We are the team behind everything you see here at Kutoa Project.
THE CORE KUTOA PROJECT TEAM
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Shaé Brown
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Shaé has years of experience in the social work field both domestically and internationally. She has worked extensively developing and implementing successful programs for youth, specifically young women, worldwide.
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Jason Brown
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - US
Jason has brought his entrepreneurial spirit into helping create programs to provide positive support systems for Kenyan youth. A strong focus for developing programs aimed at improving a youth’s ability to succeed in the community.
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Maggie Wangui
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - KENYA
Maggie has been a teacher and a long-time friend to many young people inside and outside the classroom. She joined Kutoa Project first as an intern, and then as a full-time employee in September 2018.
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Esther Otieno
PROGRAM SUPPORT & COUNSELLING
Esther is a compassionate counselor and dedicated Program Assistant at Kutoa Project, where she supports individuals navigating life’s challenges with empathy and care.
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Juliana Wangare
PROGRAM SUPPORT & TRAINING
With a strong background in leading and supporting young adult programs, Juliana brings passion, dedication, and hands-on experience to her role. Her training includes specialized knowledge in trauma-competent care, child advocacy, and community engagement—skills that align deeply with the mission of Kutoa Project.
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Cecilia Njoroge
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Cecilia brings a strong background in Psychology, Human Resources, Training, and Project Management. Her work has focused on youth development, mental health, and community empowerment—areas that deeply align with her core values.
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Faith Aroni
COUNSELLOR
Faith brings a background in Counseling Psychology and Gender Programming. She is deeply passionate about trauma-informed care and community healing, with a strong commitment to supporting survivors and vulnerable groups through safe, empowering spaces.
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Clare Mutiria
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
As a certified trainer in trauma, Clare is passionate about equipping others both survivors and caregivers with tools for emotional recovery and well-being. Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and personal growth in the lives of those she serves.
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Mirriam Mwongela
SOCIAL WORKER
Mirriam has a background in social work and is deeply passionate about empowering both individuals and communities to discover hope, restoration and wholistic restoration. She hopes to reach more children, youths, caregivers and community members alongside the team here at Kutoa through our services.
KUTOA PROJECT SUPPORT STAFF
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Daniel
ACCOUNTANT
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Shiku
HOUSE MANAGER
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Migel
PROPERTY MANAGER
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Belones
ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER
In Loving Memory, 2025
Would you like to
hear from our staff in Kenya?
Each month we provide an opportunity to connect with our directors and staff through our live monthly update. This is a great way to hear from us on the field with ministry updates, upcoming events, and prayer requests! We enjoy taking time to connect with you and share how you have been impacting the lives of so many children and youth in Kenya.
CONNECT WITH US
NORTH AMERICAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Esther Knox-Dekoning
BOARD PRESIDENT
Esther lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, Jake, and pup, Cypress. With over a decade of experience across the global advertising and nonprofit sectors, she brings a deep commitment to purpose-driven storytelling as the founder of a social impact design studio, where she led Kutoa’s strategy and rebrand in 2021. As Board President, Esther continues to support the organization’s strategic vision. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and immersing herself in art and culture.
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Lucas Lengacher
VICE PRESIDENT
Lucas is a licensed mental health counselor from Warsaw, Indiana that brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for helping. He is a Crisis Services Manager for the Bowen Center’s Inpatient Unit. Lucas helps create and shape program guidelines for our work in Kenya. Lucas and his wife, Brooke, and son, Parks, enjoy anything outdoors and are currently trying to visit every National Park. Both have a desire to help others as much as they can near and far.
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Colton Streeter
TREASURER
Colton and his wife, Cassie, live in Winona Lake, Indiana. He serves a wide variety of nonprofit clients assisting them in auditing and consulting services. Outside of work, Colton enjoys spending time outdoors, riding motorcycles, cooking, and roasting coffee. Colton has a BS in Accounting and Business Administration from Grace College and is a CPA.
