Who We Are
Our President
Michele Rickett CEO, Sisters in Service
Michele Rickett is founder, president and CEO of Sisters in Service (SIS). SIS is an innovative ministry that informs, mobilizes and equips advocates for global outreach to women and children in the least Christian regions.
Michele Rickett brings over 20 years of experience in international women's outreach. She travels internationally to create partnerships with indigenous women and bring their insights and stories to audiences throughout the U.S. Michele is a delightful speaker who helps people to grow in their spiritual walk and co-labor with their sisters who are risking their lives to share God's love.
Michele and her husband, Daniel, committed their lives to international work in 1975. In 1979 they joined Partners International and in the early 80's moved their family to Africa where they worked in five East African countries before returning to the international headquarters.
Michele has taken active leadership roles in women's ministries. She is an engaging speaker who helps women grow spiritually, and work together to make a difference for suffering women and children. Along with an international speaking and teaching ministry, she has developed numerous workshops and retreat presentations including:
- Women In the Hardest Places - A Global View
- Beauty Out of Hardship
- Moving Beyond Your Mailbox
- A Heart of Purpose for Every Woman
- What, Why and How of Mentoring
Michele is co-author of Ordinary Women, a course that guides a developing spiritual life for individuals or groups, and graduates trained mentors. She has also authored Forgotten Girls: Stories of Hope and Courage and Daughters of Hope: Stories of Witness and Courage, published by InterVarsity Press.
Our Board of Directors
Mike Landrum
CEO and owner of Technical Innovation
Mike Landrum is the CEO and owner of Technical Innovation (TI), a holding company of four broadcast and presentation technology companies. TI clients include Turner Broadcasting/CNN, ESPN, TV Azteca, Cox Enterprises, Cingular, Home Depot, and many others. A graduate of the University of Alabama 1974, Mike achieved the CPA certification in 1976 and has served executive roles in the risk management/insurance industry. In addition to SIS, Mike has served on the board of two non-profit organizations. Student Venture Ministry is an outreach to high school youth. Salt and Light International served local, indigenous missions in leadership and organizational development and was later merged with Partners International. Mike lives with his wife and three children in Roswell, Georgia and is a member in good standing at Perimeter Presbyterian Church in Duluth, Georgia.
Beth Birmingham
Ph.D., Associate Professor of Leadership and Change, Eastern University, St. Davids,
Pennsylvania.
Beth Birmingham is an Associate Professor of Leadership and Change at Eastern University. She shares her teaching load between Eastern's School of Leadership and Development (SLD) and the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program.
She has served at Eastern University since 1996 in a variety of positions. Prior to a two year teaching sabbatical in Cape Town, South Africa (2006-2008), she served as the founding Assistant Dean of SLD from 2000-2006 and Director of International Partnerships prior to that, developing Eastern's partnerships and graduate degree programs with World Vision International, Habitat for Humanity International and Cornerstone Christian College in Cape Town. Her teaching has focused on NGO sector issues and has taken her to over 15 countries.
Dr. Birmingham holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, an MBA in International Economic Development from Eastern University and a B.Sc. in Marketing from West Chester University
Michele Rickett
Founder and President, Sisters In Service, Roswell, GA.
For over 25 years Michele has worked extensively to inspire and teach women about investing their blessings in other women. Her international work on behalf of those least-fed, least-educated and least-valued spans Africa (where she lived and worked in the early 1980's) to China, India, Indonesia and beyond. Michele is a published author of two notable books. Ordinary Women – Developing a Faithwalk Worth Passing On is a study that guides and graduates trained mentors. Daughters of Hope – Stories of Witness and Courage in the Face of Persecution, published by InterVarsity Press, remained on their bestseller list for its first three years on the market.
Lewis Abbott
Former President, Ambassadors for Christ, Atlanta, GA
Lewis Abbott served as a Southern Baptist pastor before accepting the presidency of Ambassadors for Christ during the mid-90's. Lewis now works with the National Christian Foundation in Atlanta, GA and is a founding member of the board of directors for Sisters In Service. Lewis and his wife, Alice, teach adult classes at their home church, Johnson Ferry Baptist, Marietta, Georgia.
Millie Clarke
Retired IBM executive, Incline Village, NV
Millie Clarke is an adjunct professor at Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, Nevada, where she teaches management courses. Previously she worked for IBM for 31 years, holding management and executive positions. Millie is on the board of directors of Care Corps, International, a Christian crisis counseling organization; and also on the board of the Presbyterian Women's Thrift Shop in Incline Village, NV. Millie is a founding board member of Sisters In Service.
Barbara Pagillo
Pediatric Physical Therapy business owner, Atlanta, GA
Barbara "Babi" Pagillo has owned a pediatric therapy business since 1997. Her business provides physical therapy in north Atlanta, Georgia. She has served on the mission's board of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA since 2000 and most recently has joined the women's ministry board of FBC. Babi is an active member of the local SIS chapter. She is a founding board member of Sisters In Service.