Rachel serves as GROW's Executive Director. She first began volunteering as a GROW teacher in 2020 after moving back to the USA from overseas. Rachel brings fifteen years' experience as an educator in different capacities, and now she is passionate to help GROW fulfill our mission to teach English as a second language and help immigrants thrive. She is grateful for GROW's dedicated staff and volunteers! Rachel lives in Philly with her husband, two kids, and lovable dog. She enjoys spending time with international friends, eating ethnic foods, writing stories, and playing classical piano.

Sue DeHart is the program director at GROW Mayfair. She considers it a privilege to serve and partner with the GROW ESL community - both the fabulous, volunteer teachers and their motivated, hard-working students. Sue delights to bring her God-given enthusiasm and grace - as well as the wisdom gained from four decades of teaching and administrative experience - to this beautiful international community. Sue and her wonderful husband Jonathan love the outdoors - hiking, tandem-biking, running, gardening, and opening their hearts and home to neighbors and friends in the greater Philadelphia area. They also treasure time with their 3 adult children, their 2 spouses, and 3 grandchildren.

Meredith is the program director at GROW Bustleton. She first volunteered with GROW as a TA in 2023 and transitioned to program director in 2025. She grew up in Turkey, where her parents served as cross-cultural workers and moved to the States as a young girl. These experiences cultivated a deep love for internationals and desire to serve immigrants. Meredith will marry her best friend, Nate Branson in August - she is very excited to have the same last name as her favorite Downton Abbey character. She is a proud cat person, bookworm, and tea lover.

Alan assists with site administration on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Mayfair location. He joined GROW as a teaching assistant in September 2023 and began to teach a Level 2 class four months later. Alan grew up in a Jewish home and became a Christian while a student at Duquesne University. He served as a church planter in Uganda, pastored several churches, and worked as a pastoral counselor in the US and Ghana before joining the GROW staff. He can relate to the language barriers that our students face as he himself had to learn two tribal languages as a missionary (and failed miserably the second time around!). Alan is married to Sally and has three adult children and four grandchildren; he enjoys sharing the gospel, reading theology and history, gardening, and hanging out with four other old guys who call themselves “the Wrinklings.”

Chuck is one of the Assistant Program Directors at GROW Mayfair. He also supports GROW's IT infrasturcture. Chuck's connection with GROW began when he volunteered as a TA in 2014. He has been teaching Level 1 students since 2015 and has been assisting with site administration since the fall of 2019. Chuck is retired and enjoys cycling, reading and working on his house.

Laura is the Conversation Cafe Coordinator at GROW Mayfair. She has spent the last 16 years travelling with her husband to whatever duty station the Army placed him, finding ways to serve in their local community. Now that the Ruff family is back in Philadelphia, Laura is thrilled to have the opportunity to work beside the staff and volunteers at GROW to build relationships and continue to encourage the development of the student’s conversational skills. She believes that God has gifted her with the skills of hospitality and wishes to use it when the opportunity arises. Laura and Eric live in Northeast Philadelphia with their three sons and when not homeschooling, cheering at a sports game or serving in some way, you can be sure that they are planning their next family adventure.