Building Pathways to Prosperity, Together

Gloria

Director of Zambia Operations

As the founder of Believe Foundation, Gloria leads initiatives focused on girls’ empowerment, behavior change, and sustainable community development. She is also a senior facilitator specializing in psychosocial support and behavior change for both in-school and out-of-school youth, bringing transformative programs to those who need them most.

In collaboration with Youth Alive Zambia, Gloria provides vital psychosocial support to youth in educational institutions, ensuring they have the tools to navigate life’s challenges and achieve their potential. With deep expertise in program management and community development, Gloria continues to inspire change and uplift the next generation.

Key Areas of Expertise:

• Psychosocial Counseling and Mental Health Support
• Community Development and Program Management
• Youth Empowerment and Behavior Change Facilitation

Gloria’s work is driven by her belief in the power of compassion, education, and support to create a brighter future for individuals and communities alike.

Whitney

Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, U.S.

As the Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, U.S. for Lalumwe, Whitney plays a pivotal role in sharing the organization’s mission and impact with a global audience. In addition to managing social media platforms and storytelling, Whitney also supports the Executive Director of US Operations with fundraising and donor opportunities, ensuring the continued success of Lalumwe’s initiatives.

Whitney graduated from California State University, Chico, with a degree in Resort and Lodging Management and Event Management, complemented by a minor in Health and Wellness. This diverse educational background has provided Whitney with a strong foundation in event planning, building interpersonal relationships, and community well-being.

Inspired by a desire to make a difference, Whitney finds purpose in helping others and fulfilling a deep sense of social responsibility. Working with a dedicated team at Lalumwe has been incredibly rewarding, particularly seeing innovative solutions like portable ultrasounds powered by iPads—a game-changer in bridging healthcare gaps in Africa, where hospitals are often out of reach.

When not working, Whitney is passionate about the outdoors, enjoying activities like running, hiking with her dog, camping, snowboarding, and spending time at the lake or beach. She is also an avid traveler eager to explore the world and its different cultures. Looking ahead, Whitney hopes to see Lalumwe achieve its current project goals and continue making yearly trips to Africa to further its mission of transforming lives.

Trever

Executive Director of U.S. Operations

As the Executive Director of U.S. Operations for Lalumwe, I am dedicated to advancing our mission by cultivating strategic partnerships, managing key initiatives, and ensuring our sustainable growth in the U.S. market. My work is driven by a passion for helping people and animals, aligning closely with Lalumwe’s vision of creating lasting positive impact.

Outside of my role, I am an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast. I’ve had the privilege of visiting 26 U.S. national parks, traversing the wilds of Alaska, and experiencing the beauty and culture of Europe. However, my most transformative journey took place in Africa, where I fell in love with the continent. During my time in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, I went on thrilling safaris and visited multiple villages. These experiences connected me deeply with the people and wildlife of the region, leaving a lasting impression.

Traveling has not only broadened my horizons but also reinforced my commitment to making a difference. I bring this global perspective and compassion to my role at Lalumwe.

Nyika-ino (NYIKA)

Director of Africa Operations

Nyika was born in the tourism town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and grew up in a rural community nearby. Driven by a commitment to uplifting others, he pursued higher education, earning two certificates and a degree in Ministry and Theology, and now serves as a local pastor. In 2024, Nyika received both an honorary master’s in Leadership and Theology and a Doctorate in Humanity, honoring his years of impactful community work.

With over a decade of experience in community development, Nyika founded the nonprofit Sisonke Trust in 2016, focusing on youth empowerment. His work includes partnerships with organizations like ISWS and Global Sojourn Giving Circle, which emphasize education and empowerment for young people. An author of the self-published book I Should Have Known, Nyika brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and leadership to Lalumwe’s mission in Africa. He lives in Victoria Falls with his wife and two sons.

