Volunteer Staff

Alisha Karmali
Based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Alisha is researching short-term and long-range funding opportunities for SpanAfrica.

"I was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I lived in California for a year and am now at the University of Waterloo completing my Bachelor's degree in Honors International Development. Growing up in a diverse background has contributed to my interest in different cultures and lifestyles. I am fluent in French, English, Gujarati, Hindi and I understand some Swahili. Volunteering has always been a passion of mine and SpanAfrica is a great organization where I can follow my passion."

Chris Murtaugh
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Chris is the Systems Administator fo the SpanAfrica back-end systems.

(We yet await a deep, meaningful quote from Chris.)

Franziska Dormann
Based in Cairo, Egypt, Franzi is SpanAfrica's AfricanRoots Program Coordinator.

She is completing her Masters in Global Studies, with an emphasis on political, societal, and historical developments in sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA- Region. She is proficienct in English, French, and Arabic. 

"I am working to apply my knowledge and passion for Africa through my work with SpanAfrica, while broadening my horizons."

Jake Fedie
Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Jake is the graphic designer and website developer for SpanAfrica.

"I am a man of few words."

 
Kai Staats
As a Board member for SpanAfrica from the fall of 2007 through 2011, Kai Staats has dedicated his time and passion to supporting Span's web presence, communications infrastructure, and helping Span grow. A graduate of the College of Architecture, School of Industrial Design, ASU, Kai has volunteered in rural Poland where he designed and managed the construction of a 2,000 sq-ft playground; rebuilt a high school computer lab in northern Namibia, Africa; and on three occasions,  volunteered through SpanAfrica in Kenya, Africa. Kai is the Principal of Over the Sun, LLC , an innovations and business consulting firm and continues to work with Span where he is needed.

Kathleen Tavenner
Kathleen is the Gender Coordinator for SpanAfrica.

Kathleen is currently completing a Masters degree in Gender and International Relations from the University of Bristol and has a BA in Communication and Gender Studies from Juniata College.  She recently worked as a research fellow on a UN-Habitat water and sanitation solutions project in Tamil Nadu, India. Her research interests broadly focus on gender justice, women's rights and social change.

Signe Weber Carlsen
Signe is an Assistant to the African Ops communication.

Born and raised in Aarhus, Denmark, Signe had her first African experience at the age of 14 when she and her family moved to Accra, Ghana where her mother worked for the Danish NGO Ibis. Since then Signe has remained motivated to expand her world-view. Signe has worked as an English teacher in the Southern Chinese Province of Guangdong, received her B.A. in English and Anthropology, and is currently studying for her M. A. in International Studies from the University of Aarhus and M.S. in Political Science at Vrije University, Amsterdam. Her second home Africa will always have a very special place in Signe's heart no matter where her studies and work take her.

Tove Sigfridsson
Tove is the Director of Niche Operations for SpanAfrica.

Tove Sigfridsson was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden and has lived in Greece and Brazil. She is passionate about social justice and development. Currently Tove is living in South Africa, completing a master degree in International Studies at Stellenbosch University. Her educational background is in Political Science and Social Anthropology, and her work has focused on the recruitment of personal assistants for people with physical disabilities.