Our Team of #Heartivists

Alexis Fox

Alexis Fox has dedicated her life to supporting humanity’s ability to save lives and protect our planet. With over 20 years experience under her belt, she has worked for a better world as an attorney, political leader and entrepreneur. Fox has been featured in Forbes, the Boston Globe, and other national media. She is recognized as an international expert and speaker on the future of our food system. Fox was an adjunct Professor of Leadership at Emerson College and founded the Massachusetts Healthy School Lunch Coalition. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Mercy for Animals and Balanced. 

When she is not working, she is spending time with her family, doing yoga, meditation, reading, hanging on the beach (even in the winter!) and trying to get a badminton league going in her neighborhood of Winchester, MA.

Amelia Lorrey

Jess Carroll

Jess Carroll is a seasoned leader dedicated to driving meaningful impact through operational excellence. As Director of Operations at The Pollination Project, Jess brings her extensive experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors to ensure the organization runs efficiently and effectively in support of grassroots changemakers around the world.

A passionate animal advocate for more than two decades, Jess has led and supported mission-driven organizations at the intersection of compassion, sustainability, and innovation. Before joining The Pollination Project, she served as Executive Director at Animal Place and managed operations for vegan food technology companies such as Upside Foods and MeliBio. She has also contributed to major sustainability projects and served on multiple nonprofit boards.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, vegan baking, and taking her cat for walks.

Milena Fraccari

Milena is a communications consultant and activist from Italy. She majored in Communication and Advertising at the Turin University. She’s been working for over 15 years in Sustainable Communication in the non-profit sector, helping green companies and associations to promote their eco-friendly products and practices.  In 2000, she met the American activist Julia Butterfly Hill, and since then has worked as her Italian spokesperson and event organizer.  She has also served as the International Coordinator of What’s Your Tree, a program created by The Circle of Life Foundation inspired by the story of Julia Butterfly, and has collaborated with the Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams and her Center for Peace and Compassion in the south of Italy.

Her deep passion for Environment, People, and Communication always leads her to put her skills and her heart in service of projects and initiatives to make a positive difference in the world, and TPP is one of those projects.

Mohini Sharma

Mohini Sharma is the Grants Manager at The Pollination Project and a dedicated vegan activist from Delhi, India. Her passion for animal rights began in childhood, and advocating against injustices toward animals has become her life’s mission. In her role, Mohini oversees grantmaking efforts and supports individuals and groups working to create a kinder, more compassionate world.

Michael Abdullahi

Michael Abdullahi is an accomplished international development professional with over seven years of experience designing and implementing transformative programs across three continents. As the Grantmaking and Engagement Manager at The Pollination Project, Michael oversees the day-to-day review of grant applications, ensuring alignment with funding priorities while collaborating with a global network of advisors to identify and support grassroots changemakers driving impactful initiatives worldwide.

In addition to managing the grantmaking process, Michael fosters community engagement for The Pollination Project’s global network of grantees. He cultivates collaboration, resource sharing, and cross-cultural connections, creating a vibrant ecosystem of changemakers united by a commitment to social equity and sustainable solutions. Michael’s work emphasizes addressing systemic challenges, including disparities in education, digital access, and community development, amplifying the reach and impact of local leaders.

With a passion for evidence-based practices and sustainable development, Michael brings a unique ability to connect resources with underrepresented communities and inspire innovative solutions to global challenges. His expertise and vision align with The Pollination Project’s mission to empower individuals who are creating meaningful and lasting change in their communities. Away from his work, Michael loves spending time with his family and enjoying a good soccer match.

Marcela Borges

Marcela Borges is an activist with a corporate lawyer background and a decade of experience managing teams. Vegan, she started as a fundraiser at the Brazilian Vegetarian Society in 2019, and became Director of Strategic Development. She is also a board member of Thrive Philanthropy and of Sinergia Animal. In her spare time she helps with the coordination of 60+ volunteers for the Ahimsa – Vale da Rainha Sanctuary. She helped the sanctuary apply for and receive a TPPF grant in 2021.

Lourdes Jiménez

Lourdes has 34 years of dedicated experience in education, focusing on developing impactful campaigns for companion animals, implementing successful sterilization campaigns, and inspiring non-abuse campaigns. Her notable achievements include improving the lives of horses used for garbage collection by substituting motorcycle transport and completely prohibiting this activity in Veracruz.

She has also spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives. She achieved a significant milestone in 2012 by enacting the first state law for animals. Additionally, she played a crucial role in establishing the first prosecutor’s office specialized in crimes against animals in Latin America. Her advocacy efforts resulted in the prohibition of killing companion animals for population control purposes and the inclusion of animal abuse prevention in crime prevention strategies. Lourdes also worked tirelessly to protect the rights of animals used for farming, leading to a comprehensive update of the law in 2016. Another notable accomplishment by her was the prohibition of bullfights in the municipality of Xalapa, making it the first municipality in modern times to do so through specific regulations in 1996.

While the enforcement of these laws remains a challenge, Lourdes remains steadfast in her determination to implement them. She has designed a comprehensive subject at the Universidad Veracruzana, integrating various scientific areas to address animal rights in education. In addition, Lourdes has organized the International Congress on Animal Rights in Xalapa since 2015, pioneering this important event in Latin America. She goes beyond conferences, conducting training workshops, hosting impactful radio programs, and collaborating on inspiring musical projects to further the cause.

While she enjoys working in various areas, her unwavering focus lies in education, law, and public policy. Currently serving as The Pollination Project’s Global Animal Advocacy Program Coordinator in Mexico, this opportunity has transformed her work. She collaborates with passionate activists and newcomers to activism, dedicated to improving the lives of farmed animals.

Lourdes’ previous work for animals apart from her role at TPP has all been voluntary. For the past 21 years, she has served as the logistics coordinator at the Universidad Veracruzana’s general directorate of cultural diffusion. In this role, she addresses social issues and promotes sustainability initiatives within the general directorate.

Samantha Mora

Samantha is an animal rights activist with a strong background in design and visual arts. She has created numerous workshops for emerging animal advocates, and schoolchildren, using science-based education and creative storytelling as part of the University of Veracruz and with numerous associations in the country. She has developed her own path as a leader in the movement, blending advocacy with engaging visual communication. Her work focuses on empowering new voices and building awareness across diverse communities.

Ariel Nessel

After an epiphany in 1997 changed the way Ari related to food, his heart opened up to the impact every person’s life has on countless beings and the world at large. Soon after this insight, Ari had a vision of himself attaining his worldly goals & dreams, yet left feeling empty inside. This led him to ground his life into practices such as mindfulness, compassionate eating, philanthropy, servant leadership, and transformational entrepreneurship.

Ari hosts and leads meditation workshops/retreats, volunteers his time to spread small acts of kindness, and seeks to create the causes and conditions for a major reduction in global industrialized meat production. On the side Ari invests in start-ups that seek to disrupt factory farming and founded a business that redevelops apartments to be as carbon-neutral, water-efficient, and community oriented as possible. Ari actively experiences the challenges of being a modern-day yogi, and the delusion that life can be compartmentalized into separate boxes such as family, work, service, health and spirit. He remains constantly challenged to live his life in alignment with his values, and to utilize the numerous privileges he has been given to turn seeds into blossom and blossom into fruit. Ari shares with his wife Becky, a doctor who cares for underserved populations, the desire to serve others and act as a role model for their two young boys.

Stephanie Klempner

Stephanie has always had a great love for animals, participating as a foster parent for stray dogs and volunteering with various programs aimed to help the welfare of pets. After connecting her love for animals with her food choices, she began to open her heart to both suffering and compassion in the world and connecting the choices we make in life to a more blessed and blissed life. She realized the power that one person truly has to impact the world, and thus teamed up with Ari (her brother-in-law) to create The Pollination Project. Stephanie is also extremely committed and dedicated to her career as Vice President of a literacy curriculum company and children’s book distributor and feels a deep connection with empowering youth to be readers and writers in the world, while also empowering them to change the world. Stephanie lives in NYC with her with her partner Josh, and their son Odin, and spends her time both enjoying the city she loves, as well as traveling the country to be with her family and dear friends.

