Meet Our Team

Staff
Board of Directors
Advisory Board

Staff
Board of Directors
Advisory Board

Our Staff

Alli Pemerl

Manager, Education

Alli Pemerl

Manager, Education

Alli Pemerl brings ten years of teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools in Washington State, Thailand and Tanzania to the We Care Solar education team. She spent half a year interning with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots, a community-based environmental education program in Tanzania, where she worked with school clubs to implement community and environmental projects. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Humanities and a Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 Education. Since moving to the Bay Area, Alli has transitioned to a career focus in organizational capacity building and program management with non-profit organizations. She is excited to continue her passion for educating youth and her desire to bring renewable energy sources to communities with our Solar Solutionaries® program.

Dr. Ambrose Katungi Muhwezi, MD, MPH

Senior Director, Healthcare

Dr. Ambrose Katungi Muhwezi, MD, MPH

Senior Director, Healthcare

Ambrose Katungi Muhwezi, MD, MPH, Senior Director of Healthcare Programs, has progressive knowledge and experience in delivering maternal and newborn clinical services, program management for both government and private sector, and working with government at national, regional and district levels using a health system strengthening approach. Prior to joining We Care Solar, Ambrose worked with Doctors with Africa CUAMM in Uganda as Technical Advisor for Maternal, Newborn Health and Tuberculosis. Prior to CUAMM, Ambrose was the medical officer and national trainer for reproductive health for the Ministry of Health in several districts throughout Uganda, witnessing first hand the challenges of providing care in poorly lit health facilities. He holds a Bachelors of Human Medicine and Surgery from Gulu University in Uganda, a Masters in Public Health from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Care Management and Leadership from Eaton Business School in UAE. He has a well-built passion for safe motherhood, and We Care Solar’s mission and his role allow him to reach under-privileged communities and contribute to safe motherhood in order to avert maternal and newborn mortality in Africa and beyond.

Anna Gomberg, MENG, MTEACH

Senior Manager, Education

Anna Gomberg, MENG, MTEACH

Senior Manager, Education

Anna Gomberg, a passionate Oakland Unified School District veteran Environmental Science teacher, has played a key role in both the creation of We Care Solar’s classroom curriculum and professional development workshop content. She has worked with researchers at the Lawrence Hall of Science to develop curriculum and teach for the National Science Foundation funded EPICC and YESS programs which both aimed to investigate ways of promoting STEM career opportunities and interest for low income youth of color using the Solar Suitcase as a key component.

As Senior Program Manager for Solar Education at We Care Solar she is keen to expand access to the inspiring hands-on; climate justice and globally minded opportunities the curriculum provides. Anna grew up in the UK where she studied Materials Science at Oxford University as an undergraduate and remained to complete a Masters in Engineering (MEng); she then went on to train as a teacher at the University of London Institute of Education where she received a second Masters in Teaching (MTeach).

Becky Goldberg, MS Ed

Strategic Lead, Education

Becky Goldberg, MS Ed

Strategic Lead, Education

Becky Goldberg, MS.Ed., Strategic Lead of Education, has worked in STEM education for over a decade, designing and leading programs that connect learning to real-world relevance. She first engaged with the program as a We Care Solar Teacher, an experience that inspired her commitment to expanding access to hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Prior to joining the We Care Solar team, Becky served as Executive Director of the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, a STEM education nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between classroom content and real-world context through high-dosage mentorship. She began her career as a middle school math teacher and STEM Coordinator, and now brings her classroom perspective and nonprofit leadership to her role at We Care Solar. Becky received a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Secondary Mathematics and STEM from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Global Health from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Brandon Auger

Senior Manager, Finance

Brandon Auger

Senior Manager, Finance

Brandon Auger, Senior Finance Manager, brings six years of accounting and finance experience to the We Care Solar team, having previously worked for a large public accounting firm followed by an investment management firm in Massachusetts. Upon relocating to Colorado where he currently resides, Brandon became involved with grassroots environmental organizations and nonprofits on a volunteer basis. He worked for a local anti-hunger organization for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic where he designed and implemented sustainability initiatives and sought to address dietary restrictions in the community. Brandon graduated summa cum laude with dual bachelor’s degrees in History and Accounting.

