Scholars

Agnija Kazuša has seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s of Science in Communication from the University of Latvia. While working as a referee at Riga Social Service, Agnija helped more than 150 foreign residents in Latvia prepare documents for receiving crisis benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Agnija worked as a content creator and editor for the World Peace Initiative Foundation and Peace Revolution project for three years to help raise awareness of mental health, mindfulness, and meditation. In this role, Agnija managed the Peace Blog and edited more than 500 articles; helped to create video stories; conducted Facebook Live interviews with peacebuilders from all over the world; organized more than 200 mindfulness activities in Europe, Asia and the Pacific; and provided coaching to 183 individuals on Peace Revolution’s online self-development platform. Agnija has volunteered as a facilitator and project coordinator with several youth organizations, including Lielvarde Youth Organization, European Students’ Forum AEGEE, AIESEC, Make Room, and FEJS (Forum for European Journalism Students) Latvia, which she co-founded. Through these experiences, she developed content creation, project coordination, and implementation skills. Agnija enjoys focusing on the topics of mental health and education and has a strong passion for social inclusion.Agnija Kazuša has seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Master’s of Science in Communication from the University of Latvia. While working as a referee at Riga Social Service, Agnija helped more than 150 foreign residents in Latvia prepare documents for receiving crisis benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Agnija worked as a content creator and editor for the World Peace Initiative Foundation and Peace Revolution project for three years to help raise awareness of mental health, mindfulness, and meditation. In this role, Agnija managed the Peace Blog and edited more than 500 articles; helped to create video stories; conducted Facebook Live interviews with peacebuilders from all over the world; organized more than 200 mindfulness activities in Europe, Asia and the Pacific; and provided coaching to 183 individuals on Peace Revolution’s online self-development platform. Agnija has volunteered as a facilitator and project coordinator with several youth organizations, including Lielvarde Youth Organization, European Students’ Forum AEGEE, AIESEC, Make Room, and FEJS (Forum for European Journalism Students) Latvia, which she co-founded. Through these experiences, she developed content creation, project coordination, and implementation skills. Agnija enjoys focusing on the topics of mental health and education and has a strong passion for social inclusion.

Emmanuel Bama is an IT Network System Engineer and Network Cybersecurity Analyst with seven years of experience in the fields of telecom networks, open technologies, and geographic information systems. Emmanuel holds a degree in Systems and Telecoms Network Design Engineering. As a student engineer in computer science, Emmanuel, along with three of his classmates, started Openstreetmap Cote D’Ivoire: a digital and collaborative mapping initiative to map all of Cote D’Ivoire’s regions in an effort to save lives and promote open technologies. Three years later, as a Volontariat International de la Francophonie (VIF), he contributed to supporting Openstreetmap’s collaborative free mapping project in French-speaking West African countries. Emmanuel is at the very core of numerous innovative initiatives, and has been part of the driving force behind projects focusing on innovative information and communication technologies, such as Openstreetmap Cote D’Ivoire, Billet Express, Data Transport, Watrifeed, and Opendigitech. Emmanuel is very interested in information and communication technologies (ICT) to transform problems into innovative solutions or services.

Faten Juma has more than nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Faten has been working with the United Nations for Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA) since 2010. She earned a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Business Administration from Al-Quds Open University in Palestine, and a two-year diploma in Commerce from Gaza Training/Community College. Working with UNRWA as Human Resources Associate has enabled her to contribute significantly in developing the internal policies to ensure strong governance and effective accountability systems. Faten has worked on maintaining positive morale and trust through increasing the engagement and structural communication among employees. While she was working at the Recruitment Office, she made constant efforts in improving the quality of living standards for refugees on infrastructure, educational, health, and humanitarian aid through recommending the most competent employees to ensure delivering best services. Also, she has made many achievements in bridging the gender gap and realizing gender equality principles by her outreaching efforts and powerful networking skills. As an HR professional, her ultimate goal is to contribute in building a thriving and prosperous economy through managing the human capital by establishing an institute for people management and development. Faten has a great eagerness in utilizing her proven knowledge and expertise to benefit her venerable community and has assiduously played a key role in supporting it by sharing innovative ideas and launching initiatives properly while volunteering in community associations. She is well-known for having constructive insights about human resources and keeping abreast with the latest international approaches.

