Our Staff

Staff

The Segal Family Foundation team is spread across the United States and East Africa, with deep, long-term relationships in the communities we serve.

  • Akouavi Coretta Tannous

    Akouavi Coretta Tannous

    Program Officer

    Based in Togo

    Akouavi supports partners across West Africa. Her default setting is “there is always a way,” and she will absolutely drop everything for a new sketchbook or doodling for hours.

  • Beatrice Onyango

    Beatrice Onyango

    Senior Equitable Giving Manager

    Based in Kenya

    Beatrice links social change leaders to the resources and people they need to grow their organizations. In her free time, she is an avid hiker, recreational runner, and plant parent.

  • Darcia O'Brien

    Darcia O’Brien

    Controller

    Based in New Jersey

    Darcia is a certified accountant who keeps SFF’s engine running smoothly by ensuring we’re in compliance with financial and accounting requirements. Outside the office, she loves spending time with her family.

  • Dedo Baranshamaje

    Dedo N. Baranshamaje

    Interim Executive Director

    Dedo is a social butterfly who thrives on connecting with new people and big ideas. When not working, you’ll find him sipping wine, hunting for vintage treasures, or experimenting with rice recipes from every corner of the globe.

  • Divine Munezero

    Divine Munezero

    Program Officer

    Based in Rwanda

    Divine supports our partners in the Great Lakes region, and she’s also an “It’s not far, we can walk” type of person.

  • Ellie Neilson

    Ellie Neilson

    Equitable Giving Manager

    Based in New York

    Ellie is responsible for philanthropic advising and the behind-the-scenes work that comes with it. She is a competitive video gamer, a matcha enthusiast, and a devoted pit bull parent.

  • John Rexford Nzira

    John Rexford Nzira

    Program Officer

    Based in Tanzania

    Nzira supports partners in Tanzania. Off the clock, he’s in a one-sided relationship with amapiano and Afrobeats (they haven’t loved him back yet).

  • Katherine Anderson

    Katherine Anderson

    Director of Operations

    Based in New Jersey

    Katherine provides the systems and support to make sure our community thrives. Contact her to talk about Salesforce or how best to smuggle hot sauce past airport security.

  • Liana Nsengimana

    Liana N. Nsengimana

    Impact Investment Manager

    Based in Rwanda

    Liana is SFF’s resident impact investing enthusiast with extensive experience in grantmaking and social enterprise development. Her love of red velvet cake is legendary.

  • Mary Fenton

    Mary Fenton

    Executive Officer

    Based in New Jersey

    As a member of the Executive team, Mary focuses on embedding care, clarity, and culture into Segal’s core systems. In her spare time, she is learning carpentry and pottery.

  • Nsamwa Mwandila

    Nsamwa Mwandila

    Program Officer

    Based in Zambia

    Nsamwa is a problem solver who supports our partners in Zambia. She never says no to a good laugh or a great adventure.

  • Patricia Malila

    Patricia Malila Pinheiro

    Director of Programs

    Based in Malawi

    Patricia streamlines the systems that guide our grantmaking, Active Partnership, learning, and innovation. Outside of work, she considers herself a huge foodie and loves cooking new recipes.

  • Patrick Gwaza

    Patrick Gwaza

    Program Officer

    Based in Malawi

    Patrick supports partners in our Southern Africa Hub. Outside of work, he is an avid football fan—a dedicated Arsenal supporter.

  • Sarah Gioe

    Sarah Gioe

    Director of Communications

    Based in New Jersey

    Sarah leads Segal’s branding, messaging, and online presence. Half of what she says is actually quotes from “Mean Girls” and “Wayne’s World.”

  • Sharon Afandi

    Sharon Afandi

    Equitable Giving Officer

    Based in Kenya

    Sharon supports our Equitable Giving team and enjoys reading short stories by African authors.

  • Sharonrose Msaki

    Sharonrose Msaki

    Senior Program Officer

    Based in Tanzania

    Shazza manages partner relationships in Tanzania and likes to spend after-work hours painting her feelings or watching conspiracy shows.

  • Sylvia Ilahuka

    Sylvia Ilahuka

    Communications Officer

    Based in Uganda

    Sylvia tells SFF’s stories through the written word. She also delights in other forms of storytelling, including being in front of the camera as a fledgling actress and model.

  • Temwa Msiska

    Temwa Msiska

    Grants & Compliance Manager

    Based in Malawi

    Temwa enjoys meeting young visionary leaders in Southern Africa. She is an avid movie lover who devours detailed analyses that give an inside take on filmmaking.

  • Virgile Bahujimihigo

    Virgile Bahujimihigo

    Senior Program Officer

    Based in Kenya

    When Virgile is not managing our Kenyan and Ugandan portfolios, catch him playing soccer or rooting for Arsenal FC.

  • Wangari Ngunjiri

    Wangari Ngunjiri

    Program Officer

    Based in Kenya

    Wangari is a devout yogi, a lover of Ngūgī wa Thiong’o’s literary works, and supports partners in Kenya.