Brent Moellenberg

Director, Engineering

Brent Moellenberg

Director, Engineering

Brent Moellenberg, Director of Engineering, is a mechanical engineer who especially enjoys working in the renewable energy field. He has over 15 years of engineering industry experience, in of range of disciplines including renewable energy, MRI hardware design, agriculture testing, and computer hardware/software engineering. Beginning in 2005, Brent devoted much of his spare time to Engineers Without Borders, with whom he travelled to help with sustainable power systems within the developing world. He has also created remote solar monitoring solutions, currently used in both commercial as well as developing world settings. Brent joined our team as lead engineer in 2010, when we traveled to Haiti on a Solar Suitcase program. Since that time, he has travelled to Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda and Ethiopia, installing Solar Suitcases, training technicians and conducting field research. Brent has been instrumental in improving the design, installation and monitoring of our robust, portable Solar Suitcases.

Chloë Noonan

Manager, Development & Communications

Chloë Noonan

Manager, Development & Communications

Chloë joined the We Care Solar team in April 2024, leveraging her experience as a Marketing Communications Manager at Raphael House, where she interviewed families experiencing homelessness and managed databases. She began her nonprofit journey with FACETS Multi-Media, serving as a Program intern for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and later becoming the Hospitality Coordinator for the festival. Chloë holds a BA in Communications & Media with minors in Art History and PR & Advertising from DePaul University. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks, culinary experiments, and perfecting her Italian language skills. Chloë draws inspiration from We Care Solar's mission to make solar power accessible to all.

Clark Andres, MBA

Manager, Logistics & Operations

Clark Andres, MBA

Manager, Logistics & Operations

Clark Andres, MBA, began his international work while living in rural Brazil and the Dominican Republic, where he collaborated with grassroots organizations on sustainable services and public health projects. His career in solar began in 2018 as a volunteer with Wild Solar, delivering off-grid field stations custom-built for conservation projects with community development outcomes in Botswana, Kenya, and Niger. Clark holds an MBA from the Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy.

Eunice Priscilla Mwandira

Country Manager, Malawi

Eunice Priscilla Mwandira

Country Manager, Malawi

Eunice Priscilla Mwandira has deep knowledge and vast experience in health care service provision and project management relating to Sexual and Reproductive Health. Prior to joining We Care Solar, Eunice worked for different non-governmental organizations, including Management Sciences for Health (MSH) on a national evaluation of Malawi Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Program, Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization (MACRO) on Key Priority Population Prevention Program, and UNC on Cervical Cancer Screening Preventive Therapy. Eunice has a nursing background with several years of experience as a senior nurse in district settings. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Management (Health Systems Strengthening major) from Kamuzu University of Health Science, formerly known as College of Medicine. Eunice is passionate about the well-being of the under-privileged groups in the community. She is a huge supporter of community health, aligning with her conviction that we can uplift the lives of the community by advocating for rural, underserved, and disenfranchised groups.

Fatima Musa

Regional Coordinator, North West Nigeria

Fatima Musa

Regional Coordinator, North West Nigeria

Fatima Musa is a seasoned IT and administrative professional with over 10 years of experience advancing humanitarian aid and service delivery across Nigeria. As North West Regional Coordinator for We Care Solar, she leads solar-powered healthcare initiatives by coordinating stakeholder engagement, driving strategic communications, and ensuring operational compliance. Her career spans key roles in USAID-funded projects, where she expertly managed IT systems, procurement, and the deployment of technologies across hundreds of health facilities. Fatima possesses deep expertise in cloud security, data management, and office infrastructure, coupled with a proven ability to enhance team efficiency and uphold organizational integrity. She holds advanced degrees in Information Technology, Master's in Information Management, and Master's in Public Administration, alongside certifications in CompTIA Security+, ITIL 4, and Certified Lead Cyber Security Management. A dynamic team leader and solution-driven strategist, Fatima is passionate about leveraging technology to empower underserved communities and deliver lasting impact in health and development.

Feza Kabasweka Greene, MSc

Deputy Director, Healthcare

Feza Kabasweka Greene, MSc

Deputy Director, Healthcare

Feza Kabasweka Greene, MSc, Deputy Director of Africa Programs, has a background in impact research and policy analysis. She joined We Care Solar in 2017, serving first as a Program Officer and then as the Uganda Program Manager. Prior to We Care Solar, she worked with Innovations for Poverty Action as a Research Associate on a project that evaluated the impact of the digital sub-wallets on women’s financial empowerment. She has also worked with International Growth Center-London School of Economics' policy think tank based at Bank of Uganda, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), Grameen Foundation, DFID and Economic Policy Research Center. Feza holds an MSc in Africa and International Development from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in Economics (summa cum laude) from American University in Cairo. Feza is passionate about development innovations and programs that bring about tremendous and sustainable change in Africa like the We Care Solar Suitcase.

