Our Teams
CRVPF Staff
Fassil W. Marriam, CRVPF Executive Director.
Phionah Kesiime, Regional Coordinator, MEL
Albert Asiimwe Regional coordinator PVAC program
Sarah Ameri, Regional Finance and Grants Coordinator
Sheilla Ahumuza, Finance and Admin Officer.
National Consultants
Amne Manangwa
National Consultant, Tanzania
Merkeb Seyoum
National Consultant, Ethiopia
Board Members
PROF. ANNE KATAHOIRE (UGANDA), CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD
DR. MICHAEL GIBBONS (U.S.A), BOARD MEMBER Mr. Gibbons grew up in New York City and studied History of Ideas at Williams College, Human and Organizational Development at Fielding Graduate University. Mr. Gibbons has dedicated decades to education, community development, and social justice, spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, and low-income areas of the USA. His extensive career includes roles such as Director of Agricultural Training for the US Peace Corps, Country Director and Education Advisor at Save the Children, and leadership positions in global grantmaking programs focused on children’s human rights and education. Currently a Scholar in Residence at American University, he teaches courses in international education, systems thinking, and social transformation. He serves as board member for several organizations including, the African Child Policy Forum (Addis Ababa), Schools for Salone (Sierra Leone), and is an advisor to The Rights Studio in Berlin.
DR. KEDIST GEREMAW (U.S.A), BOARD MEMBER Kedist Geremaw is a Clinical Program Manager at Children’s Medical Center who resides in the greater Washington, DC area, US. She has worked as an educator, a television reporter, a mentor, a campaign organizer, and a volunteer with organizations in the DC area and overseas. Kedist is particularly committed to addressing issues facing women and children and creating awareness and empowerment for people with disabilities.Kedist holds a BSc. in Biology from Oklahoma City University, an MS in Health Administration from Central Michigan University, and a 2nd MS in Education Specialist degree and a doctoral degree from George Washington University. Kedist has served two consecutive terms as a commissioner for the mayor’s office on African Affairs and is currently serving as a commissioner at the Mayor’s Rehabilitation Council.
DR. LILLIAN BADI (TANZANIA) , BOARD MEMBER Ms. Lilian Badi is the Chairperson of National Council of NGO’s (NaCoNGO) and Country Director of World Education, Inc’s Bantwana Initiative in Tanzania. In her more than 20 years’ experience working in the NGO sector, Lilian has headed Pamoja Tuwalee program, DREAMS programming for adolescent girls and young women; and Let Girls Learn project at World Education Inc in Tanzania. Prior to joining World Education Bantwana, Ms. Badi served as the Finance, Admin and Grants Director for Pact Tanzania and she also served Tumaini University Iringa as part of the Founding Management team and Chief Financial Officer of the University. She holds Masters of Science degree in Finance from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership from Aalto University in Finland. Ms. Badi was also awarded an honorable Doctorate Degree Award of Philosophy in Humanities Ethics and Public Administration from Africa Graduate University. Ms. Badi is married to Dr. Kenny Manara and is a mother of two boys.
MS. WINNIE KHAEMBA (KENYA), BOARD MEMBER Winnie is passionate about children’s rights and dedicates time to supporting efforts towards a safe and secure world for children. Presently, she works as an Adaptation Strategies Analyst at Climate Analytics. She holds a master’s degree in law and environmental science from the University of Nottingham, a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Kenyatta University, a Certificate in Public International Law from the Hague Academy of International Law, and a Certificate in Children’s Human Rights from the University of Geneva. She is also a member of the Next Generation Climate Board of the Global Greengrants Fund and a member of the Advisory Board of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC). Besides traveling, she enjoys hiking, adventure, and outdoor activities.
Etyanesh Asfaw (U.S.A), BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Asfaw grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya and moved to the US in high school and studied Environmental Science, Water Resources Management at Indiana University. Ms. Asfaw works to promote sound land and water planning programs and currently works in local government in managing implementation of natural infrastructure projects. She also has experience in the federal government, the nonprofit sector and has worked at the World Bank focused on the use of renewable energy and evaluation of a national tool to assess climate change and water scarcity concerns. She also served as Commissioner in the District of Columbia (DC) Office of African Affairs to advocate for the needs of diaspora residents in DC and actively volunteers with several community driven organizations.