William Lester — Strategic Planning/Technology

Mr. Lester is the Chief Technology Officer of the NinthBridge program. A visionary in nonprofit use of technology—particularly in low-resource settings—Mr. Lester serves as lead technology strategist on all NinthBridge projects.

As the Senior Director of Technology for EngenderHealth, Mr. Lester was instrumental in designing and implementing Internet connectivity and technology solutions for the agency’s offices in more than 30 countries. Mr. Lester designed strategies to build and maintain cost-effective technology solutions, streamline upgrading of all hardware and software components, and train staff in the effective use of technology and new media tools.

Prior to his work for EngenderHealth, Mr. Lester was a senior technology consultant for Keane, Inc., an international consulting firm. Of his many long-term assignments, his favorite was a two-year post with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in Rome, Italy, where he designed and implemented systems for emergency immigration routing, helping hundreds of thousands of people successfully migrate from the former Soviet Union to Israel and the United States.

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Ric Plaisance — Strategic Planning

Mr. Plaisance, Program Manager for NinthBridge, brings executive-level management, development, and advocacy expertise to NinthBridge strategic planning services.

Mr. Plaisance served for nine years as Executive Director of Settlement Health, a community health center providing primary and preventive health care services to low-income and uninsured residents of East Harlem. Responsible for all clinical, operations, programmatic, personnel, fiscal, grant management, legal, strategic planning and fundraising functions, Mr. Plaisance led a staff of 90 through an extensive expansion of the agency’s services and facilities.

As an advocate for improved support for health care services for the uninsured, Mr. Plaisance was active at the local, state and national levels, and has held numerous Board and advisory posts.

Most recently Mr. Plaisance has turned his focus to the effective use of technology for nonprofit agencies, with a particular focus on the means by which mission-driven agencies can utilize the Internet and the Web to better communicate and collaborate.

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Claire Obare — Africa/Middle East

Ms. Obare has been employed in EngenderHealth’s Kenya office for the past 10 years. Beginning her work as a Program Assistant for Special Programs, Ms. Obare developed a keen interest in technology in 1995 and was reassigned to the Information Technology department soon thereafter.

This is where all the adventure started for Ms. Obare, as she began to develop a wide range of technology-related skills—from user support to software installation, system reconfiguration, LAN administration, and Internet connectivity. As a Circuit Rider in Africa and the Middle East, Ms. Obare has learned to face numerous challenges and overcome barriers in a wide range of settings throughout the region.

Ms. Obare has an Honors degree in Sociology from York University –Toronto, Canada, and an MSc. in Management and Organizational Development from USIU-A, as well as earned certification in several computer competencies.

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Hector Matos — Latin America

Mr. Matos has been involved with computers since the early 1980s and sold his first database application at the age of 17.

In the past, Mr. Matos has been a lead programmer, a network manager, and computer science teacher, among other things. Since 1997 he has been responsible for field support in EngenderHealth’s Latin American offices and led many technology research projects in the agency’s corporate offices in New York.

As a NinthBridge circuit rider, Mr. Matos's diverse background and multilingual skills makes him ideal for the wide variety of assignments he handles.

Hector holds a college degree in Chemical Analysis as well as certifications in numerous computer skills.

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Somphop Krittayaworagul — Asia

Mr. Krittayaworagul has worked in Computer System Integration since 1993 and has worked in the area of network design for many large firms in Thailand. In addition, Somphop has worked as a project leader implementing computer networks and Microsoft Software.

Somphop joined EngenderHealth in 1999 as a Technology Support Specialist responsible for the Asia Region. He travels frequently to the Philippines, India, Cambodia, Nepal, and Bangladesh to update systems, train staff, and perform general troubleshooting in offices throughout the region.

Somphop holds a bachelor degree of Information System from Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Thailand.

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Neou Vongsa — Asia

With a background in database and intranet development, networking and data analysis and processing, Neou Vongsa has led the Cambodia team of Racha and NinthBridge since 1998, and his accomplishments are many.

