IPU Podcast

Ivan is a Rwandan born, Kampala raised accountant currently plying his tax accounting trade for a major firm in Chicago. Ivan has a Masters in Data Analytics and Taxation, and a Bachelors in Accounting. 

I started HEIRITAGE in the summer of last year not long after I came up with the idea of raising money to support our community for COVID-19 relief. There were already multiple GofundMe pages for the same initiative so I had creative with ways to achieve that goal. 

The “Iwacu” necklace is not only an emblem that represents our Rwandan heritage but each purchase of the jewelry makes a difference in someone’s life back our community”

Fiona is the founder & creative director of Anaya Arts; minimalist art that is inspired by representation. 

Therese is passionate about leveraging science, tech, and art to create solutions that improve the human experience. She created Iraba because she knew first-hand what it’s like to be frustrated and confused about natural hair, and believed that people with even the curliest and tiniest of curls deserve a better haircare experience. She has worked in various industries including pharmaceutical technology and agriculture value addition before she founded Kemura, the product development firm that supports various projects in the making.

Ezra Kenyanya is the founder and director of VUNA International, an organization that seeks to empower isolated communities with inadequate access to healthcare, education, and food security in Africa. In recent years, the organization’s work has expanded to work with immigrant youth in the diaspora.

Prior to coming to Jeremiah Program, Ezra served as Community Organizer and Consultant for non-profit organizations both nationally and internationally. His expertise has benefitted organizations such as Volunteer Coordinator African Career, Education & Resources Inc. (ACER), Monitoring and Evaluation United Ways MI, Capacity Building HAFARI Malagasy Madagascar, Training for Youth Intervention Program Association (YIPA) MN, and World Vision Kenya program consultant.

Ezra is an alumnus of the University of New Hampshire and received his BA in Science and an MSc in Community and International Development from Andrews University.

He has a special interest in youth empowerment and education sustainability and has conducted fieldwork projects in Madagascar leading to a paper that will soon be published in the Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy.

Ezra has spoken extensively at world events for youth, students, young professionals, and civic leaders, most of his work has been done in East and Central Africa and North America. Ezra currently works at Jeremiah Program as the Volunteer Manager, he also serves part-time at Kenya Community SDA Church in Minnesota where he is helping to establish a Youth Community Center of Influence for young Africans.

Tabitha is a therapist, activist, motivational speaker, and consultant whose work centers on the intersection between the transferring and transforming of trauma across generations.

Whether facilitating a workshop with an organization or working with individuals through one-on-one sessions, the healer in her uses all avenues to deepen people's relationship with the legacies they unconsciously inherit.

Tabitha is the founder and strategic advisor for EDJA, a program that combats SGBV in Uganda, and an educator of global communities committed to end cycles of SGBV.

Abigail Greaves is the Director of Respiratory and Sleep Services and is the Emergency Management Coordinator for her hospital. Abigail has a Masters in Global Public Health, a Bachelors in Healthcare Administration, and an Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care. She also has a certification in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Relief. Abigail is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, a Neonatal Pediatric Specialist, and a Neonatal Resuscitation Instructor and has been working in healthcare for over a decade. 

Abigail is the founder of the “Health for Healthcare Professional” podcast where she and different guests discuss ways to promote and encourage health for healthcare workers. Day in and day out healthcare workers focus on the health of their patients, shouldn’t they be allowed to focus on their health as well? The podcast is available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Buzzsprout.