Interested in serving our community by joining our team. Check out our open positions .

Meet MEISHA LERATO ROBINSON
Our Founder and Chief Executive of Hope

I AM A LIGHT in dark places.

Meisha Lerato is an Instigator for Change, dedicated to empowering youth and fostering inclusive environments. As the Founder and Chief Executive of Hope at I Am We Are (IAWA), she channels her energy into uplifting South African youth, equipping them with the mindset and tools to achieve self-sufficiency. Through her coaching and inspirational speaking platform, Highest Truth, Meisha offers transformative guidance to individuals worldwide, helping them unearth their true essence and unlock their full potential. Her commitment to living love, reflected in the meaning of her name, is the driving force behind her Co-Founding UNITE, an initiative designed to bridge societal divides and promote understanding.

With a wealth of experience that includes roles such as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at Inspira and Enthuse Marketing, Small Enterprise Development Advisor in the U.S. Peace Corps in Benin, and Marketing and Community Events Manager supporting Special Olympics South Africa through Peace Corps Response, Meisha's career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to creating a world where all people can thrive. Meisha seeks to build a more just and compassionate world, grounded in love, empathy, and deep respect for humanity, and she invites you to join her.

Meet Our Directors Circle

The Directors Circle is I Am, We Are’s Global Board of Directors.

**Eshanda Fennell-Letoaba** has over 15 years of experience as an innovator, social entrepreneur, and strategist in project management and organizational development. Eshanda has provided a multitude of capacity building trainings for both U.S. and international organizations with a focus on strategic planning, program evaluation, and board development. Prior to joining Fair Chance, Eshanda launched Simply eConsult, an enterprise development solution for small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on building capacity and strengthening opportunities for SME participation in a broader economic ecosystem. Eshanda is committed to transforming nonprofits, small businesses, and non-governmental organizations by identifying business gaps, structural needs and addressing business operations. Eshanda earned both a bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Howard University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology. She is passionate about travel, culture, family, friends, music, and authentic food.

Eshanda Fennell-Letoaba (South Africa)
I AM EASY AS THE RIVERS FLOW.
Co-Chair

**Jacqueline Gayle Bony** is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and global development professional with two decades of experience designing and managing health and social service programs in Africa. She currently resides in Pretoria, South Africa posted to USAID/Southern Africa where she oversees one of the U.S. government's largest HIV/AIDS treatment programs in the world. She started her public health career in 2001 as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer working with South African primary school teachers to address the impacts of AIDS on students and their families early in the country’s epidemic. Since then, her work and passion for health and development has also taken across Africa, including postings in Tanzania, Madagascar, and Ghana. Ms. Bony speaks English and French and earned a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta, a historically black university, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from Ohio University. She was born and raised in South Florida by her parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica in the 1970s.

Jacqueline Gayle Bony (South Africa)
I AM MY AUTHENTIC SELF.
Co-Chair

**Rachel Torres** is the Administrator and National Director for the Employment Training Administration’s (ETA) Office of Job Corps at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). She previously served as the Associate Administrator for Administrative Operations in DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), whereas an integral part of the agency’s Executive Leadership Team, she oversaw its operational functions, including budget, procurement, business transformation, information technology, and human resources. Over the years, she has served as the Chair of the DOL’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and several other department-level executive committees.
She is currently the Vice President of the African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) – an organization dedicated to developing African American senior executives in the Federal Government. Since 2017, she has served as the Community Affairs Director and Program Director on its Board of Directors. From 2017 to 2019, she chaired the Board of the Directors of Washington Leadership Academy, a charter school in Washington, DC that focuses on technology. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and a Master’s Degree in public administration, both from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Rachel Torres (USA)
I AM HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC.
Secretary

Ermias Tessema (USA)
I AM A COMMUNITY BUILDER
Treasurer

**Robyn Vilakazi** is a seasoned public sector financial management professional. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has spent all of her post-articles career serving the public sector in some capacity. She currently serves as the CFO at the Energy and Water SETA. Robyn is passionate about capacitating people, especially youth, to realize their full potential. She serves as a mentor to several younger qualified and aspiring professionals in her field and is an active volunteer.