Monica has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Bachelor’s degree (with honors) in International Business from Universidad Americana in Nicaragua. As a Business Development Manager at Thriive Nicaragua, Monica provides training to help micro businesses grow while having a positive impact in their communities by creating new jobs. Monica has also fostered the implementation of socially responsible practices in each of these businesses, which has resulted in more than 2,000 people being benefited through donations or capacity building. She has served as a business consultant and mentor for micro and small businesses in partnership with organizations like Teach a Man to Fish and MicroMentor, as well as universities like Cornell and Ohio University. Motivated by driving social change, Monica founded Net Impact Nicaragua, an organization of young business professionals who are committed to putting their careers to work for social impact. As part of the leadership team, she plans and leads development projects in the fields of education, women empowerment, business development, and environmental impact. Her experience has caused her to develop strong competencies in social entrepreneurship, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. Monica has a keen interest in youth development, economic empowerment, and education.

Natasha Dadzie has four years of work experience in the nonprofit and education sectors. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. As an Engagement Manager with the New Entrepreneurs Xchange for Transformation: Idea to Impact program, she leads stakeholder engagements across platforms and provides venture development consultancy to entrepreneurs. Natasha is passionate about using business as a force for good: creating businesses that contribute to making social impact as well as generating wealth. She uses her expertise to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by helping young startups in Ghana build structure, create long term value and processes for business development, as well as to make social impact. She is passionate about social development, entrepreneurship, youth development, venture growth and success, girl empowerment, and child rights. She created, developed and managed the Ashesi Venture Incubator COVID Relief Impact Project: a collaborative effort to mitigate the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic in her community. Previously, as a Programs Manager for The BEIGE Foundation, she managed fifteen projects promoting and advocating for education, youth development, entrepreneurship, gender issues, financial literacy, and environmental sustainability. The BEIGE Foundation celebrated Natasha with the Youth Excellence League Award for her exceptional contribution to her organization and community in 2018. She has developed a lifelong urge to work on the fringes of social development, gaining leadership skills and exceptional expertise to run projects from inception to completion. She is a change agent, driving change in Africa.

Osnel Saint Jacques has nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering from The State University of Haiti. While working as a Utility Maintenance Engineer for Heineken, Osnel helped protect the environment by working jointly on a wastewater treatment project. Previously, Osnel worked with a fossil fuel power plant as a team leader to provide the community with environmentally friendly energy while becoming better energy users and consumers. His two-year experience as the President of Optimax Coaching Company helped individuals and businesses achieve their goal of personal and professional growth. Through these experiences, he has developed strong project management skills and communication skills. Osnel enjoys focusing on topics of energy and environment sustainability and is passionate about people’s empowerment.

Peter Dada is an aviator and a travel expert with twelve years of experience working alongside the executive team of a reputable organization in Nigeria. Peter specializes in administrative and customer service delivery and is responsible for educating other employees on using progressive systems and applications, including communication procedures and organizational tools. Peter is a powerful force in the workplace and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Peter is inspired daily by his family and friends. In his free time, Peter likes to hike, swim, and cook.

Redempta Mwende is a monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning professional with over 6 years’ experience working in the international development sector. Redempta is currently serving as a Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for the East Africa and Yemen Region at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In her current roles, she provides strategic and technical support to NRC’s Monitoring and Evaluation efforts across ten countries. This includes supporting the implementation of NRC’s M&E standards, systems, and practices to produce, measure, and demonstrate improvements in program performance and inform evidence-based decision making. Redempta previously served as Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer at Mercy Corps supporting the Google-funded Youth Impact Labs and DFID-funded Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund programmes in Kenya. In these roles, she led all M&E functions in both programmes. Through the wide array of programmes implemented, she has a proven record of designing and execution of M&E systems, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, data management, operations research, evaluations, development of knowledge management systems, and M&E compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree double major in Integrated Community Development and Social Work from Daystar University. She also holds a Master’s degree in Project Management and Evaluation from Kenyatta University. Additionally, she has a Monitoring and Evaluation Certificate from Global Learning Institute and African Medical and Research Foundation International Training Centre. Redempta enjoys focusing on youth employment and heath development programs, and has a strong passion for women empowerment.