Our Board Members
Angela Sanau Paswa
Angela Sanau Paswa works at Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA) as the Senior Programmes Officer - Gender and Youth. She is responsible for spearheading technical and programmatic interventions focusing on gender equity across conservancies in the Greater Maasai Mara. She is the founder of the Maasai Mara Women forum, an umbrella organization for women from the Mara ecosystem that focuses on building the capacity of women leaders to actively participate in decision making processes and advocate for women’s and girls’ rights within the conservancies. Further, she leads a team of government and non-governmental organizations to strengthen and coordinate children and child protection systems between sectors in the Mara landscape. Angela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Anthropology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Her passion is driven from strengthening women empowerment by working with communities to enhance internal governance structures and promoting inclusive spaces.
Josephine Eregae Kirion
Josephine Eregae Kirion holds a Master of Science in Governance and Leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She has served as a Ward Administrator for Ngaremara and as the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Education, Gender, Culture, and Social Services. Josephine has also contributed significantly to public service through her work with the CEC for Water, Environment, Energy, Climate Change, and Natural Resources. Her current role as a Trustee of the Water Sector Trust Fund further demonstrates her commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment in Kenya.
Lilly Bekele-Piper, Ed.M.
Lilly Bekele-Piper is a dynamic communicator, educator, and global development leader with over 25 years of experience. She is the Founder, Executive Producer, and Host of Selam & Hello, as well as the Host of EdTech Mondays Kenya on NTV. Her career spans high-impact roles with Harvard University, the United Nations, the World Bank, and USAID. A creative force in educational media, Lilly played a pivotal role in launching Team Sayari, the Disney/National Geographic children’s nature show now airing across 51 African countries. She holds a BA in Speech Communications from Wake Forest University and a Master’s in Higher Education from Harvard University. Lilly is also a recipient of the 2022 USAID Meritorious Honor Award and the 2023 Private Sector Engagement Excellence Award.
Beatrice Lempaira
Landscape Director, Conservation International & Board Member, Queen of Peace Initiative Beatrice Lempaira is the Landscape Director at Conservation International Kenya, where she leads integrated conservation programs and partnerships across Southern Kenya Grasslands. She is deeply committed to advancing community-led solutions to climate change and sustainable development, with a strong focus on empowering local voices and promoting equitable resource governance.
Kuresha Bille
Kuresha Bille is a respected community leader and the Chairlady of the Women’s Peace Council. In her role, she champions women’s voices in peacebuilding and community leadership, working to foster harmony and development at the grassroots level. Her leadership is instrumental in promoting inclusive decision-making and strengthening women’s roles in local governance and peace processes.
Lilian Akai
Youth Representative | Environmentalist | Project Manager Founder, Green Dreamer Initiative, Lilian Akai is a fervent environmentalist and visionary project manager dedicated to the restoration of ecosystems and the empowerment of communities through climate-smart solutions. As the founder of the Green Dreamer Initiative, she spearheads a grassroots movement that addresses desertification and deforestation by cultivating indigenous and food-bearing trees, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices, and developing alternative livelihoods for pastoralist communities in arid regions. With a robust foundation in project management and conservation research, Lilian offers a distinctive amalgamation of strategic planning and hands-on field experience. Her endeavors encompass stakeholder engagement, ecosystem restoration, and climate education—particularly aimed at women and youth—propelling her mission to construct climate-resilient futures. Lilian collaborates with Natural Stat Org, contributing to research, project monitoring, plant conservation, and strategic design. Her vision is audacious: to plant 60 million trees by 2060 and cultivate a greener, more equitable planet. She is a firm believer in the transformative power of innovation, intergenerational collaboration, and localized action to tackle global environmental challenges.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
