Team
Our Staff
Fiona Komugisha Esther
Fiona has over 5 years of experience in the community development sector with a focus of women empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and education. As the Associate team leader at Imagine Her, she provides leadership support including oversight of program operational procedures, staff recruitment and development, and partnerships management. Fiona holds a B.A in Social Sciences from Kyambogo University. She is also the Team Leader for Project Hello World, where provides guidance, oversight, and facilitates the set-up of Hello Hubs in Uganda.
Fiona Komugisha Esther
Co-Founder, Associate Team Leader
Faith Atuhaire
Faith is a Financial Associate at Imagine Her, responsible for day-to-day financial operations, reviewing and preparing monthly financial reports, overseeing and processing incoming payments and receivables. She is driven by her commitment to see social change in communities. Faith holds a B.A in Accounting and Finance from Kyambogo University.
Faith Atuhaire
Financial Associate
James Otai
James is an alumnus of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and YALI East Africa Regional Centre with an MSc in Environmental & Business Management of Bangor University UK. He received his Undergraduate Degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management at Uganda Management Institute (UMI). He is a certified youth trainer, an entrepreneur, and a mentor. He is skilled in business and entrepreneurship development, research, curriculum development, child sponsorship, child protection, and youth empowerment.
He was featured in Ananke as one of African Young Leaders empowering women, Al Jazeera and devex.com in empowering secondary school youth with skills to start businesses while still at school. James Co-founded Imagine Her where he coordinates all organizational operations. He believes that any business or institutional operations should have a positive environmental impact to avert climate change crisis the world is facing
James Otai
Co-Founder, Operations Architect
Caroline Akitenge
Caroline is a Program Associate for the Social Enterprise & Innovation Incubator Program. Before joining Imagine Her, Caroline worked at Innovations for Poverty Action and Carl Henry & Associates. In 2015, she was certified as a trainer for Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) by the International Labour Organization. She holds a B.A degree in Social sciences from Kyambogo University. Outside of work, Caroline loves cooking and trying new dishes
Caroline Akitenge
Program Associate, Social Enterprise & Innovation Incubator
Allan Mark Muzungyo
Allan is the Knowledge and Impact Lead at Imagine Her, setting up data systems within the organization and working to ensure our impact undergoes proper monitoring and evaluation approaches. Prior to joining Imagine Her, he worked with Run Kapchorwa, Volcano Safaris and Hind’s Feet Project. Allan holds a B.A in Social Sciences from Makerere University and a postgraduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute. When he is not working, he is watching football.
Allan Mark Muzungyo
Knowledge & Impact Lead
Faridah Nalunkuuma
Faridah is a communications and community engagement lead at Imagine Her. In this role, she crafts and executes marketing and communication strategies for our work. She also identifies and engages all IH community members. Faridah’s prior experience include co-founding and managing a health startup UZURI Health and Beauty, and interning at multiple international NGOs; CARE USA, Educate!, and Africa Leadership Academy. Faridah graduated a Mastercard Foundation scholar with a B.A in Business Management from Agnes Scott College, Georgia USA, is passionate about social innovation and youth development. Outside of work, Faridah enjoys the outdoors, distance running and painting.
Faridah Nalunkuuma
Communications & Partnerships Lead
Stephen Tumwebaze
Stephen is a Program Lead for the Social Enterprise and Innovation Incubator Program, leading program strategy and planning, and ensuring accountability for implementation of program objectives. He is passionate about contributing to the economic empowerment of young people in Africa. Prior to joining Imagine Her, Stephen worked at Christian Aid, Union Logistics, both as an accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Uganda Christian University and a diploma in Accounting from Kampala International University. Outside of work, he likes to read and spend time with family and friends.
Stephen Tumwebaze
Social Enterprise & Innovation Program Lead
Irene Oksen
Irene is a Program Manager for the Becoming project at Imagine Her, spearheading the program strategy and implementation. Her skills span from research, curriculum development, teaching, and project management. She is passionate about empowering all people to develop skills, values, attitudes, and knowledge that enable them to lead healthy and fulfilled lives, make informed decisions and respond to local and global challenges. In her own words, “I believe that all age groups, including adults, should have opportunities to learn and to continue learning.” In her spare time, Irene enjoys running and has completed three marathons to date. Irene is currently based in Denmark.
Irene Oksen
Becoming & Denmark Hub LeadBoard of Directors
Nathan Okiror
Nathan Okiror received his Undergraduate Degree in Social Work and Community Development from Kyambogo University where he focused on Social Work and its role in transforming communities and his postgraduate diplomas in Social Work from Alison Institute. He has been recognized as a community-change influencer through the Swedish TV program Lärlabbet and has also be featured on Shoutout Socal Los Angeles and Uganda Radio Network.
He is YALI East Africa Regional Center Alumnus, Robert Bosch Alumnus, Ashoka Xchangemaker Fellow, and Commonwealth Royal Associate Fellow. He was also recently nominated as MHM Champion 2021 in Uganda by the Ministry of Education & Sports and SDG Secretariat Uganda. As a person, he is strongly guided by the principle that true community empowerment is centered on the individual experiencing the problem as the alternate principal designer of the solution.
