Our Vision
Empowered, Resilient Future Leaders and Families Living with Dignity and Hope.
Our Mission
Rays of Hope is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), which manages a large number of social outreach programmes in Alexandra Township (Alex) in northern Johannesburg. The organisation focuses on children and their families to improve all aspects of their lives, journeying with them from vulnerability to independence. This creates a lasting impact on the broader Alex community.
Rays of Hope started operating with one project in 1991 and has grown to a network of community-based programmes, focusing on education support, psychosocial support and family care. We currently have 400 children and their families in our programmes and have impacted thousands of people through the years. The organisation is hands-on in Alex, having developed close relationships with community leaders, the police, high schools, the Alexandra Clinic and the Department of Social Development, which has enabled it to leverage appropriate assistance when available and necessary.
Partnering with the Alexandra community to create sustainable change through psychosocial services, learning and development programmes.
MEET THE BOARD
Muziwethu Zwane
Board Member
Born and bred in Alexandra, Muziwethu’s mission in life is driven by a core belief that a life worth living is one dedicated to serving others. As a leader, he uses his influence to inspire, challenge and transform people’s lives so they can operate at their optimum level. He is motivated by a passion for people development and subscribes to the values of ubuntu and integrity in bringing a human touch to the world of business. Muziwethu has a proven history of delivering value as a corporate professional focusing on human capital, strategy and general affairs within the media publishing, automotive manufacturing and technology industries. As a servant leader with a social conscience, he is now pursuing his passion for philanthropy by sowing through community development. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and photography.
Thabo Gumbi
Board Member
Prior to joining TEBA, Thabo held various positions in the financial services field at Absa Bank, Hollard Insurance Group and Standard Bank. He joined TEBA in September 2012 as the financial services manager to spearhead the company’s financial services strategy. He was then appointed head of new business to pursue growth opportunities. His current position as Head of Commercial integrates new business activities, operations, research and marketing.
Jenni Kurten
Board Member
Jenni has worked for Rosebank Union Church as the leader of the Missions Ministry for 16 years. She is passionate about the work of Rays of Hope and believes everyone has a unique role to play in reaching Alex with the gospel and seeing the community flourish to the glory of God. Jenni & her husband Andre have been members of Rosebank Union Church for more than 20 years. They have 2 adult daughters and 3 grandchildren. Jenni enjoys gardening, birdwatching and travelling.
Ian Anderson
Board Member
After marticulating at Hilton College, Ian spent 9 Months in the army as a paratrooper. Ian graduated at night school with a CIS (Chartered Institute Of Secretaries) while working in the Stock Exchange and was a trader for all of his working career. He wrote the StockExchange exams and became a Stock Broker and director of Ivor Jones then became a Director of Deutsche Bank when they bought Ivor Jones out. He is now retired. Ian has volunteered at Rays of Hope for over a decade. He has organised the 3-day chartity ride from Clarens to Johannesburg for 8 years raising funds for Rays of Hope. The highlight was when 38 cyclists raised just over a Million rand. Ian has always been very sporty and has completed 5 comrades marathons, including the New York Marathon.and 21 CapeTown Cycle Tours. He completed 10 of them with Irene on the tandem. Ian was married to Sheryl for 36 years and has three sons. After her passing, he married Irene several years later and they have been married for 11 years.
Jared Adjodia
Board Member
Jared is a distinguished finance professional with a comprehensive background in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). He began his career by completing his articles in 2016 at a medium-sized firm, where he developed a solid foundation in finance and accounting. Following this, Jared spent five years in various FP&A roles at South Africa’s largest automotive conglomerate. During this time, he gained extensive experience in financial strategy, budgeting, and performance management, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the company’s financial operations. Currently, Jared serves as the Financial Controller for Central West Africa at a Fortune 500 healthcare company. In this capacity, he oversees financial operations, ensures compliance with regulatory standards, and drives financial performance across the region. His expertise and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the company’s financial goals and operational efficiency. On a personal note, Jared has been happily married to Sameshnee for five years. He enjoys hiking, cricket, chess, and fishing, finding balance and inspiration in these activities outside of his professional life.
