Founders
Bishop Wilybard Lagho
Willybard Lagho is a Catholic Bishop, peacebuilder, and cultural ambassador dedicated to fostering dialogue and solidarity across diverse communities. As co-founder of SeaVuria, he is committed to fostering solidarity among young people and equipping them to address global challenges through education, leadership, and ecological responsibility.
His leadership extends to the global stage as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (DID) in Rome, where he contributes to building bridges across faith traditions. With decades of experience training religious leaders as ethical ambassadors for peace, he continues to champion education and mentorship as pathways to more just and inclusive societies.
MaryMargaret Welch
MaryMargaret Welch is an educator, nonprofit leader, and STEM advocate dedicated to empowering students and teachers through transformative learning experiences. As founder of SeaVuria, she advances cross-cultural collaboration and equitable STEM education in Taita-Taveta, Kenya, and the U.S.
Her decades of STEM leadership span guiding innovative teaching in American classrooms and building capacity abroad for student-centered, inquiry-driven learning. With a focus on technology integration and mentorship to strengthen capacity, her work bridges cultures, builds capacity, and reflects her belief in the power of education to transform lives.
Seattle Board of Directors
Jeanne Chowning
Jeanne Ting Chowning, PhD, has dedicated her career to advancing science education by supporting teachers' professional growth and expanding opportunities for students. She has served on the SeaVuria Board of Directors since its inception. She has been instrumental in consulting on our Extravaganza and Professional Learning.
Kimberly Miyazawa Frank
Kimberly Miyazawa Frank leads an organizational development and strategy consultancy. Her 30+ years of experience globally and across sectors have focused primarily on addressing policy and systems change to ensure access for those furthest from opportunity. She is also a long-time community volunteer, currently serving on local and national nonprofit boards. She joined the SeaVuria Seattle board in 2024 after traveling to Kenya with the student delegation which included her daughter, a member of SeaVuria's PETRI club at Mercer Island High School.
Beth Fritzler
Beth Fritzler is a veterinarian who is passionate about STEM education. Beth’ commitment to eliminating human rabies in Africa has taken her to Kenya several time. Currently Beth uses her experience as a small business owner to assist with finance and budgeting supporting the SeaVuria Kenya NGO to transition to an online platform for their work.
Mary Grace Katusiime
Mary Grace Katusiime, PhD, is a Medical Virologist and educator driven by a passion for empowering the next generation of STEM professionals from underserved communities. As a Program Manager for career exploration and workforce development at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, she designs initiatives that bridge workforce gaps and provide students with tangible pathways into the sciences.
Beyond her local work, Mary Grace is deeply committed to international youth development, holding leadership roles in STEM mentorship programs that focus on students across the African continent.
On the SeaVuria board, she is supporting the development of the Nuru Mpya mentorship program, creating frameworks that foster resilience and goal-setting to ensure students have the guidance and resources necessary to thrive in the global scientific landscape.
Angela Bahng
is a Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, where she leads U.S. grantmaking for the Assessment Initiative. In this role, Angela has directed multimillion dollar investments in equitable, formative assessments designed to transform accountability systems and significantly improve outcomes for underserved students. Before joining Gates, Angela served as Director of Assessment at Curriculum Associates, building deep expertise in instructional tools and assessment design. With over 20 years in education and technology, she brings a unique combination of strategic vision, operational rigor, and market aligned funding discipline.
Kim Kamolz
Kim Kamolz, MA, PCC is an executive leadership coach and consultant who helps leaders gain clarity, build confidence, and navigate change with purpose. With more than 20 years of experience in program, product, and project management, she has led teams across industries in delivering large-scale solutions and improving organizational effectiveness. Kim holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Washington State University and is passionate about collaboration, growth, and community impact. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, boating, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Cristina Martinez
Cristina Martinez, MD, MPH advises leaders working across public health, education, and governance to align policy, systems, and community needs. Drawing on experience in both medicine and public health, she brings a systems-focused approach grounded in data, collaboration, and community engagement. As an elected school board director, Cristina also brings practical governance experience in policy, funding, and accountability, helping organizations navigate complexity while advancing equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Matthew Reardon
Matthew Reardon, a seasoned leader in business development and strategic partnerships, has driven growth initiatives across technology, consumer products, and enterprise sectors. Based in Mercer Island, WA, Matthew holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and has served on the SeaVuria Board for over 10 years, currently as the Fundraising Chair.
Mwa Hungwe
Mwa Hungwe, MBA advises organizations navigating complex regulatory and compliance environments, with expertise in government contracting, cybersecurity compliance, and strategic growth. She supports leaders in understanding procurement pathways, aligning with regulatory requirements, and building practical strategies for long-term success. Mwa is particularly passionate about helping small and emerging organizations access new opportunities and strengthen their operational capacity through clear, actionable guidance.
Pam Kraus
Pamela Kraus is a retired physics education researcher. She first started working with SeaVuria Kenya conducting teacher professional development in 2015. Pam is the current treasurer of the SeaVuria Seattle Board and resides in Seattle. Pam is a huge ultimate frisbee supporter.
Kenya Board of Directors
Kennedy Awuondo
Kennedy Awuondo is head of Laboratories for OUCRU, has been a member of the SeaVuria board since its inception. Ken is currently based in Vietnam.
Florence Lenjo
Florence Lenjo is a retired principal from Ngami Secondary School, has been part of the SeaVuria community for over 10 years. Currently serving on the SeaVuria Advisory Board for fiscal oversight. Florence resides in Voi.
Dr. Justin Kambale Maghanga
Dr. Justin Kambale Maghanga is a Senior Lecturer of Analytical & Environmental Chemistry at Taita Taveta University, has been instrumental in our programs, including serving as a student advisor and judge during the Extravaganza. He is based in Voi and serves as the program liaison for the SeaVuria Kenya NGO Board of Directors.
Thomas Mwaita
Thomas Mwaita is a professional in the mining industry, has served as the parent representative to SeaVuria for over 10 years. He resides in Mwatate.
Jackline Mwambere
Jackline Mwambere is a dedicated science teacher and deputy principal at Ngami Secondary School. A graduate of Maseno University with a degree in Education Science (Biology and Chemistry), she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Psychology at Kenyatta University and has completed a Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government.
With a passion for STEM education, Jackline creates engaging learning environments that spark curiosity and innovation. She has been an integral part of SeaVuria since its inception and now serves as the chairperson of its advisory board. Committed to empowering fellow educators, she actively mentors colleagues to implement effective, student-centered teaching practices that enhance learning outcomes.
Laura Chao Mwangola
Laura Chao Mwangola is a governance expert specializing in International Development Cooperation. Laura brings extensive experience working with Kenyan Foreign Assistance and NGOs, enabling us to align our initiatives more effectively within the Kenyan context. She has a Double Major Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Daystar University bolstered by a Master of Arts Degree in Poverty and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in Sussex University (UK). Laura is based in Nairobi and serves the World Bank Group and the Royal Danish Embassy as a consultant. She is a co-founder of Ecology and Development Center (ECODEVEC).
