Our Team
Staff
Brian Singer
Brian’s commitment to Tanzania started when he spent two years in Tanzania with the Peace Corps. He has a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in Social Change and Development and has spent more than 20 years assisting low-income entrepreneurs in New York City and the Twin Cities.
Raymond Gilbert
Country Manager
Gerson Mdamo
Accountant
Gerson received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Accounting from St. Augustine University. Prior to working with Project Zawadi, Gerson worked with Orkeeswa Schools Organization, AKO GROUP LTD, and the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project.
Ally Msuya
Teacher Training Coordinator
Ally is a passionate about teaching and training. He holds a Bachelor of Education (BE) from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), and a certificate in Early Childhood Education [ECE] from Singachini Teachers College. Before joining Project Zawadi, Ally taught in both international and government schools. He served as an interim head teacher. Outside of work, Ally enjoys reading storybooks and creating stories with children, watching football, and going for walks.
Amina waziri shehoza
Teacher Training Coordinator
Amina is an enthusiastic teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Education (BE) in Adult and Community Education in Tanzania. She has four years of experience in training at two different institutions.
Aziza Ngume
Teacher Training Coordinator
Aziza has a Bachelor of Languages and Interpretation/Translation from the Muslim University of Morogoro. She has more than 6 years experience in teacher training, education and social development programs, and project implementation. She has worked with young girls, street children and refugees in education programs from different NGOs.
Benard Maziba
Apprenticeships Coordinator
Benard is a former Project Zawadi sponsored student and graduate of Mwanza Vocational Training Centre's carpentry program. His unique perspective and knowledge of the Nyamuswa area are invaluable as the special projects assistant.
Chukista Malima
Data Clerk - Tenda Teachers
Chukista is a former Project Zawadi sponsored student and graduate of St. Anthony Vocational Training Centre. The perspective she has gained is invaluable in her work as a data clerk to provide support to the Tenda Teacher's Professional Development program.
Edgar John Mwansasu
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Edgar holds a Master’s Degree from St. Augustine University of Tanzania, SAUT-MWANZA. He has a background in research, public policy advocacy, group facilitation, public relations, monitoring and evaluation. Before joining Project Zawadi, Edgar worked for USAID in Tanzania as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. Before that, Edgar worked as the Tenda Teachers Program Manager.
Eliminata Marmetus
Model Farms Coordinator
Eliminata holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and Agribusiness from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She has eight years of experience working with various NGOs in supporting small-scale farming practices and empowering rural communities.
Erasto Katozi
Teacher Training Coordinator
Erasto holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) from St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT). With his five years of experience working with humanitarian agencies alongside refugees and a host community as an Education Officer, he brings an insightful perspective. He is also experienced with child protection and accelerated education programs (AEP) which allow students to complete education and training programs more quickly than they would in traditional postsecondary programs.
Farouq Shaban
Teacher Training Coordinator
Farouq holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd) from Makerere University. He has worked six years as an Education Coordinator. With skills in curriculum development and leadership, he is experienced with both local and international organizations to promote development in primary and secondary education.
Gingiri Mwesa
School Clubs Coordinator
Gingiri is a former Project Zawadi merit student and a 2018 graduate of the University of Dar es Salaam with a Bachelor of Education. He brings his knowledge, skills, and energy to the Tenda Teachers program.
Ibrahim Said
Driver
Lilian Emanuel Charles
Counselor
Lilian holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling from Jordan University College in Morogoro and a Certificate in Rural Development and Planning from the Institute of Rural Development and Planning in Dodoma. She has worked in individual and group counseling. She also has experience providing mentoring and life skills training to students in a variety of settings.
Mycah Schrader
Communications Officer
Mycah holds a Bachelor of Art's degree (BA) from St. Olaf College, where she studied Family Studies, Sociology, Psychology, languages, and participated in a Global Semester abroad program. She's worked in promotional marketing, administration, education, counseling, and is a professional photographer. She loves to study human health, share stories, and go hiking.
