FIELD DIRECTOR

Djiba was born and raised in Ouelessebougou, Mali. He was introduced to the Alliance at a young age and later worked as an intern in the Mali office. He was also an OA translator for the visiting Utah OB/GYN expeditions. Djiba came to Utah and graduated from Utah Valley University then earned a Master of Global Affairs degree from University of Notre Dame. Djiba was the first annual recipient of the Hesburgh Global Fellowship which funded a graduate of the Master of Global Affairs program to pursue work focused on peace, justice, development and other related fields. Djiba selected to work at Ouelessebougou Alliance with one year working in Utah and the second year in Mali. Djiba became the Alliance’s Field Director in August 2021.

Djiba lives in Ouelessebougou with his beautiful wife Mandie and their two children. He is very dedicated to serving his community. goes here

PROGRAM MANAGER

Teningnini was born and raised in Ouelessebougou, Mali. She has worked for the Alliance since 2000 and plays a significant role in facilitating our programs. Teningnini works directly with Village Health Workers and Education Councils. She also plays a significant role in our women’s health initiatives training the villages’ Health Matrons and Apprentices and supervising the Alliance’s Days for Girls micro-enterprise and educates thousands of women and girls on women’s health. Teningnini and her husband Leonce live in Ouelessebougou. She is the mother of three daughters.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Boubou was a public school teacher for 15 years before coming to work for the Alliance. He is married and has seven children, all who went to school in Ouelessebougou. Boubou provides support with our health and education projects during our program year.

NIGHT GAURDIAN

Modibo has worked for the Alliance for two years. He provides security at the compound and ensures the safety of the property and its visitors. Modibo is married with one child. with an idea.

GROUNDS KEEPER

Sekouba was born and raised in Ouelessebougou. He has worked for the Alliance since 1997. He is one of the Alliance's first and longest-serving employees. Sekouba is a hardworking man who serves with a smile. He is married and lives with his family of seven in Ouelessebougou.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amanda's profound connection to Africa was ignited during her college years, specifically when she embarked on a transformative study abroad experience in Ghana. During this time, she dedicated her summer to teaching local students and engaging in community public health initiatives. Upon returning to the United States, Amanda completed her bachelors in Public Health with honors two years later.

Throughout her professional journey, Amanda has been deeply involved in healthcare administration including marketing, operations, project management, and leadership. Most recently, Amanda served as an Analyst for the Canyons School District.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Amanda is an avid enthusiast of outdoor activities. She finds solace and adventure in hiking, skiing, rafting, rock climbing, and camping. Her adventurous spirit is shared with her husband, four daughters, and their cherished canine companion.

FINANCE MANAGER

Betsie Wolford is a Certified Bookkeeper by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers and holds a B.S. in Communications from Utah Valley University. Betsie has been in the bookkeeping field for more than 3 years, starting in private budgeting and bookkeeping, and finally transitioning to small business and nonprofit bookkeeping in 2021. Prior to discovering her love of finance, Betsie worked in Public Relations in Las Vegas, NV, and in Artist Management in Nashville, TN while attending Belmont University. Betsie has fallen in love with Ouelessebougou Alliance and is excited to be able to help further its mission in Mali.

AUCTION COORDINATOR

Ryan spent time at Brigham Young University gaining an appreciation for nonprofit management and later graduated Utah State University with a degree in International Studies. He is working to certify as a nonprofit professional (CNP) and dedicates himself to bettering the lives of others. Though just starting his post-college journey, Ryan is intent on using his talents to make positive change in the world with the support of his wife and family.

BUSINESS OWNER & TEACHER

MEMBER SINCE 2019

Kara is a firm believer in the human rights, dignity, and capacity of all people. She has been involved with the Ouelessebougou Alliance almost from its beginning, watching and appreciating the impact it has on the people of Mali. Kara was a member of the International Development program at BYU and later helped implement health programs in the Philippines where she served as a missionary. She worked with the Mabuhay Foundation and Enterprise Mentors International, providing health and micro-credit assistance. Later, Kara returned to the Philippines to lay the groundwork for the Academy for Creating Enterprise (ACE), an international program for training entrepreneurs, now operating in several third world countries. She graduated from BYU and has owned and operated several businesses. Kara loves to be as close to the ocean as she can get, plays and teaches piano, and adores her husband, Dave, and their six amazing children.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, RIIQO

Member since 2016

Carl Dempsey started working in the field of international development in 2008. He has held positions with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the American Red Cross and Pact, managing community-based programs implementing health and education projects. He has worked extensively in countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Carl has a BA in Linguistics from BYU and an MPA in Non Profit Management from George Mason University. After years in the Washington, D.C. area, he relocated to Utah in 2015. He has a wife and three sons and works in software development as a Chief Operations Officer based in Lehi, UT.

AUDIT ASSOCIATE, TANNER LLC

Member since 2018

Bakary was born and raised in Bamako, Mali. He moved to the U.S. after high school to continue his college education. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA from Utah Valley University. He is a CPA and has been working with Tanner LLC. since 2017. Before his full-time position with Tanner, he had a chance to do an internship with them which exposed him to the financial accounting world. He likes lifting weights, and is always ready to play soccer whenever he has the chance.

CEO, TENCAP WEALTH COACHING

Member since 2019

Joe is the CEO of Tencap Wealth Coaching. Tencap is a financial planning group that is proud to offer comprehensive financial planning for Utah’s high-net-worth. Joe loves creating an environment that encourages the development and implementation of actionable strategies that drive positioning and profitability. Joe has been growing and managing various financial planning firms for his entire career.

