Team

Leadership

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Shawn Holden Cheung

Chief Executive Officer
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Soofia Mahmood

Managing Director
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Hany Nowair

Chief Finance Officer
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John Byuma Musoke

Regional Program Director
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Disan Kasozi

Head of Program Implementation
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Timothy Ahumuza

Head of PEAL
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Evaristo Kamberaho

Finance Manager
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Alex Akiri

Regional Manager, Southwest and Special Projects
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Agnes Mukamusoni

REGIONAL MANAGER, SOUTHWEST
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Jolly Nyiramahoro

Regional Manager Mid West
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Ian Kambeho

PEAL Manager
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Samuel Wandera

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
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Kathleen Rommel

Director of Partnerships
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Gordon Chan

Associate Director, Programs
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Robert Otim

Country Manager, Uganda
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Pauline Letaru

Operations Manager
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Shawn Holden Cheung

Chief Executive Officer
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Soofia Mahmood

Managing Director
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Hany Nowair

Chief Finance Officer
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John Byuma Musoke

Regional Program Director
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Disan Kasozi

Head of Program Implementation
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Timothy Ahumuza

Head of PEAL
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Evaristo Kamberaho

Finance Manager
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Alex Akiri

Regional Manager, Southwest and Special Projects
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Agnes Mukamusoni

REGIONAL MANAGER, SOUTHWEST
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Jolly Nyiramahoro

Regional Manager Mid West
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Ian Kambeho

PEAL Manager
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Samuel Wandera

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
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Kathleen Rommel

Director of Partnerships
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Gordon Chan

Associate Director, Programs
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Robert Otim

Country Manager, Uganda
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Pauline Letaru

Operations Manager

Implementation

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Based in Uganda, our Implementation team works closely with partner community members and local government officials. Consisting of Project Assistants, Project Officers, District Heads, and agriculture and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialists, the Implementation team ensures project delivery and community engagement. They connect individually with households, communities, and clusters to initiate discussions, document community needs, provide training and inputs, and conduct regular follow-ups to ensure project success.  

Office locations: Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kanungu, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Kyenjojo, Rukungiri, Kibaale, Kagadi, Kiryandongo, Kaliro, Luuka, Bunyangabu, Rakai, Buhweju, Kassanda, Kakumiro, and Kitagwenda – Uganda. Kigali and Nyabihu – Rwanda (learning hub)

Team strength: 181

PEAL

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The Planning, Learning, and Evaluation (PEAL) team tracks, measures, and evaluates key program metrics. Utilizing advanced data analysis tools and applications, the PEAL team helps provide real-time status of programs and impact and informs future program design with data-backed evidence and trends. 

Office location: Mbarara – Uganda. Nyabihu – Rwanda (learning hub)

Team strength: 38

Operations

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Consisting of IT, Finance, Operations, HR, Partnerships, Knowledge Management, Government Relations and Communications, this unit provides critical support for the efficient and sustainable functioning of our programs, offices, and functions. 

Office Locations: Mbarara and Kampala – Uganda. Kigali and Nyabihu – Rwanda (learning hub). Toronto and New York – North America. 

Team strength: 55

Board of Directors

With over 30 years of financial services experience, Cheryl brings a broad skill set from her roles across asset management, capital markets, human resources and domestic banking. In her current role as Vice President, National Accounts at Dynamic Funds, Cheryl is responsible for strategic management of a portfolio of industry leading clients. In 2013, Cheryl travelled to Africa where she spent time with the founders of a number of volunteer organizations.

David has more than 3 decades experience in the investment management industry. He is Chairman of Russell Investments Canada Ltd., where he served as President and CEO from 2010 to 2017. He continues to work in an advisory capacity with a select number of investment companies. Among his not-for-profit engagements, he is currently Chairman of The Peter Cundill Foundation, a Bermuda-based purpose trust with a mission to improve the wellbeing of young people and is a board member at McMaster University

John Phyper has over 30 years of experience managing high-growth software companies specializing in environment, health and safety, and cybersecurity. Additionally, John has co-authored several books relating to environmental issues and chaired the sales and marketing roundtable for PeerScale, a Peer-to-Peer organization for tech leaders. He is currently semi-retired and provides consulting services to early-stage software companies.