Birju Pandya

Birju Pandya focuses on the nexus of finance, systems evolution and inner transformation. He has been involved in the Mobius ecosystem since 2014.

Birju has years of experience working in the investment world, towards creative uses of capital and designing for emergence. He also has spent years developing mindfulness-related approaches to support individual/collective human development within business.

Birju has worked with organizations including Armonia (Regenerative Investing), RSF Social Finance (Integrated Capital), ServiceSpace (Gift Ecology), and McKinsey & Company. He has a Bachelor’s from Arizona State and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Birju’s roles in life include volunteer, husband, father, friend, colleague. He is the son of first-generation Indian immigrants, and lives with his family in Berkeley, CA. A few values that Birju holds dear – authenticity, vulnerability, gratefulness, compassion, equanimity.

Kimberly Carroll

Kimberly Carroll is a coach for changemakers, a meditation and mindfulness teacher, and a strategist in campaigns and organizational development. With her innovative, caring, and results-oriented approach, she helps mission-driven leaders build the inner resilience, high-performance habits, and visionary strategy to power up themselves and their work.

For over 15 years, Kimberly has coached those in high-pressure changemaker roles—ranging from undercover investigators to NGO executive directors to front-line advocates. She’s also certified in integrated somatic trauma therapy, is completing a two-year mindfulness meditation teacher certification through UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and will be certified in mediation and conflict resolution in 2026.

A leader in the animal advocacy movement for two decades, Kimberly currently serves as a strategist with Animal Justice, a director for the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank (the first vegan food bank in North America), and is the founder of the Animal Justice Academy.

Previously, she spent 15 years as a television host and producer.

Kimberly’s passion is helping movement leaders supercharge their effectiveness by cultivating more presence, vitality, clarity, creativity, focus, and connection. Her holistic and practical methodology combines mindfulness, neuroscience, experiential healing, mindset frameworks, body-based practices (somatics), and a good dose of humor to unlock more inspired leadership and long-term impact.

Yolanda Calderon

Resilience is the foundation of the new style of leadership. It shows up as the ability to stay grounded under pressure, recover quickly when things go sideways, and remain focused and purposeful rather than reactive. Resilient leaders perceive more options, navigate conflict with greater skill, and act with clarity when the stakes are high. These capacities can be developed and enhanced through practices that strengthen the nervous system and deepen embodied awareness.
Yolanda Calderon is a Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) who helps leaders and changemakers cultivate this kind of Resilience from the inside out. Drawing from body-centered therapies, functional medicine coaching, and HeartMath® practices, Yolanda supports clients in accessing calm clarity under pressure, aligning decisions with core values, and building inner stability that radiates outward to teams, organizations, and the broader community.

With decades of experience and tangible results, Yolanda helps clients shift out of fight-or-flight and into emotional steadiness, expanded perception, and intuitive insight, supporting a style of leadership that is aligned with purpose and grounded in one’s True North.

Sophia Hanson

United States
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2019

Sophia Hanson is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality through innovative literary programs at the National Youth Foundation. Founded and led by three Black women and a Black teen, the organization’s mission is deeply rooted in social justice. They operate four core programs:

• “I Matter”: Initiated by Isabella Hanson, the youth co-founder, this program includes a national poetry and art competition focusing on racial injustice. NYF publishes an annual book of top entries and donates copies to underserved libraries and schools nationwide. They also host youth-led, diversity-focused poetry workshops nationally and internationally.
• The Amazing Women’s Edition: A national book competition where students write about women whose stories deserve recognition. NYF selects, publishes, and donates the winning books to underserved libraries and schools.
• Student Book Scholars: A team writing contest in collaboration with professional athletes from NFL, NBA, and MLB, emphasizing kindness and anti-bullying.
• Youth Writing Workshops: NYF collaborates with community centers and schools in underserved areas across the country to research and create biographical stories about prominent local leaders.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
TPP was one of the first funders for the National Youth Foundation back in 2017.  Having support from an internationally recognized funder helped our organization develop the strength we needed to believe that we were the changemakers meant to work in the social justice literary space.

Shenika Jackson, PhD

United States
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2017

Dr. Shenika Jackson is a Community Psychologist from Chicago. She joined TPP as a grant advisor in 2017, just one year after receiving a TPP grant for her own project, My College Going Self. She has worked in the fields of nonprofit management and as a leader for many projects and programs for nearly 15 years. Her work has included securing housing for military veterans, helping formerly incarcerated individuals clean their records and find employment, and working to support high school teens from low-income communities in Chicago transition from high school to higher education. She continues to serve as a grant advisor to support other projects across the world that serve some of the same populations she serves.

A quote that inspires Shenika: “Fall 7, Get Up 8.” — Denzel Washington

Maulid Mwinyikai

Maulid Hamisi Mwinyikai is from Mtongwe, Mombasa and has professional experience as a trained Environmental Activist, a renowned art and development practitioner in community development, health care, and team building. In 2000 Maulid was trained as a peer educator, organized by Mtongwe Community Initiative, Family health options Kenya and Action Aid Kenya. From 2007 to 2013 was trained as a professional actor, working in a theatre company, During the training he thought about the youth back in Mombasa and wondered what he could do to change their lives. When he got back home he mobilized youths and started a community based organization: Kishoka Youth Organization. The organization is an Art, Development and Environmental community based organization which does work aimed at Youth Empowerment and Environmental issues.

Maulid is dedicated in mobilizing young people and assisting them identify their potential so as to make the world a better place, to have more influence in society by participating in positive social change and to help people reuse and reduce plastic waste in a creative way.  He is excited about the opportunity to assist other grantees through mentorship and cross-pollination as an East African Leader, and looks forward to working with passion and integrity to support TPP’s grant making at the grassroots level.

Fernanda Garcia Naranjo Ortega

Mexico
Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2022

Fernanda was born and raised in Mexico City. She holds a BA in International Relations and Law. Collective work has been integral to her training, actively contributing to various organizations focused on creating a fairer and more ethical world for all species, including Ollin Jóvenes en Movimiento A.C., Casa Cuna La Paz A.C., Casa de Medio Camino Thelma y Honnorat, The Humane Society International, Our Planet. Theirs Too, EDGE Funders Alliance, and The World Can’t Wait.

Currently, Fernanda directs the anti-speciesist sanctuary “Granjita TyH” in Mexico, engaging in activism and outreach for animal liberation. She advocates for intersectionality and alliances to build a better future, advising and helping create the Mbon’i Collective, which focuses on spay campaigns and animal protection in the Mexican rural area of Jilotepec. Fernanda is a member of The Pollination Project Greenhouse Cohort, the Red Veganas Antiespecistas, and the Red de Santuarios Antiespecistas México.

In 2022, Fernanda received the Citizen of the Year Award from Grupo Salinas, highlighting the importance of respecting all living beings without distinction of species.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I believe that struggles must be collective, each person contributing within their capabilities. Therefore, I am convinced and grateful to be able to be part of this panel since it is a way to guide and support colleagues and continue working for non-human animal rights.

Leandro Franz

Leandro Franz is a brazilian economist, producer and writer with 8 books published and a couple literary prizes. One of his books has been adapted to a play in Mozambique. He has a career in management consultant (holds a Master’s degree in Economics), but has always been involved in voluntary initiatives on Arts (one feature film and a couple shorts produced) and Effective Altruism (member of the animal cause group in São Paulo).

Eric Anorrey

Ghana
Lead Advisor Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2022

Eric Anorrey is a Ghanaian development practitioner and social innovator with over a decade of experience working in the civil society space. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Global Youth Innovation Center (GYIC), a registered non-profit organization leveraging innovation and emerging technologies to drive community transformation and expand opportunities for youth and other vulnerable populations.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I admire TPP’s grantmaking approach: it exudes passion, heartivism, and volunteerism. I am convinced that this drives genuine change and impact in communities, as well as a passion for our work. Though I never received a TPP grant, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the impact they have on people all over the world.  It’s been a fantastic experience learning from changemakers and sharing knowledge.

