REad more about our staff and our board of directors below.
Our Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Daniel Murokora, or Dr. Dan as he is known throughout Uganda is a leading obstetrician-gynecologist in Uganda. A former President of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda, Dan is a global leader in women's health and a tireless advocate for sustainable development. Dan also directs our Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) Program, where he brings his 20+ years of expertise in obstetrics and public health programs. As the Executive Director of Brick by Brick Uganda, Dan has led our slow but steady growth from a small, founder driven project, to an innovative and impactful organization working to improve the quality of education, health and economic opportunity for the communities we serve.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRICK BY BRICK PARTNERS
Marc Sklar is an obstetrician-gynecologist working in global women’s health. In 2003, while working with Dr. Daniel Murokora, he began a small project to improve the quality of Universal Primary Education schools in the Rakai District of Uganda. Through the years Marc has worked with our Board of Directors and other partners expanding our work to include the provision of safe water and sanitation systems, maternal and newborn health, reproductive health education, and establishing Brick by Brick Construction Company, a locally managed social enterprise that utilizes environmentally sustainable technology while providing a sustainable source of income for our communities.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Eleanor Nakintu is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist and experienced clinical trainer and mentor. She graduated from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology School of Medicine. She received her Masters Degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the Mother Kevin Postgraduate Medical School of Uganda Martyrs University. Dr. Eleanor works alongside her colleagues in local hospitals training and modeling evidence-based clinical practices. She is the only obstetrician in our district of a half million people.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION MANAGER BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Prossy Nakayiba has worked with Brick by Brick Uganda since 2013. She was born and raised in the Rakai District in central Uganda. Prossy has broad experience working for many organizations in accounting and administration over the past eighteen years. Prossy has been a crucial member of our team, establishing and expanding the accounting and financial reporting systems for Brick by Brick. With the support of Brick by Brick Uganda, Prossy completed a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
BRICK BY BRICK CONSTRUCTION COMPANY MANAGER
David Mutesaasira has worked with Brick by Brick Construction Company Ltd since 2014. He was born and raised in the Bukomansimbi district in Central Uganda. David has seven years of working experience in environmentally-friendly building designs, rainwater harvesting storage designs, cost estimation and construction management of institutional, residential, and commercial buildings, as well as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. He is pleased to have the opportunity to serve his community while working to build our company into a national leader in environmentally sustainable construction. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and a National Diploma in Building and Civil Engineering.
SCHOOL PROGRAM COORDINATOR BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Max Ssenyonga has many years of experience working in the education and development sectors within Rakai and Masaka Districts. After spending twenty years as a teacher and head teacher in local primary schools, he decided he wanted to change directions and moved into community development work. Beginning in 1991, he spent 15 years as a community worker for Concern Worldwide in Rakai District, planning, implementing, and monitoring various projects and programs. In 2010, after meeting Dr. Marc Sklar, Max helped to start Brick by Brick Construction with Jonathan Blanchard, a Peace Corps volunteer. Currently, Max serves as our School Program Coordinator, mobilizing local communities to improve education for their children.
MAMA AMBASSADOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Michael Webba Lwetabe holds a Masters of Public Health degree, with a focus on Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health from Makerere University and a postgraduate degree in Clinical Trials from the University of London. He has 17 years of international and domestic experience in programming, evaluating public health programs, conducting epidemiologic and operations research; measuring impact of novel techniques for disease prevention, documenting program outputs, and strategic development. He demonstrates leadership in business process modeling, content development, alignment, and standardization. He holds membership with Uganda Allied Health Professionals and Public Health Specialists.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION MANAGER BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Richard Kimaka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Kampala University and a postgraduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Uganda Management Institute. He is a Cisco Certified Network Associate. He has six years of experience in monitoring and evaluating health programs as well as 9 years of experience in computer programing and data analytics. He holds membership with Young and Merging Evaluators (YEE) Uganda. Richard has served as the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager for Brick by Brick Uganda since 2016. During that time, he built a robust integrated data system and dramatically improved the data systems of our partnering district health systems.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY OFFICER BRICK BY BRICK UGANDA
Cynthia M. Rukundo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communications from Uganda Christian University in 2019. She is a Media Challenge Initiative Award winner for the best English reporter of 2018. She has done journalism projects with UNHCR under the Media Challenge Initiative on menstrual health and hygiene in the Bidi Bidi Refugee settlement in 2019. Cynthia joined Brick by Brick as the Communications and Advocacy Officer in September 2020. She is pleased to have the opportunity to serve the community through the creative use of storytelling with videos, photographs, and social media, giving voice to the communities we serve.
Brick by Brick Partners Board of Directors
CHAIR
Adam Rabinovitch is currently Executive Director of COPE Foundation, a non-profit grief and healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child. Adam is proud to serve as Board Chair of Brick By Brick, a non-governmental organization and social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in East Africa. Adam has more than 20 years of progressive management and supervisory experience with non-profit and for-profit organizations, along with a proven track record in business and organizational development, revenue generation, and strategic planning, with emphasis on education, poverty reduction, and social justice in under-served communities.
Adam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He lives in Queens with his 7th-grade daughter.
VICE CHAIR
Kaddu Luyombya is a Senior Vice President in Houlihan Lokey's New York office, where he is a member of the Financial Advisory Services business. Kaddu is a member of the National Black MBA Association and was a Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management Fellow. He has volunteered as a tutor with Active Compassion Transforms (ACT), East Harlem Tutorial Program, and the First AME Church Education Enhancement program. Kaddu has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. He has served as a Brick By Brick Board Member since January 2013 and also serves as Co-Chair of our Fundraising Committee.