Working with the University of Phnom Penh, Vongsa has trained numerous interns in networking and database development, many of whom continue to work with him, many who are serving Cambodia's technology needs in other capacities. Most recently, Vongsa led the Cambodia team through a two-year project that developed a system for the management of pharmaceutical distribution throughout the country. In addition, Vongsa has developed much of the IT capacity for the Cambodian Ministry of Health, and has assisted USAID and numerous NGOs around Phnom Penh and Cambodia.

Vongsa earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Cambodian Institute of Technology, a BS in 1993, and now has several technology-related certifications.

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Jumoke Ajayi — Africa

As founder and CEO of TAF Computers in Nairobi Kenya over the past 12 years, Jumoke led a team of diligent computer professionals in providing innovative services for NGOs, educational institutions and small businesses. TAF became a one-stop shop for on-call support, technology planning, training, hardware and software sales, hardware maintenance and repair, network design and management, software design and maintenance, and management consulting services.

For Jumoke, however, TAF's success and expansion meant less time for what she truly enjoys — technology planning, training, consulting, on-call support and mentoring of younger professionals in the business. Her family's relocation from Kenya to Ghana in July 2002 presented the perfect opportunity for her to get back into the trenches and focus on working directly with clients.

As NinthBridge's West Africa Regional Manager, Jumoke leads our efforts in expanding eRider projects in Ghana and Nigeria. Jumoke brings a tremendous amount of tech and business development experience to NinthBridge. In an industry full of jargons and often intimidating technical details, she makes computers easy to understand and is always approachable.

Jumoke holds a BA from the University of Ife, Nigeria, and an MA in Education from Northeastern University. In her spare time she is a volunteer career adviser and youth counselor.

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Tiamiyou Radji — West Africa

Mr. Radji has worked in Computer System for almost 11 years and has work in many countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso-Benin-Togo-Ghana-Niger) as Computer Technician & Network Design. In addition, Thiam has worked as Workshop Manager/Network Engineer. He is Microsoft certified. And has many Certificates in Hardware and Software (A+, Network +, Internet +CCNA ).

Thiam joined EngenderHealth in November 2002, as a Technology Support Specialist responsible for the West Africa Regional office base in Ghana. He will be traveling throughout West Africa, especially Senegal and Guinea, for systems updates, staff training, and performing general troubleshooting. Thiam hold a Diploma in Information Technology (DIT), and is fluent in French and English. He is a father of a very beautiful baby girl.

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Teresa Crawford — eRider Development, Web-based advocacy

Teresa Crawford, Technical Director for the Advocacy Project (www.advocacynet.org) works with NinthBridge on projects toward the development of international eRider practices. Ms. Crawford graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in politics and peace and justice studies. Soon after graduating she worked on the first Advocacy Project undertaking in Rome at the UN treaty conference for the international criminal court. Since then she has been involved in numerous projects including becoming one of the founding members of IPKO (www.ipko.org. In the Fall of 2000 Teresa successfully undertook a project on behalf of the United States Institute of Peace to hook up politicians and civil society leaders to the Internet in Kosovo. Teresa has a special interest in information sharing in complex humanitarian emergencies, civil military relations and the use of information technology by human rights advocates in post conflict and transitional societies.

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Michelle Murrain — Project Manager (NinthBridge)

Michelle Murrain has more than 20 years of technology experience. Ms. Murrain began by writing software for use in her research in neuroscience and public health. She later worked on educational applications of Internet technology. She has a B.A. in Natural Science and Mathematics from Bennington College, and Ph.D. in Biology from Case Western Reserve University. She spent 10 years as a college professor at Hampshire College, teaching biology, public health and women's studies, before becoming a full-time technology consultant in 1999.