Jean-Marie Zihalirwa

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2022

Jean-Marie Zihalirwa Kavali is a lifelong learner, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the rural development sector. Previously, he served as a senior planning, management, and monitoring advisor at Grenier pour le Développement Intégré au Bushi, a community-based organization in Congo Kinshasa. Jean-Marie employs the theory of change approach to develop organizational and corporate strategic plans, project proposals, and results-oriented monitoring and evaluation systems.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?

Eager to expand compassion, peace, and equitable development worldwide, I became a TPP grantee in 2018. I joined the TPP Grant Advisor team in 2022 to contribute further to these goals.

Joseph Obore

Uganda
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2020

Joseph Obore is Ugandan by nationality, hailing from and currently living in Bukedea District – Eastern Uganda. He is action-oriented, committed, team builder, focused, willing to learn, self-driven, hardworking, resilient and passionate about community-led development. 

He is the founder and currently working as executive director of the Action for Development of Grassroots Communities (ADEGCO) – a youth-led community based organization (CBO) working with young people in shaping their future as the next generation through designing and implementing innovative projects in the areas of education and skills training. ADEGCO tackles pressing challenges in other thematic areas including; agriculture and environmental conservation/climate justice. 

The project for which a seed grant from TPP was secured in 2018 included, “Positive Youth Development through mentorship and capacity building sessions” where 50 unemployed youth were connected and matched to mentors who inspired, motivated and changed their mindsets during one on one long term mentorship support and monthly in-person capacity building sessions.

Joseph is sympathetic, empathetic, compassion conscious and vegan who has cultivated and advocated for TPP values. He brings in over 5 years of demonstrated experience, skills, knowledge and track record of participating in the grant making process. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Development Studies from Makerere University and he is a changemaker by training.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I enjoy reviewing project grant applications, making funding decisions, conducting initial project site visits, conducting mid-term and end of project review/evaluation exercises, project related training and mentorship support to project implementers among others. I have successfully designed and implemented several projects that have created lasting impact. I believe in a continuous learning process in order to have a greater impact in the communities. I accepted to serve as a grant advisor because I strongly believe in TPP’s method of involving their own grantees in selecting future grantees which supports the localization agenda in development work. 

Agbor Solomon Eneke

Cameroon
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2022

Agbor Solomon Eneke is a dedicated development worker with over 10 years of experience using the co-management approach to engage communities in sustainable natural resource management and livelihood improvement. He has mobilized and organized communities, empowering them in agriculture, agroforestry, and wildlife protection to enhance livelihoods and conserve natural resources. Agbor is also a passionate advocate for child education and conflict management, actively supporting populations affected by armed conflict in Cameroon by tracking displacements and assessing humanitarian needs.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I pride myself amongst those who see the world differently and work to make it a better place. I have this conception that if no one ever tries to change things, things simply are never going to change. That fulfillment and compassion to know that I contributed to effecting change through an approved initiative is what made me serve as a grant advisor.

Gihana Jackson

Rwanda
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2022

GIHANA Jackson serves as the headmaster of Peace International Technical School and is the founder and president of Fields of Hope organization.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?

I chose to serve as a grant advisor because I have passion for serving others and I believe that through serving others, I am served. Since I am a leader, serving as a grant advisor also increases my impartial decision making ability.

Emmanuel Nuvalga

Nigeria
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2022

Emmanuel Nuvalga works tirelessly with a focus on Girl-Child Educational activities in rural Nigeria. He is the founder of Support for Girl Child’s Education Initiative, which received funding and support from The Pollination Project in 2021. Through his organization, Emmanuel has positively impacted over 1500 young children in rural communities.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I choose to serve as an advisor in order to help serve communities of people who also want to bring the world to a better place for all through The Pollination Project’s support.

Dan Jetter

United States
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2022

Dan Jetter is the founder and director of EducationEquity Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to offering free, professional-quality preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to low-income, underrepresented premed students, particularly students of color. His organization aims to bridge educational disparities by providing essential resources and support to aspiring medical professionals from marginalized backgrounds.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I love to help people help others.

Monika Pozek

Spain
Arts & Culture
Grant Advisor since 2022

For the past 15 years, Monika has been creating an inclusive dance network in Europe and working with inclusive groups through dance. Choreographer, teacher, and founder of the MeetShareDance Association (2012) and MAD Kolektiv (2018). She has long experience leading artistic and educational projects that have to do with the performing arts, contemporary dance, different bodies, untrained dancers, and accessibility. Her field of work is constantly changing, intertwining sectors, and using digital innovation as another performing arts language.

Since 2012 together with international partners Monika has run an annual international MeetShareDance workshop festival that has 11 editions in 8 different countries. She is interested in exploring interdisciplinary projects with digital art and performing art community work. In 2018 she founded Dance Company MAD Kolektiv with eight dancers with and without disabilities and started with new creations and international collaborations.

‘Dance is the language and my work tries to speak some of them’

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?

To have the opportunity to read new creative ideas, as I believe that through art, culture, and education we can make our world a nicer place.

Kiima Stephen

Uganda
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2022

Kiima Stephen is a dedicated Human Rights Defender from the remote Nombe Sub-County in Western Uganda. Deeply rooted in his lived experience as a survivor of forced marriage, stigma, and discrimination, his activism is driven by a firsthand understanding of exploitation. He is the founder of Seed Community Relief, a grassroots organization committed to eradicating modern slavery in all its forms—from child labor and human trafficking to economic exploitation and domestic servitude. His approach centers on social-conscious action, nurturing a generation of youth leaders aged 13 to 35 to serve as early warning and prevention champions within their communities. He firmly believes that formal education is a vital catalyst for empowerment, equipping young people to make informed choices and break cycles of vulnerability.

A quote that inspires Kiima: “Upholding the right to freedom is paramount for fostering inclusive, equitable, and prosperous societies where all individuals can thrive.”

Kiima serves as a grant advisor to identify, elevate, and resource grassroots changemakers who share his vision—believing that those closest to the pain are also closest to the solutions, and that sustained community-led action is the surest path to lasting freedom.

Mary Oyier

Kenya
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2020

Mary Oyier’s priority is promoting peace, emphasizing the importance of a conducive environment and zero hunger for sustaining peace. She focuses primarily on basic livelihood sustainability. Mary credits The Pollination Project (TPP) for initiating change in 2018 by providing a $1000 grant that enabled her to purchase sewing machines and raw materials. This investment had a significant visible impact and led to the development of an agriculture value addition chain. Mary now trains women and youth on cultivating trees, herbs, crops, and vegetables that combat climate change effects. This resource has empowered her team to engage in community social activities and economic empowerment.

Mary has participated in international functions in over five countries due to her community resilience actions. She acknowledges TPP for providing her and many others with opportunities to grow.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to become a grant advisor after an orientation from TPP where I understood the vision deeply. I realized that this was a team of men and women filled with compassion and understanding and the will of the globally less advantaged. I therefore felt the importance of doing the little I can, hoping to add value, manpower, or support.

Moline Katiyo-Mayhew

Zimbabwe
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2022

Moline Katiyo-Mayhew is a Skills Development Consultant, Cultural Practitioner, and Humanitarian worker. She is the founder of Chengetedza, an organization that provides mentorship and training in the arts and fashion to give equal opportunities for self-empowerment to youth and women, mainly from disadvantaged communities. She is a former Board member of the Zimbabwe Germany Society (ZGS) and has over 15 years of work experience in the United Nations and International Organizations. Moline is greatly inspired by the work of The Pollination Project (TPP), which previously funded her organization Chengetedza. She is an alumna of the US program African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) and the US-Zimbabwe exchange program The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), both of which have expanded her knowledge and are now used within her NGO work.

Her early childhood passion for helping others grew into a mission to uplift women and youth, giving hope and putting smiles on their faces and, in turn, on hers. More about her projects can be found at chengetedza.com and on Facebook at Chengetedza.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I share the same vision with TPP of supporting individuals and grassroots organizations who are striving to give others a better life.

MBIFI Valantine MBIFI

Cameroon
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2022

Established in 2006 in Cameroon, Youth Concept Forum Building Aspirants (YOCOFOBA) is committed to enhancing the prospects of youth in the community, focusing on the most disadvantaged, vulnerable, and marginalized populations in Northwest Cameroon. With support from TPP, YOCOFOBA empowered 25 and 50 young vulnerable women in Tubah Municipality in 2021 and 2022 respectively, focusing on sustainable maize production and marketing amidst the challenges posed by the ongoing Anglophone crisis in the region.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?

