PRESIDENT

Karen met Adolf Kalyegira in 2007 in Balad, Iraq, while serving for the U.S. Army. Karen started helping Adolf in June 2016 when he was working with the orphans in his local community. Karen is a retired Army logistics officer who served for 31 years. With her experiences in the areas of supply, logistics, transportation, operations, strategy, knowledge management and project management, she brings a nice mix of talents. She is married to Keith Seaman and they took their first trip to Uganda in December 2018 to validate the Kaguma Education Centre’s need for assistance. They both want to give back by helping the people in the Kaguma Community through education.

VICE PRESEIDENT

Cynthia is a Maryland resident and a federal government attorney. She is also a retired JAG Warrant Officer who served with the 316th ESC in Iraq.

When Karen Jennings reached out and told me what Adolf was doing and her idea of starting a non-profit to help his efforts, I could not wait to help. What truly attracted me was that the plan was not to be an enabling organization but rather, one that leads the school to become self-sustaining. This is an organization that will make a long-lasting difference in the lives of many now. I thank God daily for this opportunity.

SECRETARY

Martha recently retired after a forty-year career in government contracting at a large international defense and security company. She is the former vice president of contracts where she was responsible for the leadership and management of the contracts function, policy formulation, professional development, and monitoring of acquisition related regulatory activity. A seasoned professional, Martha brings a wealth of experience in contracts, business operations, subcontracts, and program management to the KEC-AVOH US Board.

Karen Jennings and Keith Seaman are Martha’s good friends. In the spirit of service to others, she is pleased to join in their efforts to assist Adolf Kalyegira and the Kaguma Education Centre.

TREASURER

Melanie hails from Rhode Island and is a transplant who now resides in Wilmington, North Carolina. She met Karen Jennings at the University of Rhode Island in 1976 where they were roommates. Melanie earned a Bachelor's degree in Small Business Management. She worked as a Controller for several years before starting her own franchise business in 2004. She and her husband George owned their business for over 18 years and recently sold it, then headed south for their next chapter in life; retirement. One day Karen asked Melanie if she knew how to work quickbooks and she said, yes, that's easy, I used it with my business. So, that led to the next question, asking her if she wanted to come onboard and help with our non-profit in a key role as our treasurer. She was happy to join the team and has done a great job in managing our finances.

DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Annie is a Pennsylvania resident and a seasoned cyber security professional. Although she did not serve with the 316th ESC, her generous spirit and compassion compelled her to join KEC-AVOH, and she has become a critical member of our team.

I volunteer within my local community and give back to the surrounding communities as much as I can. When the opportunity to help a village in another country was presented to me, I was elated and excited to help mold the non-profit and provide support to a community in need.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Abel is an attorney licensed to practice in Washington D.C. and Maryland. Abel also practiced law in Cameroon and offered in-house legal counsel in France before moving to the United States. Abel has a passion for human rights, particularly the right to education. He met with KEC’s founder, Karen Jennings, in 2018 through her husband, Keith Seaman who was his boss at Le’fant LLC. He shared in KEC’s vision for sustainable education in rural Africa and volunteered in KEC’s board as legal adviser/African Consultant.

Abel sees his work at KEC as one of the many ways of giving back and creating awareness for the need for universal education.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Keith learned about the effort to assist the Kaguma Education Center through Karen. He served in a number of positions in the Air Force and the Federal Government: intelligence, acquisition, transportation, information technology, and fighter weapons and tactics. He retired from the Air Force after 28 years and from the government as a career Senior Executive Service Officer after 37 years of service. He has also served as a bi-vocational pastor.

My visit to Uganda was the saddest, yet most rewarding experience that I have ever had.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Sarah is a North Carolina resident currently serving as the principal of Banks Road Elementary School in Raleigh, NC. Sarah is currently in her 20th year in education. In addition to serving as a school leader, she is pursuing her Doctorate of Education Leadership degree at NC State University.

I serve on the Board because I believe all students deserve access to high quality teaching and learning. I am excited to help the students of KEC learn, grow, and reach their full potential.