We’ve had a fantastic, busy month! In January, we welcomed our new Program Manager, Kelsey, to the team, launched our new website, reintroduced our Mentorship Program, and seated our 2021 Board of Directors (who you can “meet” below). We are excited to kick off this year with ambitious goals to narrow the achievement gap for more underprivileged and underserved kids.
PS We’d love to hear from you! As always, feel free to connect with us!
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ray Kimble is the Founder and Chairman of the Board. He brings his experience as the Founder and CEO of Kuma, LLC, and his passion for bridging the digital divide for underprivileged and underrepresented kids to the Foundation. Ray lives in Virginia, USA, with his wife, Mary and kids, Katherine and Joey.
Ken Adams brings his experience as the Chief Strategic Growth Officer for NewWave Telecom & Technologies to the Kuma Foundation. As the father of two kids who are getting a STEAM education, he hopes to find ways to grant more kids access to comparable education, curriculum, and opportunities. Ken lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, Negin and children, Logan and Kason.
Kyle Benedict is the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Mantis Security. He is committed to encouraging young people to explore STEAM topics to begin charting their own path to future success.
Mark Brazier is currently the Director of Business Development for StratusLIVE, LLC. where he helps nonprofits accelerate digital transformation by streamlining donor management operations. Education and technology have been cornerstones in Mark’s family as he’s witnessed his public school educator wife integrate technology and STEAM into both the classroom and school curriculum. Mark lives in Virginia, USA with his wife and two daughters.
Tara Conroy is Director of Customer Success at Microsoft Corporation, where she leads a team serving U.S. Federal government customers. Through Microsoft, Tara fulfills her passion for contributing to her local community by bringing the benefits of information technology to people and organizations. Tara lives in Virginia, USA, with her husband, Will, and kids, Grace and Sydney.
Chris Farey is a Program Manager at Microsoft. He brings a passion for technology and science as well as over 20 years’ experience as a manger, mentor and coach. He lives in Virginia, USA, with his wife, Liz, and two sons, Gavin and Wyatt.
Rosie Afia Ford is Senior Business Manager – Investments, for the Virgin Group’s foundation delivering on a portfolio of +£8m. She has spent 10 years working on digital and tech solutions for climate, disability and humanitarian issues. She is experienced in innovation funding and grant management particularly on projects for citizens, refugees and people with disabilities in Africa, Asia & Latin America. Rosie lives in London, UK with her husband, Josh. Pronouns are she/her.
Adam Pawlowski is the After-School Specialist at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, VA. He brings his extensive experience in education and after-school programs and his passion for helping underprivileged kids to the Foundation.
Jennifer Schafer is a Senior Amazon Global Engineer at Amazon. Jennifer brings her perspective as a woman in tech to the Foundation and is passionate about creating educational opportunities for all kids, especially those who might otherwise might not have the opportunity.
Jason Schafer is the Data Center QAQC Program Manager for Facebook. Jason has two children whose interests and skill sets are vastly different, so he knows first-hand how important it is to engage kids in all areas of STEAM to foster skills like perseverance, innovation, creative thinking, and collaboration.
Jim Small is EVP Operations for Sekura Mobile Intelligence, an early-stage start-up enabling anti-fraud and user identity services, based in London, UK. His experience in working in digital and mobile product and technology innovation across continents has given him first-hand visibility of how major organizations can deliver positive benefit for the less fortunate. Jim lives in Leeds, UK, with his wife Sarah and sons, Harry and Sam.
1749
KIDS EMPOWERED
583
FAMILIES SERVED
12
CLASSES OFFERED
FOLLOW ALONG ON OUR MISSION TO NARROW THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP!
