Board of Directors - US
EdPowerment’s Board is an active management team who have personally interacted with our Tanzanian "family" for years. Moira travels to Tanzania regularly, and when in the U.S. she zooms often with students and staff. Both Jillian and Kerri have spent extended periods of time in Tanzania, while Cocoa McGovern and Stacy Lauren travel to Tanzania annually to strengthen our programs, support our staff and motivate our students.
Moira Madonia
President & Founder
Moira Madonia devotes her energies to steering the programming, administrative and fundraising tasks that propel EdPowerment. As a businesswoman turned high school teacher, she believes that education is the best means to help others. Her BA in English and history, Certification in Secondary School Education and Masters in Global Management all come into play as she oversees EdPowerment. The mother of three adult children and grandmother of five, she is dedicated to building the relationships, programs and systems that can advance students and locals in the communities EdPowerment serves.
Kerri Gilbert
Vice-President
Kerri Gilbert has been vital to EdPowerment since its start. A special education teacher and learning behavioral specialist with an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Kerri led Connects Autism Tanzania’s (CAT's) groundbreaking advocacy, while coaching the staff of the former KIWOCE Open School in active and differential teaching strategies. In 2014-2015 she oversaw the installation of Internet and agricultural projects at Kilimahewa funded by a Rotary Global Grant that she secured. An Instructional and Curriculum Coach in Illinois, Kerri still visits our programs regularly.
Jillian Swinford
Secretary
Jillian Swinford, who holds a Master's in Art Education, combines her creative skills with a global approach to learning every day in her classroom at Pulaski International School in Chicago. Jillian spent the 2011-12 year building our programs in Moshi and shared her skills and creativity each June at KIWOCE's annual Enrichment Camp. She is a knowledgeable and steady guide for EdPowerment's ongoing projects.
Stacey Lauren
An executive skills coach in New York City with a Master’s in Education from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard, Stacey works on organizational and learning strategies with our sponsored students and staff. Stacey has visited our students at universities in Dar es Salaam to better understand their challenges and share strategic guidance. When in the States, Stacey stays in contact with students to offer support and coaching.
Cocoa McGovern
A sales professional from the Boston area, Cocoa brings a “get down to basics” approach to diverse tasks with our staff and sponsored students. She loves being with our bibis (grandmothers) and her friendly manner allows her to maneuver easily among the vendors and locals with whom we deal. Her experience with horticulture and animals fuels her interest especially in the agricultural projects of our students and their families.
Peter Madonia
Treasurer
Peter has supported EdPowerment since its founding in 2010. He has travelled multiple times to Tanzania to get to know both our students and management team, and has encouraged and advised the organization on many fronts. Formerly a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Capital Markets, Peter assumed the responsibilities of Treasurer in 2024 and visited EdPowerment's new programs in March 2024 to assist in charting their development.
WE REMEMBER John Corbett
In April 2024, the world lost a valuable member of our Board, John Corbett, following a series of illnesses. John was introduced to EdPowerment through his son, Sam, who served as a volunteer after graduating from Rutgers University. An experienced lawyer most recently in the healthcare sector, John's insights and dedication helped steer our programs in Tanzania for many years. We will miss him and his humanity greatly.
In Tanzania
Edpowerment’s Tanzanian management is personally dedicated to serving this vulnerable population and is committed to providing financial and programmatic transparency.
Godlisten Malle
Board Member and Executive Director
Godlisten Malle is one of the founders of Educational Empowerment Organization, a Tanzanian NGO whose mission is to implement educational opportunities for EdPowerment and like-minded organizations. Previously, Godlisten served in various capacities at the Kilimahewa Centre for Education/Open School, including Headmaster. His experience at KIWOCE and involvement with EdPowerment’s sponsored students uniquely qualify him to lead this mission. He is knowledgeable about both the Tanzanian educational system and the challenges faced by our underserved students. Godlisten holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Management from Sokoine University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, First-Class, from Mwenge University.
Nemes Massawe
Finance Manager and Accountant
A former EdPowerment sponsored student, Nemes holds a B.A. in Business Administration from St. Augustine University (SAUT) Mwanza. Having trained with our former Finance Manager, Mary Munishi, Nemes took over these responsibilities in 2023 and continues to work closely with U.S. and Tanzanian authorities on all required reporting and procedures. His in-depth understanding of EdPowerment's mission and his long-standing relationships with our students and staff make him a valuable addition to our team.
