Kibera roots run deep…
“These deep ties to the community are what make this organization stand out and stand the test of time in Kibera.”
August 4, 2023
CFK Africa has benefited from tremendous leadership for over 20 years, with a staff of 85 on the ground and a dedicated team of Board and Advisory Council members.
With over 15 years of experience, Jeffrey brings a steadfast commitment to community-led development, passion for the power of education, and a growth-oriented mindset to lead CFK Africa.
He has strong roots in the Kibera community and finds joy in providing services that help uplift adolescents and youth. Growing up in Kibera and experiencing the power of education firsthand, Jeffrey serves as a powerful role model for youth in informal settlements.
Okoro first volunteered with CFK Africa as a youth leader after post-election violence in 2009. He has since risen through the ranks of the organization, from a peer mentor to administrative assistant, project officer, program coordinator, and most recently as deputy director. In 2018, he co-founded CFK Africa’s Best Schools Initiative with Professor Steve Arnold and has since collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to strengthen the program’s research objectives, which aim to improve education in primary schools in communities where we work and guide transformative policies for informal settlements globally.
Jeffrey is committed to empowering people to empower themselves. He served as a 2019 Metis Fellow, working toward accelerating the pace of education reform across Africa. Jeffrey earned a Bachelor of Science in Project Planning and Management from Moi University and a certificate in Business Mathematics. He also earned a certificate in conflict analysis from the United States Institute of Peace.
Yunus is a Community Health and Development Specialist with expertise in community mobilization for action, project management and implementation, coordinating research studies, and facilitation skills developed over the last 12 years.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Community-Based development and Project Management from PREMESE Africa Development Institute. Previously, he served as a Program Officer in a Public Health position and has also worked with different organizations such as AMREF, Africa Network for Health Knowledge Management (AFRI-AFYA) and KEMRI/CDC in coordinating several community-based projects.
Eddah is a progressive community health advocate with more than 10 years of experience in community health and health service delivery.
She has served as a Health Surveillance Officer for various organizations, including Washington State University, Avo Global Enterprise, and KEMRI/CDC. Eddah oversees CFK’s Primary Health Care facilities and community outreach initiatives and has been instrumental in facilitating CFK’s COVID-19 response and expanding the organization’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) initiatives to additional informal settlements.
Eddah earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management from the Kenya Methodist University and a diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery from the Kenya Medical Training College.
With over five years of experience working with CFK Africa, Keith is a dedicated and experienced community development professional with a strong background in livelihoods projects and sports for development.
Keith believes that that informal settlements are home to some of the most resilient, creative, and entrepreneurial people in the world. As CFK Africa’s Education and Livelihoods Lead, he oversees the implementation and coordination of projects aimed at improving educational outcomes and economic resilience.
Prior to joining CFK Africa, he served as a Project Officer for For Children’s Sake Initiative, where he contributed significantly to the planning and execution of programs focused on child welfare. He also gained valuable experience as a Project Coordinator at Kenya Ports Authority. Keith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Project Planning & Management from Moi University.
Joshua is a dynamic and results-driven leader, with over 9 years’ experience in multifaceted roles at CFK Africa.
With a deep-rooted passion for empowering the next generation, Joshua is committed to breaking barriers and bridging gaps in education. Originally from Kibera, Joshua first began as a volunteer with CFK Africa. Soon after, he joined the team as Project Officer for the Best Schools Initiative. As a Project Officer for Education implementing the Angaza scholarship program, his work now includes scholarships, mentoring, community engagement, and advocacy.
Recognizing the vital role an encouraging work environment plays in enhancing productivity and staff well-being, Joshua is dedicated to maintaining a safe and efficient workplace for our exceptional team. Joshua obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Building and Construction from The Technical University of Kenya. He also earned a certificate in Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods from the Collaborative Institution Training Initiative.
Valentine is an accomplished Human Resources Specialist with over 10 years of progressive work experience in Human Resources and Administration
She is a people enthusiast and a thought leader who has previously held Financial Planning Manager and Customer Care roles at British American Asset Managers and Airtel Kenya respectively. She believes in choosing and seeing people in their light and influencing them from that space.
Valentine holds a Master of Management Degree in International Business from Central Queensland University in Sydney Australia (CQU-Sydney) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University Africa Campus (USIU-A). She is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) and an award winner of the most Outstanding National Performer in the Reward Management Unit from the Human Resource Management Professionals Examination Board (HRMPEB). She is also a full member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) having been awarded a winner of a trivia organized by the institution for demonstrating excellent skills as a team player.
Beth-Ann is a non-profit leader, higher education administrator, and multimedia producer with 20 years of experience specializing in global research and education development, data analysis, and international evaluation.
She has completed professional work with organizations including Carnegie Mellon University, the Nature Conservancy, the UNC Mathematics and Science Education Network, and served as a Senior Program Officer and Fulbright Program Advisor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Beth-Ann served over three terms on CFK Africa’s Board of Directors and produced Without a Fight, an award-winning documentary that explores how soccer can facilitate social change in Kibera. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Terrestrial Ecology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She enjoys playing bass guitar in a good rock and roll show on occasion.
