Our Board

Linda Funke, LMSW

Founder/President

Linda Funke is a licensed master social worker and Lutheran deaconess who specializes in international development and management. She and her husband Eric Funke served in Tanzania from Sept. 2012- March 2020. Next STEP Tanzania was born out of her and Eric’s desire to continue to strengthen education in Tanzania by nurturing global partnerships. Linda has had a passion for fundraising for meaningful international projects ever since high school when she raised money for Humanity United in Giving in Romania. She served as the World Relief Campaign Chair for two years at Valparaiso University and then moved to Papua New Guinea for a year to support grassroots HIV Education Initiatives. During her time in Tanzania, she and Eric helped to raise money for numerous development projects including the boys’ dormitory, school library, computer lab, projector, and supplies for Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School. They also raised money for two classrooms, bathrooms, desks, chairs, a laboratory, and dining hall for Mwanza Secondary School. They sponsored study tours for Lutheran deaconess students, sewing machines for the Right to Live With Albinism project, and scholarships for students in need. Linda and Eric moved back to the U.S. in 2020 with their two wonderful children, and Linda now works at the International Rescue Committee, helping refugee families resettling in the U.S. and mentoring a new generation of social work students. However, a piece of her heart will forever be connected to Tanzania, and Next STEP Tanzania has provided a wonderful opportunity to continue to partner with the work there.

Taylor German, MPH

Board Member

Taylor German is a community-rooted researcher, advocate, and storyteller with over a decade of experience leveraging advanced analytics to tackle complex global challenges—including violence, trauma, and racism—through a public health lens. Her work spans domestic and international contexts, where she has led behavioral science research, strategic planning, and consulting initiatives that center justice, sustainability, and impact. Fluent in Kiswahili and shaped by years of living in Tanzania, Taylor brings a cross-cultural and community-first approach to all she does. She is committed to ensuring that the narratives driving change remain in the hands of the people most affected, embedding community voice and ownership into every phase of her work.Taylor holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from St. John’s University. She is a proud fourth-generation Washingtonian.

Justin Moses

Board Member

Justin Moses is a dynamic commercial real estate advisor who specializes in navigating complex, high-stakes deals across office, industrial, and healthcare real estate. With a niche focus on dentists, veterinarians, local building owners, investors, and corporate clients, Justin brings a rare blend of technical expertise and creative problem-solving to every transaction. He thrives in deals that require intricate planning, zoning navigation, or adaptive reuse—especially those where others get stuck. From helping investors underwrite and acquire value-add properties, to structuring lease deals for healthcare professionals, to guiding corporate occupiers through strategic relocations, Justin is known for turning challenges into opportunities. With a background rooted in office and industrial brokerage, Justin understands both sides of the table and consistently delivers results that align with his clients’ long-term goals. His strategic mindset, hands-on execution, and relentless follow-through make him a trusted partner for clients. Justin also serves on the board of Home Sweet Home as well as the Mission Realty Advisors board. He’s been married a decade to his amazing wife Alyssa and they have a beautiful 4 year old son named Taryn.

Liz Neuf, LCSW

Vice President/Treasurer

Liz Neuf is a licensed clinical social worker who has 15+ years in the field of social work. She has assisted with the development of new and innovative programs in HIV case management, been the associate director for Youth in Need’s supportive housing program, and is currently a practicing mental health provider. Liz spent 4 years in Papua New Guinea advocating for expanded HIV programs and walking aside members of the United to Be community group to provide HIV education in schools, churches and community gatherings. As a social worker, Liz has a passion for human rights and ensuring fairness and justice for all people.

Ann Marie Rehbein

Board Member

Ann Marie Rehbein is a consecrated Lutheran Deaconess who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Valparaiso University. She also completed training as a Spiritual Director through Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA. She served as a deaconess in various Lutheran churches throughout California, retiring in 2019. She has a heart for international servicing having served with two mission trips to Ghana and serving with Valparaiso University on spring break medical service learning trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 2006-2024. She has also served on nonprofit boards for Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, O’Connor Woods Retirement Community, Lutheran Diaconal Association, Lutheran Deaconess Conference. She is the mother of 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren. Ann Marie and her husband Michael have been generous contributors to the work in Tanzania since Eric and Linda Funke first moved to Tanzania in 2012.