Our People
Gladys Muhunyo
Director of Africa Programmes
Gladys Muhunyo is the most senior member of staff at Computer Aid's Africa HQ in Nairobi from where she oversees the organisation's expanding programme of work across the continent.
Originally a teacher and then the manager of an internet service provider, Gladys was recruited as Computer Aids first ever East Africa Programme Officer, since when she has risen through the ranks to become Assistant Director: Africa Programme.
"Enabling organisations to achieve the practical benefits of ICT gives me great joy", says Gladys, "and I am continually learning of new ways to bridge the digital divide."
Gladys has 14 years experience in the field of ICT for Development, travelling widely across Africa and personallly contributing to many projects applying affordable ICTs to education and social development.
Anne Musyoki
West Africa Programme Manager
As West Africa Programme Manager Anne is responsible for building awareness of Computer Aid in Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. She is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with recipients, as well as creating and maintaining partnerships.
Born in Kenya, she lived in the United States for six and half years, where she worked as a Technical Trainer with the Computer Technology Institute. Throughout her stay in the United States, she volunteered with several NGOs in community development projects.
Anne is a graduate of La Salle University, Philadelphia where she earned an MBA in Information Technology.
Benjamin Makai
East Africa Programme Manager
Benjamin oversees Computer Aid International's work in East Africa, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Sudan. His role involves liasing with partners and recipients of computers, as well as building awareness of Computer Aid.
Benjamin has over a decade of experience in ICT, in both the ICT4D and the private sector. Before joining Computer Aid, he worked as an ICT officer for the Kenyan Government on a joint initiative with the European Union to alleviate poverty through tourism development. He also worked on the Kenya ICT Policy Project, as well as working with not-for-profit organisations Plan International and Pelum Kenya, and for major Kenyan telcommunications companies Safaricom and Flashcom.
He holds a BSc in Computer Sciences from Egerton University and various IT certifications. He is currently pursuing an MBA and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) qualification.
Martha Gatheru
Central Africa Programme Officer
Martha oversees Computer Aid International’s work in Central Africa. This involves building awareness of Computer Aid and liaising with partners and recipients of Computer Aid in DRC Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
Prior to joining Computer Aid, Martha worked for a French NGO, Pharmaciens Sans Frontieres Comite International in the Finance Department of their Africa programmes covering Burkina Faso, Chad, DRC and South Sudan. She’s also had a stint in the private sector at Michelin’s Tyre Company’s Headquarters in France.
Fluent in French, Martha holds a Masters Degree in Economics, Finance and International Affairs and a Bachelors degree in Economic and Social Administration, both from the University of Aix-Marseille II in France.
Kristen Houlton Banda
ICT Training Coordinator
As ICT Training Coordinator, Kristen is responsible for developing computer-based training across Africa.
Originally from the United States, Kristen is now based in Nairobi after several years in Malawi. Her professional background includes project and grant management in large institutions, from government (Malawi Prisons Service, New York City Council), to academia (University of Minnesota) to the labour movement (California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO). Along the way, she has developed a strong IT background through such roles as computer teacher to youth club members in rural Malawi, and her work in the university setting developing online empirical research instruments for academics. Combined with her studies of Philosophy of Education at the graduate level, Kristen's pedagogical experience includes curriculum development, planning and training of diverse groups such as rank-and file union members, development workers, university students, and prison officers and inmates. Specifically, she is interested in education as a tool of social change.
Kristen holds a Master's Degree in Feminist Philosophy from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor's Degree in Politics from New York University.
Anja ffrench
Director of Marketing and Communications
Anja overseas marketing, PC donations, environmental advocacy work surrounding e-waste and Green IT issues, corporate and event fundraising and PR.
Before working at Computer Aid, Anja was at CRISP, a sustainable development charity, where she worked on a computer reuse project. Prior to this she worked for the Resource Alliance, a charity helping to build the fundraising capacity of the voluntary sector worldwide. Anja holds an MSc in Development Studies.
Alexia Ward
PC Donations and Marketing Officer
Alexia’s main responsibility is to develop relationships with potential donors of IT equipment and to implement marketing strategies to increase awareness of Computer Aid’s decommissioning services within the UK. Alexia is also responsible for Computer Aid’s cartridge and mobile phone recycling scheme.
Before working at Computer Aid Alexia volunteered at the International Organisation for Migration and worked as a freelance PR officer. Prior to this she worked at Hotwire, an international technology PR agency, for two and a half years. Alexia holds an Msc in Global Politics and International Relations, with a focus on international development.
Jon McCullough
PC Donations and Logistics Officer
Jon's main responsibility as PC Donations and Logistics Officer is to provide a front line service for Computer Aid International in order to facilitate the collection of IT Equipment from companies, universities and government departments who wish to donate their IT equipment to Computer Aid.
Prior to working with Computer Aid, Jon worked for Frontier/The Society for Environmental Exploration, an international non-for-profit organisation in the UK, handling logistics and project management duties for their environmental conservation research programmes in developing countries. He has also worked on a voluntary basis for Project Dirt, a social networking website, co-ordinating green people and projects in London and the Sustainability Unit of Lambeth Council in London. He has a BSc in Biology from the University of Victoria, is a keen environmentalist and supporter of all things green.
Sion Jones
Trusts Partnerships Officer
Sion appeals to trusts and foundations for support for the numerous projects we work on with our partners, including a telemedicine project in east Africa, and building rural internet access capacity in Zambia. Proposals are developed with local partners before approaching suitable trusts and foundations to support the projects in order to meet mutual objectives in the areas of health, education and community-based development activity.
