owner and founder of Blissfully Living.