Meet Our Team
The Board of Directors is responsible for oversight and operations of Let There Be Light International in the USA. Representing diverse perspectives, experiences, and geographies, our Board is proud to participate in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through innovative solar programming.
Let There Be Light International is also supported by three Energy Poverty Consultants, a Midwife/Nursing Advisor, an Artist-in-Residence, and an SDG Fellow who provide invaluable on-the-ground expertise and implementation services in Africa.
Sarah Baird
Executive Director
Founder of Let There Be Light International, Sarah advocates for renewable energy access to be included in social safety net programming and is a member of international climate justice and clean energy action groups. Shine On!
David Baird
LTBLI Board Member
An early childhood educator, David works as a classroom teacher focused on literacy, numeracy, and community building. David is passionate about the universal need and importance of a safe and sufficiently lit living and learning environment.
Alissa Benchimol
LTBLI Board Member
A Senior Program Officer at the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, Alissa is an expert in Sustainability and how access to energy intersects with basic human rights. A native of Brazil, Alissa’s firsthand knowledge of energy poverty drives her commitment to LTBLI’s mission.
Rubens Mukunzi
LTBLI Board Member
Founder and Executive Director of Karibu News and Madiba Janitorial Services. Originally from Rwanda, Rubens came to the US as a refugee and has firsthand knowledge of Energy Poverty. Rubens is a proud Rotarian and is passionate about helping others.
Thatcher Mweu
LTBLI Board Member
Based in Nairobi, Thatcher has volunteered with LTBLI for 6 years and has expertise in organizational performance and growth strategies. She is passionate about economic development including health, education, and women’s empowerment.
Shreya Nathan
LTBLI Board Member
In 2020, Shreya led an MBA team to Uganda to conduct M&E assessments of LTBLI’s Safe Births + Healthy Homes program. After completing a joint MBA/MPA at the Wharton School and Harvard Kennedy School, Shreya works as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.
Jamie Perry
LTBLI Board Member
Senior Operations Manager for Landmark Health. Jamie has broad expertise in outreach, community engagement, and organizational management and has volunteered with LTBLI for 7 years.
Jennifer Shiao
LTBLI Board Member
Jennifer serves as General Counsel at Valmar Merchant Services. Jennifer is an avid traveler and ardent supporter of empowering communities through economic development, education, and improving healthcare.
Rachel Stukenborg
LTBLI Board Member
Rachel is an engineer with a focus in sustainable energy for development. She is passionate about increasing awareness on the relationship between poverty and energy access and carries out data-driven outreach and education for LTBLI.
Emeritus Board Members
Solar Health Uganda
Solar Health Uganda is LTBLI’s primary Distribution Partner, implementing many of LTBLI’s programs in Uganda including our signature maternal and infant health project, Safe Births + Healthy Homes. LTBLI supports 3 Energy Poverty Consultants and works closely with the team to develop programs, collect data, and improve programming through iterative and collaborative processes.
L-R: GeorgeMike Luberenga (SHU Consultant), John Bosco (District Health Officer), Sarah Baird, Siriman Kiryowa (SHU Consultant), Caroline Mwebaza (SHU Consultant), and David Derrick Luwaga (ED of KACCAD and Solar Health Uganda).
Senyondo Gabriel
Artist in Residence
Also known as WingsPanic, Senyondo is a self-taught artist who lives in Bulenga, Uganda, on the outskirts of Kampala. Gabriel supports Let There Be Light International’s mission and advocacy by photographing our solar projects in the field and depicting how solar lights change lives through his drawings and paintings.
Charity Twesige
SB+HH Nursing Advisor
Nurse Midwife Charity Twesiga is the head of Maternity services at Kikonda Health Center III, one of LTBLI’s Safe Births + Healthy Homes (SB+HH) sites in Uganda. As our Nursing Advisor, she trains and mentors data collectors and Village Health Teams and works on program refinement and modifications.
Emily Louis
US Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator
Emily has worked with LTBLI since 2018 managing our annual Solar Celebration event. She formally joined the team in 2023 to support our communications and fundraising efforts. Emily has over 10 years of nonprofit experience and has a passion for economic, environmental, and racial justice.
Help us keep the light shining.
Your donation provides light to communities in need and furthers the global Sustainable Development Goals.