“My favorite subject at school is Geography, because I get to imagine the world outside of here.”
-Amelework (Student at Worku - Jember High School)
Our Board
Cleopatra Kiros
Cleo Kiros is the founder of Zaf Foundation. She is a mother of two young men who are attending universities. Cleo recognizes how imperative it is for young people to have the opportunity to get education to live fulfilling lives and be able to support their families. Previously, Cleo had volunteered in different capacities across the Bay Area to meet the needs of women and children. She is currently serving on the Fistula Foundaiton board. Cleo has a BS in Accounting from San Francisco State University
Amber Stime - TBD
Lisa Olson
Lisa started her career as a lawyer in the high-tech industry. She has been involved in nonprofit work since her three kids were young and has been involved in early education advocacy for the last seven years. She most recently was on the board of directors for 10 Books A Home, an early education nonprofit serving high poverty preschoolers in East Palo Alto and also served as its Development Director. She has been involved with other nonprofits including Children of Ethiopia Education Fund, Citizen Schools, Sequoia High School Mentoring Program, and Project Read. Lisa is also a team leader for the Education Circle of the Full Circle Fund, a nonprofit community organization that leverages resources and accelerates nonprofits to build a better Bay Area.
Priti Khare
Priti is an experienced communications strategist with extensive experience in high-tech and consumer public relations. She has developed corporate positioning and messaging, provided strategy and counsel, and managed global/local program management for companies including Digital Impact, Ebates (now Rakuten) and Handshake. Priti has also been an active volunteer and has served on the boards of Helios School and Menlo-Atherton High School's Foundation for the Future. She holds a B.A. in Communications from San Clara University and MLA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Noah Tesfaye
Noah Tesfaye is a first year student at the University of Chicago studying Political Science and History. He also is a journalist focusing on race and politics in the 2020 presidential campaign, writing for the Chicago Maroon and the UChicago Institute of Politics political journal. In his free time, he enjoys writing his weekly blog and discovering new coffee recipes at the shop he works at.