Emma is a global education and outreach professional with over 10 years of experience in non-profit settings and at academic institutions.
She has worked with institutions of higher education such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University to support global initiatives and engage in outreach efforts to share university resources and knowledge with the broader community. She has also held positions with internationally-focused nonprofits including WorldDenver and LEAF Global Arts. A passion for strengthening global understanding and partnerships drives her work.
Harver holds a M.A. in International Education, a B.A. in Global Studies and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has studied Arabic and French.
Wyatt is a cross cultural communications, experiential education, and organizational operations professional passionate about education and reproductive health care access, decolonization work, and gender equity.
She has held roles with community health organizations and international non-profits and NGOs including Planned Parenthood and Global Citizen Year. She also has experience working with an Africa-focused social impact organization, Baobab Consulting, doing research for their Intercultural Communications branch.
Wyatt holds a B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture and a regional focus of Sub-Saharan Africa. She was a Global Scholars student in the School of International Services at American University. She is also an alumna of Global Citizen Year as a Global Changemakers scholar in Senegal. Foster enjoys reading, podcasts, music, and adventuring with her dog.
We have a dedicated team of Board and Advisory Council members who volunteer their time and expertise to maximize CFK Africa’s impact. They provide us with a strong, steady foundation even through the most difficult times. We are forever grateful for their support and expertise.
Our Kenya Board of Trustees and U.S. Board of Directors operate together on a Joint Board.
Co-Founder, CFK Africa; Co-Founder and CEO, With Honor
Education Activist
Angel Investor and Advisor to Start-ups, Technology Entrepreneur
Professor of Integrated Science and Technology, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University
Co-Founder and Vice-President, Drone Data and Film® Photography; Professor (retired), Department of Health Behavior, UNC-Chapel Hill
Manager, IT Audit Services, Duke Energy Corporation
Deputy Managing Director, Bank of Africa (retired)
Chief Executive Officer, ACRE Africa
Professor and Associate Dean, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill
Senior Finance, Administration and Compliance Manager, Malawi at Counterpart International
Executive Director, Smart Power Africa, Power Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation
Regional Director, Southern and East Africa, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)
Senior Associate, Health Industries Advisory at PwC
Kenan Professor of Anthropology, UNC-Chapel Hill
In 2020, we convened a diverse group of international leaders and volunteers that will guide CFK Africa’s strategic decisions and assist us as we continue to develop local leaders and catalyze change in informal communities.
64th U.S. Secretary of State
Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State; former CFK Africa Peacock Fellow
Executive Director, UHAI: East African Sexual Health & Rights Initiative
Emory University Professor; Former Director, CDC Global Disease Detection Division in Kenya
Founder and CEO, Second Front; former CFK Africa Peacock Fellow
Professor, Harvard Business School; former CEO, Medtronic
Partner, Riverstone; Professor of Practice, Imperial Business School in London
Entrepreneur; Principal Architect, Space Form Studio
Group CEO and Managing Director, The Standard Group PI
Senior Associate, Anjarwalla & Khanna | ALN
Vice President for Global Health, Emory University; Director, Emory Global Health Institute
Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration; Co-Unit Head, Negotiation, Organizations & Markets, Harvard Business School
CEO and co-founder, M-KOPA
Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, Harvard University Center for the Environment, Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Partner, Asphalt & Ink; Co-Founder, WomenWork Kenya
U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District (retired)
CEO, UNC Health Care; Former Director, U.S. CDC
Board Member, Sall Family Foundation; Adjunct Professor, UNC School of Public Health
3rd Chief Technology Officer of the United States; Co-founder, the Malala Fund
Dental Friends Distinguished Professor of Dental Ecology, UNC School of Dentistry
Professor of Social Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill
Professor of Sociology, Gender & Development Studies, Kenyatta University
CFK Africa has benefited from tremendous leadership on the ground and on our Boards for nearly 20 years. We recognize the tenure of our past Board Chairs, who volunteered and helped us grow at each stage of our movement to be a model of participatory development and responsible research in informal settlements gripped by cycles of extreme poverty and around the world.
Professor of Integrated Science and Technology, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University
Executive Director, Smart Power Africa, Power Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation
Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration; Co-Unit Head, Negotiation, Organizaitons & Markets, Harvard Business School
Senior Advisor, GIZ-PSDA
Chief Executive Officr, ACRE Africa
Division Director of Human Resources, Isuzu East Africa Ltd.
Deputy Managing Director, Bank of Africa (retired)
Owner of Bull City Running
Training Consultant, SelectTempStaffing
“These deep ties to the community are what make this organization stand out and stand the test of time in Kibera.”
With experience traveling and living in informal settlements in Africa, India, and China, our newest Advisory Council member, Steve Arnold, reflects on the importance of social context and listening in effective development work.
We were fortunate to have Madeleine Albright as a member of our Global Advisory Council. Co-founder and board chair, Rye Barcott, reflects on his friendship with Secretary Albright and shares three lessons we can learn from her life of service.
CFK Africa is a registered NGO in Kenya and 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. that improves public health and economic prosperity in informal settlements through participatory research, primary health care, and education.
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