Leadership
Friends of Kibera operates under a leadership team that has multiple first-hand experience working within Kenya, and the Kibera slum, enabling educated decision-making to realize its long-term vision for better socio-economic standards.
Jenn Karaffa Pae - Co-Founder & Volunteer Executive Director
Jenn hails from Lakewood, Ohio a suburb of Cleveland. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in cultural anthropology. After spending time as a community organizer for non-profits on the near west side of Cleveland, she attended Cleveland State University where she received her Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in economic development. Upon graduation, she worked as a research assistant at Cleveland State's Urban College, and then as a performance auditor for the State of Ohio Office of the Auditor.
Jenn is currently the Finance Director for the City of Lakewood and is married to Michael Pae, with whom they have two children, Audrey and Thomas.
Email: jenn@friendsofkibera.org
Patrick Magee - Co-Founder & Volunteer Finance Director
Patrick has had a long standing interest in the non-profit sector, specifically with education and microfinance. After teaching kindergarten in Houston with Teach for America, Patrick then began working in Finance for Accenture where he has been for over five years.
He brings his experience in the for-profit sector to Friends of Kibera by managing the financial record keeping and business analytics. Patrick received his B.A. in Finance and Economics from the University of Notre Dame, and resides in Chicago.
Email: patrick@friendsofkibera.org
Katie Smith - Co-Founder & Volunteer Marketing & Development Director
Katie graduated from the University Notre Dame in 2008 with a BA in Anthropology and Art History. After graduation she worked with the Ford Program in Human Development Studies and implemented a brand campaign for the six million dollar endowed program. While there, she also wore the hats of event planner, web designer, and documentary filmmaker.
She then went on to work with a number of international nonprofits including Holy Cross Media Ministry, The Notre Dame Bengal Bouts, and The Road to Fondwa in the areas of film, marketing, and public relations. She is thrilled to bring her experience in media and development to join forces with Jenn, Patrick, and Edel in working with Friends of Kibera!
Email: katie@friendsofkibera.org