Nehemiah Kipande
Tenda Teachers Program Manager
Nehemiah is passionate about teacher training and professional development. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (B.A. Ed.) from the University of Dar Es Salaam. Prior to joining Project Zawadi, he worked as a head teacher. He has experience working with people with special needs, children, teachers, and refugees.
Prackseda Julius
Teacher Training Coordinator
Prackseda is a committed educational professional with a background in managing educational and training programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A. Ed.) from Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE). Before joining Project Zawadi, she worked with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and specialized in content creation and education. She helped train and implement Teachers Continuous Professional Development (TCPD) programs.
Rachel Rusatila
Teacher Training Coordinator
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Dar es Salaam. She has a rich background in teaching, humanitarian work, and educational program coordination. She has worked in refugee camps, supported teacher development, and served in child protection. Passionate about empowering vulnerable children and fostering inclusive education, she is dedicated to creating impactful, sustainable programs in collaboration with communities and stakeholders.
Regina Mkama
Sponsorship Program Manager
Regina is passionate about education and student safety. She has a Diploma in Education and 20 years of experience teaching young students. She served as a volunteer prior to joining Project Zawadi as a staff member. She also worked as a board member of Compassion International Tanzania (CIT) in Bunda for 11 years.
Sarafina Shayo
Office Operations Support
Theresia Muliaza Amos
Theresia was born and raised in the village of Nyamuswa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography and Environmental Studies (GES). She joined the Project Zawadi community in 2017 as a merit student and became an intern in 2021. She now coordinates the Girls' Safety in Schools and Community program.
Wandwe Masebe
Community Mobilizer
Wandwe has deep connections in the community and works to support the Model Schools program. He has been youth leader in the Nyamuswa community for about 10 years. Now he assists with collaboration efforts that combine their resources and energy to ensure students have enjoyable and productive days at school. He is also the chairperson of the Chamriho 5K committee.
Warioba Wright
Community Mobilizer
Warioba is a local entrepreneur based in Nyamuswa, and is well versed in activities that go into managing community-based projects. In his role as Community Mobilizer, he collaborates with community partners to ensure project sustainability. He also manages supply inventory, and coordinates with local contractors.
Interns
Msegere Maregesi Mabeba
School Safety Intern
Msegere is a Project Zawadi alumnus who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health System Management from Mzumbe University. He joined the Student Support team to gain work experience. He assists with office activities, student counseling and empowerment clubs. When he's not working, he likes to read motivational books, solve puzzles, and spend time with friends.
Ester Method Nzingo
English Teacher Intern (Kambarage Primary)
Ester holds a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Arusha. She has over eight years of experience working with children, youth, teachers, parents, community, refugees and other education stakeholders. Ester has skills in curriculum planning, lesson development and public speaking. Prior to joining Project Zawadi, she worked with Save the Children Tanzania.
Malemi Juma Sinde
English Teacher Intern (Kurusanga Primary)
Salome D. Isaya
Girls Safety Intern
Salome D. Isaya, holds a Bachelor Degree in Planning and Community Development at the Institute of Rural and Development Planning. She was born and raised in the Nyamuswa area and recently joined the team as an intern for the Girls Safety in School and Communities Program.
Semeni Vincent
Girls Safety Intern
Semeni holds a Bachelor in Computer Science from The Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam (UDSM). She is experienced in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and is learning more about counseling and empowerment club facilitation. She serves as a Girls Safety in Schools and Communities intern.
Lilian S. Mashenene
Girls Safety Intern
Lilian S. Mashenene holds a nursing certificate from Mkula college. She worked at CUHAS Bugando Referral Hospital for three years and has two years of experience supporting NGOs. She recently joined Project Zawadi as a Girls Safety in Schools and Communities Intern.
Idda Romli Myungi
Girls Safety Intern
Idda holds a Bachelor Degree in Logistics and Transport Management from the National Institute of Transport. She recently joined the team a Girls Safety in Schools and Communities intern.
