USA

Jessica Peyla Nagtalon, Project Director

As the Project Director, Jessica is responsible for fundraising and donor relations, project administration and reporting. Jessica also oversees the strategic development of NEF, but she receives direct requests and input from the School Advisory Committee, NEF’s Field Officer, the Advisory Board and the beneficiaries. She maintains regular communication with the team in Kenya to ensure the smooth operation of the Scholarship Program at Busijo Secondary School. Jessica has over 18-years experience working with non-profit organizations on issues ranging from land conservation and ecosystem restoration to climate change and water resources management. Jessica holds two Master’s Degrees: an MS in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco and an MS in International Development Studies from the University of Amsterdam. Her greatest job is being a mother to her young son.

kenya

anne truphosa, field officer

Ms. Anne Truphosa joined NEF in August 2019. Anne has dedicated her career to helping her fellow Kenyans through community health and education. She is resident of Funyula, where she works for the Ministry of Health.

Anne is responsible for executing and monitoring NEF’s activities at Busijo Secondary School and providing guidance and support for NEF graduates. She meets with the NEF beneficiaries, their parents/guardians and the School Advisory Committee on a regular basis. 

Kenya

Edmond Ogombe, program Advisor

Mr. Edmond Ogombe helped launch NEF in 2012. He served as NEF’s Field Officer from 2012-2019 until he moved to South Sudan. Edmond is back in Kenya and continues to provide program advice and strategic support to NEF.

Previously, Edmond was the local Development Coordinator in Samia District for CABE and a LEAD Mobile Advisor with the Ministry of Devolution and Planning in Bunyala Sub-county. These positions have given Edmond valuable experience working with community groups on topics such as agricultural innovations, value chains, livelihood skills, climate change adaptation, and financial and project management. A Kenyan national, Edmond holds a Degree in Development Studies from Mt. Kenya University, and a Certificate and Diploma in Social and Community Development from Bumbe Technical Training Institute and Siaya Institute of Technology respectively. 

NEF School Advisory Committee

Led by the Deputy Principal at Busijo Secondary School, the NEF School Advisory Committee also includes the Director of Studies and the school’s Guidance Counselor, among others. It provides coordination of NEF activities and monitoring and evaluation of the academic progress of their students supported by NEF.  The Committee meets at least once per school term with the students and their parents, and they communicate on a regular basis with NEF’s project director and field officer.  

NEF Advisory Board

NEF has an international, volunteer Board of Advisors that meets at least twice a year and communicates as needed to give input, to react to ideas and questions from NEF staff, to review the progress of NEF beneficiaries and the NEF program in general, and to make suggestions for improvements. Furthermore, because NEF is fiscally sponsored and cannot legally have a Board of Directors, NEF’s Advisory Board carries out some of the same roles, such as fundraising and monitoring NEF’s financial health.