I’m driven by the belief that serving humanity is the ultimate path to fulfillment.

Muhindo Geoffrey

Uganda
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2022

As a change maker, i run a community tailoring project in Kyondo, scheme ward in Nyamwamba division in the outskirts of Kasese Municipality.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Serving a grant advisor is a great experience for me learning of the different efforts different people are taking to create impact in their communities and the world in general.

Kosa Jimmy

Uganda
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2022

Kosa Jimmy is the executive director of Pentium Health Care Development Group, a Community Based Organization in Yumbe, Uganda. Since its inception in May 2018, Pentium Health Care Development Group has made significant impacts in the community:

1. Pentium Health Care Clinic: Located in Yumbe, Uganda, the clinic has increased access to healthcare in the community, reduced morbidity and mortality rates among children and mothers, and improved the quality of life for the people of Yumbe through the provision of quality health care.
2. Ebola Awareness Campaign Yumbe 2022: His community remained Ebola-free from the time the Ebola outbreak was declared in Uganda on September 20, 2022, until January 14, 2023, when Uganda was declared Ebola-free.
3. COVID-19 Prevention and Control 2020/2021: The initiative increased the community’s knowledge about COVID-19, reduced the cross-infection rate, and fostered a positive attitude towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I would like to stand with deserving projects, to support them to success through the works of TPP. And knowing what changemakers are doing around the world is so inspiring.

Mashauri Marco

United States
Lead Advisor: Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2021

Mashauri Marco, an agronomist and engineer born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa, has dedicated his career to community projects aimed at making a difference locally and globally. As a project coordinator in the Ruvuma region of southern Tanzania with MKOMBOZI group, he focused on poverty reduction and environmental protection through scientific agriculture methods. Marco ensured engineering activities were conducted sustainably, without disrupting the ecosystem, leading to significant progress in poverty alleviation among local families.

In the United States, Marco currently serves as a project operator for two major companies. In 2022, with the support of a TPP grant, he launched a project to improve cooking environments in his community by replacing traditional three-stone stoves. This initiative not only reduces health risks associated with smoke during cooking but also lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The project has been transformative for his community, thanks to TPP’s crucial support.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I am excited to help grassroots changemakers succeed in executing their projects by doing a thorough analysis of their ideas and providing comments for positive consideration, so that they can be awarded a grant to implement their ideas.

Melissa Diamond

United States
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2022

Having previously founded a non-profit organization supporting children with developmental disabilities in refugee and conflict-affected communities, Melissa Diamond’s journey with TPP began during the COVID-19 pandemic when TPP supported their emergency response program. Inspired by this experience, Melissa chose to become a grant advisor.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?

I choose to serve as a grant advisor because, as a founder of a nonprofit, I understand the life-changing difference a small grant can make when validating a new idea. It’s inspiring to read about the meaningful, grassroots work TPP changemakers are catalyzing around the world, and I strive to do what I can to help them succeed.

Offuh Wazieh Anthony

Nigeria
Lead Advisor: Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2023

Offuh Wazieh Anthony is dedicated to advocacy against domestic violence on women and children through community-based dialogues. She facilitates safe circle discussions focusing on understanding domestic violence issues, their causes, effects, and possible solutions. Her work includes nurturing resilience through trauma healing and promoting peace via community sensitization workshops and outreach efforts aimed at women, children (boys and girls), and the broader community.

In 2021, she received a TPP seed grant of $1000, followed by an additional grant of $2265 in 2023, which enabled the expansion of her project to five additional communities. This initiative creates safe spaces for underserved women, girls, and survivors of domestic violence and trauma, fostering compassion and nonviolent communication approaches to conflict resolution. The project also empowers women and girls towards economic independence, breaking the cycle of abuse.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I believe to whom much is given much is also expected. Others gave my vision an opportunity which has brought transformation to my community and a sense of purpose and fulfillment today. I want to also be that bridge for others grassroots changemakers’ visions or initiatives to be realized. It gives me a sense of servanthood. It also broadens my network which equips me with knowledge, skills and experience. For me serving as a grant advisor enables me to continue in the mission and vision of the TPP to humanity and the planet Earth.

Dorothy Nabakooza

Uganda
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2023

Dorothy Nabakooza leads the Instant Pads project, a TPP-funded social intervention in Uganda aimed at empowering girls and women. Since 2022, with support from TPP twice, the project has trained over 1000 individuals in reusable pad making skills, including girls, women, boys, and men. Dorothy has collaborated with various marginalized groups, including volunteering in refugee camps in Northern Uganda. On World Menstruation Day 2023, the project was featured on television, where Dorothy trained both local and global communities on making Instant pads. She initiated a trainer of trainers program, empowering 50 young adults to spread the message and skills to places otherwise difficult to reach.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Volunteering is at the heart of everything I do. It brings joy to me to help someone’s story get heard. And if by reviewing applications, more positive impact and kindness spreads around the world, I am glad to be part of such a ripple effect.

Kilama Ben

Uganda
Lead Advisor: Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2023

Kilama Ben is the Managing Director of the West Acholi Spinal Injuries Association, an organization dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities, particularly those with spinal cord injuries. The association focuses on restoring hope and empowering individuals to live fulfilling lives after their injuries. Their work includes peer-to-peer mentorship, training, and support, as well as providing members with mobility aids such as wheelchairs and artificial limbs. They also supply essential medical items like urinary catheters, urinary bags, lubricants, and skin care products. Additionally, Kilama collaborates with Light for the World as a disability inclusion facilitator, supporting the “We Are Able!” project aimed at achieving inclusive land rights and food security for households of persons with disabilities.

The West Acholi Spinal Injuries Association received its first funding from The Pollination Project (TPP) in 2022, which enabled them to conduct condition management training for their members. This foundational support significantly improved the lives of their members, prompting the need for sustainability. They secured additional funding from TPP to train peer mentors/trainers to continue supporting new members. To date, they have directly reached over 150 members with spinal cord injuries, over 300 family members and caregivers, and thousands more indirectly through advocacy efforts on radio, community dialogues, and disability awareness days.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I choose to be a grant advisor because I have passion to serve the community. When I became the managing director for West Acholi Spinal Injuries Association, my motivation was to serve my community, to empower them and restore hope to their life. When I became part of The Pollination Project, the opportunity to be a grant advisor was something that would widen my passion to serve a global community beyond my community. I love to be part of the journey for changemaking because I am also a changemaker. Besides my passion, I also considered my skills, knowledge and experience. These were something I felt I could freely offer to TPP as an entity that is part and partial to our journey to changemaking.

Emmanuel Fils Dushimimana

Rwanda
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2024

Emmanuel Fils Dushimimana is a young leader and peace builder from Rwanda, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology with a specialization in Computer Science. He serves as a Mindfulness and Meditation trainer with World Peace Initiative (WPI). Emmanuel’s journey with WPI has taken him across various fellowships and training programs, including the Alafia Francophonie fellowship in Benin, Amani Fellowship in Thailand, Amandla fellowship in Kenya and Rwanda, and Peace Architect training in Thailand. Through these experiences, he has cultivated inner peace and self-love through mindfulness and meditation practices.

As a TPP grantee, Emmanuel implemented a project teaching meditation and yoga to young people to combat depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation in his community. He firmly believes that achieving world peace is possible if individuals learn to cultivate inner peace and share it with others. Emmanuel’s interests include conflict resolution, peace building, youth leadership, and technology.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
As a grantee of TPP, I was able to implement my project that I started in my community. I decided to volunteer as a grant advisor with a purpose to stay connected to TPP, but also to give my contribution to what TPP does.

