Board Members
Laura Andes is an evaluation professional with 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. Currently, she is the Chief Program Officer at Charity Navigator where she oversees development of the Encompass Rating System. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, she was Senior Vice President of National Resident Services Mercy Housing, responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of Mercy Housing’s resident services program and strategic planning.
Vincent joined RWA’s Uganda Board of Directors in 2015. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degree in Development Studies, Vincent has a keen interest in promoting and improving communities through education and has been heavily involved in community development work since 1996, specializing in creating HIV/AIDS prevention awareness .
Liz Lotz has over 20 years of experience leading public relations programs for various industries, including technology, venture capital, and hospitality. She is an expert in guiding high-performing teams and leveraging both traditional and digital channels to drive brand visibility, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.
Liz was drawn to RWA because she believes in the “teach a man to fish” proverb and is globally minded. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, David, and my daughters, Elena, Sophia, and Nina. Her family is very involved in animal welfare organizations, and her home is shared with three dogs and three cats. Liz also loves to travel with her family. She returned last summer from five years in Panama, where she taught kindergarten.
Vincent joined RWA’s Uganda Board of Directors in 2015. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degree in Development Studies, Vincent has a keen interest in promoting and improving communities through education and has been heavily involved in community development work since 1996, specializing in creating HIV/AIDS prevention awareness.
Denis comes to RWA with a Degree in Development Studies, a certificate in Administrative Law, and a decade of experience in Community Development as well as local government. Dennis began his career working with programs supporting Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children.
Kelly Witte joined the board of Rooted Wisdom Africa in early 2019. Kelly is an Assurance Manager and CPA at RubinBrown LLP. She began her career in August 2015 and specializes in audits in the construction industry, colleges & universities, and with special governmental districts. She is also a member of, and Ambassador for, the Construction Financial Management Association, Denver Chapter. Prior to working with RubinBrown, Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO. Her non-profit experience started at the University, where she was philanthropy chair for Alpha Delta Pi, working directly with the Ronald McDonald House Charities in St. Louis. When she’s not crunching numbers, Kelly enjoys skiing, hiking, baking, and spending time with her husband and pup.
Denis comes to RWA with a Degree in Development Studies, a certificate in Administrative Law, and a decade of experience in Community Development as well as local government. Dennis began his career working with programs supporting Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children.
Kelly Witte joined the board of Rooted Wisdom Africa in early 2019. Kelly is an Assurance Manager and CPA at RubinBrown LLP. She began her career in August 2015 and specializes in audits in the construction industry, colleges & universities, and with special governmental districts. She is also a member of, and Ambassador for, the Construction Financial Management Association, Denver Chapter. Prior to working with RubinBrown, Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO. Her non-profit experience started at the University, where she was philanthropy chair for Alpha Delta Pi, working directly with the Ronald McDonald House Charities in St. Louis. When she’s not crunching numbers, Kelly enjoys skiing, hiking, baking, and spending time with her husband and pup.
Catherine (Cate), a respected local leader in Kisekka sub-county, is pivotal in advancing community development. Engaging with Rooted Wisdom Africa, she initially benefited from the Women’s Enterprise Training Program and has since encouraged countless community members to join the organization’s programs. Now serving as a board member, her expertise in banana plantation farming contributes significantly to rural livelihoods.
Christopher Moore is the President of Quiet Light, a middle-market M&A firm that helps digital entrepreneurs sell their businesses. He’s also the founder of Gadabout Media, which creates rich digital media for nonprofits, travel sites, and more. Christopher is also an award-winning director, experienced travel coordinator and guide, and sought-after speaker. When he’s not out globetrotting to some far-flung corner of the world, he resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
Deon MacMillan is a Strategic Human Resources Leader with a values-based leadership style who drives global business results through partnerships with executive leadership teams and boards. She brings industry experience in academia and research, oil and gas, technology, healthcare, and agriculture, and has the proven ability to establish trusting partnerships at all levels of the organization. Deon is also commercially focused and energetic, with experience leading organizational change across various industries and diverse organizational cultures.
Christopher Moore is the President of Quiet Light, a middle-market M&A firm that helps digital entrepreneurs sell their businesses. He’s also the founder of Gadabout Media, which creates rich digital media for nonprofits, travel sites, and more. Christopher is also an award-winning director, experienced travel coordinator and guide, and sought-after speaker. When he’s not out globetrotting to some far-flung corner of the world, he resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
Deon MacMillan is a Strategic Human Resources Leader with a values-based leadership style who drives global business results through partnerships with executive leadership teams and boards. She brings industry experience in academia and research, oil and gas, technology, healthcare, and agriculture, and has the proven ability to establish trusting partnerships at all levels of the organization. Deon is also commercially focused and energetic, with experience leading organizational change across various industries and diverse organizational cultures.
Daisy Tian is a new board member of Rooted Wisdom Africa with 15 years of experience in strategic planning and project management in China. She served in MSD (Merck as known in the US), Novartis, and AstraZeneca with a mission to “do good to patients.” She conducted projects benefiting larger populations, particularly in rural China. Daisy brings over ten years of volunteer experience as a program writer in Junior Achievement and TEDx. Healthcare and Education are her focus areas. Daisy is currently pursuing her MPH in the Colorado School of Public Health.
Christopher Moore is the President of Quiet Light, a middle-market M&A firm that helps digital entrepreneurs sell their businesses. He’s also the founder of Gadabout Media, which creates rich digital media for nonprofits, travel sites, and more. Christopher is also an award-winning director, experienced travel coordinator and guide, and sought-after speaker. When he’s not out globetrotting to some far-flung corner of the world, he resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
Geraldine’s journey with Rooted Wisdom Africa began in 2021 as a beneficiary of the Women’s Enterprise Training Program, followed by participation in the Farmer Field School Program. Recognized for her dedication, she ascended to the board in 2022. Alongside her farming pursuits, Geraldine serves as a revered religious teacher at the sub parish level, embodying a holistic approach to community empowerment.
A certified veterinarian of 22 years, Nurudini joined RWA as our veterinarian and livestock trainer in 2015 and is part of the team that oversees all RWA-related livestock projects throughout the sub-county where we operate. Additionally, Nurudini has also been elected by his community as a village leader and has consequently served on the Local Council for the last 15 years.
Bena is a farmer and certified midwife with a certificate in nursing, who first joined the RWA community in 2017 as a participant in the Women’s Enterprise Training Program
(WETP). Having trained in bookmaking in that program, Nabakka now heads the Women of Kikinene Bookmakers group.
Sarah Herzog is the Senior Director of Digital Strategy & Collaboration at Ardent Mills, a grain-based solutions company. She began her career at Cargill, Inc. in 1999 and specializes in strategically leveraging technology to enhance business capabilities. Sarah has experience in building strategies, managing large budgets (27M+), and leading large teams of people, including globally dispersed teams. She also leads the Women’s employee resource group at Ardent Mills and is excited to contribute her passion and expertise to the Rooted Wisdom Africa team.
