Meet the team: The People Behind the Mission
Since 2008, Amsha Africa Foundation has been powered by a dedicated team of leaders, volunteers, advisors, educators, community partners, and changemakers committed to expanding opportunity and improving lives across Africa and the Global South.
Our leadership team brings together experience from technology, education, healthcare, agriculture, nonprofit management, business, community development, and international partnerships.
Together, we share a common belief:
Every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, thrive, and reach their full potential
Leadership Team
Tony Abuta
Founder & Executive Director
Tony Abuta is the Founder and Executive Director of Amsha Africa Foundation (AAF), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunity through education, technology, sustainable development, and economic empowerment.
Inspired by firsthand experiences witnessing communities recover from hardship and limited opportunity, Tony founded AAF in 2008 with a vision of helping people build stronger futures through education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-led development.
Professionally, Tony is a technology leader with more than two decades of experience spanning telecommunications, wireless technologies, artificial intelligence, edge computing, and smart infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has focused on leveraging technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships to solve complex challenges and create meaningful impact.
Under his leadership, AAF has grown into a global network of community partnerships supporting education, digital inclusion, agriculture, health, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development initiatives across Africa and the Global South. His passion for connecting innovation with community needs continues to drive AAF’s mission of creating sustainable pathways to opportunity.
Tony believes that lasting change happens when communities are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities needed to lead their own development.
“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. Our mission is to help close that gap.”
— Tony Abuta
Leonie Williams
Chief Operating Officer | Board Member
Dr. Leonie Williams is a strategic leader, partnership builder, and advocate for education, empowerment, and community impact. As Chief Operating Officer of Amsha Africa Foundation, she provides leadership across organizational strategy, operations, partnerships, and program development, helping expand opportunities for underserved communities.
With experience spanning business strategy, technology management, program leadership, and organizational development, Leonie is known for bringing people together around a shared vision and turning ideas into meaningful action. Her collaborative leadership style helps strengthen partnerships, build organizational capacity, and drive sustainable impact.
Leonie holds degrees in Business Finance, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, and Business Administration, as well as a Doctorate focused on leadership and organizational development.
In addition to her role at AAF, Leonie is the Founder and Executive Director of Education Seeds, an organization dedicated to empowering girls and young women through education, mentorship, life skills development, and access to opportunity.
“When we invest in people, we unlock possibilities that can transform families, communities, and future generations.”
— Dr. Leonie Williams
Ginny Gray
Board Member
Ginny Gray is an executive leader, leadership coach, and human resources strategist with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations develop talent, strengthen leadership capabilities, and build inclusive, high-performing cultures.
As a member of the Amsha Africa Foundation Board of Directors, Ginny provides strategic guidance that supports AAF’s mission of expanding opportunity through education, technology, economic empowerment, and community-led development. Her expertise in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, and inclusion helps strengthen the organization’s long-term growth and impact.
Ginny is an Executive Leadership Coach certified through the Hudson Institute of Coaching and holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Behavior, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems.
Passionate about philanthropy, education, and community service, Ginny is dedicated to helping individuals, organizations, and communities reach their full potential.
“When people are empowered to grow, communities and organizations thrive.”
— Ginny Gray
Janet Shali
Board Member
Janet Shali is a seasoned development professional, entrepreneur, and community leader with extensive experience in project management, financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation across Africa.
As AAF’s Director-at-Large for Global South Programs and a member of the Board of Directors, Janet provides strategic leadership for initiatives that advance education, economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and community development. Her expertise in program execution, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and financial management helps ensure that AAF’s projects are effective, accountable, and aligned with community needs.
With more than a decade of experience supporting development initiatives, Janet has worked across multiple sectors and brings deep knowledge of project implementation, donor-funded programs, and operational excellence. She is also an entrepreneur and founder of a successful travel and tours company, bringing valuable business and leadership experience to AAF’s mission.
Janet holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Kenya Methodist University and is passionate about empowering communities through sustainable development, strategic partnerships, and locally driven solutions.
“The most sustainable solutions are built with communities, not for communities. When people are empowered to lead their own development, lasting change becomes possible.”
— Janet Shali
Robert Mwakio
Special Advisor, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security
Dr. Robert Mwakio is a respected sustainable agriculture expert, educator, author, speaker, and innovator dedicated to advancing food security, climate resilience, and agricultural entrepreneurship across Africa.
As AAF’s Special Advisor for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security, he provides strategic guidance on programs that strengthen food systems, empower farmers, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities. His expertise spans climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture, aquaponics, agribusiness development, and sustainable farming practices.
Widely recognized for his pioneering work in aquaponics and integrated farming systems, Dr. Mwakio has trained farmers, youth groups, educational institutions, nonprofits, and development organizations across the region. Through his teaching, public speaking, media appearances, and community engagement efforts, he has helped expand access to innovative agricultural solutions that improve productivity, nutrition, and economic opportunity.
At AAF, Dr. Mwakio supports initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture, food security, entrepreneurship, and practical skills development, helping communities build resilience and long-term prosperity.
“The future of Africa will be shaped not only by what we grow, but by how we innovate, educate, and empower communities to feed themselves sustainably.”
— Dr. Robert Mwakio
Field & Project Teams
Behind every successful AAF initiative is a dedicated network of field staff, project coordinators, community leaders, technical advisors, volunteers, and partner organizations working directly within the communities we serve.
Our teams support a diverse portfolio of programs across education, digital inclusion, sustainable agriculture, health, economic empowerment, and community development. Some initiatives are short-term and seasonal, while others span multiple years and require ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders and implementation partners.
We believe lasting change happens when communities are empowered to lead their own development. That is why our field teams work alongside local organizations, schools, farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to deliver practical, sustainable solutions that create long-term impact.
Their dedication, expertise, and commitment are essential to advancing AAF’s mission of expanding opportunity and strengthening communities across Africa and the Global South.