Peter Krugen Mwembe

Kenya
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2022

When Peter Krugen Mwembe sought to make his kids’ soccer club sustainable, TPP supported their initiative by funding a waste recycling social enterprise, which transforms biomass waste into charcoal cooking briquettes. The proceeds from their product sales are used to support the club’s soccer activities, including providing meals, soccer balls, and training sessions. Their project not only provides children with opportunities to play, develop sporting talents, and learn life skills but also contributes to cleaner neighborhoods by reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. Moreover, the initiative creates income-generating opportunities for women and youth while actively contributing to climate change mitigation through biomass waste conversion.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I am happy to volunteer because I can identify decent projects that are truly in need of support and forward my suggestion. I am excited that I can help TPP make informed decisions on where to channel the seed grants and leave my small prints in communities all around.

Nelly Hellen Onditi

Kenya
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2024

Nelly Hellen Onditi is a self-motivated individual dedicated to assisting marginalized and underserved communities, especially women and girls in South Sudan. She is the founder of Jamnel Care Organization (JCO), a women-led organization in South Sudan whose vision is to promote the welfare of the most marginalized communities. JCO provides a robust response in communities to promote gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, economic empowerment, environmental justice, and the fight against gender-based violence. As a changemaker, through JCO, Nelly has managed to keep two girls in school through a scholarship program, trained 20 out-of-school adolescent girls in hairdressing, soap making, and VSLAs (economic empowerment), provided 30 neonatal care kits to first-time adolescent mothers, and integrated psychosocial support in the program. Additionally, she has distributed 314 dignity kits to women and girls during the COVID outbreak, established GBV Clubs and appointed GBV ambassadors in six schools, engaged 123 men and boys in positive masculinity training sessions, established recorded programs on radio stations addressing GBV prevention and response, hosted 12 media talk shows for adolescents on the same topic, and trained 75 women, 101 girls, and 28 men on the legal rights of women in relation to their sexual and reproductive health rights, among other initiatives. As a feminist, Nelly is enthusiastic about gender-diverse projects that promote gender equality and social inclusion.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Serving as a grant advisor gives me the opportunity to bring in my expertise as well as interact with other experts. This role creates more opportunities to demonstrate inclusive behavior for diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, actively listen and understand others, commit to change, and express oneself, hence enhancing innovation and creativity.

Rodger Mwanza

Zambia
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2022

Rodger Mwanza worked on a project in 2018 aimed at improving health outcomes with a special emphasis on preventing and detecting non-communicable diseases early in vulnerable communities, along with enhancing health education.

1.0 ACTIVITIES
i. Sensitive communities on good lifestyle practices through workshops.
ii. Conduct seminars to educate people on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
iii. Enhance knowledge on food choices and conduct health expositions in communities.
iv. Offer information on preventive measures at the family level for various NCDs, emphasizing prevention over cure.
v. Improve the management of NCDs by engaging medical specialists to offer health talks.

2.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES (RESULTS):
i. Improved health outcomes due to early diagnosis of illnesses.
ii. Reduced need for more expensive treatment due to early detection and early treatment of illnesses.
iii. Reduced rate of premature deaths from NCDs.
iv. Reduced rate of cancer deaths (various forms).
v. Increased household income due to improved health outcomes of breadwinners.
vi. Enhanced family nutrition due to better allocation of funds.
vii. Improved productivity due to reduced or eliminated man-hours lost to illnesses and hospital attendance.
viii. Improved education outcomes for children due to better allocation of funds.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
To assist in building teams that can make changes benefiting the community, to help individuals with brilliant ideas implement them for the benefit of humanity, to also learn and relearn in a dynamic world, and to practice compassionate consciousness across all races.

Christopher Nwafor

South Africa
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2024

Christopher Nwafor’s work revolves around protecting the human rights, health rights, and empowerment of vulnerable groups in society. With a focus on key population groups, he has assisted in building agency and voice for adolescents and young people on issues related to their sexual reproductive health and rights.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Some of my projects benefitted from seed funding from The Pollination Project and this is my way of giving back.

Ayodele Rebecca Olatunji

Nigeria
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2024

Ayodele Rebecca Olatunji is an Inclusion and Deaf Rights Activist dedicated to promoting the linguistic identity of the Deaf community and advocating for their rights in Nigeria. Her passion stems from her personal experience as a Sister of a Deaf Adult (SODA) and a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA). Through her work at Collaborating Hands, she has trained over 5,000 people in sign language and disability inclusion, including teachers and public service workers. One of her notable projects is the “I Can Sign Project,” funded by the Pollination Project in 2022, which has trained 100 parents of deaf children and partnered with 25 schools to incorporate sign language into their curriculum. Additionally, she initiated the “Walk For The Recognition of Sign Languages” awareness campaign in 2019, which has reached over 10,000 people, spreading knowledge about sign language and the Deaf community. Rebecca also offers a Basic Sign Language Course, through which she has trained more than 150 professionals. Her contributions to the Deaf community have earned her numerous recognitions and awards, including “The Hearing Icon Award” from Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, a deaf-led organization founded by the President of the Deaf Women Association of Nigeria. She is committed to a world where being deaf is not seen as a limitation, and barriers between the Deaf and Hearing communities are eliminated. Currently, Rebecca leads Collaborating Hands as a Disability Inclusion Specialist and volunteers with various organizations as a Sign Language Interpreter and Disability Inclusion Consultant. Her goal is to ensure a more inclusive and enabling environment for individuals with disabilities.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
As a TPP grant advisor, I see an opportunity to contribute my skills and knowledge to help fulfill the organization’s mission of empowering individuals to drive positive change in their communities. This role aligns with my values of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility, allowing me to play a direct role in supporting grassroots initiatives and amplifying their impact. Having been a recipient of a TPP grant myself, I understand the immense impact it can have on changemakers and their projects. This personal experience motivates me to use my skills to provide others with the same sense of joy and opportunity that I received. The prospect of contributing to a community-driven process that uplifts marginalized voices, promotes equity, and fosters sustainable change is incredibly motivating for me. I am excited to be part of an initiative that supports meaningful projects and helps create a more inclusive and equitable world.

Daniel Ayodele Femi

Nigeria
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2024

Daniel Ayodele Femi is a changemaker dedicated to pursuing equitable eye healthcare in Nigeria. His journey began five years ago in Edo State, where he recognized the need for quality eye care among underserved communities. This realization spurred him into action, leading him to volunteer with several organizations such as Eyeland of Vision Foundation, Healing Hands Health Society, RETINA Initiative, and Pollination Grant. His commitment extends beyond advocacy; he actively participates in intervention programs and awareness campaigns, reaching over 2,000 individuals in rural areas of Delta State, Benin City, and Lagos. These people benefited from free visual screenings and referrals, 1,350 pairs of reading glasses, and 120 cataract surgeries. As the Team Lead of the School Eye Health Program, Daniel has made significant impacts in preventing sight-threatening diseases among school children. He believes that good vision is inextricably linked to good academic performance. Supported by the Pollination Grant, the program provided visual screenings, 150 prescription glasses, and referrals to over 400 students, improving their learning outcomes by 66% and preventing future vision problems. His work has been recognized by Opportunity Desk, where he was honored to be included in the OD Impact Challenge 30 Under 30 Changemakers list. This recognition affirms his dedication and the tangible impact of his work. Daniel’s vision is to continue driving positive change, advocating for equitable eye healthcare for all.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
My experience as a grantee with TPP has been enriching. I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of seed grant funding on grassroots projects and communities. Being a part of the Grant Advisor Program has allowed me to give back and contribute to this impactful work on a larger scale. Moreover, collaborating with advisors is highly satisfying. I believe diverse perspectives enrich decision-making processes and lead to more comprehensive and effective outcomes. Additionally, the chance to review applications worldwide across various areas aligns perfectly with my passion for social impact and my desire to make a difference globally. I’m excited about the prospect of being involved in the grantmaking process, helping identify projects that can potentially create meaningful change.

Benson Onyango

Uganda
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2022

Benson Onyango is the team leader of Jeneration Agenda, a youth-led organization supporting young people to tackle issues that matter most such as climate change, health, and education. Currently, the organization is focused on youth leadership and sexual reproductive policy advocacy.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to be a grant advisor as one of the ways to give back to the community. I feel satisfied offering my skills to this noble cause knowing it is for the better of the organization’s philanthropic efforts. TPP’s Daily Grant is a recognized global grant that makes me feel proud to be associated with.