MEET THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Lannie Davis-Frecker
President & CEO -Julie Billiart Schools, Ohio USA
Lannie Davis-Frecker is no stranger to the field of special education. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a Special Needs Endorsement from the University of Dayton, Lannie began her teaching career as an intervention specialist for Kindergarten, then second grade, at what is now known as Julie Billiart School Lyndhurst. As a 15-year tenured faculty member of Julie Billiart Schools (JBS), Lannie has also served as Assistant Principal and Director of Special Education where she coordinated IEP’s, ETR’s and advocated for students from 36 Cleveland area school districts. Before joining JBS, Lannie worked with the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, where she designed and implemented a special education program and, simultaneously, served as the program’s case manager and intervention specialist. Lannie earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from John Carroll University. In 2015, she was selected to lead Julie Billiart Schools because of her deep commitment to the JBS mission, her passion for children with learning differences, and her engaging leadership style. Today, as President and CEO of JB Schools, Lannie is the driving force behind the expansion and growth of the Julie Billiart Schools Network. With campuses in Lyndhurst, Akron, Westlake, and Brecksville (opening fall 2024) Lannie’s vision to serve more students with unique academic and social learning needs throughout Northeast Ohio is quickly becoming a reality. Under Lannie’s leadership, Julie Billiart Schools has been named a top workplace by the Plain Dealer for the past five years. She is a member of the School Choice Ohio Board of Directors, serves as an advisor to the THRIVE program (previously the Academic Support Center) at Notre Dame College, and is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) - the global leadership of Chief Executives. In addition, she is a member of numerous grant committees and works closely with lobbyists and legislators to advocate on behalf of children who have special learning needs. As an Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Lannie lives out the charism and mission of the schools’ founders and patroness, St. Julie Billiart. Lannie, her husband, and their three children live in Hudson, OH.
Olutola Afolayan
Managing Director - LiveFREE, California USA
Olutola Afolayan is a dynamic leader with over 15 years of experience in strategic leadership development and community-based initiatives. As the Managing Director of LIVEFREE CA, she successfully organized stakeholders around housing justice, public safety, and organizational resiliency across California. Olutola Afolayan, a strategic leader in both the non-profit and business sectors, has profoundly impacted her multifaceted roles as a Co-Founder, C-suite leader, Wellness Practitioner, and seasoned Speaker. Her expertise in cultivating thriving ecosystems and creating ethical and sustainable business solutions is matched only by her commitment to championing economic empowerment for underserved communities. Olutola is also the Co-Founder of Fitted, an innovative fashion tech start-up that combines African fashion with AI technology to revolutionize apparel production by providing custom apparel, empowering tailors, and offering global e-commerce solutions while promoting sustainability and ethical practices.
Christopher Albrizio-Lee
President & CEO of MHMNWB, Massachusetts USA
Christopher (Chris) Albrizio-Lee is the President and CEO of the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board (MHMNWB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA focused on workforce development. MHMNWB’s mission is to develop partnerships, generate resources, and advocate for workforce solutions that result in a skilled workforce, prospering businesses, and equitable access to meaningful career pathways and quality employment for residents. Chris has led MHMNWB as President and CEO since 2019, after previously serving as the organization’s Vice President and, before that, Director of Strategic Program Innovation. Prior to joining MHMNWB, Chris developed a deep understanding and experience of the workforce development sector during his time at YouthBuild USA, a national youth development organization, and Asian American Civic Association, a multi-service non-profit organization based in Boston’s Chinatown. Chris holds a Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He currently resides in Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters.
Sristi Silwal
Chairperson - Cha Ya Nepal, Nepal South Asia
Sristi Silwal serves as the chairperson of the organization, Chay-Ya Nepal based in Nepal, dedicated to collaborating closely with rural communities in the country. The organization’s primary mission is focused on the development of health and education services, as well as women empowerment in rural areas to combat poverty. In her role as Chairperson of the Executive Board, she provides strategic leadership by working alongside the board and executives to establish both short- and long-term goals, plans, and strategies. She also ensures the implementation of effective policies and procedures within the organization to facilitate efficient management. Additionally, she leads discussions within the board on new proposals related to the organization’s strategies, governance, programs, and financial reporting as put forth by the executive team. With a master’s degree in energy and environment management from University of Twente, the Netherlands, and a master in environment science from Nepal, she brings over 11 years of diverse experience in research and development across various sectors. Her expertise encompasses interdisciplinary research areas such as climate change and adaptation, food security, water governance and policies, environment management, socio-economic issues, and nonprofit organization development practices.