Nathan Okiror
Founder, Board Chair & Team Leader
Rachael Miller
Rachael received her Undergraduate Degree in International Relations and Spanish with a minor in Economics from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and her Master’s in International Development with concentrations in Global Public Health and Management and Fundraising for International Organizations from the University of Denver. Her background is in communications and fundraising for diverse social sector organizations, including Girls Incorporated, Engineers without Borders, and international microfinance organizations. Currently, Rachael works in External Relations for Educate!, and recently returned to the Denver area after a year in Uganda. She is deeply passionate about supporting and empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential and drive development in their communities.
Rachael Miller
Board Vice-Chairperson
Geoffrey Kuriigamba
Geoffrey received his Undergraduate Degree in Computer Science and currently pursuing his Masters in the same subject from Makerere University and he is driven with a passion for providing services in the IT field especially in the areas of deployment of Computer Systems, Hardware, and Applications; Information Technology(IT) training, and career development. He currently works with Uganda Judicial Service Commission using his passion for ICT to promote justice for the Ugandan communities. Geoffrey enjoys using his expertise in ensuring that young people acquire the necessary IT skills and leverage ICTs for the transformation and development of their communities
Geoffrey Kuriigamba
Board Secretary
Andrew Topinka
Andrew is a strategist and innovator hooked on bringing empathy into business solutions. He studied Integrated Business & Engineering at The Ohio State University and is currently a Senior Associate, Growth Strategy & Innovation with Treacy & Company. Andrew has seen first-hand the power of education in creating economic independence and believes that women and girls will shape the future of work. He believes that Imagine Her is providing the essential backbone to unlock change in Uganda.
Andrew Topinka
Board Member
Unia Nakityo
Unia Nakityo received her undergraduate degree in Education in 2003, Public Administration and Management certificate from Makerere University, and her Master’s in Business Administration from Uganda Martyrs University-Nkozi with a major in Management. She has a rich background and huge experience in Education among high school youth, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment of the street and slum youth in Ugandan indigenous NGOs, like Uganda Youth Development Link, where she spearheaded the designing of a practical vocational skills training curriculum for the out of school youth, won and managed a number of partners; both NGOs and private business enterprises. Currently, Unia has worked with Educate! Uganda as a Program Coordinator and currently with PEAS Uganda as Program Manager Western Uganda. She is deeply passionate about team building and helping people realize their potential. She believes every human being is preciously valuable.
Unia Nakityo
Board Member
Keren Busingye
Keren received her Undergraduate Degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Uganda Christian University. She is a certified Psychosocial Support & Healing Counsellor. She is a passionate advocate for women, girls, and children’s Human Rights with 10 years of working experience in the subject of Human Rights and the Empowerment of Vulnerable Persons in society. Today she works with Good Shepherd’s Fold as Director of Education.
Keren Busingye
Board Member
Dan Clark
Dan received his undergraduate degree in Science (BS), Double Major in Biology and Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience), Magna cum Laude and Masters in Economics and Policy Analysis and he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from DePaul University. Though his formal education spans biology, psychology, economics, and educational leadership, his lifetime goal is to develop systems that efficiently, and equitably, improve community health and education. He is also a change agent for organizations who wish to use the question “why do we do the things we do?” for creating and sustaining growth. He is also the founder of a self-learning platform www.exploreNK.com – Navigating Knowledge
Dan Clark
Board Member
Kellie Ojeda
Kellie is a designer, researcher, and educator passionate about using design as a way to support communities in solving big problems. She is a Senior Consultant for Design & Innovation at Doblin and studied at Parsons School of Design.
From 2018-2019 Kellie spent time in Northern Uganda supporting child literacy programs. Through this work, Kellie met Nathan, co-founder of Imagine Her. After hearing the mission and vision of Imagine Her, she wanted to find a way to support this organization’s growth and impact. Kellie believes in the immense power within women and youth to be changemakers in their own lives and communities.
Kellie Ojeda
Board Member
Abby Southam
Abby graduated with a Major in Economics and a Minor in International Relations from Wesleyan University, and currently, she will be embarking on her MBA studies. Abby is driven by the belief that every girl and woman deserves the best in their life. She is currently a Senior Consultant with Deloitte Consulting and the Director of International Operations for our recently launched US office.
Abby Southam
Board Member & Director of International Operations-US Office
Alexis Richmond
Alexis Richmond has always had a profound love for education. As a young scholar in Portland, Oregon, and under the care of her nurturing grandparents, she loved mathematics and reading. This set the stage for a lifelong passion for learning. In college at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, she chose to pursue Mechanical Engineering to satisfy her thirst for mathematics and financial stability. While on that journey, she recognized that her passion was to educate young people. While she completed her degree, she began working at Northrop Grumman as a Data Management Engineer. After graduating with honors, she became the lead Logistics Analyst for several projects, in which she worked directly with both military officers and civilians on behalf of Northrup Grumman for over 9 years. After volunteering with students throughout her time at Northrop Grumman, Alexis realized that it was time to honor her desire to be an educator and propel them beyond their wildest dreams. She left a promising global analytics career and currently serves as a Mathematics Educator at Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, CA. Each day Alexis seeks to share new approaches to learning that help students overcome negative experiences in mathematics. As a lifelong educator, she seeks to foster growth and transform how students envision their future.