Bernard Molho Bwambale

Uganda
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2022

Bernard Molho Bwambale is the leader of Usanii Village Africa, a community-based organization dedicated to harnessing the power of art for social change, with a primary focus on environmental sustainability and overall well-being. Within the organization, one of their flagship projects is “Earth Connection Through Art,” which received initial funding support from The Pollination Project through a seed grant and later expanded with the generous assistance of the Greenhouse Grant.

Through “Earth Connection Through Art,” Usanii Village Africa fosters environmental consciousness and empowers local artists to become agents of change through their creative expressions. This initiative serves as a platform for promoting eco-artistry, where artists play a vital role in advocating for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the community.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I choose to serve as a grant advisor because I am deeply passionate about fostering positive change in our communities. Being in a position to support and advise changemakers allows me to witness the growth of innovative ideas and the tangible impact they have on society. It’s incredibly fulfilling to play a part in empowering individuals to turn their visions into reality and to witness the ripple effect of their work as it creates meaningful change.

April Lynn King

United States
Lead Advisor Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2021

During college, April Lynn King discovered the value of cooperatives, living and working in one while embracing collaborative problem-solving through self-governance. After college, she and her husband found themselves in New York, where they engaged in grassroots community organizing to combat gentrification pressures and ensure housing stability.

April has been actively involved in various community efforts, from addressing cruelty and fraud in animal shelters to supporting individuals through deinstitutionalization processes. She believes in the power of community collaboration to effect rapid and effective change.

Approaching retirement, April outlined her goal to “give back” to the world through volunteerism, aiming to make the world kinder and more fair. Her visit to the Balkans, particularly Montenegro, exposed her to the significant animal suffering due to overpopulation. Drawing from her experience in Seattle, she founded Kotor Kitties to reduce the suffering of cats and dogs through high-volume spay-neuter surgeries and advocacy.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I serve as a grant advisor mostly for selfish reasons: while reviewing applications, I learn about the lives, the problems, and the creative instincts of people all around the world.  It satisfies my desire to learn more, to connect to new people and cultures, and just helps broaden my view of the world.  And it makes me happy.

NZAYISENGA Emmanuel

Canada
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2023

NZAYISENGA Emmanuel is a dedicated professional with a Master’s degree in Project Management and Programme Evaluation. His extensive experience working with various NGOs in Rwanda has provided valuable insights into community development and social impact.

Currently, he contributes his expertise to Quebec government’s healthcare sector, playing a vital role in improving healthcare services and outcomes. His commitment to making a difference extends beyond his day-to-day work.

As a grantee of the Pollination Project, he champions a project that empowers youth by providing them with essential skills and techniques. His focus on personal development and the practice of mindfulness reflects his belief that every young person possesses the innate capacity to be peaceful, kind, resilient, and mindful. Through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation, he aims to awaken these strengths and foster positive change.

Why do you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to become a grant advisor because of my deep passion for empowering young changemakers. These individuals bring innovative ideas that can create positive social impact within their communities. Through the Pollination Project’s Daily Grant program, I aim to share my skills and expertise to identify a new generation of impactful leaders who can transform their communities for the better.

Evita Afungfege

Cameroon
Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2026

Evita Afungfege is a writer and conservation advocate who uses film and children’s media to promote wildlife protection and compassionate communities. She is the author of Gimla: Fall of MOBOXO, a conservation folktale comic developed as a learning resource supporting grassroots animal protection initiatives in Cameroon and globally.

Katarína Kubovicová

Slovakia
Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2026

Shreya Padukone

India
Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2026

Shreya Padukone is an animal and environmental lawyer from India. She leads programs at the Animal Law Centre at NALSAR University of Law and is on the Asia Steering Committee at Thrive Philanthropy. Her work has involved research on legal protection of farmed animal welfare, supporting operations projects at animal advocacy nonprofits, and teaching animal law.

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Having been a TPP grantee myself, I wanted to give back to and help grow this warm community in a meaningful way.

Brooke Haggerty

USA
Animal Protection
Grant Advisor since 2026

Brooke Haggerty has nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a career devoted to animal protection. She is the Executive Director of Faunalytics, an organization that conducts and shares research to support animal advocacy. Previously, she worked for the Foundation for Animal Care and Education and the Animal Protection and Rescue League. She is passionate about volunteerism, having served as a board member for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and HandsOn San Diego. In addition to her volunteerism with TPP, she is a member of Women Funders in Animal Rights and provides mentorship support through her alma mater’s student services program. In 2022, she was honored as one of the “40 Top Business Leaders Under 40” by the San Diego Business Journal. Brooke holds an MA in Human Behavior and a BA in English, along with certifications in Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Strategic Management.

A quote that inspires Brooke: “To leave the world a bit better, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I choose to serve as a grant advisor because I love The Pollination Project’s approach in supporting and elevating passionate dreamers who are making an impact through community-driven change.

Rachel Singel

USA
Arts & Culture
Grant Advisor since 2026

As an artist and Associate Professor at the University of Louisville, Rachel Singel works at the intersection of fine art and environmental activism. Her practice focuses on ecological printmaking and papermaking, where she transforms recycled materials—like old cotton shirts and linen sheets—and invasive plant fibers into handmade paper. By repurposing invasive species and utilizing non-toxic methods, she aims to promote a culture of sustainability.

Sol Guerrero

Argentina
Arts & Culture
Grant Advisor since 2026

Sol Guerrero works at the intersection of arts, mental health, and community practice. As a psychiatrist, researcher, and dramatherapist, she develops creative spaces where people can explore emotions, strengthen resilience, and build collective care through artistic expression. Her research and teaching focus on how arts-based practices can contribute to wellbeing and social transformation.

A quote that inspires Sol: “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.” —bell hooks

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to serve as a grant advisor because I deeply believe in the power of community-led initiatives. Many meaningful transformations begin with small ideas and committed people. Supporting those initiatives through thoughtful funding decisions is a way to amplify voices, creativity, and collective care.

Emmanuel Obua a.k.a. Tim Darsh

Uganda
Arts & Culture
Grant Advisor since 2026

Emmanuel Obua a.k.a. Tim Darsh is a musical artist, writer, and poet from Uganda in East Africa. He is the leader of Rhythms of Change, a project that uses arts and music as a tool for youth empowerment and social justice.

Aniebiet Akpan

Nigeria
Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2026

Aniebiet Akpan is a Nigerian entrepreneur and economic development advocate. He is also a 2023 recipient of the TPP grant.

Elisha Stanslaus

Tanzania
Economic Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2026

Dr. Hilary Ewang Ngide

Cameroon
Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2026

Dr. Hilary Ewang Ngide has spent the last seventeen years working towards enlisting the effective participation of communities and stakeholders in piloting and sustaining social and economic empowerment interventions merged with the promotion of environmental sustainability. As an experienced development professional, researcher, nonprofit leader, and conservation practitioner, he strongly agrees with Wangari Maathai that “The environment and the economy are really both two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.”

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I am joining TPP as a Grant Advisor because I share in their objectives and it is also an opportunity to contribute towards making the world a better place.

Ngang God’swill

Cameroon
Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2026

Ngang God’swill N. is a Cameroonian development practitioner and humanitarian professional. With several years of experience in program coordination, resource mobilization, grants management, and community-driven development, he works at the intersection of theory, policy, and practice. His work focuses on strengthening local systems, supporting vulnerable communities, and designing interventions that respond to lived realities of peoples and communities. As a changemaker, he believes true and sustainable development must be locally rooted, dignity-centered, and holistically transformative.

Sheri Munsell

USA
Economic Development
Grant Advisor since 2026

For over 20 years, Sheri Munsell’s life has been dedicated to service. She builds systems that create real opportunity for youth, adults, and families who have been overlooked, underestimated, or locked out of access. Her work sits at the intersection of workforce development, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility.

A quote that inspires Sheri: “Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” —Swami Sivananda

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to serve as a grant advisor because I know all too well what it feels like to have a big vision to help the world but struggle to secure the funding to make it happen. I have lived the frustration of hitting wall after wall, knowing the work matters but not having the resources to move it forward. I wanted to be part of changing that. I wanted to help new and grassroots nonprofits push past those barriers and finally get the support they deserve to bring their ideas to life.