Board Of Directors (USA)
Ian Keith
Board Chair
Ian is an elementary school teacher in the St. Paul, MN Public Schools and a former President of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers. He holds a BA in Politics from Princeton University, a Master's degree in Elementary Education (M.Ed.) from Antioch University in Philadelphia and is a graduate of the Policy Fellows Program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Lisa Goochee
Lisa brings a wide range of knowledge and skills as a former teacher, school leader, and non-profit project manager. After completing her student teaching in downtown Philadelphia, Lisa took her first teaching position in rural Alaska and spent subsequent years teaching and travelling around the world. She holds a Bachelor's in Education from Pennsylvania State University, a Certificate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Buffalo, and a Masters in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford University.
Ron Aminzade
Ron received his Ph. D. from the University of Michigan and subsequently taught at the University of Minnesota, where he is a retired emeritus Professor of Sociology. He has been doing research in Tanzania since 1995 and has published a book and several articles on the politics of nation-building, state formation, and citizenship in Tanzania. During his 36 years at the University of Minnesota, he trained many African Ph.D. students, several of whom are now professors at universities in Tanzania.
Sabina Mugassa Bingman
Sabina is an experienced IT professional and author of a children's book “Sanda: The Girl with the Magical Smile.” Born and raised in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, she moved to the US in 1999 and graduated from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN with a master’s degree in Management Information Technology. She enjoys writing, reading and running. She also volunteers at her local church.
HT Fish
HT has spent the past 25 years leading teams that build and transform large, global businesses — primarily at McKinsey & Company and Cargill, Inc. HT also serves on the Board of the Minnesota Children’s Museum (MCM). He earned a BA in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, and a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from Stanford University. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in St Paul, MN.
Annie Kneedler
Vice Chair
Annie has more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of business and social impact. Her career at Cargill has spanned multiple businesses and functions including corporate strategy, sales, supply chain, operations and corporate responsibility. Annie has worked at both the corporate level and within Cargill’s Animal Nutrition and Health business where she served as the U.S. Business Operations and Supply Chain Director. Prior to joining Cargill, Annie worked to connect farmers to markets across various supply chains in Africa including coffee in Rwanda and horticulture in Ghana. She is also a proud second-generation Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Guinea.
Scott Moore
Chris Ritter
Chris is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience advising leaders as they transform their organizations across commercial, government, and nonprofit sectors. He has an undergraduate degree in African Studies and an MBA in strategy and organizational change. Chris began his career with Teach For America as a high school special educator in Arkansas where he developed a lifelong passion to provide children access to a quality education. Chris lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife, three children, and two bunnies - Nola and Bama.
Diane Ruonavaara
Diane was the Program Manager for the Michigan State University (MSU) Tanzania Partnership Program (TPP) for 10 years. Her work in Tanzania builds on many years of experience in international community development, participatory research, and evaluation. She received her PhD from the Department of Resource Development at MSU.
Diane is an avid organic gardener and loves wilderness canoeing in the Boundary Waters and Quetico. She has three children, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Karen Stupic
Bio coming soon!
Mihailo 'Mike' Temali
Mike is dedicated to helping low-income entrepreneurs with business planning. He has been the CEO of Build from Within Alliance (BfWA) and also founded and led the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He helped train neighborhood entrepreneurs in lending, TA and real estate - resulting in entrepreneurs bringing significant economic and social impact to their own neighborhoods. He also led North End Area Revitalization (from 1984 – 1990), a CDC in St. Paul’s Rice Street district focusing on commercial corridor revitalization. Mike is an author and was a Bush Fellow.
Board Of Advisors (Tanzania)
Volunteers
Linda Webster
Linda is an education consultant specializing in primary education, language and literacy. She is a key contributor to the development and management of the Tenda Teachers Professional Development Training Program curriculum and e-modules. She has worked as a teacher and consultant for organizations of all sizes in her home country of the United Kingdom, and internationally in countries including Tanzania, Kazakhstan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Neria Atieno
Neria served on the front lines of Project Zawadi’s sponsorship program for more than five years. As a volunteer, she helps with data entry and communication between schools, teachers, and PZ staff.