John Ahrens
Founder, Execiutive Director, and Board President

"WCDP has been a dream of mine since 1993 and I am overjoyed to watch it come to life with the incredible guidance and support of an amazing group of individuals."

Mr. Ahrens graduated from Michigan State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Wildlife Management and Zoology. He spent two years living in Uganda as a Peace Corps volunteer before continuing his education in the Wildlife Management Masters of Science program at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Ahrens then moved to Los Angeles and completed a Master of Arts program through the African Area Studies Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Development Studies, with an emphasis in African Political Economy.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WCDP is currently re-building its Board of Directors. Interested parties may submit their resume or CV to wdcpus@aol.com with a statement of interest and how you feel you can contribute to the success of WCDP.

Dexter Davis, Founder and CEO, D Street Media Group

Mr. Davis executive produced the acclaimed Arthouse film "The Reception" written and directed by John G. Young that premiered at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival and is currently in post production on the director's third film, "Rivers Wash Over Me". Mr. Davis brokered the first of its kind co-marketing deal with Volkswagon AG that allows the automotive giant to support the distribution efforts of D Street Releasing. Davis also sits on the board of "The Reel World Film Festival".

Richard Kajumbula, M.Sc., Lecturer, Makerere University

Mr. Kajumbula is an assistant lecturer at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. He works in the departments of Distance Education and Accounting, as well as the Institute of Adult and Continuing Education. Kajumbula is working to develop the World Community Development Institute, the research branch of WCDP and to establish a collaboration between WCDP and Makerere University.

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

Keith Riek - East Africa coordinator and Bulaga Community liaison, volunteer

Keith is responsible for coordinating operations in East Africa and serves as the direct liason with the home office in Los Angeles, CA. He also serves as the representative of the Bulaga community

Emmanuel Emokor - Kasolwe Community liaison, volunteer

Emmanuel volunteers as an assistant to Keith in our Kampala office, and serves as the Kasolwe Community liaison.

Jerome Maddox - East Coast Liaison. volunteer

Jerome volunteers his time, under the direction of the president, to meet with potential donors and grant making foundations, as well as potential partner organizations based on the East Coast of the United States, to establish relationships that will help further the mission of WCDP.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Robert Nabanyumya

Mr. Nabanyumya has been affiliated with WCDP since its inception. He works for Care International on community participation activities, development of community based organizations, and empowering communities around the control and conservation of their local natural resources.

Sarah Kimakwa

"I have a passion for community development and a vision to see that poverty is eliminated in our neighborhoods."

Ms. Kimakwa was born and brought up in Halala, a province in western Kenya. She has a Msc. Degree in Agriculture and an MBA in International Development. She has served the world community in different capacities as a high school teacher, an agricultural extension officer with the ministry of agriculture in Kenya, and program coordinator for an NGO. As an extension officer Ms. Kimakwa worked on several agricultural community projects in different parts of Kenya.

After seven years of government work Kimakwa moved on to work for PELUM Association, a network of grassroots organizations in eastern and southern Africa. She coordinated a seed security program that aimed at ensuring that our indigenous seeds were conserved especially with the advent of genetic engineering. She conducted training for community workers on seed and other related topics. She co-authored and edited a seed security manual for community workers

Kimakwa has served as a board member for three organizations. She volunteers her time as a taskforce member for a membership organization based in the US whose aim is to unite all Luhyas living in the US to help them contribute to the socio-economic development of Halala, Kenya where Luhyas come from.

Robel Gizachew

Mr Gizachew, Ethiopian by origin currently resides in the US and Ethiopia. He has done business consulting, mainly market researches, organizational studies and business plans. More recently He has developed financial models for some companies in California. Currently he owns and operates Edge International Inc that among other things hosts the www.pickanitem.com site (Pick an Item).

Gizachew has been active with WCDP since 2001. Since that time he has committed himself to realizing the objectives of WCDP; creating poverty free societies worldwide through the full integration of the five development sectors.

Peter Mutabazi

Peter has worked with numerous aid and other international organizations. He currently is working as a liaison for World Vision, and operates his own private consulting firm which leads fundraising expeditions throughout Africa for potential donors. His many contacts with different members of the development world make him a valuable member of our team.

Peter M Sentongo

Peter had significant experience working in the non-profit world with emphasis on community development, education and student development programs.