Echo VanderWal and her husband, Harry, lead The Luke Commission, a faith-based NGO delivering compassionate, comprehensive healthcare to the most isolated and underserved people in the Kingdom of Eswatini through over 300,000 patient visits per year. All services are provided free to the patient.

 Echo earned a bachelor’s degree in biology (summa cum laude) from Cedarville University in 1996. In 2011, Cedarville honored the VanderWals with the Alumni of the Year Award. After completing training as a physical assistant at Kettering College of Medical Arts graduating with distinction, Echo practiced in surgery until the birth of her triplet sons in 2001. Following the birth of the children, Echo joined a pediatric practice and ran a successful commercial real estate business.

In 2004, Harry and Echo visited Eswatini, a small country adjacent to South Africa with the highest prevalence of HIV globally, for the first time. After witnessing the devastation of untreated and stigmatized disease, they moved to Eswatini to found TLC and live out their lifelong dream of serving in Africa in international health and development.

 With deep compassion, leadership acumen, business sense, and a servant’s heart, Echo advocates at the highest levels of leadership for the health and development of Eswatini.

Echo has overseen development of TLC’s Miracle Campus from one old barn to more than 25 buildings, including the 130-bed Miracle Campus Hospital providing specialty and critical care. Echo has also coordinated an innovative multi-month onboarding program for over 1,300 participants and championed the construction of Eswatini’s first-ever oxygen production plant during the depths of COVID-19.

Harry and Echo have seven children and one grandchild; the couple resides full-time in Eswatini with their family.