EPEK Staff & Board

Wakil Sahibudin, Afghan Leader

The Founder and Executive Director of EPEK International, Inc. has more than 25 years experience working in faith-based organizations in cross-cultural leadership positions, specifically within Afghan communities. Wakil was born in Afghanistan and his family fled as refugees to Pakistan when he was a boy. From a young age, Wakil has felt a strong connection to the plight of Afghans struggling on the margins, and feels called to devote his life to their physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual needs. Today Wakil is an American citizen. He and his family live among a large population of Afghan refugees in New York City. He is fully committed and excited to devote his resources, time, and leadership to build the work of Epek International to positively influence and transform lives for generations.

Wakil Sahibudin
Founder/Executive Director

Wakil grew up as refugee in Pakistan and returned with great hopes for his country in 2001. He has facilitated the work of many organizations and individuals that seek to serve the Afghan people. He has a deeply rooted commitment to praise, love, respect, and care for Afghans, and now furthers his vision through the work of Epek International.

Seth Gardner
International Director of Operations
and Board Member

After multiple short-term trips, and extended time on the ground in Kabul, Seth felt drawn to serve the Afghan people. He left a long-time job in Quality Assurance at a manufacturing facility in his home state of Nevada to pursue his heart. He finds joy in spending time with family and friends, and all things baseball. In his role at Epek, he facilitates engagement of those who want to use their gifts and talents to build capacity and share hope. (You’ve got to see this video of him as a personal trainer to his Afghan brothers.)

Karen Crane
Board Treasurer

Karen has owned and operated Plow Studio, an advertising/design firm in Louisville, KY for more than 20 years. Her client roster has included numerous nonprofit organizations, including an NGO doing work in Afghanistan. She has worked alongside other members of the board to develop branding and communications for organizations, so they can maximize their impact. In her spare time, she’s an avid golfer.

Chad Nelson
Board Member

Chad is an international relations and global security professional with a passion for Afghanistan. For the past nine years, Chad and his wife have served Afghan families across the US and have been closely connected with the leadership of Epek International.

Darin Locke
Chairman of the Board

Darin is a partner with his wife in The Locke Law Firm, PC.  He likes most anything that has to do with the great outdoors.  Darin has been in love with Afghanistan and its beautiful people ever since he made his first trip there.  Over the years, Darin has taken multiple teams to Afghanistan to experience the great potential that exists in the Afghan people. 

Tina Bruner
Board Secretary

Tina is currently Executive Director for World Convention, a nonprofit that focuses on an connecting and unifying Christian churches. She is entrepreneurial executive leader with more than 25 years experience developing and leading missional organizations. She has a heart for the Afghan people, and for serving in places where others may be reluctant to go. She excels in cross-cultural relationship building and implementing strategies in cross-cultural settings that maximize ministry outcomes.

Margot Kreutzer
Board Member

Margo first felt drawn to Afghanistan after watching a video detailing the plight of Afghans. She was inspired by the hope and spirit of the Afghan people and has made several short-term and medical training trips to Afghanistan. Margot worked in Thailand for many years, educating villagers in Community Health and Community Development. She is a Registered Nurse and is currently working on her master’s degree in Advanced Practice Nursing with a focus on family medicine. In her free time, she loves to hike and explore the great outdoors.

Together

bAhem is a Dari word meaning “Together”. EPEK International has a large (and growing) team of people in Afghanistan that are aligned and allied with the work we are doing. We are in the process of officially appointing International members of our Board who will be instrumental to the growth and success of EPEK’s work in Afghanistan. We will provide more information when finalized.