About Us
Leadership Team
Skilled professionals, from Africa and America, combine their collective wisdom to form an experienced staff team that leads Empower African Children.
Frank Roby — Chief Executive Officer (U.S.)
Frank Roby joined Empower African Children as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors in the fall of 2010 with an extensive history of leadership in businesses and NGOs in the U.S., as well as in Africa, China, India, and Mexico.
Mr. Roby is the founder and Board Chairman for Concero Global, Inc., which provides advisory services to socially responsible businesses, and served as CEO of Holmes Murphy Texas, one of the regions’ largest business risk and insurance advisory firms.
Prior to accepting his new duties at EAC, he was a Board member of the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Chairman of the Chamber’s International Business Council. He was also Vice Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chairman of the North Texas Food Bank, Chairman of Juntos Servimos, and Chairman of Vision Africa. His education interests have included Chairman of the Talent/Workforce/Education Committee of the Dallas Regional Chamber, member service for the Dallas Achieves Commission, District Representative of the Dallas ISD Bond Committee and the University of Texas at Dallas Development Board.
Mr. Roby continues his service to his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, as an Executive Board member of the Meadows School of the Arts and as a member of the Board of Directors of St. Stephens Hospital in Delhi, India. He is also a member of the Dallas Assembly and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. Roby is married to Rev. Linda Roby and they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Alexis Hefley — Founder, President (U.S.)
Recognized internationally for her work with Uganda's most vulnerable children, Hefley first traveled to Uganda in 1993, where she lived and worked with AIDS orphans in Kampala for 18 months before returning to the U.S. to found Uganda Children's Charity Foundation. She led that organization for 10 years before launching Empower African Children in 2006.
Alexis's dedicated approach, passionate advocacy, innovative thinking and extensive experience are at the center of Empower African Children. Working in partnership with individuals, government agencies, public institutions and corporations in the U.S. and Uganda, she has developed and successfully implemented a wide range of programs to support thousands of Ugandan children and their families.
Alexis initiated and produced Children of Uganda, the award-winning and critically acclaimed performing arts company that introduced millions of Americans to East Africa's rich cultures and markedly raised awareness of the impact of AIDS and war. In 2004, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni presented Alexis with the Ugandan North American Association's Philly Bongole Lutaaya award for her leadership role in increasing AIDS awareness.
Jeremy Phillips — Director of Programs in Africa (U.S.)
Jeremy previously directed communications and development for several grassroots nonprofit organizations, including a period as a director of a boarding school for orphaned children in Uganda. Jeremy holds a Masters degree in Nonprofit Management and brings a wealth of cultural knowledge and hands-on experience to managing programs for Empower African Children.
Peter Kasule — Artistic Director (Africa)
The Artistic Director of Spirit of Uganda, Peter came to prominence as the director of the 2004 and 2006 tours of the original Children of Uganda company. An accomplished musician, choreographer and composer, Peter researches, creates, arranges and directs all repertory and serves as Master of Ceremonies for performances. He directs the company's video and music recordings, develops and leads residency programs and classes on tour, and is an articulate speaker and advocate in lectures and panel discussions.
Peter was born in Kampala, Uganda in 1981. His mother died when he was nine, his father died four years later of AIDS. He and his sisters and brother then lived at the Daughters of Charity Orphanage. With the assistance of Empower African Children's U.S. Scholarship Program, Peter graduated from the College of Santa Fe with a degree in music technology.
Agnes Kasule — Program Manager (Africa)
Agnes holds the vision and mission of Empower African Children close to her heart, because she has walked in the children's shoes. Raised at the Daughters of Charity Orphanage in Kampala, she traveled to the USA to perform and study. She graduated from Boston College with a degree in International Studies and now directs Empower African Children's operations in Uganda.
Alex Byarugaba — Program Assistant (Africa)
Alex obtained his diploma in Human Resource Management from Uganda's Kyambogo University. Born and raised in a suburb of Kampala, he has worked with Empower African Children since its inception, originally as a volunteer and now as a staff member.
Board of Directors
Alexis Hefley, President & Founder
Frank Roby, CEO
Donna Malouf, Chairman & Founder
Stephen Malouf, Past Chairman
Jeremy Phillips
Kate Kingman
Natalie Noble
Betsey delMonte
Carter Townsend