Alexis holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and an M.A. in Teaching Mathematics from The University of Southern California.
Alexis Richmond
Board MemberAdvisory Board
Katrin Macmillan
Katrin is the Founder of Hello World; digital education where it’s needed most; built by the community, for the community. She spent ten years in New York working in the theatre and then in human rights, four in Nigeria and one in Ethiopia working for a TV station and in international development, before returning to London, where she is now based and working on projects in Nepal and Uganda. Katrin is an award-winning theatre producer and has produced human rights advocacy events and programs in London, South Africa, Nigeria, DRC, and Australia. In New York she was a Producer for The Culture Project theatre where she launched a city-wide political arts festival and coordinated advocacy events for the UN (OCHA), NY University Center for Global Affairs, NY Public Library, Speak Truth To Power, and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. She is the Founder of Projects For All, a UK charity. She has addressed international academic forums on human rights and humanitarian aid and has written for The Huffington Post, Time Out New York, and The Times. Katrin has worked as a development consultant for the World Bank, the International Centre for Energy Environment and Development, and USAid, and has assisted Management Sciences for Health with their HIV/AIDS program. She co-founded Bwari Soap Co., a Nigerian collective aimed at generating jobs using sustainable resources, and, in collaboration with the ICRC, initiated the emergency relief for Jos. Katrin has worked with Panzi Hospital in Eastern DRC as a volunteer.
Katrin Macmillan
Founder & CEO Project Hello World
Rabbi Joel Soffin
Rabbi Joel E. Soffin has been a life-long social activist, addressing the needs of the poor and the vulnerable in many places around the world. He initially studied economics and has a Ph.D. pending at Yale. In 1971, he began his studies for the rabbinate at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City where he was ordained in 1976. Three years later, he became the Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Succasunna, NJ. While there, he developed a long series of social action projects, rescuing and resettling Vietnamese boat people and Soviet Refuseniks, supporting the Argentinian Jewish community of Mendoza and the Zvenigorodka community of Ukraine, and providing over a million meals to Ethiopian Jewish children waiting to make aliyah to Israel. Rabbi Soffin also created the Adult Mitzvah Corps of the Reform Movement and the teen Bonim Banim – Building Youth projects, organizing weeks of Jewish Religious Living in New Orleans and several other American cities, including home building and restoration projects. Upon his retirement from Temple Shalom, generous donors enabled him to create Jewish Helping Hands to continue his important social action work. He often serves as a teacher and Scholar-in-Residence.
Rabbi Joel Soffin
President Jewish Helping Hands
Carol Anne Levy
Carol studied anthropology at UCLA, always having a special interest in Africa. She was a dealer of ethnographic art and owner of World Collection Gallery in Los Angeles, which took her traveling in West Africa on buying trips and fed her love for the art, culture, and history of the countries she visited. Carol was a national board member for the US Fund for UNICEF for 4 years and was one of the founding board members, serving 17 years on the US Fund’s Southern California Regional chapter.
In 2008, Carol founded Pilot Light, a foundation that works with people living in extreme poverty in Africa to help the to have a livable, sustainable income. It was through Carol’s travels with UNICEF to Uganda that she made friends and contacts in Africa that brought to her attention the types of problems that Pilot Light is focusing on.
Carol is on the board of the Venice Heritage Foundation, which is working towards building the Venice heritage Museum in Venice, CA, where Carol lives in with her husband. She has two adult children and has a passion for travel, cooking, baking and eating.
Carol Anne Levy
Founder & President of Pilot Light Foundation
Ellen Fitton
Ellen Fitton is currently East Africa Regional Representative for Street Child, an INGO that has worked in partnership with Imagine Her since 2019. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that all children are safe, in school and learning, which drives her to do the work that she does. In this current role, she oversees Street Child’s program implementation in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda and provides additional support for Somalia and South Sudan.
Ellen received a master’s degree from the London School of Economics in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, which has helped guide her thinking when designing projects to implement in the humanitarian context.
Ellen Fitton
East Africa Regional Representative Street Child
Corinne Gray
Corinne Gray is Fulbright Scholar and MIT Sloan Fellow who is obsessed with solving the world’s biggest people and planet problems. She has made it her life’s work to fight for our world’s most excluded people. She is passionate about how we can make our world more inclusive for people who live at the margins of society. And, she gets excited about finding innovative ways to do that. Now, She is Co-founder and CEO of Uncomfortable Revolution – a digital media platform on a mission to change the way we talk about chronic illness and disability. She is also an artist and an educator, and once upon a time, She dreams of becoming a philanthropist with a desire to drive capital and resources to fix large-scale global challenges. Currently, Corinne is the Manger Global Portfolio & Investment at Unreasonable Group