Our Team

Sarah Byrne de Hernandez

Nilinde Co-Founder

With a background in Sales and Marketing for multinational companies, Sarah moved to Spain in the early 2000s and began operating her own small business. Now dedicated to community empowerment, she sponsors six children at St. Martin's School and supports two former students in their further education.

Kelli Angevine

Nilinde Co-Founder

Originally an auto industry executive from Detroit, Kelli earned her MBA from Harvard in 1996 before migrating to Europe. Her passion for education led her to teach and work with St. Martin's School in Kibagare. Since 2013, she has focused on technology-enabled, sustainable empowerment models for children and young women in East Africa. Kelli is also a co-founder of Kuumba Education and its first scholarship title sponsor.

Sofia Lagache Gonzalez

Sustainable Project Team Leader

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sofia has worked in the technology industry since graduating in 2021. Passionate about sustainable development, she is grateful to be part of an initiative that empowers individuals through skill acquisition and collaboration.

Sr Emmah Karanja

Director, St Martins's Kibagare and Community Advocate

Sr. Emmah, a nun in the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi and a trained nurse, has extensive experience in hospital administration and project management. Previously, she served as program administrator for an integrated AIDS program and is currently the administrator at St. Martin's Primary School in Kibagare.

Lydia Wambui

Community Counselor

As a counsellor at St. Martin's Good News Centre, Lydia creates a trusting environment for individuals to express themselves. She provides both individual counseling focused on problem-solving and group therapy that emphasizes action-oriented skills.

Caroline Ndunge

Community Ambassador

Caroline holds a diploma in Community Health and Development and is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in the same field. She volunteers at Beacon of Hope Health Centre and St. Martin's Kibagare, advocating for community health and welfare and empowering vulnerable individuals.

Jacquline Indimu

Community Mentor Mother

Rosemary Jura

Community Empowerment Officer

Steven Githaiga

Community Health Specialist

Steven, a seasoned Community Health Specialist with over 12 years of experience improving health outcomes across Kenya. With a strong background in community mobilization, behavior change, and managing donor-funded projects, he has worked across urban, rural, and informal settings to advance public health and livelihoods. Currently serving as the Community Health Specialist for the NILINDE NIJIJETE Project at Kibagare Saint Martin’s, bringing valuable expertise from previous roles coordinating community health programs in various counties through major USAID-funded initiatives such as COPHIA, APHIA II, APHIAplus, and Afya Pwani in partnership with Pathfinder International.

John Kihara

Digital Specialist

A passionate technologist and skateboarder, John works with the Kibagare Good News Centre on community initiatives. He is excited to be part of an empowering team and supports managing and updating the Kibagare Community website