Gigi Goldman, MBA

Co-Founder & Strategic Advisor, Education

Gigi Goldman, MBA

Co-Founder & Strategic Advisor, Education

Gigi Goldman, MBA. Co-Director and Co-Founder of We Care Solar's education program. After a decade of honing best business practices in marketing and general management at classic consumer goods companies, General Mills, Inc and Minnetonka Corp., Gigi launched her own SBA-backed, consumer products company. G.I., Inc.distributed international products to top department stores nationwide for 15 years, achieving over $15 million in retail sales. Practicing social entrepreneurship, Gigi now consults with non-profit and social business organizations helping them to achieve their goals. In 2013, she co-founded the We Share Solar Education Program while serving on the board of We Care Solar. Gigi has a BA in English Literature from Carleton College and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management.

Hal Aronson, PhD

Co-Founder & Senior Advisor

Hal Aronson, PhD

Co-Founder & Senior Advisor

Hal Aronson, Ph.D, Senior Advisor is the co-founder of We Care Solar. He also co-founded We Share Solar, our educational program that empowers youth to learn about solar energy and build Solar Suitcases for schools, serving as the program's co-director for ten years. Hal has taught renewable energy in the Bay Area and around California for over 13 years. He co-created Solar Schoolhouse, bringing solar curriculum to schools throughout California, and also created California Youth Energy Services, a service learning program that now employs one hundred youth a year as energy-efficient retrofitters. Hal leads professional development workshops for educators, and developed training programs at Solar Richmond and Solar Energy International. Hal installed the first legal residential solar electric system in Santa Cruz County (in 1983). He obtained his Ph.D. in environmental sociology from UCSC; his dissertation focused on environmental justice. Email: hal@wecaresolar.org.

Idara Sunday

Regional Coordinator, North Central Nigeria

Idara Sunday

Regional Coordinator, North Central Nigeria

Idara Sunday is a monitoring and evaluation specialist and public health professional with experience in program design, implementation, and reporting. She has supported donor-funded projects with organizations including EngenderHealth, Hayok Medicare, Society for Family Health, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi), and Family Health International (FHI 360), advancing data management, capacity building, and health systems strengthening. Idara has expertise in digital health systems and is a strong advocate for maternal health, with a commitment to improving health outcomes across Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Master’s in Information Management.

Idrissa Tarawally

Consultant, Sierra Leone

Idrissa Tarawally

Consultant, Sierra Leone

Idrissa Tarawally is a highly skilled electrical and solar technician with 17 years of diverse experience across electrical systems, solar energy solutions, and technical operations in both the private and public sectors. He is an organized and results-oriented professional who excels at identifying deficiencies and uncovering opportunities to enhance the functionality and installation of solar electrical systems. Idrissa has an in-depth understanding of contemporary electrical and solar energy standards and installation requirements, with strong expertise in coordination, stakeholder management, and program management.

Janel Ridley, MSc

Associate, Development

Janel Ridley, MSc

Associate, Development

Janel has a background in sociology and policy research. She joined We Care Solar in 2026, focusing on database management, grant operations, and fundraising systems. Before joining, she spent over 10 years in nonprofit development and operations across fintech-adjacent, culturally informed sustainable relief, and arts-access organizations, building CRM architecture and fundraising infrastructure that supported seven- to -eight-figure annual budgets. She holds an MSc in Public Policy and Organizational Management from King's College London and a BA in Sociology, Social Justice & Social Policy, and Anthropology from Brandeis University. Janel is passionate about building the systems behind the mission, so that organizations doing life-changing work can focus on the work itself, just like We Care Solar.

Dr. Julie Yemi-Jonathan, MD, MPH

Country Director, Nigeria

Dr. Julie Yemi-Jonathan, MD, MPH

Country Director, Nigeria

Julie Yemi-Jonathan, MD, MPH, Nigeria Country Director, is a physician with robust experience in public health program design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. A strong healthcare service professional with a MD and MPH from University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, she has over a decade of experience in the public health sector and has managed, coordinated, and implemented projects funded by the Global Fund, USAID, and UNITAID throughout southern Nigeria. Prior to joining the We Care Solar team, Julie worked with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) where she led a cervical cancer secondary prevention program and was previously with FHI 360, where she advanced integrated delivery of HIV/AIDS services. Julie is passionate about maternal and child health and is committed to improving health outcomes across Nigeria.

Kim Gordon, MA

Director, Operations

Kim Gordon, MA

Director, Operations

Kim Gordon, MA, Director of Operations, has supported our Solar Suitcase programs since 2013. She holds a Bachelor Degree in International Affairs and a Master Degree in Global Finance and Economic Integration. Over the past twenty years, she has worked with Village Enterprise, Kiva, Vittana, and many other non-profits to improve quality of life in rural communities in Asia, South America, and Africa. Kim loves to travel and has lived, worked, and/or traveled to over fifty countries.