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Danielle Schehrer
SECRETARY
Danielle Schehrer lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She works as a licensed professional counselor offering trauma-informed counseling and mental health assessments to youth and adults in the U.S. Danielle traveled to Kenya in 2016 and assisted with caregiver trainings. She returned with her husband in 2023 to visit Kutoa Project and explore the beauty of Kenya. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, photography, and activities in the mountains in her spare time.
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Bobbi Scholl
BOARD MEMBER
Bobbi lives in Warsaw, Indiana with her husband, Drew, and 4 children. She is a stay-at-home mom, grandma, and substitute teacher at her children’s elementary school. Bobbi has her BS in Elementary Education from Grace College. She and her family have a heart for overseas missions. They served in Papua New Guinea for 3 years with Ethnos 360 and enjoy traveling to different countries for missional purposes.
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Cassie Trapp
BOARD MEMBER
Cassie lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and 4 children. She is a mental health therapist who is passionate about trauma informed care, ministry, and cross cultural relationships. She has been an advocate for Kutoa Project since its inception and is now overjoyed to get to be serving the organization by being a member of the board. In her spare time, Cassie loves reading, playing outside with her kids, going on dates with her husband, and enjoying long walks with friends.
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Jake Dekoning
BOARD MEMBER
Jake lives in Ontario, Canada and brings over a decade of accounting experience to his role as Director of Finance, holding a CPA designation from CPA Ontario and a double degree in Business and Mathematics from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has been a longtime Kutoa Project supporter and is deeply passionate about fiscal responsibility and helping the organization grow sustainably. Outside of work, Jake enjoys hiking, spending time with his wife and dog, reading, and trying new restaurants.
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Mandy Young
BOARD MEMBER
Mandy lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two sons. Mandy is a qualifying member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and holds a Master's degree in Counselling. She brings a decade of complex mental health and crisis-response experience across community mental health, healthcare, and justice-related settings. She is deeply committed to compassionate, trauma-informed care and has extensive experience supporting individuals and families through life's challenges.
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Billy Smith
FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT
Married to Chrissy for 31 years with an adult son and daughter (and one son-in-law), Billy has lived in the Warsaw area all his life. With over 25 years working in orthopedic manufacturing, Billy dedicated 9 years in full time ministry. His passion is to see teams grow and succeed especially when they bring the love of Christ to others.
Billy served as Board President until December 2026.
KENYAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Nkirote Muriithi
BOARD MEMBER
Nkirote Muriithi is a Programs Expert with a passion for the promotion and safeguarding of the rights of women and children in developing countries. Her passion began at a young age when she volunteered in children’s homes, charity projects, and later with Lutheran World Federation in Kakuma Refugee Camp. She also supported girls in Kiandutu slum and Kakuma refugee camp with life skills training and counseling as a trainer and mentor.
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Sharon Mibey
BOARD MEMBER
Originally from Kenya, Sharon resides in Indiana, USA. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has a background in School Counseling, Sociology, Family-Centered Treatment, working with sexually reactive/harmful youth, parent education and trauma-informed treatment, Kenyan sign language, and Voluntary and Testing Counseling. Sharon oversees clinical programs in WYFTC, working with at-risk youth and families. Sharon is passionate about creating awareness, program development, and supportive services that foster growth and resilience in families and their communities. She also assists with Kutoa Project’s clinical support and staff training.
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Tray Murundu
BOARD MEMBER
Tray brings a long history of knowledge and value to our efforts in Kenya. He has been a long-time friend and supporter of Kutoa Project. He has provided operational guidance and leadership for several ministries for almost two decades. Tray’s heart is to serve the Lord in all he does and help make projects sustainable for Kenyan’s long-term benefit. He serves alongside his wife, Lydia, at King’s Kid’s Village as a director. Together, they lead an organization that provides education, healthcare, and family living for over 50 children and youth.