Ms. Murrain focuses her work around providing detailed technology implementation information, planning and support for nonprofit organizations, particularly organizations in the human service and women's health sectors. Her work includes strategic technology planning, database planning and development and web application development.

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Joanne Tzanis — Strategic Planning, New Media, Informational Design

Ms. Tzanis brings a deep expertise in content development, information strategy, and instructional design to NinthBridge’s planning and new media projects.

After starting her career as a writer and editor, Ms. Tzanis began working in the area of distance education in 1986 and has worked as a Web developer and instructional technologist since 1995. She has developed a wide range of print and new media materials, including works on medical, legal, financial, and public health topics. She also brings traditional classroom experience as a trainer and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) instructor to her work in educational media.

Ms. Tzanis served as the Manager of Print and New Media Development at EngenderHealth where, in addition to her work as lead content strategist for the agency’s corporate Intranet and Web site, she spearheaded a $1.2 million Web and CD-ROM distance learning initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Ms. Tzanis has worked on a wide range of Web projects, including work for the March of Dimes, the Open Society Institute’s Medical Internet program, the Men’s Community Network of NYC, and New York University’s Virtual College. As part of her work for NYU over the past year, Ms. Tzanis designed a Certificate in Online Instruction program, designed and wrote user manuals and instructor training materials for the Virtual College’s learning management systems, and acted as instructional designer and writer for graduate-level and continuing-education online courses.

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Cassandra Cook — Strategic Planning, Project Manager

In her work for NinthBridge, Ms. Cook draws upon 15 years of management expertise in print and new media production for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Ms. Cook has an in-depth knowledge of project planning, vendor negotiating and management, the ability to develop sensible systems and schedules that meet the needs of the key personnel involved, and a respect for the budget and the timely delivery of a project. Ms. Cook’s experience includes managing promotional print production for Ballantine Books and Putnam Penguin, as well as project managing several artist and photographer resource books for American Showcase.

In 1998, Ms. Cook joined EngenderHealth as Production Manager for Print and New Media, managing the production of several large-scale print publications, two CD-ROMs and an online course on Infection Prevention.

Since July of 2000, Ms. Cook has been a freelance print and new media producer/project manager working with Admaster Communications, The National Writers Union, The March of Dimes, Proof Magazine, and NinthBridge.

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David Silverman — Web Design and Development

Mr. Silverman, who has been developing Web sites since 1995, brings expertise in Web development and design, site set-up, and site-maintenance planning to his work with NinthBridge.

Experienced with all aspects of web design and development, Mr. Silverman’s work has included overall site production, graphic manipulation, HTML coding, CGI scripting, e-commerce, and Intranet and Extranet development.

Mr. Silverman has contributed to a wide variety of Web projects, including work for American Express, GE Capital, Bankers Trust, March of Dimes, and Save the Children. From 1997 to 2000, he was the first Webmaster for EngenderHealth, where he acted as lead technical strategist for the agency’s intranet and external Web site and designed the technical standards for online courses in the agency’s 3-year distance learning initiative.

In addition to his hands-on technical work, Mr. Silverman has also conducted computer and Internet-related educational training in the U.S., Belize, Turkey, India, Nepal, and Uzbekistan.

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Katherine Kendall — Trainer

Ms. Kendall, who has worked for EngenderHealth for over 26 years, brings a deep focus on training in accounting and financial systems to her work with NinthBridge. Ms. Kendall’s experience includes both manual and automated accounting systems geared toward not-for-profit accounting—specifically fund accounting.

For the past five years, Ms. Kendall has worked extensively with the American Fundware package, both in system setup and maintenance and in fulfilling organizational budgeting and reporting needs. She is one of two staff to utilize the Extended Report Writer module.

In NinthBridge’s partnership with American Fundware, Ms. Kendall sets up systems, trains clients in the use of Citrix and Fundware, and creates client-specific training manuals. She has held training workshops all over the world, including Colombia (in Spanish), Kenya, and Thailand

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