Amy Maglio is the Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP). WGEP started in 2004 and for the past 15+ years has worked closely with grassroots community partners to educate, empower, and promote equality for women and girls in rural Senegal and Kenya. In 2010, Amy was invited to present WGEP’s model as a “Best Practice” approach to girls’ education at the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative Conference in Dakar, Senegal, and was a drafter of the UN Declaration on Gender Equality. UN Women, Women of Peace Corps Legacy, Chicago Foundation for Women, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, International Women Associates, and Chicago Public Radio have recognized Amy for her work and leadership.
Amy holds a master’s degree from the School of International Service at the American University in Washington, D.C. and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She began her career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a gender research analyst, and served in the Peace Corps in West Africa as an agriculture specialist.
Aniceta is the Founder & Director of Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. Aniceta founded Ntanira Na Mugambo, or “Circumcision with Words” in 1996 as an alternative to FGM, helping girls in the community abandon the harmful practice of FGM, which has since expanded to support girls’ health and education across Tharaka-Nithi county, Kenya. Aniceta serves as the Vice-Chairlady for Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), a prominent national women’s organization in Kenya.
In recognition of her outstanding services to the development of women, she was given the Presidential Award of the Head of State Commendation (HSC) in 2006 by the president of Kenya. In 2014, Aniceta was recognized for her leadership efforts to eradicate FGM/C with a Kenya Presidential Award from the National Gender and Equality Commission.
Asenath is the Human Resource and Administration Officer for Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (Human Resource Management) Degree, a Diploma in Business Management and other certifications. She has over 6 years’ experience in Human Resource and Administration and is a member of Institute of Human Resource Management a professional Human Resource Body in Kenya. Prior to her appointment as the Human Resource and Administration Officer, she volunteered with TWWP for 2 years.
Asenath is passionate about serving, and her joy is to work with the young girls of the community, together with their parents, and see them transform their lives by overcoming the customary beliefs and perspectives domineering the community. There is great personal satisfaction to see girls and women improving their livelihoods through education, and social and economic empowerment.
Casimir is the Program Coordinator for WGEP Senegal’s Our Sisters Lead program. He joined the program in 2016, and completed his university studies in Dakar, Senegal, where he volunteered for the YMCA, and was President of the Sokone Student Association.
In his own words: “My motivation for working for WGEP is twofold: its community approach with respect for and consideration of local realities and its mission centered on the education and training of girls in Africa, because I am convinced that education is the cradle of any developed republic.“
Chérif Diatta is the Finance Manager for WGEP Senegal. He holds multiple master’s degrees, including in Business Administration and Economic & Social Policy.
In his own words: “I found a job that combined professional activity and personal engagement. I could give sense to my life by helping people regain their dignity and by meeting different cultures. This is why I love to work in associations or nongovernmental organizations, for they can transform barriers into rational and organized acts. It is the humanitarian who is against indifference, and it is the nonprofit that acts in place of profitable and capitalist values.”
Daniela joined WGEP in 2014, and serves as the Finance Manager. She has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit finance. Before joining WGEP, Daniela was the Associate Director for Fiscal Operations at El Valor Corporation and later a Finance Associate at the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Daniela has performed and supervised most aspects of nonprofit financial operations and employee benefits administration with a focus on process improvement. Daniela has an M.B.A from Edgewood College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello.
Dorcas is a former WGEP scholar and current Assistant Officer at Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. With assistance from TWWP & WGEP, Dorcas became the first person in her family to graduate (with honors) from university.
Harriet is the Strategic Partnerships & Communications Manager at Women’s Global Education Project. Harriet joined WGEP in 2019, and has experience in brand strategy and nonprofit management. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. In her spare time, she serves as the Advisory Board President for Camp Kesem at Northwestern University.
Juniour is the Finance Manager and Computer Trainer for Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. Juniour joined TWWP in 2020.
Karamo has worked as a Program Assistant with WGEP Senegal’s Sisters to School program since 2009. Karamo leads outreach activities to raise awareness among parents, authorities, and education stakeholders to support girls’ education.
In his own words: “I am committed to this organization because it is a noble and meaningful mission to pursue gender equality and a fair society. Thanks to WGEP, I have supported and helped my sisters to overcome obstacles to receiving an education. Working with WGEP has given me the opportunity to serve my community!”
Khady is the Program Assistant for WGEP Senegal’s Our Sisters Lead program. She joined WGEP full-time in 2016, and is a former beneficiary of the Sisters to School Program.
In her own words: “My motivations for working for WGEP are: its approach to education and leadership training for girls in the Fatick region of Senegal.”
Lily joined WGEP in 2013, and serves as Senegal Program Manager. Lily is a longtime advocate for women and children, whose career has focused on promoting social justice. Most recently, she served as Catholic Relief Services’ Regional Representative for Middle East Programs, coordinating US-based assistance to projects in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza, as well as representing CRS to the State Department and USAID.
She brings to WGEP her background in law and public policy, including her experience as a Policy Analyst for the Alliance for Children and Families and as a Research and Advocacy Associate for Catholic Relief Services. Lily has served on the City of Toronto Committee on the Status of Women which dealt with diverse women’s issues including childcare and violence against women. She holds master’s degrees in law and international affairs from Columbia University, and a law degree from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. Besides English, she speaks Arabic and French.
Mbathiou is the Program Coordinator for WGEP Senegal’s Sisters to School program. She joined WGEP in 2014.
In her own words: “I began working with WGEP to support the education of my sisters in my community. Being a woman myself, I understood that they need to be assisted, accompanied, and coached to succeed.”
Rael is the Field Assistant for Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. She joined TWWP in 2008, and assists the TWWP Director with project implementation, management, evaluation and reporting. Rael studied at Sipet College where she received a certificate in computer studies, and as Chair of the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) in Tharaka South. As Chair of MYWO, Rael furthered the organization’s mission of empowering women socially, economically and politically. Rael has won multiple awards from the Kenyan government, including being recognized as a “Girl Child Crusader” in 2014 and as a “Human Rights Crusader” in 2013.
Sarah is a former WGEP scholar and current Outreach Officer at Tharaka Women’s Welfare Program (TWWP), WGEP’s Kenya partner organization since 2007. As Outreach Officer, Sarah heads WGEP’s Our Sisters Lead literacy initiative, making regular trips to 60+ schools throughout the Tharaka region.
Yvette is WGEP’s Senegal Program Director. She has been involved in the program since 2004, and also works as a teacher at the Saint Thèrèse School in Sokone, which hosted the first WGEP scholarship recipient, Khady Ndiaye!
In her own words: “Working with WGEP allows me to fulfill my mission as an educator, especially for girls living in disadvantaged areas. I am delighted to be able to participate in the improvement of their studying conditions, their successes, and their full development as scholars. WGEP’s work on social issues and our positive results are certainly being recognized by the community!”
West Africa as an agriculture specialist.
