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.
Alexis Hefley — Founder, Cheif Executive Officer (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 — Chief Operating Officer (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.
Marcy McGovern — Development Associate (U.S.)
Marcy's work in various nonprofit organizations over the last decade brings expertise in development and volunteer coordination to Empower African Children. She recently obtained her Masters degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management. Her energy and enthusiasm for children and education will benefit the youth in Uganda.
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 recently 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 a 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
Quentin Faust
Alexis Hefley
Jim Howey - Chairman
Donna Malouf
Jeremy Phillips
Partners
Lisa Booth- Touring General Manager, Spirit of Uganda, Lisa Booth Management Inc.
Darrell Harris - Accountant, Microbooks Management
Jonathan Nsubuga - Architect, J.E. Nsubuga & Associates
James Turner - Consultant, Secondary School, Aikan Uganda
