Make a Difference.
Staff and Board
Contact us to learn more about Saidiana and how you can make a difference
Our Team
We believe in our clients in ways no one has before. We raise visibility of the tragedy - and the hope - of the DR Congo in the Twin Cities.
Board of Directors
HQ: Edina, Minnesota 501(c)3 with working board
Makes funding decisions
Conducts fundraising
Governs Congo operations and US administration
Congo Team
Operations: Lubumbashi Katanga Province Staff of 3
Receives, evaluates, and submits grant proposals from collectives of women
Disburses Funds
Reports on project progress
Meet the US Team
BECKY JASPER
Board Chair
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Becky, a former Peace Corps volunteer, served in DRC (then known as Zaire) during 1989-1991, developing sustainable funding projects at a hospital in Mushenge. Today she is Director of International Purchasing at Entrust Datacard. In her spare time, she volunteers with non-profits, including Pro Player Foundation who has raised over a million dollars to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Becky is still active and spent ten years on the board of Peace Corps Friends of the DR Congo.
RISHA RATHORE
Board Member
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Risha graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in finance and healthcare management. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.
Operations Team
LOIS DIRKSEN
Board Member
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Lois is President and Partner of LEVEL Brand, a brand development and advertising agency based in Minneapolis. She is a graduate of Arizona State University. Lois has made many trips to East Africa on behalf of Wellshare International and has spent time in Goma, DRC.
GEORGETTE NYOUM
Operations
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Georgette is an experienced Senior Social Worker and a graduate from National School For Social Welfare Officers Yaoundé. She worked with the Ministries of Women’s Affairs and Social Affairs in Cameroon to empower women and fight against poverty.
ANDREW JENSEN
Board Member
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Andrew is the Cost Accounting Manager at Entrust Datacard located in Shakopee, MN. He graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, with majors in accounting, economics, and dance. Andrew also holds additional accounting credentials with a Certified Management Accountant designation from the Institute of Management Accountants.
TOI GIBBS
Board Member
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Toi is a senior procurement professional for a leading aerospace company in Redondo Beach, CA. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. Her passion is customer service and making the impossible possible for both internal and external clients. Toi seeks to contribute and make a difference for the women supported by Saidiana.
Congo Board Members
BEA
Board Member/Staff
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Coming Soon!
NANCY
Board Member/Staff
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Coming Soon!
CHRISTINE
Board Member/Staff
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Coming Soon!
MGOMBE
Board Member
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Coming Soon!
GASIGWA
Board Member
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Coming Soon!
GRACE
Board Member
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Coming Soon!
IRAGI
Board Member
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Coming Soon!
MAZOMBE
Board Member
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Coming Soon!
Our Founder
CHINGWELL MUTOMBU
Founder
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Chingwell Mutombu was born in West Union, Iowa, while her father studied at Upper Iowa University. When she was two, her family returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her family friends’ generosity and the financial support from her Iowa-based godmother allowed Chingwell to return to the United States to complete her high school studies and attend Luther College. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science, French and international studies, Chingwell attended Seton Hall and received a master’s degree in public administration and international relations.
Growing up in a remote part of the DRC, Chingwell noticed how self-reliant and creative people were to support their families. Chingwell began sending her mother small amounts of money to give to women to strengthen their businesses. Saidiana grew out of Chingwell’s small first step.
As Chingwell says, “Others saw the potential in me and helped make my dreams come true. My mission is to do the same for others.”
ANDREA ROEGER
Operations