Who We Are

Our Team

Working Together
for Lasting Change

Founded in 2007 by Joyce Tannian of Newark, Delaware, and Joseph Larasha of Kenya, Water is Life Kenya (WILK) is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering Maasai in Southern Kenya by providing access to clean water, improving resource management, and supporting the most vulnerable of its population.

WILK’s success has come from the power of relationships. Supported by our US team, our Kenyan team has worked in partnership with local residents from the beginning, resulting in over 30 clean water projects, more than 600 LAB graduates, and dozens of empowered communities throughout Kajiado County.

Joyce Tannian

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Joyce is the heart and soul of Water is Life Kenya. She spends half of her time in Kenya, where she directs the day-to-day operations of WILK. Joyce not only designs water and livestock projects, she also loves creating beautiful jewelry. She continues to inspire us with her passion to serve others.

Joseph Larasha

Co-Founder & Project Manager

Joseph Larasha is a Maasai elder who grew up and still lives in our project area near Amboseli. Our main-man in the field, he has both understanding of and good relationships with the communities we serve. He has been to the US twice, is amazed at the abundance of green grass, and considers how his livestock would flourish in this environment.  

The Kenya Team

Kenyan paper bead artisans

Stephen Musyoki

Beaded Handicraft Workshop Manager

Stephen has been working with WILK since its founding in 2007.  He is the leader of the creative team at the Water is Life Beads workshop, where all the paper bead products are made. He and Joyce learned the art of paper bead rolling back in 2010, and he has been perfecting this art ever since. He also in charge of procurement and manages the production of special supplies needed for various water projects, including those in partnership with WILK-TEC.

WILK Team Member Nelson Tinayo

Nelson Tinayo

Field Officer

Nelson first encountered WILK as a member of one of the pilot groups which started in WILK’s Livestock as a Business Program. He proved himself to be a strong leader of the Amboseli Livestock Farmer Group and has provided invaluable assistance with conducting baseline questionnaires by performing interviews before WILK projects begin. He now manages the monitoring of WILK’S existing water projects

women in Kenya

Cate Olegei

Field Officer

Cate Olegei is our Kenyan Hope for Widows (HFW) Program Coordinator, business lady, and bead artisan. As lead teacher in the HFW program, Cate supervises a group of four field assistants who monitor the widows each week. Now, Cate has a shop in her hometown of Lenkisem, where she sells foodstuffs and beading supplies. She even employs a young lady to run the shop when she is out teaching for WILK!

The U.S. Team

WILK Team Member Aaron Lemma

Aaron Lemma

Director of U.S. Operations

Aaron is a leader with a passion for the natural world, efficient systems, and communicating important concepts across generations, demographics, and continents.  After completing the Alliance for Catholic Education at Saint Joseph’s University, Aaron jumped into Water is Life Kenya ready to increase donor pools and develop key relationships, all to ensure this critical work of empowering indigenous communities in Kenya continues into the future.

Email: aaron@waterislifekenya.org
Social: Connect on Linkedin

Paula Persoleo

Communications Coordinator

Paula Persoleo is a multi-genre writer and composition instructor. Her work has appeared in local (Philadelphia Stories), international (The Wild Word, Into the Void), and scholarly (Tulane Review, Mantis) publications. She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Beltway Poetry in 2018. She has an M.F.A. from Stony Brook University, an M.A. in English Literature from Pittsburg State University, and a B.A. in English Literature from Washington College. She’s been teaching at UD since 2014. 

Email: paula@waterislifekenya.org

John Hallinan

Ignatian Volunteer

John formerly lived in Peekskill, NY, where he was a school psychologist for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES. He received the Tony Lucaro Volunteerism Award for his service at BOCES in 2003, the Community Service Award from the NYS United Teachers Union in 2004, the Lifetime Achievement Award from NYSPEED (NY School Principals for the Education of Students with Emotional Disabilities) in 2007, and the Chester Smith award for his lifetime dedication to Peekskill’s youth in 2017. He also was a volunteer at CHHOP (Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill) where he and his wife Pat cooked meals and did midnight runs to feed the homeless. Currently he’s an Ignatian volunteer and, at WILK, does outreach, communications, and bead sales. His favorite activities include hiking, drinking a cold beer, and spending time with his grandson.

Email: john@waterislifekenya.org

Our Board of Directors

francis-x-tannian

Dr. Francis X. Tannian

Former Board President, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Francis X. Tannian was a retired Professor of Economics at the University of Delaware. A dedicated leader with great passion, drive, and hopes for a better world, Francis devoted his time to leading Water is Life Kenya into the future, putting his Ph.D. in Water and Sewer systems to use for the people of Kenya.

Mark Manniso

Chief Creative Director, Forte Creates

One of the original “volunteers” to help Water is Life Kenya, Mark provides imaginative engineering and help in all areas. He has spent 30 years developing focused products and programs, marketing communications, public relations that envelop audiences with an immersion in story, and content, and messages focused to achieve desired goals and objectives.

Kate Kowalski

Director of Commercial Partnerships, Fairtrade America

Katie leads a sales team and various strategy projects at Tropicana Brands Group. Having studied international business at the University of South Carolina, her passion for microfinance and global development has brought her around the world as a volunteer helping organizations grow their footprint. She also earned a certificate from MIT in Sustainability: Strategies and Opportunities for Industry. She resides in Chicago, IL, and remains an avid traveler and volunteer in the community.

Francis Karani

Francis Karani

Senior Lab Coordinator, University of Delaware

Francis has wide experience in rural community-based development initiatives and participation, environmental education, natural resource management, and conservation. He's worked with in collaboration with organizations such as the World Food Program, the United Nations Environmental Program, and the German Technical Cooperation Agency, among others. Francis serves in various capacities for several organizations in the Tri-State area.

Linda Stapleford

Retired School & Public Outreach Educator, Specialization: Water Protection

Linda has a B.A. in Biology with a minor in education and a Masters of Applied Sciences in Environmental Engineering. She worked as biology teacher and in the non-profit sector in environmental education, land conservation for habitat, and wildlife protection. Most of the latter work involved protection and conservation of waterways through public outreach and advocacy for improved watershed management.

Dr. Thè Stephens

Engineer & CEO of REX Company

Dr. Stephens has been focused on the development and manufacture of smart and sustainable technologies. His current company, Rex Company, develops and delivers innovative engineering solutions which provide smart, sustainable infrastructure. As a member of WILK-TEC, Dr. Stephens volunteered in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide clean sources of drinking water, particularly to schools in Kajiado County.

Michael Warui

Michael Warui

Kenyan Business Owner

Michael is an ordained Minister of the Gospel. He and his wife Winfred raise three wonderful children. He holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from The Wharton School. He is an expert in various economic sectors and has a heart for service and transforming the lives of families, communities, and nations.

Marsha Walters

Marsha Walters

Retired Social Worker

Marsha was born in Presque Isle, Maine, and grew up with a deep desire to see the world. After several moves around the country, she attended the University of Delaware and eventually married a man who also wanted to travel. Visiting Kenya was life-changing for them, and led to her involvement with Water is Life Kenya. She has represented and supported WILK with dedication during her time serving as a Board Member.

Amy Plante

Amy Plante

Senior Branch Manager, Vice President, M&T Bank

Amy is committed to growing retail and commercial banking relationships and supporting community outreach programs. Her service of the Newark area M&T Bank has made her a valued community member and leader.