Meet Our Team
Luena’s Foundation’s Commitment to Giving 100%
At Luena Foundation, every single affiliated individual works on a voluntary basis, wholeheartedly committing their time and expertise without financial compensation. This approach allows us to allocate all public donations we receive directly to our field projects, ensuring that every dollar donated makes a meaningful impact in our mission to create positive change for children, all over the world. Our team’s commitment exemplifies our core values of putting the cause before personal gain, which maximizes our ability to support those in need and make a tangible difference in the world.
Our Founders
RYAN RAUCH
Co-founder & Co-Executive Director, Luena Foundation
Ryan worked as a Medical Device & Diagnostics Research Analyst for 12 years for such firms as Jefferies LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Adams Harkness & Hill, CIBC World Markets and Roth Capital LLC. Read More
EMILY RAUCH
Co-founder & Co-Executive Director, Luena Foundation
Emily previously worked as a Medical Technology Equity Research Analyst and Corporate Finance Analyst for various investment banks, including Jefferies LLC, WR Hambrecht + Co and Lehman Brothers. Read More
Honorary Founders
ESTRELLA VELA FERNANDEZ
Honorary Founder
Estrella is a lifelong resident of El Gastor and is Luena’s mother. After suffering a debilitating spinal cord injury, she began working for the Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE), an organization that generates more than 80,000 jobs for the disabled. Read More
ELIAS TROSO TONDELA
Honorary Founder
Board of Directors
JASON MILLS
Executive Vice President of Strategy at Penumbra, Inc.
Jason Mills is the Executive Vice President of Strategy at Penumbra, Inc., an Alameda, California-based medical device company, which is a global leader in the development of innovative therapies in neurological, vascular and virtual reality. Read More
GREGORY LAM, M.D.
Medical Director of Cardiovascular Services, OhioHealth
Dr. Gregory Lam is a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio, and serves as the Medical Director of Cardiovascular Services for OhioHealth Berger Hospital. Read More
DAVID SCHAMIS
Founding Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee at Atlas Merchant Capital LLC
David Schamis is Founding Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee at Atlas Merchant Capital LLC, an investment firm, and is based in New York. Previously, David worked at J.C. Flowers from 2000 to 2014, most recently as Managing Director and member of the Management Committee. Read More
KATE SHARADIN
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at UbiDX
Kate is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UbiDX, a startup company developing a novel home diagnostic and disease monitoring platform for infectious and chronic diseases. Read More
TED STEDEM
Chief Financial Officer at Gopuff
Ted Stedem is the CFO of Gopuff, a market leader in instant commerce, with a national network of fulfillment centers that focus on rapid delivery. Prior to his current role, Ted served as Chief Financial Officer at Panera Brands from 2019 to 2022, where he led all aspects of the finance function as well as International Development. Read More
Our Team
LINDSEY ARRILLAGA
Field Coordinator, Luena Foundation
Lindsey is a field coordinator for Luena Foundation with a passion for connecting and empowering communities all over the world. For the past ten years she has spent months at a time living in South America, Central America, Asia, and Africa Read More
ADIE ADIE ELVIS
Luena Foundation West Africa Regional Director
Founder and Executive Director, Action For Change (AFC)
Mr. Adie is a high school teacher in Economics and the Coordinator/co-founder of Action for Change (AFC) in Cameroon. Adie holds a master’s degree in development economics and a diploma in project writing, monitoring, and evaluation. Read More
DIDIER KABADILWA OMAR
Luena Foundation Country Co-Coordinator: Kenya
Director and Co-founder of Christ’s Victory Center
Mr. Kabandilwa Omar is a Congolese national who was born in small village called Munene in the eastern part of the Democratic of Congo. He was forced to flee his country due to political violence and has been residing in Kenya as a refugee since 1999 with his four girls and wife. Read More
TIMOTHY MASSAWE
Luena Foundation Country Coordinator: Tanzania
Founder and Director of the Saidia Agriculture and Social Care Organization (SASCO)
Mr.Massawe, a lawyer by profession, is the Founder and Director of the Saidia Agriculture and Social Care Organization, an organization that has empowered more than 200 vulnerable children through education. He is currently one of the charter members and Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Hai-Kilimanjaro. Read More
GEORGE NEDI
Luena Foundation Country Coordinator: Malawi
Founder and Executive Director, Nancholi Youth Organization
Mr. Nedi’s educational background includes an advanced diploma in nutrition and food security, a diploma in public health, a bachelor’s degree in Community Development, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Read More
PAM BAYOCH GATLUAK
Luena Foundation Country Coordinator: South Sudan
Founder and CEO of Dit-Ni-Tek General Trading and Investment Co
Mr. Pam, who is South Sudanese, hails from Akobo County. In 2021, he founded Dit-Ni-Tek General Trading and Investment Co, and is the current CEO. Prior to that, he held various posts at 734 Water Company
Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in public health from Kea-Med Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Read More
SAMUEL NDUNGO
Luena Foundation Country Coordinator: Western Uganda
Coordinator / Founder of PARC-Uganda
Mr. Ndungo was born and raised in a remote community in the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese District in Western Uganda, where conflict and violence have re-occurred for a long period of time largely because of historic injustices, tribalism, and cultures seeking recognition.
