About Us
Board of Directors: USA
Amani Africa USA |
Amani Africa Rwanda |
Amani Africa Burundi
Elizabeth Davis
Amani Africa Executive Director
Meredith Bates
Meredith is passionate about the possibilities of social enterprise in transforming international development. She is the Corporate Responsibility Manager at New Forests Company in Uganda, East Africa. She works with communities, government, investors and all stakeholders to make sure the company is making a positive social, environmental, and economic development impact. Previously, she worked as the General Manager at the Ugandan subsidiary of the West African software company, Socket Works Global, using their innovative business model to install information management systems in universities and public institutions. Before that, she was the Human Resource Manager for TERP Consult, a development oriented Ugandan Public Relations company in Kampala. In addition to the board of Amani Africa, Meredith also serves on the board of Enjuba, a Ugandan fair trade company. She is originally from Massachusetts and got her BS in international development from Vanderbilt University.
Elizabeth Kahn
Elizabeth has dedicated her professional and academic life to service and working with vulnerable youth. She has developed and led mentoring programs for inner city youth in Nashville and chaired the Tennessee Youth Advisory Council, a council of foster youth aiming to improve their lives and the foster care system. She has also worked on the Children Defense Fund's campaign for universal health care for children, the Learn and Serve America grant for civic engagement in Tennessee, and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
Elizabeth received her Bachelor's degree in Child Studies and Child Development from Vanderbilt University. She stayed at Vanderbilt to earn her Master's Degree in Community Development with a concentration in high-poverty and at-risk youth. Elizabeth currently works for an Ackerman Institute program providing social and emotional competence curriculum to low performing public schools. She recently volunteered with an Earth Watch Institute delegation in rural Kenya, conducting research on sustainability within the Samburu community. She visited all the Amani Africa programs in Rwanda and even got to see the wild mountain gorillas along the Rwandan border with Congo. Elizabeth hopes to continue combining her passion for youth issues with international development.
Laura Heaton
Laura recently returned to the United States from Rwanda, where she worked on various journalism-related projects in Kigali and in the eastern DR Congo. As a human rights activist in college, Laura realized that much advocacy work could be done through the stories she could write and photos she could take.
Laura’s studies and work have led her to spend extended periods of time living in Vietnam, France, and Madagascar, and she has consistently been drawn to work with vulnerable children. Finally, a summer in Rwanda as a delegate of Global Youth Connect convinced Laura of her passion for Africa’s Great Lakes region. Most recently, she worked as a consultant for La Benevolencija, an international non-governmental organization that produces radio programs about reconciliation and justice in Rwanda. Laura also photographed and reported on aspects of the humanitarian and political crisis in the eastern DR Congo for The ENOUGH Project in Washington, D.C.
Between periods of working abroad, Laura has held editing and reporting positions at Agence France Presse and United Press International in Washington, D.C. A native of Oregon, Laura received her B.A. in International Relations with a human rights concentration from Connecticut College in 2005.
Brett Dashe
Brett was introduced to international development through several classes covering international organizations while attending Vanderbilt University. His interest in supporting Amani Africa ignited after spending time with Charles and Gasana during a trip through several East African countries. After two trips to the continent, he is inspired to contribute his knowledge and skills to promote Amani Africa.
Brett graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2006 with a B.S. in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness with a strong concentration in managerial studies. He is currently a Senior Sales Manager for Hilton Hotels Corporation with his goals set on forward movement in the industry. His career in the hospitality industry, which began in restaurants and progressed to hotel management, allows him to develop his passion to make people smile and help them succeed.
His enthusiasm for adventure is exemplified through his hobbies of scuba diving, global travel, and skydiving. He plans to return to Rwanda as frequently as his schedule provides.
Ryan Trout
Ryan has worked in human rights, conflict resolution, and education issues from a very young age. Shortly after graduating from Mount St. Mary’s, Ryan participated in a Global Youth Connect delegation to Rwanda. He spent the summer working with Amani Africa president Gasana Mutesi and aiding in the development of the plans for the Amani Vocational School.
Ryan recently joined AmeriCorps, and now works with Community Mediation Maryland at the Washington County Community Mediation Center. Ryan serves as the Youth Outreach Specialist, developing peer mediation programs and presenting alternative conflict resolution methods to a wide range of community members.