Kristen McBrien

Minnesota Program Liasion

Kristen McBrien

Minnesota Program Liasion

Kristen McBrien has joined the WSS team as the Minnesota Program Liaison. She is a chemistry teacher at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN and during the summer of 2019, was part of the first Minnesota Solar Suitcase teacher cohort. She has been teaching the WSS curriculum and building Solar Suitcases every fall since. She has worked with us on teacher training in Florida and Minnesota and has provided invaluable feedback on curriculum and program design. She is a solar leader at her school, helping to facilitate and host an educational community event to celebrate the newly acquired solar panels on her school as part of the Minnesota Solar on Schools bill. Students were able to showcase the Solar Suitcase.

In her position as Minnesota Program Liaison Kristen provides support to Minnesota teachers as they implement the WSS curriculum and build suitcases with their students. She is available as a resource who can answer questions or help with ideas for use of student built classroom Solar Suitcases.

Away from school and We Share Solar work, Kristen is a keen gardener with a home full of preserved fruit and vegetables. She lives with her husband and two teenage sons.

Dr. Laura E. Stachel, MD, MPH, DrPH

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Laura E. Stachel, MD, MPH, DrPH

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Laura E. Stachel, M.D., Dr.P.H., Executive Director, the co-founder of We Care Solar, is a former obstetrician-gynecologist with fourteen years of clinical experience. She holds an MD from the University of California, San Francisco and a DrPH. in Maternal and Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Laura was the Associate Director of Emergency Obstetric Research in West Africa for the Bixby Center for Population Health and Sustainability. She was the P.I. on a MacArthur Foundation project on We Care Solar Suitcase usage in Nigeria and Uganda, and was co-investigator for a collaborative Population Council study that assessed the standard of maternity care in Nigerian state hospitals. Laura was a staff researcher at the Blum Center for Developing Economies at U.C. Berkeley. She serves on the Editorial Board for the Berkeley Wellness Letter and co-chaired an international working group on Energy and Health for the UN Foundation. Laura has won numerous awards including the 2024 AARP Purpose Prize, Forbes 50 over 50, 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize, 2017 UN Momentum for Change: Lighthouse Award, 2017 Drucker Prize, Bloomberg New Energy Pioneers, the 2017 National Energy Globe Award, the 2015 UN DESA “Powering the Future We Want” Award, the 2015 UBS Optimus Award, the UCSF Alumni Award, the UC Berkeley School of Public Health Influencers Award, the C3E Leadership in Developing Countries Award, and the Top-Ten 2013 CNN Heroes award, and many others.

Lilian Burchard

Administrative Assistant, Tanzania

Lilian Burchard

Administrative Assistant, Tanzania

Lilian Burchard is an Administrative professional with a degree in Community Development from the Institute of Rural Development Planning and experience in administrative support roles. She brings strong organizational coordination and office management skills, ensuring efficient and well-structured operations. She is detail-oriented, reliable, and effective in communication, contributing to smooth collaboration across teams and the flow of daily activities.

With a strong foundation in community development, she understands the importance of people-centered and sustainable approaches in organizational work. She is committed to professionalism, excellence, and continuous improvement, and takes pride in contributing to a positive, productive, and impactful work environment.

Lucinda Congolo

Country Manager, Mozambique

Lucinda Congolo

Country Manager, Mozambique

Lucinda Francisco Congolo has extensive expertise in project management, partnership development, and women empowerment. She has effectively collaborated with governmental entities and private institutions to implement impactful initiatives and is proficient in budget oversight, donor relations, and program design. With a strong emphasis on gender inclusion, she specializes in enhancing the capacities of Mozambican businesswomen through comprehensive training, coaching, and mentorship. As a curriculum specialist, Lucinda has meticulously developed and refined both in-person and remote training programs that foster skills in entrepreneurship, finance, and gender. Lucinda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, specializing in Finance, and is an alumna of Global Women in Management (GWIM). Before joining We Care Solar, she worked with various NGOs and private firms, including TechnoServe Mozambique, GreenLight Africa, Mundi Consulting, and CALUA Consultoria Lda. She is dedicated to promoting the empowerment of women and the well-being of communities.