Robyn Vilakazi (South Africa))
I AM HERE TO SERVE.
Treasurer

Koffi Assouan is an international development expert who specializes in market-driven development, program partnerships, and employability and youth. Koffi has over 15 years’ expertise in sectors such as education, trade facilitation, and philanthro… — **Koffi Assouan** is an international development expert who specializes in market-driven development, program partnerships, and employability and youth. Koffi has over 15 years’ expertise in sectors such as education, trade facilitation, and philanthropy. As a strategist and innovator, he has provided positive brand equity for companies such as Coca-Cola, Chevron, developed JBC’s African practice, and managed a $50M+ portfolio of programs/partnerships. He has been fortunate to work with high caliber individuals in various organizations such as Mastercard Foundation, to drive the strategy, policies, and programming for sustainable development. He is an advocate for trusting youth to lead and appreciate humility, respect for others, genuine intellectual curiosity, generosity, and diversity and inclusion.

Koffi Assouan (Canada)
I AM TRUSTING YOUTH TO LEAD.

Robert Adams Jr. is an independent consultant. Previously, he served as the Senior Vice President for Programs at the NEA Foundation in Washington, DC where he oversaw the Foundation’s programs, including the Global Learning Fellowship and Grants to… — **Robert Adams Jr**. is an independent consultant. Previously, he served as the Senior Vice President for Programs at the NEA Foundation in Washington, DC where he oversaw the Foundation’s programs, including the Global Learning Fellowship and Grants to Educators. Robert also served as Interim Chief Operating Officer at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and as Program Officer at the Fetzer Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Robert holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. He has held various academic, research, and advisory positions at the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Graduate Center, DePaul University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2008, he was a Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Professor at the Catholic University of São Paulo in Brazil. Robert has published extensively and has conducted research in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Mozambique, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and the United States.

Robert Adams (USA)
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.

**Job Bakama** is an Executive Producer and Director with 20+ years’ expertise in leading branded storytelling and dynamic content strategies for TV, digital, and streaming platforms. Specializes in developing high-impact visual narratives, managing cross-functional projects, and driving engagement across multi-platform media. Known for a results-driven approach that balances creative vision with strategic execution, fostering collaboration, and delivering on-brand content that resonates with diverse audiences.

Job Bakama (USA)
I AM JOY.

**Cynthia Magagula** is a highly sociable and community-driven, I thrive on connecting people and fostering growth. With a passion for creativity, I leverage my skills to empower others and drive positive impact. Outside of work, you can find me unwinding with my furry friends, tending to my plants, or grooving to live music. I'm always looking to expand my network and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Let's connect and support each other in making a difference!

Cynthia Magagula (South Africa)
I AM LIVING AN ANSWERED PRAYER.

Tebo Molosiwa (South Africa)
I AM.

**Mashane (Mash) Nthutang** is a dynamic and compassionate leader dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. As Senior Manager of Healthy Athletes for Special Olympics in the Africa Region, Mashane has made a significant impact in promoting health, fitness, and inclusivity for people with intellectual disabilities. With a multifaceted background in sport, fitness, health, and community development, Mashane is a driving force for positive change. Her expertise spans grants management, floor hockey coaching, family/youth health summit organizer and fitness instruction, with a special passion for Floor Hockey, Bocce and fitness exercise specialization. Mashane's vision is to found and direct social impact businesses and organizations that uplift youth, the elderly, and disabled individuals. She strives to create innovative solutions that promote health, sport, fitness, wellness, environmental sustainability, and social justice. A self-driven and motivated individual, Mashane embodies the values of fairness, compassion, and Christian principles. Her infectious enthusiasm and love for life are inspiring, and her commitment to spreading laughter and love is contagious. Connect with Mashane and join her journey to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Mashane Nthuthang (South Africa)
I AM PEACE.

Meet Our Bokgoni Circle

The Bokgoni Circle is the Bokgoni Empowerment Programme’s, I Am, We Are’s South Africa organization, Board of Directors.