Armed with his desire to make a difference and his belief that education could counteract violence, injustice and poverty, Samuel initiated a student discussion group while attending secondary school with the intention to promote peer-learning and positive educational outcomes. Samuel strengthened and transitioned this effort to create PARC-Uganda, a community based organization which envisions a world of equal opportunity where children live and grow without barriers and suffering regardless of their race, ethnicity, location or socioeconomic status. Samuel holds a national diploma in animal management from Bukalasa Agriculture College and a degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology from Makerere University. He is currently a Ugandan civil servant working with Kasese District Local Government. Prior to joining Kasese District, he also served as a volunteer consultant with many local community and international organizations. Read More
MORGAN KISITU
Luena Foundation Country Co-Coordinator: Eastern Uganda
Coordinator / Founder of See Them Grow Foundation
From a young age, Mr. Kisitu faced the challenges of growing up without parental guidance, instilling in him a deep empathy and drive to make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children. His journey towards philanthropy and entrepreneurship has been profoundly influenced by his early life experiences as an orphan.
Morgan’s determination and resilience paved the way for a scholarship that took him to the United States of America. There, he pursued higher education and achieved a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Business Administration, specializing in Entrepreneurship, from the esteemed University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. During his time at the University of St. Thomas, Charles’s passion for giving back and uplifting the less fortunate grew stronger. This enthusiasm culminated in the vision to establish an orphanage, a dream he nurtured and developed while pursuing his degree. He envisioned creating a safe and nurturing environment where orphans and underprivileged children could thrive, receive education, and be empowered to realize their potential. With this vision at the forefront of his endeavors, Morgan Kisitu founded See Them Grow Foundation. This noble organization provides support, education, and essential resources to orphaned, teenage mothers and disadvantaged children, with the aim of enabling them to grow into successful, self-sufficient individuals. In addition to his philanthropic pursuits, Morgan is the proud owner of 1000 Shades of Green Tour & Safaris, a venture that allows him to merge his love for community development with his passion for showcasing the beauty of nature. Through this enterprise, he not only offers exceptional travel experiences but also contributes to the economic growth of the communities he serves. Morgan Kisitu stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, embodying the belief that resilience, education, and a compassionate heart can lead to transformative change in the lives of those in need. His journey from adversity to advocacy reflects a profound commitment to making the world a better place for everyone. Read More
LILIAN WANJIRA
Luena Foundation Co-Country Coordinator: Kenya
Founder of Ubuntu Community Based Organization
Growing up in the informal settlements of Githurai, Lilian Wanjira witnessed the severe challenges and effects of poverty, particularly to women and children. Driven by these experiences, she became passionate about creating sustainable solutions through inclusion and networking.
Having a professional background in community development and accounting, Lilian skillfully combines her expertise with her commitment to community empowerment. She believes that empowering women uplifts an entire nation. Guided by the slogan of “Ubuntu”, which translates from the Swahili to “I am because we are”, she leads the Ubuntu Community Based Organization towards a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Volunteer with Luena Foundation
We run on a 100% volunteer staff. If you have any special skills (social media, web design, grant writing, etc), get in touch with us and we’ll let you know if we’re looking for volunteers! Read about our commitment to incur zero administrative costs, the volunteers who empower our organization, and our annual impact reports here.