Maulid Ramadhan

Zonal Coordinator, Lake Zone Tanzania

Maulid Ramadhan

Zonal Coordinator, Lake Zone Tanzania

Maulid Ramadhan is an education and community development specialist with over seven years of experience in community health, education in emergency settings, digital learning and healthcare services. He has extensive field experience and has worked with different organizations including Touch Health, Ubongo Learning and International Rescue Committee to deliver impactful solutions to off-grid and underserved communities across Tanzania. Maulid has a proven track record of managing large-scale projects, particularly in community health and education. He has experience in leading local partnerships, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, training educators, healthworkers and ensuring program sustainability. He has extensive experience in monitoring and evaluation where he has been able to use data to improve projects outcomes. He has successfully led projects in rural areas, working with diverse stakeholders to improve access to quality education and healthcare. Maulid is passionate about scaling impactful education and healthcare solutions and fostering collaborative environments for lasting success. He is deeply committed to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly youth who he believes are the foundation of future generations. Maulid holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and brings a wealth of field experience in the education and health sectors.

Pamela Rwezaura, MPH

Country Manager, Tanzania

Pamela Rwezaura, MPH

Country Manager, Tanzania

Pamela Rwezaura is a multidisciplinary development expert with over 15 years’ experience in program management, strategy design, coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation. Pamela has experience implementing development projects across multiple sectors including health, human rights, financial inclusion, gender and economic empowerment. Pamela holds a Master degree in Public Health from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Prior to joining We Care Solar Pamela worked for many international organizations including Social Solutions International, Care International, Africare and recently with the Pan African Lawyers Union where she led research and analysis, managed strategic partnerships and relationships and provided grants management support to the program team. Pamela is passionate about working with communities and creating lasting impact that improves people’s lives for the better. Pamela also loves innovation, learning new skills, travelling, dancing, listening to music and spending time with family.

Parmod Chandna

Chief Financial Officer

Parmod Chandna

Chief Financial Officer

Parmod Chandna is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 30 years of global leadership experience, including two decades advancing health, education, and economic empowerment across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. He has successfully scaled mission-driven organizations, led international operations, and built sustainable development models grounded in operational excellence and local capacity building. Parmod brings deep expertise in finance, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth, and currently serves as CFO at We Care Solar, where he supports the organization’s mission.

Patrick Elungat, MSc

Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Patrick Elungat, MSc

Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Patrick Elungat, MSc, serves as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist at We Care Solar, contributing nearly a decade of experience in international development. His core expertise lies in designing and executing robust MEL systems for high-impact public health programs, with specialized focus on Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH), HIV/AIDS differentiated service delivery, epidemic response, and health supply chain logistics. Prior to joining We Care Solar, he was the Global MEL Officer for Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS), designing and implementing MEL operations in Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana. Patrick began his work with Médecins Sans Frontières supporting refugee response, HIV/AIDs implementing HIV/AIDs differentiated service delivery models and Advanced HIV/AID projects in Uganda. He has worked with Management Sciences for Health and LifeNet International on USAID funded programs and other donors. Patrick received a Masters in Statistics from Makerere University, Post graduate Diploma in monitoring and evaluation from Uganda Management Institute, and Data science certification from MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

Phionah Abaho Bruce

Senior Country Manager, Uganda

Phionah Abaho Bruce

Senior Country Manager, Uganda

Phionah Abaho Bruce, MSc. Uganda Program Manager has a background in impact research. She joined We Care Solar in 2019, serving as a Program Assistant and then as the Program Coordinator. Before joining We Care Solar, she worked at Innovations for Poverty Action Uganda for five years as an Associate Field Manager on various projects ranging from governance, education, financial inclusion, and health. She worked on a project which evaluated the relationship between communities and their health service providers to achieve better health outcomes in Uganda which triggered her passion for working toward impacting the most vulnerable groups. She holds an MSc in Science Environment and Natural Resources and a BA in Urban and Regional Planning from Makerere University, Uganda. Phionah is passionate about programs that uplift communities and change lives just like We Care Solar.

Samantha Parsons

Managing Director

Samantha Parsons

Managing Director

Samantha is a passionate international development leader who loves working with organizations that are focused on finding innovative solutions to some of the world’s most difficult challenges. Prior to joining We Care Solar, Sam served as the Vice President of Business Development and Operations at iDE, a Denver-based non-profit focused on using market-based approaches and human centered design to help fight poverty in 11 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. While at iDE, she led strategic business development globally as well as overseeing operations for six country programs. For two years, Sam was based in South Africa where she was the General Manager for inPractice Africa, promoting a unique mobile technology for health that provided education and training for health care practitioners in limited resource settings. She served as a director with Chemonics International for 10 years, where she worked across numerous countries in Africa and Asia including the design and implementation of public health projects in Africa and beyond. She has a B.A. in Sociology from George Mason University, and speaks intermediate French and Dutch.