Mashane Nthutang is a passionate sport and fitness manager and leader possessing a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy for the voiceless especially those with intellectual disabilities. She is in the youth ministry at the Methodist Chur… — **Mashane Nthutang** is a passionate sport and fitness manager and leader possessing a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy for the voiceless especially those with intellectual disabilities. She is in the youth ministry at the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in Cosmo City dedicated to serve in the community and to make the truth Gospel be known and most importantly to mentor and support the youth to beleive in themselves, be courageous, tolerate, respect and strive to achieve what fulfills their hearts. She is currently a Healthy Athletes Manager in Special Olympics Africa Region. She has a Diploma in Sport Management from Rosebank College and an Exercise Science Diploma from Health Fitness Professional Association/Academy qualifying her as the exercise specialist and sports conditioning coach.

Mashane Nthuthang (South Africa)
I AM JOY.

Thami Rangwaga (South Africa)
I AM LIVING MY DREAMS.

Kaeden Arnold is American born and African bred. His passion for education led him to Rustenburg where he first met Meisha. He was there to work on grassroots leadership programs in high-schools. Following this, he formalized a high-school to univer… — **Kaeden Arnold** is American born and African bred. His passion for education led him to Rustenburg where he first met Meisha. He was there to work on grassroots leadership programs in high-schools. Following this, he formalized a high-school to university bridging program called 13th Year and led other student programs such as the Bafokeng Student Legothla, before returning to Johannesburg to work in management consulting. Kaeden has an undergraduate in Politics and International Relations form Wits University, a Post-graduate Diploma in Business Admin, a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and is currently studying towards a Masters in Philosophy in International Business, all through the Gordon Institute for Business Science.

Kaeden Arnold (South Africa)
I AM INQUISITIVE.

Meet Our Nia Circle

The Nia Circle is composed of the staff, volunteers, consultants, and interns that are doing the day-to-day work that enables IAWA to fulfill its mission.

**Juliet Doi Capito** is a Monitoring and Evaluation practitioner with thirteen (13) years’ experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation of projects that involve Livelihood enhancement of women and youth, Health, Gender Justice, Education, Social Protection, Maternal and Child health, Early Childhood Development. Her experience is in projects supported by both profit and non-profit organisations like the Global Fund, UNICEF, UNFPA, GIZ, Dan-Church Aid to mention but a few. Juliet’s loves to support projects that respond to current challenges by applying the design principle for change. She desires to support the design of impactful projects and so, she values continuous learning and responsiveness to current data. She has mastered the tools over the years that ensure the design and implementation of projects for the highest or best outcomes. Juliet has trained in the design, set up and implementation of M&E systems with particular focus on tools like the Logical Framework, Results Framework and Theory of Change. She has also trained on proposal development, Project design, highlighting approaches like Problem analysis and Objective analysis. Her methods are geared towards demystifying M&E for Project implementers. Her presentations are seasoned with illustrations from real life projects and programs that she has designed, monitored and evaluated. They are also based on both the fundamental as well as current and upcoming approaches to M&E. As we speak, she has supported several projects, one of the key ones being the Stanbic bank National Schools Championship in Uganda. The Championship is one of the bank’s Corporate Social Investment projects which equips Secondary school students with 21st century skills for the creation of jobs in the future. Such skills include but are not limited to: business development, financial management and leadership. Through this project, as a result, 187 businesses have been set up and are currently running and providing employment to over 300 young people around the country. Juliet’s contribution has been to provide guidance that ensures that the project’s impact is sustained beyond its life. Outside the M&E environment, Juliet also serves at her local church as a children’s church teacher. She loves to read on leadership, productivity and legacy. She also loves to meet new people and watch empowering movies like Hidden Figures. She enjoys trying out new things; her latest endeavor being ghost writing.

Juliet Capito (Uganda)
I AM THE CALM IN THE STORM

Michelle Gilliard Houston is a creative producer, cultural worker, storyteller, restorative practice practitioner and mother of two incredible young adults. A student affairs practitioner at the University of Pennsylvania, Michelle is committed to the success of young people. A third generation Philadelphia native, Michelle is passionate about Black culture, social justice and the common threads of the Black diaspora’s connective ancestral stories. A proud HBCU alum, Michelle holds a B.A. in Communications from Howard University and a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michelle Gilliard Houston (USA)
I AM A RESILIENT DREAMER.