Hayley Dean
CEO - Melba Support Services, Melbourne Australia
“We are all equal by virtue of being human”. Hayley is a leader, advocate and champion for change who has spent her working life advocating for human rights and driving conversations about choice and control. She has an unwavering commitment to individualised, person-directed and centred service delivery. With over 30 years’ experience in the Disability, Aged Care and Community Health sectors, Hayley has led important work such as the devolving of institutionalised settings into person-directed, co-designed, community-based models of living. Hayley has been a key contributor on innovative projects including partnering with organisations to implement the first human rights-based disability legislation in Victoria: The Disability Services Act, 2006. A key element of the Act was the legislating of the implementation of human rights-based service delivery frameworks such as positive behaviour support. Hayley created and led the Restrictive Practices Project, to educate people on what restrictive practices are and their significant impacts. The project also provided education on new ways of working that did not infringe on people’s human rights. Hayley is committed to sharing her insights and guiding people and organisations on how to be changemakers within the service delivery sector. Hayley promotes a zero-tolerance approach to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. She stands firm that we must believe people, the first time, every time when it comes to any violation of human rights. She is vocal on educating people that this is a human rights issue not a disability issue and has collaborated to develop resources that educate people in this space. Before taking the helm as CEO of Melba Support Services in 2020, Hayley served as Melba's Chief Outcomes Officer for over four years. During her tenure, she played a key role in collaborating on Melba's bid for the government group homes transfer. Hayley has spearheaded a transition that has propelled Melba from a modest regional outfit to one of Victoria's foremost disability service providers. The number of people receiving Melba support has increased, as has revenue under Hayley's strategic vision and leadership. Hayley is not just about numbers and growth charts; she's driven by a profound passion for empowering individuals with disabilities to carve out the lives they desire. Her dedication to human rights runs deep, dating back to the early '90s when she pioneered innovative initiatives like the ground-breaking brokerage respite programs. Hayley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and disability from Deakin University in the 1980s and is the Victorian State Chair and Board Vice President of National Disability Services (Australia’s disability peak body). Hayley is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recently completed Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management at Harvard Business School.
Carole Wood
President & CEO - Northwestern University Settlement, Chicago USA
Carole C. Wood is a seasoned leader committed to driving transformative change for the public good. With a record of strategic leadership spanning decades of experience, she strives to guide and strengthen nonprofit organizations so that they can tackle the challenges of the twenty-first century. Carole is the President and CEO of Northwestern University Settlement House, a legacy social service organization with over a century of history serving Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. The Settlement House serves over 7,000 people annually through myriad programs, including the K-8 charter school Rowe Elementary, a food pantry, bilingual mental health services, early childhood education, after-school programming, teen and young adult programs, and an outdoor education center and residential summer camp in Delavan, Wisconsin. Northwestern University Settlement House is the longest continually operating settlement house in the country. Prior to Northwestern Settlement, Carole served as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement for National Louis University, the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement for City Colleges of Chicago, and the Director of the Office of Local School Council Relations for Chicago Public Schools. She also served as the Director of Development and Government Relations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. Early in her career, she worked in External Relations for the Rising People Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan. Carole is a member of the Union League Club of Chicago, where she serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Public Affairs committee. Carole is a member of The Chicago Network, The Economic Club of Chicago and serves on the Women’s Board of Goodman Theatre, the Women’s Board of the Field Museum, and the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center. Carole lives on the near south side with her husband, Carl Jenkins. She holds a certification in Advanced Philanthropy and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She earned a BA from Skidmore College, a MA from Loyola University Chicago, and is a Ph.D. candidate at National Louis University.
Bret I. Parker
Executive Director - New York City Bar Association, New York USA
Bret Parker is Executive Director of the New York City Bar Association, where he coordinates and oversees the operation of the 23,000-member organization. Prior to his role at the Association, Bret served as in-house counsel at Elizabeth Arden, Wyeth and Colgate-Palmolive. He started his legal career with the law firm of Townley & Updike and then Dorsey & Whitney, as well as a federal clerkship in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania before earning his J.D. from Fordham Law School. Bret is co-chair of the Patient Council of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. In 2018, he completed the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 straight days).
MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Muziwethu Zwane
Chief Executive Officer
Sandy Chapman
Finance & Operations Manager
Bertha Muchadeyi
Psychosocial Support Manager
Charmaine Seloma
Stakeholder Relations Manager