Sarah Judd, MA, JD

Director, Development and Communications

Sarah Judd, MA, JD

Director, Development and Communications

Sarah Judd, Director of Development, is an attorney and nonprofit development professional. Before joining We Care Solar, Sarah worked as an executive and independent consultant for diverse organizations to fund international health care provision, political campaigns, clean water, the arts, education, and historic preservation. She has helped found three international nonprofits. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Michael’s College, an MA from the University of Vermont, and a J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.

Tess Reichle

Associate, Operations

Tess Reichle

Associate, Operations

Tess joined We Care Solar in February 2025, bringing a background in administration, operations, and education. She graduated cum laude from the University of Vermont with dual bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Spanish. Although new to the nonprofit sector, Tess has long been interested in social impact through both her academic studies and community involvement. She is excited to contribute to an organization working at the intersection of women's health, sustainability, and education.

Venant Yop Dung

Regional Coordinator, North East Nigeria

Venant Yop Dung

Regional Coordinator, North East Nigeria

Venant Dung Yop is a gender specialist and public health professional with over six years of experience implementing donor-funded programs across Nigeria. She currently serves as the North East Regional Coordinator for We Care Solar, where she leads state-level coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of solar installations in primary health care facilities. Venant has worked with several organizations, including Society for Family Health, Pro-Health International, and UNICEF-supported initiatives. Venant is highly skilled in program implementation, community engagement, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. She is passionate about improving health outcomes through grassroots development and collaborative partnerships. Venant holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from the University of Jos and other professional certifications relevant to her work.

Wendy Cross, MA

Senior Director, Education

Wendy Cross, MA

Senior Director, Education

Wendy Cross, MA, Senior Director of We Care Solar's education program, has worked in international development and non-profit management for 17 years, with a focus on education and community-led development programs. Prior to joining We Care Solar, she served as the Director of Programs and Operations for Teach With Africa and as Co-Producer of EdTech Summit Africa. Wendy began her international work while living in rural South Africa developing and managing sustainable development projects with grassroots organizations and also worked as a Grant Writer for The Global Fund for Children. Wendy received a Masters in Sustainable Development from World Learning SIT Graduate Institute. Since 2016, she has led We Care Solar's Solar Solutionaries® program nationwide and international growth.

Board of Directors

Barry Neal, MS

Board Member

Barry Neal, MS

Board Member

Barry Neal, M.S., Director, has been active in the energy and the environmental sectors for over 35 years and is currently an Edmund Hillary Fellow, where his focus is on clean energy access in underserved communities. He was most recently Co-Head and Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo’s Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance (REEF) group, a business he started for the bank in 2006. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, he provided management consulting services to financial institutions and renewable energy development companies. Barry also served as Managing Director of Energy Investors Funds Group, a leading private equity firm in the independent power sector. Barry has served on the Board or in an Advisory capacity for various entities, including: the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute; Innovation Incubator (IN2), a partnership between Wells Fargo and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, focused on clean energy technologies; and Imagine H20, a non-profit water technology accelerator. Barry earned a M.S. in Energy Management & Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley.

Ben Rogers, MBA

Board Member

Ben Rogers, MBA

Board Member

Ben Rogers is a venture partner at Braemar Energy Ventures. Prior to joining Braemar, Ben was the co-founder of Broadscale Group, an investment firm focused on accelerating innovation in the power sector. Ben is also on the Investment Committee of the Clean Energy Trust, a regional energy incubator based in Chicago. He has been a keen advisor to companies and programs that focus on energy innovation and transformation. He is a senior advisor to Duke Energy on fleet electrification, and a senior advisor to Workhorse, an all-electric truck manufacturer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was an EVP of Aquilon Energy, a software company focused on digitizing all aspects of commodity trading activities. Earlier in his career, Ben was an investment banker with Goldman Sachs Global Natural Resources Group, and a power trader at Cinergy Corp (now part of Duke Energy) and Enron. Ben has an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago and a B.A. in Economics from the Catholic University of America. He serves on the New Jersey Board of Trustees at The Nature Conservancy, and is a board member of We Care Solar, a manufacturer of solar suitcases that power critical lighting and medical devices in areas without reliable electricity.

