Colonel Wendy Swan is Canadian by birth and global citizen by choice. Wendy’s 26 years of international appointments in the Americas, South Pacific and East Asia and Africa zones of The Salvation Army along with teaching opportunities in Europe and South America position her well to lead and facilitate global conversations in social justice issues.
In addition to her appointment as Director of the International Social Justice Commission, she is also the Chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council of The Salvation Army as well as a sitting member of its International Theological Council.
Colonel Wendy holds a PhD in Systematic Theology (King’s College, London) whose thesis articulated a theology of protest for The Salvation Army in its fight against injustices amongst the poor and marginalized of the world. Published in 2022 Living Right While Righting Wrong, the work challenges Salvationists and the global church to work together to transform individual lives and communities.
Colonel Ian Swan was born in KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa from where he began an international journey of discovery that would take him around the world to experience the ministry, service, and contextual expressions of The Salvation Army in all five of its Global Operational Zones.
An educationalist by professional training and conviction, Colonel Ian greatly enjoys partnerships with fellow educators, NGOs, and Government Partners who strive to create and support holistic transformational change for individuals and communities. This passion is married to a strong commitment to listen to stakeholders and communities of practice so that grassroots ownership and accountability are mutually understood. Colonel Ian has served previously as the VP Academic Dean of Booth University Canada, as a member of the Board of Directors for the United Wesleyan Graduate Institute HK, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Macau University College of Social Work.
Major Victoria Edmonds was born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she learned the culture and traditions of her own heritage, the Tuscarora Nations of Native Americans.
Victoria has served in numerous corps appointments including the New York Harlem Temple Corps. She has served in Divisional Headquarters appointments, as well as the League of Mercy/Community Care Secretary and Chaplain for the Women's Shelters in New York City.She has also served in the Caribbean, along with her husband, with responsibilities for all the Virgin Islands both British and American.
Prior to becoming an officer in The Salvation Army, Victoria served 10 years in the United States Navy. The major has an Associates Degree in Library Science, a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management and a Masters in Intercultural Studies. Victoria currently represents The Salvation Army at all levels of United Nations engagements and on NGO Committees. She serves on NGO Executive Committees and is Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Girls.
General André Cox was born in 1954 whilst his Salvation Army officer parents were serving in Zimbabwe. The fact that he was born in Africa to an English father and Swiss mother makes him feel at home when working in different cultural settings.
Commissioned and ordained: as a Salvation Army officer in 1979. In a career spanning four decades, he served in Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Finland, South Africa, the United Kingdom. This varied journey cemented his belief that: The Salvation Army must always be a force for good, a force for change and a force for positive transformation in society.
Elected: as the 20th General of The Salvation Army in August 2013.
Awards: Dr.h.c (UCES – Buenos Aires) - July 2016. Dr.h.c (Université William Booth Kinshasa) - July 2018
Now living in retirement in Switzerland, he continues his calling and vocation as a Salvation Army officer.
Major Jacob Kinyua is an officer of the Kenya East Territory. He grew up in a Christian family which impacted his life greatly and led to his conviction to choose Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Jacob is married to Major Agnes Kinyua and is blessed with two beautiful children: Gloria and Chris.
Jacob was commissioned as an officer of The Salvation Army in November 2004 – Preparers of the Way Session. He has served in four different corps appointments in both the Kenya West and East Territories, five years as the Education Officer in the Officers’ Training College followed by an appointment to SALT College Africa as the Business Administrator. He is currently serving as the Training Principal of the Kenya East Training College located in Thika.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from Kenya Methodist University and is currently working on the final stages of his Master of Arts in Religious Studies. His thesis focuses on the role of religion as a vehicle for disabled persons’ education.
One of the delights of his present life is to work alongside other Christians who are seeking justice together.
Christine was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is a Salvationist from the USA Eastern Territory. Following her graduation from Roberts Wesleyan College, Christine and her husband moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where they resided for six years. While there, Christine worked for the state as a representative to the Dekalb County Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and as a licensed Foster and Adoptive parent trainer. Following state certification, she began working independently for private foster care and adoption agencies specializing in the placement of children with special needs.
Christine moved to New York City in 2002, where she began working as the GAINS (Greater Academic Incentives to Nurture Success) Coordinator for The Salvation Army of Greater New York. Following a period home with her two children, Eliza and Hudson, Christine returned to work independently as her company-provided resources, curriculum, and consultation for organizations working with at-risk youth. Christine joined the ISJC team in July of 2019 and is thrilled to be Seeking Justice Together.
Kayla Calvo graduated in 2020 from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts/Public Service in Public and Nonprofit Administration and a minor in International Affairs. She continued her education at Rutgers and graduated in 2021 with a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Technology and Information Management.
Kayla has been connected to the ISJC since she was 13 years old when she became a Salvation Army Girl Advocate to the UN Working Group on Girls and attended Commission on the Status of Women where she spoke on ‘Violence Against the Girl Child’. Kayla was then invited to speak on the topic on ‘Fulfilling the Rights of Indigenous Children: Successes and Challenges’ as part of the celebration for the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2012. She continues to be involved with the Working Group on Girls as the Youth Representative for The Salvation Army.
Kayla is currently preparing to travel back to South Korea to work for the Korean Ministry of Education as an English Teacher.