Jacob Assenga
Operations Assistant and Maintenance Manager
In 2022, Jacob Assenga joined Educational Empowerment Organization as its Operations Assistant and Maintenance Manager. Prior to this appointment, Jacob acted as the Grounds Manager of the Kilimahewa Education Center (KIWOCE) from 2019 – 2021. Jacob brings to our organization a wide-ranging background in local agricultural markets and the workings of local businesses and government. Jacob’s endless enthusiasm and good humor are a source of inspiration to all whom we serve. He is also a great mentor to our students.
Dickson Emmanuel
Academic Program Manager
In 2023 Dickson joined Educational Empowerment Organization (EdPowerment’s partner NGO in Tanzania since 2021) to bolster its academic offerings. Formerly a history and civics teacher and later Academic Head Master at KIWOCE (Kilimahewa) Open School, he holds a BA in Adult and Community Education with Honours from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Dickson has a singular focus, energy and ability to help students at all levels achieve their best. He also shares his knowledge of sports conditioning, encouraging the physical, as well as mental well-being of our students. Today, Dickson leads all EdPowerment’s academic programs and seminars including those at the EdPowerment Business Incubation Center that target young adults seeking a way to better their lives.
Bentord Mtolera
Program Consultant
Ben was one of the first staff members supported by EdPowerment at KIWOCE (Kilimahewa) Open School. Holding a BA in Social Development from St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in 2014, Ben served as a social worker, teacher and Rotary Interact Club Supervisor at KIWOCE from 2016 – 2019. In March 2019, Ben assumed a position he continues today as a Ward Executive Officer (WEO) and Social Worker at SIHA District Council.
In 2021 Ben joined Educational Empowerment Organization as a Life Skills Tutor and Boys Program Consultant. His varied activities include life skills instruction, supervision of the Boys and Girls Club at Dahani Secondary School, and overseeing selection of young adults joining the EdPowerment Business Incubation Center, as well as the Center’s production. He acts as a liaison between the Center and the local community. Ben is uniquely qualified and dedicated to helping students and young people from difficult backgrounds, personally and educationally.
Martha Yuseph Machbya
Woman’s Program Supervisor
Martha became a vital member of Educational Empowerment Organization’s staff in January 2024. She acts as a coordinator and supervisor of all the organization’s projects that promote the advancement of young women, particularly Wings For Confident Women, the reusable feminine pad project. She supervises our female sponsored students when on breaks from school and leads the girls’ activities at the Dahani Boys and Girls Club.
Prior to joining Educational Empowerment, Martha worked as a coordinator for Roots & Shoots, the youth program of the Jane Goodall Institute, Tanzania. She also served as a Community Mobilization Office for Nipe Fagio. Her personal challenges and work experience make her a valuable guide for female students and villagers trying to overcome harsh environments.
Swaleh Mustafa Maulid
English tutor and Business Incubation Center Instructor
Swaleh Mustafa has overcome numerous challenges in his personal life to become a dedicated educator. Having been excluded from Tanzania’s formal system, Swaleh participated in several QT programs as a private candidate, earning A-level entry at Majengo Secondary School, where he studied History, Kiswahili, and English language. In 2020, he graduated from Tumaini University Makumira with a BA in Arts with Education.
Since graduating from university, Swaleh has worked in several capacities in the field of education. His travel to the U.S. has exposed him to diverse teaching strategies and environments. In 2021 Swaleh joined Educational Empowerment Organization as an English tutor and English instructor to secondary school students in the Study Skills Seminar program. Additionally, Swaleh teaches carpentry at the EdPowerment Business Incubation Center and assists at the Dahani Boys and Girls Club. Swaleh is passionate about helping others advance through education, hard work and determination.
Mary Munishi
Board Member
Also a former EdPowerment sponsored student, in 2021 Mary became a Board Member of our Tanzanian NGO presence, Educational Empowerment Organization (EdPowerment). She subsequently took on the role of Finance and Administrative Manager until her relocation following her marriage in 2022. Mary graduated from the Tanzanian Institute of Accountancy in Dar es Salaam with high honors in 2017 and completed her CPA in 2022. Her dedication, trustworthiness and talent have made her indispensable to our mission.
