221104-our-team

Our Team

Our Management Team
Joanna Waddington
Augustine Wasonga
Anthony Okoti
Dennis Amonde
David Evans
Olivia Jarman

Our Staff

Country Boards
Board of Ace Africa UK
Board of Ace Africa Kenya
Board of Ace Africa Tanzania

Our Management Team 

John Emmanuel
Director, Ace Africa Tanzania

BA Counseling Psychology. John Emmanuel Ryakitimbo is the Director of Ace Africa (TZ). John leads a workforce of 17 professional staff and 3 volunteers in delivering transformational and innovative Community Health, Child Development and Community Livelihood projects across three administrative regions of Tanzania.

John began working with Ace Africa (TZ) as a volunteer in 2012 and found inspiration focusing on improving the lives of hard to reach marginalized communities in Tanzania. Over the course of 10 years with Ace Africa, he developed a deep understanding of what’s possible at Ace Africa (TZ) by coordinating various projects and across multiple geographies and functions. Before being named Director, John served as the Head of Programmes, where he provided strategic direction for all Ace Africa (TZ) programmes.

John has actively participated in Ace Africa’s international fundraising events and strategic meetings; this has provided him with an international perspective enabling him to have a deep appreciation of diversity in all its forms. He is committed to building an inclusive workforce that is dedicated to effectively address the issues facing marginalised communities, evidenced by a decade of team work within Ace Africa (TZ).

Anthony Okoti
Co-founder and Director, Ace Africa Kenya

BA Sociology. Anthony ​is a co-founder of ​Ace Africa and has over 25 years’ work experience in community development projects in agriculture, environment, economic empowerment, health including nutrition and HIV and AIDS, and rights protection. Since 2004, he has served in different roles within Ace Africa in Kenya and Tanzania managing projects as well as leading the Ace Africa’s community livelihood programmes. He is currently the Chief Executive officer Ace Africa in Kenya and his role involves providing strategic, financial and operational leadership working closely with senior management team and board of Directors. His role also contributes to strategy, fundraising, donor liaison and representation.

“Ace Africa’s growth and holistic programming has resulted in recognition through awards such as from the Stars Foundation and the Egmont Trust, of our work in transforming the lives of children and their communities in Kenya and Tanzania”

Joanna Waddington MBE
Co-Founder, Ace Africa Kenya, Tanzania and UK
Chair of Ace Africa Tanzania board 

MA International Development – Education and Health Promotion, London University, B.Ed Oxford Brookes University.

Joanna has lived and worked in East Africa for over 20 years. She has extensive experience of working with local communities and partners in remote and difficult environments, and in key development sectors such as community health, child development, rights protection, and social and economic empowerment. The Founder and Director of Ace Africa in Kenya, she lived in Bungoma for 6 years before establishing Ace Africa Tanzania and moving to Arusha in 2008. Joanna established Ace Africa (UK) in 2005 and has been responsible for research and monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, donor liaison, programme and strategic planning, partnerships and advocacy. In 2022, Joanna handed over to the local executive team in Tanzania and became the Chair of Ace Africa (TZ) board. She provides regular technical support to the Tanzania and Kenya programming teams as well as support to the UK fundraising team.

“Ace Africa works as a team, from the staff, the community, partners and donors we all contribute to the betterment of the lives of vulnerable children and their families. Without the commitment from all partners, without total dedication, love and support, none of this would be possible.”

 

David Evans
Country Director, UK

David is responsible for increasing and diversifying Ace Africa’s income, liasing closely with the Kenyan and Tanzanian Country offices. He has worked as a Director, consultant and volunteer for organisations worldwide, in health, education and international development.  Following posts at the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Multiple Sclerosis Society in the UK, he lived and worked in East Africa for four years, developing and managing programmes in Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania.  He was a rural development volunteer in India and teacher in South Sudan. David joins Ace Africa from Cancer Research UK where he helped design and implement a strategy to increase international funding and research. To understand the unique challenges of non profits - and how to manage them - he obtained an MSc in Non Profit Management at the London School of Economics. David graduated from Durham University with a BA Hons in Politics and Law.

Olivia Jarman
Philanthropy Manager, UK

Olivia’s first visit to Tanzania and Kenya was as a volunteer in 2010, working with rural communities for four months. This experience made a deep impact, leading to additional visits as a volunteer and fundraising while gaining her BA Hons degree in Photography. Olivia’s time in Africa led to a career in the non-profit sector, joining Ace Africa in 2014. Olivia is responsible for leading on all events, including ‘challenge’ fundraising events, Gala Dinners, Quiz Nights and as well as donor liaison, finance and communications work.

Our Staff

Run by Africans and for Africans, Ace has a committed and passionate team of 70 employees from which 92% are East Africans and based in Kenya and Tanzania.

Country Boards

Board of Ace Africa UK

Delia Appelt,Kennedy Wanyonyi and Simon Butt.

Board of Ace Africa Kenya

George Okode (Chairman), Augustine Wasonga (Secretary), Karen Owuor (Treasurer), Maureen Buyu, Maryida Aboke, Beatrice Obonyo, Jostinah Mwang’ombe, Eng. Hezekiah Adala, Peter Orengo, Angeline Mukabi, Dr. Peter Umara, Andrew Owuori, Godfrey Owuori, Godfrey Kipngetich, Beatrice Tonui, Sarah Mango, Martin Mutua, Mary Kilobi and Veronica Owende.

Board of Ace Africa Tanzania

Joanna Waddington (Chair), Dr. Ibrahim Isaack Mwita (Treasurer), Helen Charles Mmari (Secretary), Dr. Japhet Stanley Champanda, Augustine Wasonga, Jostinah Mwangombe, Hezekina Adala and Alex Albert Mnyangabe.