TREASURER
Michele Maybaum, Michele Maybaum is a partner in Raich Ende Malter & Co. LLP’s New York office. She has over 25 years of expertise in profitability consulting, business advisory services, and planning for closely-held and family-owned businesses. Michele specializes in the areas of healthcare, professional service firms, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, retail, real estate, insurance, and financing. Michele has a passion for service and joined Brick by Brick’s Board in 2019. She has helped improve our financial management systems as we expand our program impact.
Members
Robert Jefferson is currently CFO - Parkway Partners LLC, a private real estate investment company that invests in multi-family apartments and single family homes in multiple markets. Robert received a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Hampton University and received his MBA from UNC - Chapel Hill with a concentration in Real Estate Development. Robert has a Finance background with experience managing multi-billion dollar P&Ls for Proctor & Gamble, Walt Disney, and American Express.
Benjamin Zukerman is currently the Director & Lead Financial Officer for American Express’ B2B Payments Organization and is the CFO for multiple startups in industries across Technology, Wellness & Fitness and Consumer Packaged Goods. In addition to Brick by Brick, he recruits and volunteers as a mentor with iMentor, a non-profit empowering first-generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Benjamin has a B.A. in Economic Policy from New York University has served as a Brick By Brick Board Member since January 2013. He shares Brick by Brick's vision to create global partnerships promoting sustainable development that are focused on improving education, health and economic growth in East Africa.
Brick by Brick Uganda Board of Directors
Members
Pooja Patel is currently a Director & Lead Financial Officer at American Express focused on Business Financing and Cross-Border Payment Solutions for small and medium-sized businesses globally. Pooja has spent ten years at American Express holding a variety of roles within the Corporate, Consumer, and Merchant business, helping round out her skills as both a Finance and Strategy professional. Pooja also volunteers as a mentor with iMentor, a non-profit focused on empowering and helping first-generation students from low-income communities graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. As someone who is passionate about creating and giving children opportunities and a fighting chance to thrive, she was thrilled at the opportunity to join the Brick by Brick board in early 2020.
Julia Hoagland started her firm JH Advisors, LLC in 2005 after careers in engineering and finance; her team of seven helps 50-60 clients/year maximize value on NYC residential real estate transactions. As a passionate problem solver, Julia embraced the opportunity to join the Brick by Brick board in 2018 to support the work the board does in making a positive difference in the lives of Ugandans. The 15+ year evolution of the organization now includes multiple governmental grants and worldwide support of the team's efforts; Julia looks forward to continuing the trajectory of bringing joy to mothers, babies and their extended families. Julia grew up in Colorado and enjoys backpacking and snowboarding, is committed to gaining insights through world travel, and loves playing the piano. Julia serves as the Co-Chair of our Fundraising Commitee.
Leslie Gruss Dr. Leslie Gruss is a founding partner of Downtown Women OB/GYN and has been practicing gynecology there since 1990, currently specializing in Colposcopy. Leslie received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and her MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She completed her OB/GYN residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx where she met Marc Sklar. Leslie has a lifelong commitment to helping people out of poverty. Leslie joined our Board in 2018.
Jon Hyman is the Investment Manager for Jubilee Property Group, a UK-US real estate-focused family office. Prior to Jubilee, Jon spent most of his professional career as an economic and political analyst specializing in Sub-Saharan Africa, advising governments, financial institutions, and multinationals on business risk and opportunity in the region. Through this he came to appreciate of the importance of supporting health and infrastructure as a foundation of economic and social growth. Jon has a BA in Politics and Modern History from the University of Manchester, an MA in War Studies from King’s College London (both in the UK), and an MBA from Georgetown University. Originally from London, he and his family live in Washington DC.
Nancy Bleier Koff is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 36 years. She is an enthusiastic ambassador for Brick by Brick and has served as our Events Chair for the past few years. She has been a steadfast supporter of our work. She feels fortunate to be a cog in the wheel that moves Brick by Brick to impact the lives of so many. She believes that through her fundraising work she has a greater sense of purpose and happiness.
CHAIR
Vincent Mayiga has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Trade Policy from Finafrica University in Milan, Italy.
He worked as a Trade Diplomat in the Uganda Public Service for 26 years. He sits on the Southern and East African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institution (SEATINI-UGANDA) and a cultural head serving as a county chief in the Buganda Kingdom. He proudly serves as the Chairperson on the Brick by Brick Uganda Board of Directors since 2017.
VICE CHAIR
Winnie Musisi is a founder and charter member of the Rotary Club of Kalisizo. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Planning, a Bachelor of Education Degree in Linguistics, a Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Makerere University.
She is an educationist, teacher, social worker, trainer and retired civil servant who has worked within different primary and secondary schools throughout Uganda and is passionate about working with people and promoting literacy. She has served as the Vice Chair on the Brick by Brick Uganda Board since 2017.
TREASURER
Dr. Stuart Musisi has been the District Health Officer of Masaka District since 2006. He is a member of the Board of Governors for Kitovu hospital and has over 20 years experience in planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation for health systems within the Masaka District.
Dr. Musisi has served as the Treasurer on the Brick by Brick Uganda board since 2017.
Dr. Abu Mutaaya has a PhD in Education Management and Leadership from Rhodes University in South Africa,, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education from Makerere University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kyambogo University. He served as a District Education Officer and Inspector of schools for the Rakai District and is currently an Associate Lecturer at the Uganda Management Institute. He is the founder of Education Management Associates, a consultancy firm. Dr. Mutaaya joined the the Brick by Brick Uganda board in 2017.
Mr. John Ssemanda holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a Diploma in Theology Studies. He is a National Trainer with the Ministry of Health and currently works as a Program Coordinator for Counseling at Rakai Health Sciences Program where he has served for over 20 years. John joined our board in 2017.