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.

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

Carrie is a nurse and human rights advocate with advanced degrees in International and Comparative Legal Studies (SOAS, London) and Population Health Nursing. Her nursing career spans bedside care, forensic nursing, and perinatal and pediatric HIV research. She currently serves as Clinical Manager at the Clinical and Translational Research Center and Interim Manager at the Precision Medicine Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Carrie’s advocacy includes work in human rights education, social services, and anti-trafficking efforts.

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.

With a background in Communications, Amy brings over two decades of deep experience in leadership development, having served leaders in non-profits, government organizations and the corporate sector. She believes deeply in the potential of every human being, and her personal values of people, growth, vulnerability, courage, and service drive her work and are the main fabric of her life. She fell in love with the beautiful culture of Uganda on her first trip in 2009 and through the adoption of her son from Ethiopia. In her free time you can find her exploring the Rockies with her husband of 28 years or hanging out with her 3 young adult kids who are for sure cooler than her.

Favorite quote: “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive”. 

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.

Creating space for people to be seen, heard and known makes Caleb David come alive. Caleb is the Principal/Employing Broker of David Commercial Real Estate in Colorado and also is the host of the Commercial Real Estate Unfiltered Podcast.

Caleb was a part of the 2022 Colorado Governor's Fellowship and former Board Member of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado. He had the privilege of serving as the 2019 President of the Southern Colorado Commercial Brokers (SCCB) Association and is a part of the Pikes Peak Small Business Advancement team developed in partnership with the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC. He also served on the ReTool COS Committee and serves as a Consultant with the Small Business Development Center in El Paso County.

With almost 20 years in the non-profit sector, Caleb’s desire is to use his platform and resources to bring awareness to social justice issues and to vulnerable and oppressed people on the margins. He was the Founder and President of The Table Initiative, a non-profit organization that was dedicated to building relationships between global communities. He was also the recipient of the Golden Rule Young People’s Goodwill Ambassadorship Award presented by Dr. Clyde Rivers and Ambassador Mussie Hailu in 2014 for his work and commitment to the people of Ethiopia.

An epicurean at heart, Caleb loves traveling and sitting down to a delicious meal with friends and family.

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

Tinah joined Crazy Love Africa in 2016 when she received her micro business grant. Since that day, she has worked so hard and been a role model sister and leader in our Crazy Love Africa community. Tinah has served as a mentor to new sisters and continues to inspire women throughout her village. Tinah is the mother of four children. In her spare time, you will find her starting new projects at her home and improving the lives of others.

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

TaNisha is the founder of Urban Chic Travelistas, a boutique travel company specializing in culturally immersive experiences and heritage-focused travel across Africa and the global diaspora. With over a decade of experience in the travel industry, TaNisha has built her work around ethical tourism, meaningful cultural exchange, and responsible partnerships that center local communities.

Living part-time in Ghana, she collaborates closely with trusted local operators, creatives, and community leaders to curate experiences that go beyond tourism and foster genuine connection and impact. Her passion for cultural preservation, education, and service aligns naturally with the mission of Crazy Love Africa, where shared values of dignity, love, and sustainable community empowerment guide the work being done across the continent.

TaNisha’s approach to travel and service is rooted in storytelling, relationship-building, and intentional action—ensuring that every experience and partnership leaves a positive, lasting footprint.

Favorite quote: “Rosa Parks inspired me to find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble… good trouble, necessary trouble.”

- John Lewis

Julia is a wife and a mom to two awesome sons. She has a degree in Social Work and a heart for social justice. She currently works in a Montessori classroom with young children, ages 3 to 6 years old, where she has the privilege and opportunity to positively impact young learners. Julia believes that laughter and authenticity are important components of a joyful life and the children she teaches remind her of this everyday. In her free time, Julia enjoys yoga, camping, hiking, volunteering, live music and quiet time alone.

Favorite quote: I do it for the joy it brings, because I'm a joyful girl, because the world owes me nothing and we owe each other the world.

- Ani DiFranco

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 and a Peer Support Specialist at Promotores de Esperanza in Denver, CO. 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

Florence is a social worker and counselor in her community. She has a diploma in social work. Her work and passion is working with vulnerable children. Florence has five beautiful children and enjoys her spare time spending time with her grandson, working on her garden, and spending time with family and friends.

Sandy is a real estate investor and Partner at LAS Ventures, bringing more than 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, publishing, management, and entrepreneurship. She has built and scaled businesses in Chicago and New York and later led digital initiatives, including mobile applications for K–12 school districts that strengthened communication and community engagement. Through Yellow Dog Development and LAS Ventures, Sandy has completed more than 40 successful real estate projects. She brings a practical, results-oriented perspective to nonprofit board service and is deeply committed to mentoring and volunteering in support of women, children, and seniors.

Calvin is a Denver native, retired and a LGBTQ+ community Elder. Ordained and a
spiritualist, Calvin directed a daily free meals program serving over 6 million free meals to the poor, unhoused and hungry for Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco. As a 'Father of the Village Peeps', Calvin enjoys new experiences, encouraging commUNITY and spreading Joy.

Favorite lyric: "Imagine all the people
living life in peace."

– John Lennon