Who Who Are

Our Team

Working Together
for Change that Lasts

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

WILK’s success has come from the power of relationships.  Supported by our streamlined US team, our strong team in Kenya  has worked in partnership with local residents from the beginning, resulting in 25 clean water projects, 600 LAB graduates, & dozens of communities empowered throughout Kajiado County.

Joyce Tannian

Co-Founder & Executive Director

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

Joseph Larasha

Co-Founder & Project Manager

Joseph Larasha is a Maasai elder who grew up and still lives year round in the project area.  He is our main-man in the field.  He comes from the Amboseli area and has both a deep understanding of and good relationships with the communities we serve. He has been to the US twice now and 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 items. He and Joyce Tannian learned the art of paper bead rolling back in 2010 and has been perfecting his 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 Engineers without Borders.
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, doing interviews before WILK starts projects. 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. We asked her if any of her team had tried out business for themselves. Cate wasn’t sure about them, but she started her own business.

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. She took on this new portfolio last July and rose to the occasion!

The U.S. Team

WILK Team Member Aaron Lemma

Aaron Lemma

Outreach & Operations Manager

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 has 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

Office Administrator, Writer

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. with an emphasis on poetry 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 taught English composition since 2002 and has been teaching at UD since 2014. She also created three Honors E110 courses: Magical Realism and its Relationship to the Marginalized; Adult Themes in Young Adult Literature; and Patriotism, Propaganda, and Poetic Rhetoric.
 

Our Board of Directors

francis-x-tannian

Dr. Francis X. Tannian

Board President, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Francis X. Tannian is a retired Professor of Economics at the University of Delaware. A dedicated leader with great passion, drive, and hopes for a better world, Francis now devotes 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 to further the cause. He has spent 27 + years developing focused product and programs that influence with marketing communications and public relations that envelope audiences with an immersion in story, content, and focused message focused to achieve desired goals and objectives.

Kate Kowalski

National Account Manager, Tropicana Brands Group

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 recently earned a certificate from MIT in Sustainability: Strategies and Opportunities for Industry. Today 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 and natural resource management and conservation having worked with in collaboration with other organizations that included the World Food Program (WFP), United Nations Environmental Program, the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) 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 education minor and 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 Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Dr. Stephens volunteered in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide a clean source of drinking water.

Michael Warui

Michael Warui

Kenyan Business Owner

Michael is also an ordained Minister of the Gospel and is married to Winfred and together they are raising three wonderful children. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA degree from Dartmouth College. 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

Marsha was born in the small town of Presque Isle, Maine, and grew up, unlike anyone else in her family, 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 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.