(Sadly we don’t have any pictures of our full U.S. board, but the picture above features U.S. board member Lindsay Nathanson, front row second from the left, as well as MOCF staff and supporters in Kenya including Executive Director Kwamboka Okari, front row fourth from the left)

Our U.S. Board of Directors

Jessie Lewis, Chair: Jessie was fortunate to live in Kisii in 2008-09 and work with Kwamboka to start the Margaret Okari Primary School. She joined the board shortly after returning to the US and feels privileged to be connected to the incredibly dedicated and hardworking MOCF team in Kenya. Professionally, Jessie has worked with the public, private and philanthropic sectors to support the transition to a more sustainable energy economy and currently works in a strategy role for the Anti-Defamation League, a national nonprofit organization with a mission to "secure justice and fair treatment to all."

Peg Campbell, Former Chair: (bio coming soon)

Alex Beyard, Vice-Chair: Alex was lucky enough to live with our Executive Director Kwamboka and volunteer at our school in Kenya for three months back in 2009. It was an amazing experience for him and he remains forever impacted by the incredible MOCF students. Soon after, he joined the U.S Board of Directors. Alex has previously worked in the world of social entrepreneurship for Ashoka, and more recently was a founding member of the pet-tech startup DogSpot.

Steve Lewis, Treasurer: Steve lives in Sacramento, California. In 2019, Steve retired from the practice of law and ended his 20-year tenure as an adjunct law school professor. Through the years, Steve has given back to his community by serving as a member and as chair of one statewide professional, and two local philanthropic, organizations. Both philanthropic organizations were focused on the education and well-being of children and college students in the greater Sacramento region. Steve and his wife, Judy, first visited the Okari school in February 2009 and have been supporters of MOCF ever since. In 2020, Steve joined the board of MOCF.

Rebecca Thiess, Secretary: Becky joined the MOCF board in 2020, though has been closely following the school's progress since her sister Jessie helped build the school back in 2008. Becky lives in Washington, D.C. with her family and currently works on U.S. federal and state fiscal issues for the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Lindsay Nathanson: Lindsay has been connected to MOCF since she was in high school. In 2010, she was asked to be part of the board and in 2012 she made it out to Kenya for a visit. Lindsay has always believed in the power of education, and feels privileged to be able to support Kwomboka and the amazing students in this foundation. Lindsay is the founder and operator of the baking blog Sprinkles for Breakfast.

John Campbell: (bio coming soon)

Ernie Beyard: Ernie has been a member of our U.S. board since 2010. After beginning his career as a chemical engineer, Ernie spent over 20 years as a high school (and occasional middle school) science and math teacher at the Barrie school in Silver Spring, Maryland. Ernie has felt a connection to East Africa ever since going on a safari camping trip in the Serengeti back in 1983, and feels privileged to contribute his 20+ years of experience as an educator to our organization.

If you are interested in joining our U.S. Board please contact us!