Deborah Kaddu-Serwadda, M. ED, MS

Board Member

Deborah Kaddu-Serwadda, M. ED, MS

Board Member

Deborah is the Senior Program Associate & Director for Africa, at the 4W Initiative for Women & Wellbeing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. She is a Utilization-Focused Evaluator, Evaluation Mentor and leadership development professional committed to institutional effectiveness, inclusion, and social transformation. She advises various US and Africa-based organizations that work with children, youth, and women, as well as young male and female entrepreneurs advocating for gender equality. She has more than fifteen years of evaluation experience of gender integration and women’s economic empowerment interventions in international development projects in African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Niger, Gambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Deborah is a member of the Project Management Institute Inc, the American Evaluation Association (AEA), Washington Evaluators, the Africa Gender & Development Evaluators Network (AGDEN), the Blue Marble Evaluation Network, and the Uganda Evaluation Association (UEA). She has a Master of Education from Makerere University in Uganda and a Master of Science in Evaluation & Applied Research from the Claremont Graduate University, USA.

Kate Onyejekwe

Board Member

Kate Onyejekwe

Board Member

Kate Onyejekwe is the Vice President, Program Management for JSI and JSI Research & Training Institute – a public health and education organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. She oversees the implementation of JSI’s programs in over 44 countries and the United States - in immunization, HIV and infectious diseases, health logistics, data and digital health, capacity development, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, global health security, women’s empowerment, and child and adult education. She has over 27 years of technical and program management experience in family planning and reproductive health; maternal and child health; immunization; HIV, gender and youth programming; community health; capacity building; pharmaceutical management; and financial and operational management in multicultural settings. A Rhodes Scholar, Onyejekwe has a Master of Public Health in International Health, Masters and Bachelor’s degrees in English, and Certificates in finance and NGO management. She has worked in more than 16 countries to innovate with and galvanize nations, communities, families, and individuals to advance their skills and create lasting solutions to their priority health and development challenges.

Laura E. Stachel, MD, MPH, DrPH

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Laura E. Stachel, MD, MPH, DrPH

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai, MA

Board Chair

Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai, MA

Board Chair

An internationally recognized thought leader, Maame Afon is a passionate global advocate for women, girls, and leaders. She brings more than two decades of experience in leadership, grantmaking, philanthropy, and women's rights across Africa and the Diaspora. Maame is a captivating public speaker and an activist who leverages music to advance social justice. Her impactful contributions have been recognized at prestigious events such as the African Feminist Forum, Opportunity Collaboration, How Women Lead, the MCF Baobab Summit and the UN CSW among others. Her vision and passion revolve around supporting, inspiring, transforming, and equipping leaders for a more equitable world. She is the Founder and Chief Steward of MILT LLC (Mindsets for Impactful Leadership and Transformation) where her focus is on “transforming leaders for a whole world.” Maame supports leaders and organizations to get unstuck, unlock potential, and maximize impact. As a facilitator, guide and coach, she holds space for brave and essential conversations. She serves as a Chief Guide for Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. She’s also the team lead and visionary behind the AfriWomen Network, an intergenerational and inclusive space where Black, African women and girls gather to leverage collective wisdom, resources and assets to meaningfully support each other. Maame holds a Masters Degree in Human Rights, Gender and International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies At Monterey.

Matt Rinaldi, MS

Board Member

Matt Rinaldi, MS

Board Member

Matt Rinaldi is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Weiss Asset Management. Matt joined Weiss Asset Management in February 2006; he is the firm’s Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Compliance Committee, Valuation Committee, Expense Committee and Cybersecurity Committee. Prior to joining Weiss Asset Management, Matt held a top-secret clearance and worked on network encryption devices certified by the National Security Agency. He also studied System Design and Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Matt graduated summa cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Matt is a board member of We Care Solar, a non-profit focused on reducing maternal mortality in developing countries.

Ndola Prata MD MSc

Board Member

Ndola Prata MD MSc

Board Member

Ndola Prata, MD, MSc, a public health physician and medical demographer from Angola, is currently the Director & Chair of the Bixby Center for Population, Health and Sustainability. She is a Professor in Residence for Maternal and Child Health and co-directs both Innovations for Youth (I4Y) and the Center of Expertise on Women’s Health, Gender and Empowerment at the University of California, Berkeley. She began her career practicing medicine in Angola for 10 years and served as Head of the Social Statistics Department at the National Institute of Statistics of Angola. Shortly after moving to the US, while beginning her tenure as a researcher and lecturer at UC Berkeley, she served as a Demographer/Analyst for CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health for six years, a role she resumed briefly from 2010 to 2011. Her current research is based in sub-Saharan Africa, she is especially interested in women’s health and empowerment, and maternal mortality. She earned her medical degree from the University of Angola and an MSc in medical demography from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Pam Joyce