Mike

Executive Board Member | Co-Founder, Lalumwe | Co-Founder, Vivagen Health

Mike is an executive board member of Lalumwe and has always been deeply committed to helping others. Inspired by childhood dreams of becoming a physician, he is now an Emergency Medicine physician in South Florida and serves as the Chief of his Emergency Department.
Since medical school, Mike has participated in multiple medical missions to Africa, including Ethiopia and Uganda, where he developed a deep appreciation for the culture and a strong connection to the communities in need. In 2019, he founded CPR on the Fly, a non-profit organization offering free CPR and AED training to local communities in South Florida. While the COVID-19 pandemic shifted his focus, Mike’s passion for service remained unwavering, leading him to co-found Lalumwe. Mike is dedicated to improving access to healthcare through portable ultrasound technology and enhancing public health with clean drinking water and agricultural initiatives.

Mike is married to his college sweetheart, Jackie, and together they have three children: Lilly, Olivia, and Ethan. Community service and tikkun olam—the Jewish value of repairing the world—are central to their family’s values. Each year, Mike brings one of his children on a trip to Africa to work on projects with local students, experience diverse cultures, and share their experiences with family and friends back home.

Craig

Executive Board Member

Craig is a founding board member of Lalumwe and began his philanthropic journey at a young age, where he was taught by his parents and grandparents the value of serving others. Although his childhood dream of playing in the NBA didn’t materialize, he completed a global ambassadorship for social change through sports, working across New York, Ireland, Israel, and Africa. As a dental professional, Craig has built multiple brands in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, focusing on connecting for-profit businesses with philanthropic projects, which ultimately led to the creation of Lalumwe. Driven by the belief that lifting others can make anything possible, Craig is passionate about empowering future leaders to create a better world. He holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland and a D.D.S. from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Craig completed his Pediatric Dentistry residency at the renowned Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and has held faculty positions at NYU and Holz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami.

Adam

Executive Board Member | Co-Founder, Lalumwe | Founder & CEO, KARV | Partner & CCO, X-AVA | Founder, Tribify

Adam Mead is a seasoned leader in the creative industries, known for his innovative approach to branding and his commitment to social impact. As a co-founder and executive board member of Lalumwe, Adam leverages his extensive experience to advance the organization’s mission through its brand.

In 2007, Adam founded KARV, where he serves as CEO, helping clients accelerate access to growth capital through disruptive narrative and brand.

In 2014, Adam established his own Commercial and Fine Art Photography business, Land of Adam, further expanding his creative portfolio. His entrepreneurial spirit continued to flourish in 2021 when he became a Partner and Chief Creative Officer at X-AVA, a unique agency specializing in designing and executing brand activations and humanitarian campaigns from outer space.

In addition to his roles at Lalumwe, KARV, and X-AVA, Adam is the Founder of Tribify, a consulting firm dedicated to transforming for-profit businesses into purpose-driven brands. His work at Tribify emphasizes the importance of aligning business objectives with social responsibility, making him a key advocate for change in the corporate landscape.

Through his diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to purpose-driven initiatives, Adam Mead continues to inspire and lead in the areas of innovation and impact.

Avi

Board Member

Avi Naider is a serial entrepreneur, operator and investor who has grown several companies from startup to exit, and in various industries including internet advertising, fintech and biotech. He previously served on the Board of Directors of two publicly traded companies (LOXO and XRAY.V) that were subsequently acquired. He currently serves on the boards of several private companies and non profit organizations. He holds a BA with honors from Princeton University and began his career with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Jackelyn

Board Member | Founder & Primary Consultant, Jackwell Partners LLC

Jackelyn is a marketing executive with over 15 years of experience in the media and tech sector. As founder and primary consultant of Jackwell Partners LLC, she currently advises purpose-driven organizations of every size on how to bring offerings to market in a more thoughtful, differentiated, and elevated manner.

Jackelyn has exclusively worked for businesses with ad-supported revenue models, with a range of experience and expertise in strategy, innovation, positioning, and programmatic advertising. Prior leadership experience includes owning global product marketing for Quantcast, leading market intelligence and product strategy at Samsung Ads, and holding various leadership roles on both the product and revenue teams at Dotdash Meredith.

Jackelyn was trained at some of the most iconic media brands, working in ad-sales, marketing, and pricing teams at Discovery, Turner, and Univision. Jackelyn earned her M.B.A. from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University – where she is currently an adjunct professor of marketing. She holds a B.A. in English Communications from Yeshiva University, and graduated summa cum laude.