Ekele Ojonugwa Abraham

Nigeria
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2026

Ekele Ojonugwa Abraham is an educator from Nigeria who works at the intersection of skills development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable community growth. He leads initiatives that strengthen industry alignment, promote green and future-ready skills, and expand access to practical education for youth and women in resource-constrained settings. His journey with grassroots impact began not as a reviewer, but as a collaborator and changemaker working within local education initiatives. Those experiences shaped his belief that meaningful change often starts small, with committed individuals responding to real community needs.

A quote that inspires Ekele: “Small acts, when multiplied by many people, can transform the world.”

Ekele serves as a grant advisor because he believes grassroots leaders deserve thoughtful, compassionate, and context-sensitive review. For him, Heartivism means combining empathy with discernment to uplift community-driven solutions that create lasting impact.

James Amugsi

Ghana
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2026

James Amugsi is passionate about advancing access to quality education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for underserved communities. He has led a team to raise funds from local sources to support educational and health infrastructure in his community, a feat he is very proud of. He looks forward to rendering his selfless services to a larger audience in his new role with TPP.

Naman Dedhia

India
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2026

Naman Dedhia is the Regional Liaison for Asia at the Plant Based Treaty. A Computer Science Engineer by education, he has been active in the vegan and animal advocacy space for over seven years. His work focuses on connecting technology, policy, and grassroots action to accelerate progress toward sustainable food systems. He supports coordination between the Plant Based Treaty and policymakers across Asia to advance food security and delivers lectures at institutions. He also advises global teams on technology strategy and helps manage campaigns and operational initiatives in India and several other countries in the region.

A quote that inspires Naman: “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Many impactful grassroots projects remain underfunded, particularly in regions where resources are limited but commitment is strong. As a grant advisor, I want to help ensure that funding reaches changemakers who are building practical solutions in their communities.

Puvvani Harish

India
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2026

Puvvani Harish is a grassroots development practitioner from India and the Associate Director of CROSS (Community Reconstruction of Social Service), working closely with Dalit, tribal, and marginalized rural communities in Andhra Pradesh. His journey in social development began at a young age, and over the years he has been deeply involved in women empowerment, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy solutions, and after-school education support for vulnerable children. Through his initiatives, he has had the opportunity to support more than 5,000 rural families by promoting sustainable livelihoods, biogas systems, farm forestry models, and women-led micro-enterprises. He strongly believes that real development must be community-driven, inclusive, and rooted in dignity and long-term sustainability.

A quote that inspires Puvvani: “Service is not an act, it is a responsibility we choose every day.”

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to serve as a grant advisor because I understand the realities at the grassroots level. I want to ensure that funding reaches genuine, community-based efforts that create lasting impact. Being part of the grant advisor team allows me to contribute my field experience and help channel resources toward meaningful and transformative change.

Rameshwar Fundipalle

India
Education & Schools
Grant Advisor since 2026

Rameshwar Fundipalle is a dedicated development practitioner and social impact professional from Maharashtra, India, focused on education, digital inclusion, disability support, and community empowerment. He is a proud two-time grantee of The Pollination Project (2019 and 2020) for projects including Transforming the Cottage School into Digital School, which brought quality digital education to children of small and poor farmers in rural areas. Currently, he serves as Corporate Partnerships Manager at Y4D Foundation, where he drives CSR collaborations, project management, and sustainable social initiatives. Previously, he held roles such as General Manager Operations at Navkshitij, an organization supporting mentally challenged adults, and Global Youth Ambassador initiatives. His work emphasizes alleviating poverty through education, fostering corporate-social partnerships, and creating lasting change for underprivileged communities.

A quote that inspires Rameshwar: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” —Mahatma Gandhi

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I choose to serve as a grant advisor for The Pollination Project because it embodies the power of small, compassionate grants to spark big transformations—something I experienced firsthand as a grantee. Having seen how seed funding can empower grassroots changemakers in underserved areas like rural India, I am passionate about supporting others in turning their ideas into impactful realities. Advising allows me to give back, share lessons from my own journey in education and social development, and help identify promising projects that align with TPP’s mission of kindness, equity, and community-driven change. It’s a privilege to contribute to a global network that believes in the potential of every individual to create positive impact.

Doriens Cedric Andriamananarivo

Madagascar
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2026

As a Forestry Engineer, Doriens Cedric Andriamananarivo’s work is dedicated to the vital balance between human progress and nature’s resilience. He focuses on the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, ensuring that natural resources are protected for future generations while supporting the communities that depend on them. His role as a changemaker is rooted in applying technical science to real-world environmental challenges, turning conservation theory into tangible growth.

A quote that inspires Cédric: “The best time to plant a tree was 3 years ago with community. The second best time is now.”

Cédric chose to serve as a grant advisor to ensure that grassroots projects are ecologically sound and built to last. He is passionate about identifying initiatives that respect the complexity of the environment and helping provide the resources necessary to scale their impact from the ground up.

Aseka Lance

Cameroon
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2026

As an agriculture engineer and conservationist from Cameroon, Aseka Lance has dedicated over six years to empowering vulnerable communities across the Mbam et Djerem and Campo Ma’an Landscapes in Cameroon. His work focuses on restoring biodiversity and strengthening food systems through agroforestry, tree planting, and nutrition education. By combining scientific expertise with community-driven approaches, he helps youth and women acquire practical skills that enable them to lead sustainable initiatives and improve their livelihoods. His changemaking journey is rooted in the belief that ecological restoration and social empowerment go hand in hand, creating more resilient communities capable of shaping a healthier and more sustainable future.

A quote that inspires Aseka: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” —Mahatma Gandhi

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
In my early career, managing and implementing projects was not easy. Over time, as I gained more theoretical and field experience, I realized the importance of giving back to the community. Serving as a grant advisor is deeply meaningful to me because it aligns with my belief in amplifying grassroots voices and supporting innovative initiatives that create lasting impact. This role allows me to share my expertise while helping others transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.

Sujata Nepal

Nepal
Environment & Climate
Grant Advisor since 2026

Sujata Nepal is a development professional from Nepal. She has been actively involved in the environment and climate sector for nearly a decade, working with farmers and local communities to promote environmental sustainability, climate justice, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Her work focuses on improving soil health, reducing excessive chemical use, strengthening community resilience, and raising awareness about climate change and environmental protection at the grassroots level. As a grant advisor, she is committed to supporting emerging changemakers in developing impactful environmental initiatives and advancing locally driven solutions for a more sustainable and climate-just future.

Azeez Ramon

Nigeria (currently residing in the UK)
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2026

Azeez Ramon is a healthcare professional and media practitioner with experience spanning health and social care, journalism, and digital publishing. He has worked both on the frontline as a Health Care Assistant in the UK and as a publisher and founder of an online community journalism platform, using storytelling to highlight underrepresented voices. As the founder of Community Gist (Nigeria) and The Black Lens UK, he focuses on building platforms that inform, empower, and support immigrants and underrepresented communities through credible information and practical resources. His work is driven by a commitment to dignity, equity, and access to opportunity.

A quote that inspires Azeez: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” —Mahatma Gandhi

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
I chose to serve as a grant advisor because I believe access to funding can transform ideas into impact. I am passionate about supporting changemakers who are deeply rooted in their communities and who understand the lived realities of the people they serve. Being part of the grant advisor team allows me to contribute my perspective, amplify innovative grassroots solutions, and help ensure that resources reach those creating meaningful and sustainable change.

Moraa Beryl

Kenya
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2026

Moraa Beryl is a public health professional and program operations specialist from Kenya. She brings extensive experience in grants administration, financial tracking, partner engagement, and monitoring and evaluation, supporting grassroots organizations advancing gender justice and community-led change. As a changemaker, she is passionate about strengthening equitable access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and expanding opportunities for women, girls, and communities.

A quote that inspires Moraa: “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But of the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.'” —Lao Tzu

Moraa serves as a grant advisor to help channel resources to grassroots leaders designing community-centered solutions to their most pressing challenges. Moraa believes sustainable change happens when communities lead their own transformation.

