Board of Advisors

We believe in the value of every team member, where each person plays an instrument as part of the orchestra. By complementing each other, our team can work towards tangible goals.

Marius Klee (Co-Founder)
As native German, Marius moved to the United States at the age of 16 and studied English, Economics, and Leadership at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Marius believes in the idea that economic development can bring about a systematic change that alleviates most issues in this world. During college, he spend much time abroad, volunteering for organizations and studying the deficiencies of the developing world. He loves exercising, the outdoors, and going on adventures. Nothing matters more to him than family and friends.

Kenneth C. Kaufman (Chair)

Kenneth Kaufman spent his career at Stanford University, first in Student Services and later as a Special Assistant to the President. He remains Emeritus at the university. Mr. Kaufman studied at Bethel College (Kansas), The University of Kansas, and Cornell University. Known as someone who receives his considerable energy from other people, his life-long passion has been to incubate visions. In 1993, students benefiting from his mentoring created The John Ernest Foundation, named after his father. The Foundation uses its considerable treillage to weigh into the growth process of fledging institutions by designing governing boards, colleges of mentors, pointing to resources. Mr. Kaufman is known for his charitable work, both for individuals and institutions. For instance, The University Rotary Club of Palo Alto still sustains traits which came about during his charter presidency.  He holds the prized German Officer’s Merit Cross, First Class. Mr. Kaufman has been married to Joyce Juhnke Kaufman for nearly 54 years, they reside in Palo Alto, California.

Randall W. Niemeyer

Mr. Niemeyer was born in western Michigan and attended the University of Michigan Business School. Currently, he is Chief Financial officer of Specialty’s Café & Bakery, Inc. a fast growing, 30 unit café & bakery company. He has been responsible for creating strategic plans, raising capital, and managing all financial aspects of start-up companies as well as larger organizations. His experience includes managing mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint venture formation for public and private companies, and managing corporate and real estate equity and debt financing transactions totaling in excess of $375 million. He now resides in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and two daughters and enjoys numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, and skiing. Mr. Niemeyer is also community service oriented and a Board member of The John Ernest Foundation.

Erick Ananga

Born and raised in Western Kenya, Erick has been the local driving force behind the project. As entrepreneur, he runs a car importing business in Kenya, is involved with Rotary International, and an avid supporter of the Boulder – Kisumu Sister City Committee. Educated in England, he frequently travels back to Britain and pays close attention to the Premier league. Erick is a passionate people’s person and supports orphanages and NGOs in the Kisumu area in Western Kenya.