Meet Our Team
The Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight, operations and the strategic planning of Let There Be Light International.
Representing diverse perspectives, experiences, and geographies, our Board is proud to fight Climate Change and Energy Poverty through solar programming.
Working in partnership with local NGOs, we have created and support a network of Energy Poverty consultants and energy practitioners in Africa through the Shine On Network.
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 Project Manager at the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, Alissa is an expert in sustainability and how access to energy intersects with 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 is a seasoned growth and operations strategist with a focus on startups and scale-ups. She is the current Operations Lead at Mazi Mobility, a Kenyan e-mobility startup.
Jamie Perry
LTBLI Board Member
With more than a decade working in healthcare systems, Jamie has broad expertise in outreach, community engagement, and organizational management. She has been a valued member of the LTBLI team for 8 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 committed to increasing awareness on the relationship between poverty and energy access and carries out data-driven education for LTBLI.
Kaitlin Bruskin
LTBLI Board Member
Kaitlin is an Engineering Manager at Verdani Partners, accelerating sustainability in the built environment. As an ESG consultant and a FitWell Ambassador, Kaitlin is passionate about furthering impactful climate action.
Emeritus Board Members
Hannah Schulman
Associate Director
With a background in Community Health and Climate Action, Hannah is committed to addressing health and environmental injustices linked to energy poverty. She champions collaborative partnerships for a sustainable and just energy transition.
Jordan During
Solar Technology Intern
Jordan is a junior majoring in Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. With hands-on experience in solar energy and sustainability projects, Jordan is dedicated to leveraging solar solutions to address energy poverty.
Solar Health Uganda
Solar Health Uganda (SHU) is our primary Implementation Partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Consultants at SHU are responsible for co-creating and leading a wide range of climate action and clean energy projects. SHU operationalizes health clinic solar-electrification projects, our maternal and infant health program – Safe Births + Healthy Homes, and collaborates with other NGOs to implement Let There Be Light International’s Lights 4 Learning project. SHU is also responsible for M&E oversight in the region and for convening the Shine on Network, a platform for Let There Be Light International’s partners in Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya to learn from and with one another.
David Derrick Luwaga
Director of SHU
GeorgeMike Luberenga
Regional Director of Programs
Caroline Mwebaza
Director of Health and Education
Siriman Kiryowa
Director of Research
Charity Twesige
Maternal Health Consultant
Gabriel Senyondo
Artist-in-Residence
Help us keep the light shining.
Your donation provides light to communities in need and furthers the global Sustainable Development Goals.