Joe has always had a passion for helping. He has participated in projects in Mexico for orphanages and worked with a Utah based children’s cancer camp, and participates in sub-for-santa each year.

Joe is married with three children, and enjoys the outdoors, especially if it involves mountain biking, camping, and/or boating. He’s a believer in self-improvement, avidly competes in triathlons, but also enjoys quiet time and movie nights with his family.

RETIRED DEAN, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

Prior to her doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, Addie taught English at Jordan High and BYU High and, subsequently, advised Student Life programs at BYU. For 24 years, she was at the University of Utah, as a psychologist in the University Counseling Center and professor and chair in the Department of Educational Psychology. Her research focus was in counseling psychology, specifically, group psychotherapy. Addie spent the last nine years of her career at Brigham Young University as Dean of Graduate Studies and, lastly, as Assistant to the President. At a personal level, Addie considers Mali her country and Ouelessebougou her home, such that are blessed by noble people who understand the depth of ‘hope’. She served as Board chair in 1988-90 and 1996-98 and has participated in some 10 expeditions that focused on health, education, or staff development. Addie resides in Draper with Sharon Staples and Pebbles (a chocolate lab), both of whom have an affinity for our Malian friends.

RETIRED PREMIER AGENT, PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL

Member since 2010

Richard recently retired from Prudential after 43 years as a Financial Advisor. Prudential has honored Richard with several Presidential Citations for his outstanding service to his clients. In addition to serving on the Alliance’s board, he is on the Advisory Board for KUER Radio and on the Board of Friends Meeting House Fund, a committee for the Friends General Conference in Philadelphia. He has been an active member of the Bonneville Exchange Club for over 23 years where he has served as their President. Professionally, he has been an active member of Salt Lake Estate Planning Council and a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table. His industry credentials include CLU, ChFC, AEP, and CMFC. Richard is serving as Project Manager for Ouelessebougou Alliance’s new malaria initiative. He is raising funds for and facilitating the first Western-style mosquito abatement program in Mali. Richard was married to his wife, Connie, for 48 years before she passed away in 2012. He is proud of his four children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

VP & CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, MEDICI LAND GOVERNANCE

Member since 2022

Bo Jonas runs the legal department at Medici Land Governance, a blockchain-based land titling software company that is working to title the country of Zambia and map the country of Guyana, with the goal of bringing financial inclusion to all. Bo loves the mission of the Alliance and is excited to serve the people of Mali. He spent 10 years growing tech companies serving the US Military. Bo has an MBA from the University of Texas, Permian Basin, a Law Degree from BYU, and a Bachelors from UCLA. Bo and his wife, Kendra, have 5 kids and on the rare chance he has free time, Bo likes to play music and hockey, and does woodworking.

AUTHOR, EDITOR

Member since 2018

Heidi Poelman received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). She is the published author of several books for children and families. She has volunteered as a Communications Consultant for HELP International. She started working with Ouelessebougou Alliance as a way to connect her children’s elementary school with the Malian culture. The school partnership program has been a great success, with cultural days, art exchanges, and multiple successful fundraisers for needed items in Ouelessebougou. Heidi joined the OA board in 2019 and is looking forward to continued efforts connecting school children in Utah with children in Mali. Heidi lives in Sandy with her husband and four children.

PROJECT MANAGER, ELITE HARDSCAPES

Member since 2005

Danene has been with the Alliance for a while now and her love of Malians continues to grow. She often says, “I’m homesick for Ouelessebougou!” and considers it her home away from home. She has served on our health committee and traveled a few times with doctors to help Malians with eye care. Danene is native to Utah and remembers when the Alliance was first organized, back in the 80’s. Danene served as OA Board Chair between 2018-2020. When she isn’t spending her time with the Alliance, Danene works in landscape construction. She also serves as a team leader for Days for Girls in Draper.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & PRIVACY MANAGER, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Member since 2021

Although Ben had not served on the board prior to 2021, he has a long history with the Alliance, having traveled to Ouelessebougou, and served on and off with the Alliance for decades. Ben is an attorney and a former journalist whose legal expertise is in media law. He is enthusiastic about the capacity of the Alliance to improve the lives of community members throughout Southeast Mali.

Harrison Riehle has dedicated four of the past ten years to living in West Africa. Initially embarking on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he later returned to establish an off-grid solar venture in the Central Region of Ghana. Throughout the four years of operation, Harrison and his team brought light to the lives of thousands, providing clean solar energy to Ghanaians. Unbeknownst to him, the impact of these efforts resulted in an unexpected honor – an invitation from a local chief in Nyenasi village to serve as an honorary elder on the council. Additionally, Harrison launched a for-profit hotel in the Western Region, with the profits earmarked to support the village. West Africa holds a special and significant place in his heart, and he is enthusiastic about bringing his experiences to the board, poised to contribute and make a positive difference in Mali.

I was raised in the Pacific Northwest, I then returned to my roots to attend Utah State University. My greatest joy and accomplishment has been the opportunity to raise my children and serve in the community in various capacities. My husband Seth and I have a blended family of 7 children. Our passions for athletics, faith and the beach keep us busy and happy.

I have known and loved the people of Africa since I was a child. My father had a starting role in the Ouelessebougou Alliance and passed down his passion to love and serve. My oldest son is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Cote D’Ivoire West Abidjan/ Senegal Africa mission. West Africa and its people hold special place as generationally we grow to know, serve and celebrate its culture and people. With enthusiasm and gratitude I look forward to working with the Alliance.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!