Jess holds a master’s degree in Child & Family Therapy and spent years tending to the emotional and psychosocial needs of hospitalized children, work that shaped her lifelong commitment to care, justice, and accompaniment.

Her heart is firmly with those living at the margins, and her work is driven by a refusal to look away from suffering or inequality. Through Crazy Love Africa, Jess partners with women, youth, and families in Uganda while continuing to advocate for justice and dignity within her own community. She believes healing, empowerment, and transformation are made possible through relationship and collective action.

Favorite quote:

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

- Angela Davis

Bright has been part of our Crazy Love Africa community since its founding. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and spends his life dedicated to youth and family projects in his community. He is a gifted field worker and relates very well with youth. Bright himself has a beautiful family. In his spare time, you can find him working on his home or spending time with family.

Susan is a social worker in Ft. Portal, Uganda and we are lucky enough that she works for Crazy Love Africa. Susan joined our community in 2016 by receiving a micro business grant. A few years later we hired Susan to be our field worker. Susan has a certificate in social work. Susan lives in her extended family home and has one son.

Apollo serves as Crazy Love Africa's Project Manager in Fort Portal, Uganda. With more than 14 years of experience working alongside women, youth, farmers, and community organizations, he brings extensive expertise in community development, project management, and sustainable livelihoods. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agribusiness Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management.

Outside of work, Apollo enjoys mentoring young professionals, farming, traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Karen is a psychotherapist, mother of four, and longtime advocate for the mission of Crazy Love Africa. Having previously served as both President and Vice President of the Board of Directors, Karen brings years of leadership, compassion, and dedication to empowering women and strengthening families in Uganda.

Her background in psychotherapy reflects her deep commitment to emotional well-being, meaningful relationships, and helping individuals and communities thrive. As a mother, she understands the importance of creating opportunities for women and children to build healthy, hopeful futures.

Dr. Gilbert is a medical doctor in Ft. Portal, Uganda. He has a medical degree in Medicine and Surgery.  Dr. Gilbert is married and has been blessed with beautiful children. He has dedicated his life to reaching out to the less privileged in his community.  You will see Dr. Gilbert dedicating his free time to many charity organizations in Uganda, especially women and children living with HIV.

Margaret is a social worker in Ft. Portal, Uganda. She holds an honors degree in Social Work and Community Development as well as a diploma in Finance. Margaret is married with four children. She has dedicated her life to the growth of women and youth in her community. In her spare time, she enjoys raising rabbits and poultry. We are so honored to have Margaret on our CLA board.

Gina is a devoted mother of two sons and a passionate advocate for empowering women and strengthening communities. Having previously served on Crazy Love Africa's Board of Directors, Gina brings a deep connection to the organization's mission and a genuine heart for the women and families it serves.

Gina has traveled to Uganda with Crazy Love Africa three times, building meaningful relationships and witnessing firsthand the resilience, strength, and determination of the women in our programs. These experiences have deepened her commitment to creating opportunities for women to achieve greater independence and build brighter futures for themselves and their children.

Christopher has a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Management. He has extensive experience in development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, planning, and evaluation. He is married and is the father of four children. His life passions are supporting his family and helping others in his community to have a fulfilling life.

Concepta is a therapist in her community. She is married and cares for many children within her village. Concepta’s life passions include giving motivational speeches, offering counseling services, and providing spiritual support. In her spare time she also enjoys reading motivational books.

Kim is a family physician, practicing full-spectrum hospital and clinic-based medicine for underserved patients in the Denver area. She is dedicated to providing a healthy home to all patients regardless of insurance, education, or immigration status. She is the mom of four busy children and often volunteers in school and community programs for kids.

Favorite quote: Peace begins with a smile.

-St. Teresa of Calcutta

Susan is a nonprofit leader, professional ice cream twirler, investigator, and attorney whose life and work sit at the intersection of justice, mental health, and community. She is grounded in the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities, and that lived experience shapes how she approaches trauma-informed work and advocacy.

Alongside her professional work, Susan has long been involved with Dork Dancing, a mental health advocacy nonprofit, and with mutual aid efforts focused on supporting migrants.

Susan is deeply curious about people and place. She has a lifelong love of music and can often be found at Red Rocks enjoying favorite artists such as Lake Street Dive, Brandi Carlile, and Sierra Ferrell. She recently lived in Colombia for six months, including time in a small town in the coffee region of the Andes, where she was befriended by locals while learning the art of hand-weaving sombreros.

“The plum you are going to eat next summer doesn’t exist yet.”— Gayle Brandeis

Lillian is a Ugandan American who moved to the U.S. in 2014. She and her siblings are the inspiration for Crazy Love Africa and we are honored to have her on our board. Lillian attends college at Metro State University in Denver and is a light in the lives of everyone she meets.

Favorite quote: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

-Maya Angelou

Mary Jane (MJ) is a passionate and relentless advocate for social change, with extensive experience energizing marginalized citizens and fixing broken social systems. A creative problem-solver, she focuses on equipping communities to manage and perpetuate improvements. Her skills include advocacy, client care, collaboration, communication, public speaking, storytelling, and organizing. Currently, Mary Jane serves as a Community Advocate at Positive Women's Network US. Her accomplishments include being a Policy Fellow for the Positive Women's Network US (2023-2024), a Lived Leadership Intern for the US National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition (2024 & 2025), and a recent graduate of Emerge National (2025), with aspirations of a future run for office

Janelle has never met a stranger, and if she has, they probably weren't strangers for long. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they've raised two amazing young adults who frequently question her cool factor and beg her to stop talking to strangers. 

Her background includes marketing and advertising, where she helped nonprofits tell their stories, raise funds, and connect more people with their missions. More recently, she’s worked in medical diagnostic sales, building relationships with healthcare providers. Along the way, she's organized large events, led volunteer teams, and participated in grassroots community outreach efforts. 

She currently serves on the leadership team of a North American chapter of a global Women's Empowerment network.

Janelle believes every person has something valuable to offer, and sometimes it takes someone else seeing that potential in us before we can begin to see it in ourselves. Her encouragement to others? Be that person for someone. See the good, speak it out loud, and spread a little love and joy along the way.