Moyosoore Osoba

Nigeria (currently residing in Canada)
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2026

Moyosoore Osoba is a dentist who has led health research and projects focused on emerging infectious diseases, tobacco smoking, and oral health. He is passionate about equity and oral healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities, and has worked to bridge the access gap in Lagos and Ondo States of Nigeria. Moyosoore believes that it is possible to do great things from a small place, and this has informed his joining the TPP grant advisors role to help identify projects that have the potential to impact their immediate communities while upholding the core values at TPP.

Amb. Ndifreke Andrew-Essien

Nigeria
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2026

Amb. Ndifreke Andrew-Essien (Freky) has over fifteen years of experience as a professional in the non-profit sector. She is the Founding Executive Director of Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation, known as FAECARE Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on providing step-gap support services to vulnerable groups in communities. She is the coordinator of BOLD Hearts Initiative for Beautiful Outstanding Ladies with Disabilities, a support group network for women with disabilities in Nigeria. She is a Child and Disability Rights Advocate who identifies as a woman with disability, currently using a wheelchair due to mobility impairment from Spinal Cord Injury. She is a pioneer of various interventions, initiatives, projects, and programs, serving on various boards and forming networks to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, especially women with disabilities. She is a Public Health Professional currently pursuing her PhD. She has consulted, volunteered, and worked with international and local organizations in various capacities. She is a certified management consultant with specialization in Non-Profit Leadership Management, a disability advocate, John Maxwell Team member, public speaker, and facilitator of workshops and seminars. She holds a BSc and Masters in Human Physiology and Public Health with various training and certifications. She is a Peace Ambassador, member of CANEP, Recording Artist, and Music Minister.

Monica Juma

Kenya
Equity & Human Rights
Grant Advisor since 2026

Monica Juma is the founder of Monica Juma Caregiver, an organization that focuses on children of incarcerated parents. The organization addresses the emotional, social, and practical challenges they face, such as stigma and loneliness, by providing consistent support grounded in dignity, compassion, and equity, ensuring the children’s voices remain at the center of its service.

A quote that inspires Monica: “People will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Having been on the receiving end of The Pollination Project, I saw firsthand how transformative and impactful this grant was to our grassroots project. I would like to steward responsibly the same process that once supported our service by making sure I contribute my experience and insight to help others and help The Pollination Project reach its ultimate goal.

Dr. Babatunde Bale

Nigeria
Health & Wholeness
Grant Advisor since 2026

Dr. Babatunde Bale is a Nigerian optometrist, data analyst, researcher, public health advocate, and changemaker committed to advancing equitable access to quality eye care. As the co-founder of The R.E.T.I.N.A Initiative, he plays a multifaceted role spanning clinical service delivery, program development, research, and strategic leadership, with a focus on designing sustainable interventions that strengthen eye health systems and improve outcomes in underserved communities. Beyond his organizational work, he is deeply invested in academic growth, research development, and mentorship, supporting students and young professionals in building capacity for impactful healthcare practice.

A quote that inspires Babatunde: “You do not lose, you only learn what doesn’t work.”

Nadia Cobo

Albania
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2026

Nadia Cobo is a civil society leader and women’s rights advocate from Albania, with over a decade of experience in community development, gender equality, and grassroots advocacy. She serves as Executive Director of the Center for Equality and Inclusion (CEI), where she leads initiatives focused on empowering marginalized women and girls, strengthening access to justice, and promoting active participation in democratic processes. Her work bridges local action with international frameworks, collaborating with municipalities, universities, youth groups, and regional networks to address gender-based violence, social exclusion, and misinformation. She has designed and implemented projects that combine advocacy, public awareness campaigns, capacity building, and storytelling as tools for social transformation. She strongly believes in participatory approaches that place community voices at the center of change. Throughout her career, she has supported rural women, young leaders, and survivors of violence to build confidence, claim their rights, and influence decision-making spaces. Her changemaking philosophy is rooted in sustainability, collaboration, and the belief that small, well-supported initiatives can create lasting systemic impact.

A quote that inspires Nadia: “Small actions, when multiplied by many people, can transform the world.”

Nadia serves as a grant advisor because she believes in the transformative power of grassroots initiatives. By reviewing and supporting early-stage ideas, she contributes to creating opportunities for innovative, community-driven solutions to grow and reach their full potential.

Rachel Nyasha Charakupa

Zimbabwe
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2026

Rachel Nyasha Charakupa holds a Bachelor of Business Management and Information Technology (Honours) degree and has completed several professional programmes, including Women’s Leadership for Community Development and Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice. She brings over five years of experience working in gender equality and girls’ rights. Rachel Nyasha currently serves as the Executive Director of Full of Life Trust (FOLIT), a community-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering young people both in and out of school with comprehensive information and education on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Menstrual Health and Hygiene. Her work sits at the intersection of public health, gender equity, and youth empowerment, reflecting a strong commitment to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent young people from accessing essential health information and resources.

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Having navigated the funding landscape as a nonprofit founder, I understand firsthand how challenging it can be for organisations—particularly small and emerging ones—to access the resources they need to sustain and grow their impact. I believe that no organisation doing meaningful work should be held back simply due to a lack of funding opportunities. Being able to recognise and elevate the work of grassroots organisations doing vital work in their communities is an opportunity I truly value, and I hope that through this process, I can help ensure that meaningful work does not go unsupported.

Shelby Mack

USA
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2026

Shelby Mack’s work centers on creating opportunities for people to access education, leadership, and community support. At Loyola University Chicago, she supports alumni and volunteer leaders connected to more than $450,000 in scholarship funding and helps design initiatives that strengthen engagement and community across the university. Earlier in her career, she worked closely with first-generation and transfer students, supporting them through college access and persistence. She also co-founded Ujima Youth in Action, where she helped coordinate youth development programs and partnerships with the University of Ghana and the University of California Education Abroad Program, work that was recognized with the UCEAP Emerging Leadership Award in Accra, Ghana. She also serves as Board Administrator and Membership Chair for Seaside Sanctuary Inc., supporting board governance and membership engagement for a nonprofit focused on community wellness and empowerment. In 2019, she was a grant recipient for the African American Female Excellence (AAFE) Program, an initiative supporting Black girls through peace building, mentorship, and performing arts programming. That experience inspired her commitment to supporting grassroots leaders as a grant advisor.

A quote that inspires Shelby: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X

Joanna Drew

USA
Women & Girls Empowerment
Grant Advisor since 2026

Joanna is a Chicago-born grant and AI strategist. She joined TPP in 2026 after securing over $4 million in funding for grassroots nonprofits through her firm, Hilo Consulting. Her work spans three continents and includes supporting Indigenous girls’ education in rural Guatemala and partnering with Global Fund for Women. Joanna believes that grant writing shouldn’t be a gatekeeping mechanism, as deserving community leaders with transformative ideas often lack the resources to navigate philanthropic systems. As a TPP Advisor, she is committed to helping local changemakers overcome these barriers and access the seed funding that turns their visions into reality.

A quote that inspires Joanna: “Only from the heart can you touch the sky.” —Rumi

Christine Ombima

Kenya
Arts & Culture
Grant Advisor since 2026

Christine Ombima is a mental health advocate, community development practitioner, creative, and founder of Stand Out 4 Mental Health, a lived-experience–led organization working to reduce stigma and promote psychosocial well-being among young people through the use of expressive art therapy, structured play and peer support. Through expressive art therapy, she leverages art as a tool for healing, storytelling, and community engagement, creating safe spaces where individuals can express, process, and reimagine their mental health journeys. Her work is rooted in the belief that creativity can be a powerful bridge to both personal and collective healing.

A quote that inspires Christine:
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein

Why did you choose to serve as a grant advisor?
Having experienced the impact of grassroots support and community-driven funding through being a grantee at TPP, I understand how catalytic the right opportunity can be for a changemaker. Serving as a grant advisor allows me to contribute to a process that uplifts bold, locally rooted ideas and ensures that diverse voices and lived experiences are meaningfully represented. I am especially passionate about supporting initiatives that center dignity, creativity, and mental well-being, and I see this role as a way to steward impact beyond my own work.