The African Road board is made up of talented and thoughtful individuals committed to helping expand our network of support and expertise sustaining our partnerships with Changemakers in East Africa, for lasting impact. We’re excited to announce the addition of two new members to the board: long-time friends of African Road, please meet Grace McLaren and Jeremy Stanley!
Grace McLaren
Grace brings her extensive experience in organizational development, practical business management and deep empathy to the board. Whether gathering women for her deep-dive conversational retreats or traveling to listen and learn from people who care, Grace is a beacon of hope and light for women who need space for their own unique expression and for creation of healthy community. Additionally, Grace has made multiple trips to the African continent to learn from others and stand in relational support. An early friend of African Road, supporter and advisor to Executive Director Kelly Bean, since the inception of African Road, Grace enthusiastically expressed that she is “happy to return to her work as reflective counsel, witness, and cheerleader for all the amazing work that is happening in East Africa and beyond” — and we are happy too! One of Grace’s favorite African Road memories is from a 2017 Learning Trip, when she sat on the floor at the Togetherness Preschool, surrounded by beautiful children, seeing and feeling such joy. Welcome to the board, Grace!
Jeremy Stanley
Jeremy has spent over 17 years working in various forms of visual communication. After building a successful career in Hollywood as a television producer, he couldn’t shake the desire to take part in work that he felt had lasting value and meaning. He shifted to working with nonprofits and NGOs, primarily focused on holistic community development with partners in East Africa. In 2017, while helping African Road tell and share the stories of the incredible Changemakers in Rwanda and Burundi, Jeremy says he was deeply moved by the passion and model of African Road and the obvious friendship we have cultivated with our partners, the Changemakers. Jeremy now lives in New York City and consults with all kinds of organizations globally, helping them to better communicate their stories and deepen their partnerships with audiences and donors. His vast international experience and the friendships developed through those experiences have shaped his life, his focus and his work, and we’re glad to have him bring those to strengthen the work of African Road. Welcome to the board, Jeremy!
Special Thanks to Sean Callaghan and Joni Grace Powers
Outgoing board members Sean Callaghan (center) and Joni Powers (right) stand with VICOBA founder and African Road Changemaker David Clemy. Both Sean and Joni remain supportive friends of African Road, so don’t worry, you’ll see them around!
We’d also like to express our deepest appreciation to two outgoing board members who have contributed significantly to the success of African Road as an organization.
Joni Powers’ strong skill sets in international engagement and facilitation, multiple trips to East Africa, wise questions, brilliant sense of humor, and deep commitment to relationship helped take African Road forward during her board term.
Founding board member Sean Callaghan, with his decades of experience in international development, will shift from a board officer role and continue to serve in an ongoing advisory capacity.
Please join us in welcoming our new board members and in thanking our dear friends Joni and Sean for their years of service and support!
To learn more about these and other past and present members of the African Road board, please visit https://www.africanroad.org/our-team/.