Sion was previously the PC Donations and Logistics Officer at Computer Aid. He spent time living and working in Canada and Mexico after graduating from the University of Manchester with a BA in International Relations and Social Anthropology. Sion recently completed a Masters in Development at the University of London.
Rachel Astall
Corporate and Events Officer
Rachel is responsible for generating fundraising revenue through events and corporate partnerships. This includes managing all of Computer Aids challenge events and developing relationships with corporate supporters.
Prior to working at Computer Aid Rachel worked in the corporate department at Macmillan Cancer Support, co-managed a volunteer project working with young people and has volunteered for a number of smaller charities. Rachel holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Marcos Gomes Da Silva
Director of Operations
Marcos is responsible for the running of Computer Aid Operations which includes ICT, Production, Warehouse and Administration. The main goal of the Operations team is to ensure that all equipment received is processed to the highest standards, from the time of its arrival at Computer Aid’s premises until the time it is dispatched to our beneficiaries across the globe.
Prior to joining Computer Aid, Marcos spent 5 years working for another London based organisation dealing in IT reuse and recycling.
Marcos holds a BSc in Computer Science and worked for Sao Paulo’s biggest Electricity supplier for 13 years.
David Griffiths
General Production Manager
As General Production Manager, David is responsible for managing all aspects of production at Computer Aid's London workshop. David manages the day to day running of the production facilities, which includes taking deliveries of PC donations, stock management, asset tracking, data wiping, refurbishing and upgrading, packaging and dispatch of Computer Aid's PCs and laptops to
its projects overseas.
Before working at Computer Aid, David was a self-employed Analyst / Programmer, following 12 years working in the software industry. David initially worked as a volunteer at Computer Aid before being hired as a permanent member of staff in 2006.
Ludovic Gautier
Trilingual Administrative Officer
Ludovic is responsible for administering and maintaining the system for assessing and processing all applications for computer donations in French, Spanish and English, getting quotes for shipping and sending proforma invoices. He is also responsible for ensuring that all incoming communications are dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Ludovic graduated from Paris II Assas with a degree in IT, he worked for three years as a web project manager in a communication agency in Paris. Passionate about languages and craving a foreign land, he travelled and worked around the world for five years.
Looking to invest his time in the non-profit sector Ludovic finally landed in London. He volunteered for six months administering the Activism e-communications programme for Amnesty International UK, before taking on a role at Computer Aid.
Sylvie Joli
Trilingual Administration Assistant
Sylvie is responsible for administering and maintaining the system for assessing and processing all applications for computer donations in French, Spanish and English, getting quotes for shipping and sending proforma invoices. She is also responsible for ensuring that all incoming communications are dealt with in the appropriate manner.
Prior to working with Computer Aid, Sylvie worked as an interpreter for asylum seekers. She also helped set up, and managed all administration for, PC Galore ltd.
Sylvie studied in France and England and spent time living in Brazil. She is a member of the Institute of Linguists and holds a diploma in Public Service Interpreting. She also speaks fluent Portuguese.
Hayri Zafer Korkmaz
Finance Manager
Hayri manages Computer Aid’s finances. Prior to joining Computer Aid in September 2011 Hayri worked as the Finance Manager at a number of charities.
One of Hayri’s previous ventures included designing and managing a special Financial Management Project that provided training and work placements for volunteers and accounting services to charities. He says “it was the most enjoyable period of my career as I was able to train and work with 44 volunteers from various ethnic backgrounds and age groups.”
Hayri also spent many years as an Assistant Manager in one of Turkey's most prestigious banks. Hayri holds a BA Honours Degree in Accounting.
Patron: Professor Denis Goldberg
Trustees: Glen Tarman, Mukesh Malhotra, John Gallop, Sonia Sinanan, Sara Williams, Daniel Dearlove, Leona Capel, Richard Litchfield, Keith Sonnet, Jo Morris
Volunteers: Lawrence Hassan, Akintoye Okiji, Albert Gjonaj, Aseres Abreham, Asghar Azari, Atilla Gaspar, Bahsa Maow, C. Majboura, Chris Salfarlie, Daniela Koynakova, David Chu, Furat Muhi Al-Din, Hillary Stewart, Hossein Shahbazi, Jae McCarthy, Jeffery Squires, Jie Volckart, Joseph Reynods, Josephene Amirthanayagam, Karim Gardom, Kevin Dharaj, Kitonsa Ali, Major Brown, Marco Antonio Riccio, Mariame Bakayoko, Mashiul Majid, Mate Vajsz, Nazeer White, Peter Konovski, Philip Jones, Rasheed Rahiem, Stanley Giwa-Ugiabbe, Stephen Dhanraj, Szilard Daroczi, Taiye Abisogun Adeyinka, Tarun Kumar Biswas, Terry M Scourires, Terry Palmer, Victor Johnson, Vladimir Kornidukhov, Yves Samuel Gnogouri, Isobel Foulsham, Hugh Franklin, Lara Pattison, Tom Falk, Lorna Lee-White, Hashim Ahmed, Sheila Atherton, Arian Bezati, Hamish Blair, Paul Haslam, Paul Herbert, Philip Jonez, Anthony Knight, Rufus Langsley, Patrick Lindley, Narges Marvasti, Tony Morgan, Roisin McCarthy, Claudio Serrao, Paul Stride, Garth Smith, Philip Waters.
An enormous thank you to the many other volunteers we have not mentioned who have contributed time, skills and experience to the office and workshop.
A volunteer technician testing PCs in Computer Aid's London workshop.