About Empower Tanzania

Empower Tanzania is about volunteers. We have a volunteer Board of Directors and a group of incredible individuals working on committees and leading projects, as well as donating services and expertise. Without these dedicated people, nothing we do would be possible. In addition to our excellent volunteers, we have staff in both the U.S. and Tanzania working to maximize our impact. Together, we make a difference!

Our Team

Amy Sivertsen
Accounts Consultant
Carrie Maloney
Director of Advancement
Catherine John Wales
Health Programs Coordinator
Dr. Jeffrey Carithers
Health Programs Director
Efancia Nzota
Health Programs Manager
Elibariki Kisimbo
Country Director, Tanzania
Elisabeth Woosley
Digital Content Manager
Flora Zephania Mmbaga
Accountant
Hallelujah Mmwiri
Teacher, Same Learning Center
Joseph Johnson Kimbwereza
Integrated Farming & Water Projects Director
Lauren Erlandson
Consulting Director of Fair Trade
Lilian Karani
Teacher, Same Learning Center
Mary Mrutu
Secretary & Asst. Coordinator, Same Learning Center
Nteghenjwa Mjema
Administrative Assistant
Phil Latessa
Board President-Elect
Riziki Joseph Kimbwereza
Assistant Coordinator, Same Learning Center
Todd Byerly
Executive Director
Yoeza Mbonea Mnzava
Education Programs Director

"It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it." -Nelson Mandela

Board of Directors

Officers

Members

  • Jennie Peakin
  • David Meyer
  • Carol Putz
  • Frank Klipsch
  • Charles Bursch
  • Lisa Menzies
  • Holley Bzdega
  • Rob Craig
  • Chip Lowe
  • Nahana Mjema
  • Amon Noel Mchomvu
  • Mike Welsch
  • Filbert Kaspar
  • Janeth Malimbwi
  • Mark Pascal
  • Vicki Comegys
  • Andrew Bean
  • Ted Stephens
  • Mark Vukovich

Wezesha Circle

  • Phil Latessa
  • Kindra Jacobsen
  • Mike & Deborah Welsch
  • Denise Murray Edwards
  • Robert Craig
  • Heide & Charles Bursch
  • Hanne Dalmut
  • Jennie & Sean Peakin
  • Ali Carithers
  • Kent & Sara Johnson
  • Chad & Andrea McKenna
  • Frank Klipsch
  • Eric Dreibelbeis & Candice Schlafmann
  • Diane Ullom
  • John Meyer
  • Amy & Andrew Sivertsen
  • Glen Rippke
  • Dr. Jeff Carithers
  • John & Anne Hartson
  • Sara Olson-Smith
  • Frederic & Martha Hoerr
  • Mike Gaul
  • Andrew Bice
  • Bonnie & Dick Ekse
  • Mike Roselli
  • Rachel Stauffer
  • Mamie Carlson
  • Karin Bursch
  • Debra Parrott
  • Eric & Rebecca Gerke
  • Elaine Olson
  • Jaymie & Jason Wilson
  • Karen Clark
  • Jill Hook
  • Jill June
  • Chip Lowe
  • Ed Bell
  • Mark Tucker
  • Sarah Peakin
  • Lisa Veach
  • Ryan Schneider & Lindsey Mack
  • John & Mary Barnum
  • Dr. Lisa Menzies
  • Jake & Leslie Klipsch
  • Matthew Seberger
  • Marta Ford
  • Dennis Ullom
  • Elisabeth Woosley
  • Dr. Holley & Ted Bzdega
  • Kip Peters & Jodi Morgan-Peters
  • Don Wolfe
  • Marlene Marolf
  • Lenore Metrick-Chen
  • Garrett Ullom
  • Stacie & Tom Franklin
  • Vicki Comegys
  • Brandy Case Haub

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Our Partners

  • Peterson Family Foundation
  • Transform International
  • Global Health Media Project
  • Medical Aid Films
  • Rotary International
  • American International Health Alliance
  • Global Health Ministries
  • United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
  • US Aid for International Development
  • Days for Girls
  • Giving Hope Foundation
  • Medicos del Mundo
  • Argrow's House
  • Commonwealth 4 Returns Partners
  • ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod
  • Fair Trade Federation
  • US Department of State Office of Global Partnerships
  • Concordia
  • Growing Hope Foundation
  • One Day's Wages
  • East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer
  • Des Moines University Department of Global Health
  • Univeristy of Iowa - University of Iowa College of Public Health
  • UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Graduate Education and Media Resources
  • Georgia Southern University Jiann - Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Northern Arizona University - School of Nursing and Department of Anthropology
  • Northern Arizona University - Department of Anthropology
  • Drake University College of Pharmacy
  • Des Moines Area Community College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • University of Virginia Darden School of Business
  • World Vision Tanzania
  • Same Diocese of Roman Catholic Church
  • ELCT Pare Diocese
  • Same District Council
  • Mwanga District
  • Maasai Villages in Same and Mwanga Districts
  • Same Counseling Center
    "Over the last 10 years the blessings that we’ve seen, as a result of programs that we’ve sponsored, have greatly exceeded our wildest hopes and expectations! In summary, we commend ETI for their strategic work and the implementation of medical education and healthcare programs which continue to have a tremendous impact on improving the health and quality of life of untold hundreds of thousands of Tanzanians."
    Dean A. Peterson, President
    The Peterson Family Foundation, Inc.
    September 17, 2021

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