Board Member

Pam Joyce

Board Member

Pam has spent her career in non-profit management working with mission-driven organizations addressing critical social challenges. Her recent focus has been on educational access and skills development, especially for women and girls. As Executive Director of the Institute for Business & Social Impact at U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she oversaw the work of 6 centers and programs, managed international partnerships and launched an online learning platform providing training for global non-profit leaders in developing countries. Previously, Pam was a Development Director at Room to Read, where she helped grow the funding base from $7M to $38M, securing investments for literacy and girls' education programs across 10 countries in Asia and Africa. She spent a decade with the Asia Society in New York and San Francisco, serving as the founding Executive Director of the Northern California Center, creating a forum for increased understanding and dialogue between the U.S. and Asia. Building on early work in humanitarian assistance in the Philippines, she began her career at the Asia Foundation’s Asian-American Exchange, managing leadership development programs. A Bay Area native, Pam received her bachelor's degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and master's degree in Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Michigan.

Priyanka Sharma

Board Member

Priyanka Sharma

Board Member

As Vice President of World Education, Priyanka Sharma oversees the U.S. education and global EdTech portfolio and co-leads Digital US, a national collective cross-sector impact initiative that is designing and implementing a learn and work ecosystem that fosters digital resilience for all. With her leadership at World Education, a Division of JSI, she supports the global organization’s dedication to enriching people’s lives worldwide through education, public health, and social and economic development programming. An expert in innovative project design, Priyanka continues to provide leadership to multiple national initiatives on college and career readiness, financial literacy, technology integration, and digital literacy. Priyanka brings over 18 years of experience in nonprofit leadership in education, and career and college readiness. She advises diverse digital initiatives, including leading employers, non-profits, and organization’s global projects. With a deep commitment to social justice and community involvement, Priyanka Sharma brings an equity-centered perspective to her work. As a first-generation immigrant, Priyanka has a firm belief in the transformative power of education and technology. Priyanka continues to develop and lead innovative projects that advance digital equity and leverage technology to increase the reach and impact of education and workforce programs.

Puon Penn, MBA

Board Member

Puon Penn, MBA

Board Member

Puon Penn is a private investor focusing on sustainability and impact investments especially in Southeast Asia. Puon spent over 20 years at Wells Fargo where he was most recently Executive Vice President and head of Wells Fargo’s venture investing business. Prior to that, he headed up the bank’s Technology Banking Group which provides expertise, financial services, and resources to help innovative companies advance new technologies and business models to solve complex global problems facing humanity, including population growth, climate change and environmental impacts, and the ongoing fight against diseases. In 2009, Puon started Wells Fargo’s Global CleanTech Group to help companies decrease the use of fossil fuels, fertilizers and industrial chemicals. Puon is currently on the advisory board for ImagineH2O, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting innovative water technology. He previously served on the board of Calstart, a non-profit dedicated to clean transportation issues, as well as the Water Council in Milwaukee which promotes water innovation and stewardship. Puon, a refugee from Cambodia, holds a BA from Reed College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Wadson Muchemwa

Board Member

Wadson Muchemwa

Board Member

Wadson Muchemwa, CEO of ZimEnergy, lived without electricity for the first years of his life. He founded ZimEnergy to bring solar energy to Zimbabwe. Wadson has a strong commitment to ending poverty and community development. His nonprofit organization—ZimEnergy EcoFoundation—promotes renewable energy, community development, and environmental sustainability. Wadson has certificates in supply chain and storage, business management, and business administration. He is responsible for introducing the We Care Solar Suitcase to Zimbabwe in 2013 and working with We Care Solar and the Ministry of Health to help launch Light Every Birth in Zimbabwe.

Advisory Board

John Danner, J.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
Senior Fellow, Lester Center of Entrepreneurship, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
Kathryn Johnson
Past CEO, Health Forum
Dan Kammen, Ph.D.
Director of Renewable Alternative Energy Laboratory, Professor of Energy and Resources, University of California, Berkeley
David Levine, Ph.D.
Professor of Business, Haas Business School, University of California, Berkeley

Stasia Obremskey, MBA
Management Consultant

Kandeh Yumkella, Ph.D.
Former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations, U.N. Special Representative to Sustainable Energy for All, Former Chair of UN-Energy, and Director-General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Karina Garbesi, PhD
Professor and Director of Environmental Studies, Co-Director, The Social Impact Solar Project, Co-Chair: Climate Action Plan – Implementation Taskforce (CAP-IT!), Department of Anthropology, Geography, and Environmental Studies, California State University East Bay