Madeline Klimek is an Associate with McMillan’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. Madeline brings considerable experience in international affairs, having completed two Master’s degrees in international history. She was an active volunteer and leader and helped establish the McMillan LLP-Western Law Mentorship Program. This mentorship program pairs McMillan lawyers with law students from BIPOC, racialized communities, and first-generation university students.
Skilled in critical analysis and public speaking, she was involved in mooting competitions and was a legal affairs intern at Canadian Red Cross.
Madeline holds a JD from the University of Western Ontario and two Master’s degrees in international history from Columbia University and The London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bertrand is an Associate Partner with Dalberg Advisors, where he leads initiatives that contribute to addressing Africa’s economic and social development challenges in areas such as climate change, digital economy, and private sector development. Born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, Bertrand acquired extensive experience as a management consultant with top-tier advisory firms in North America before choosing to advise leading African businesses and institutions as part of the World Economic Forum and the Africa CEO Forum. Bertrand has 18 years of professional experience, including 15 in management consulting and a decade as an executive. He holds an MBA and a BBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business and is fluent in English and French.

Shawn Holden Cheung is the Founder and CEO of Raising The Village. Since 2005, Shawn has been focused on improving livelihoods and finding solutions to the problem of ultra poverty in rural Uganda. Shawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from McMaster University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Read more of Shawn’s story here.

Tom has over 24 years of professional experience as an operator, investor and advisor in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. His current advisory work includes engaging clients on what’s possible with their philanthropic and impact investing resources, advising portfolio companies on building impactful +sustainable organizations, and advancing the field of social entrepreneurship. He received his Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and economics from Boston College.

Viraj Desai’s 25 years+ management and consulting experience spans leadership and consulting roles in healthcare organizations, in Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations consulting practice and at her own consulting company “CIM Professional Services Inc”. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, operational and program reviews and corporate performance measurement across industry areas including public sector, retail, infrastructure, and telecommunications. Viraj currently sits on the Board of a large regional healthcare facility. She also provides mentorship to entrepreneurs with mental health challenges as part of a Rotman program. Viraj was born in Uganda. This combined with her familiarity with the developing world and her vast business experience led her to join the RTV Board.

Jim is a senior partner in the financial services audit practice at KPMG LLP. He is currently the lead audit partner for Scotiabank and, previously, the Bank of Montreal. Jim is also Co-chair of KPMG’s Board Leadership Centre, which delivers insights and experiences with a focus on innovation in its many forms – all through a board lens. He is a member of the organizing committee for the CPA Canada Conference for Audit Committees and Corporate Governance and developed and delivers the CPA Canada Audit Committee Certificate program. He was formerly on the Ontario Chapter Executive of the Institute for Corporate Governance and previously chaired the board and the audit committee for Diabetes Canada.

Lydia holds the Regional Finance and Operations Lead position at Dalberg Advisors, overseeing the Africa business. Previously, she managed the Talent division for Dalberg Africa, focusing on enhancing relationships between employers and employees. Before her role at Dalberg, Lydia served as an Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chief Finance Officer at Sanlam General Insurance Uganda, and Chief Operations Officer at Financial Sector Deepening Uganda.
With over 14 years of experience as an accomplished executive and a robust educational background encompassing an MBA, ACCA, and CPA qualifications, Lydia brings a wealth of expertise in financial management and talent development across various sectors in Africa. She is an independent board member of the Financial Sector Deepening Tanzania. Leveraging her deep understanding of Uganda’s employment landscape and financial regulations, Lydia offers invaluable local insights concerning Uganda and the broader East African region.

Emeritus Board Members

• Alan Liu, M.Div

• Angela MacLennan, MPA

• Calum Mackenzie, MA, MSc, MBA

• Anita Tong, MAcc, CPA, CA

• Ciaran G. McGeown, B.Sc., CPA

• Dan Richards, MBA

• David Maassarany, BA

• Dermot Muir, LL.B

• Deborah Krick, LLB

• Elizabeth Buff Cox, M.Div*

• Elizabeth Young, MD, FRCPC

• Ian Steaman, A.B.

• Khalid Janmohamed, JD

• Krishna Somers, MBA, CFA

• Sammy Younan

• Vanessa Serra larocci, CA

* deceased

Career Opportunities

Join our mission to end ultra poverty. We’re looking for passionate people to join our team.