Our Team
Meet the dedicated professionals driving our mission forward
Key Members
Mr. Joel Kapapa
Co Founder and Director
Joel Kapapa, is a Fulbright Program alumnus with extensive experience in education and ethical servant leadership development. Joel holds two Master's degrees: one in philosophy from the Catholic University of Congo, where he served as vice president of the student body; and his second in political philosophy from the State University of New York at Albany, USA, where he specialized in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ethical leadership and the common good. He was also an adjunct lecturer, in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures while he attended SUNY Albany. Mr. Kapapa has published multiple articles and authored three books: The power of love, not the love of power (2024), Ethical leadership for greater happiness (2022), and Thomas Aquinas notion of Leadership as a response to the political crisis in the Congo (2019). Joel's proven track record includes teaching, training and empowering young leaders in the DRC and Nigeria. His vision for an ethical servant leadership center stems from his dedication to addressing the leadership crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo by training ethical servant leaders who embody integrity, love and servanthood in the promotion of democracy, good government and the creation of a just, stable and prosperous Congo.
Mr. Richard Sasa
Vice Director
Richard Sasa is an experienced human resource professional with diversified experience across various functional areas in administration (public and private) within multiple industries (manufacturing, food processing and nonprofit). He has a master's degree in human resources management from Utah State University (Utah, USA) and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Congo (UCC, Kinshasa/DRC). He has extensive experience in employee relations, talent acquisition and development, learning, performance management, HR-Business Strategy and organizational leadership and development. He is well-versed in non-profit leadership and development, in an academic environment, especially in international students' recruitment and retention. He is a skilled, multilingual communicator and leader seeking to bring out the best in others and build a positive, balanced, and successful corporate culture. Richard, for this project, will design, plan, and execute workshops, conferences, and educational activities, ensuring that strategic and educational objectives are met.
Ms. Alice Musele
Logistics Manager
Alice holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and biology from the University of Alberta and has extensive experience in leadership and administration.
Mr. Jada Lobela
Training Facilitator
Jada Lobela holds a Bachelor degree in computer science at University of Bretagne Brest.
Mrs. Emmanuelle Kapita
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Emmanuelle Kapita-Mba holds a master's degree in International Commercial Law. With over 15 years of experience in legal practice, compliance, and project management, she is dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. She supports initiatives that empower leaders to serve their communities with integrity, aligning with the Servant Leadership Center's mission to foster collaboration, ethical decision-making, and commitment to the common good.
Mr. Cyrille Kayembe
Partnership and Fundraising officer
Cyrille is very friendly and has an ability to create lasting intercultural connection, and relationship. He has a bachelor degree in Philosophy from Saint Augustin University (in Kinshasa), a bachelor degree in Theology from Saint Eugene Mazenod Institute ( in Kinshasa), and a Master's degree in Ethic of Peace, Law and Health Education from Bari University (in Italy). He has a certificate in Korean Language and culture (South Korea). As a polyglote, he speaks 9 languages . Also Cyrille has leadership experience in training youth and counselling married couples.
Ms. Simone Balibuno
Financial Resources Manager
Simone Balibuno, a financial officer, manages the budget, accounting and compliance with the project's requirements. Simone holds a bachelor's degree in financial management and has professional experience in financial analysis, budget management and project coordination. Her solid analytical skills and her experience as a financial advisor in some companies make her an asset for financial operations. Simone's responsibilities are essential for all phases. She speaks French fluently and quite well English.
Mr. Isaac Kaba
Training Facilitator
Isaac Kaba, Training Facilitator: Responsible for experts or trainers leading workshops and conferences on various topics, including leadership, integrity, and personal development. Isaac Kaba is a seasoned educator and researcher with expertise in designing and delivering training programs that bridge academic rigor and practical application. He holds a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Toledo and is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley. Isaac has experience as a Graduate Student Instructor, where he effectively teach and communicates complex concepts to diverse audiences. He is also fluent in French and English.
Mr. Thomas Nkashama
Communication and outreach officer
PhD Student at Catholic University of Congo. He is pursuing his research in logic and language analysis. He graduated in 2022 with a degree in Analytical Philosophy. Interested in tackling social and political issues. He also holds a certificate in politics studies at Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politician (KASYP) in Benin. Focused on strengthening young people capacities in leadership and communications skills. Accustomed to the media and having sufficient skills in communication, Thomas will assume with skills and responsibilities the communication charges of the center. This aligns with his previous positions as the former President of the Student Body at the Catholic University of Congo and a former Spokesman and Communications officer for the Student Body in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His passion for research and training guided him to the Center for Research and Training in Applied Ethics (CRFEA) at the University of Kinshasa, where he serves as an Assistant Lecturer-Researcher.
Pasteur Freddy Munsie Mabila
Partnership and fundraising officer
I am Pasteur Freddy Munsie Mabila. I live in Albany New York for the last 22 years. I'm a teacher by training, an international evangelist I do crusades around the world, practical nurse graduate, husband of one wife and father of two children.
Ms. Samuella Mabita
Vice Budget Manager
Samuella Mabita is a young economist passionate about innovation and the development of Congolese businesses. A student at the Catholic University of Congo, she is rigorously trained to understand contemporary economic issues. Trained in entrepreneurship at the INNP in Kinshasa, she specialized in digital tools and financing strategies for startups. Her internship at the Permanent Accounting Council in Congo allowed her to strengthen her skills in management and financial analysis. Today, Vice Budget Manager, Samuella ensures the consistency and transparency of budgetary choices. Certified in IT, she operates with ease in connected environments. Curious, determined, and forward-looking, she embodies a generation of young leaders ready to transform the economic environment of Congo.
Mrs. Rosalie Obula Belamie
Administrative and Financial Officer
Rosalie is a Congolese citizen, a 2024 AWE Alumni cohort 1, Revup Women Entrepreneurship Initiatives in 2023 and JAADEEP 2005 (Digital Entrepreneurship Education Program). She has a bachelor's degree in computer sciences as an engineer and in business administration in 2014. She has got work experience in finance, administration and human resources in various private companies and NGOs for over 7 years. Integrated to IDG (Iniative de Genève dans le pays des Grands lacs ) to share humanitarian value and empathy to tackle ethnic discrimination. In 2021, along with her husband their have started a start-up company VBL LIMITED sarl, where she is the majority shareholder. The company operates in the renewable energy sector and focusing on environmental protection. Volunteering is a passion for Rosalie since 2007 she has been volunteering with Sant'Egidio community mentoring children especially from deprive families and those living with disabilities in a school of peace programme.
Mr. Vany Boto-Labarre
Community liaison Officer
Vany is the chairman of VBL LIMITED sarl and the minority co-owner of the company, which is majority owned by his wife Rosalie. He is the secretary general of his family NGO APHILMA working on a volunteering basis. Graduated in BA (Hon) French degree in 2009 at the university of Bradford, UK and a Professional Development Level HE4 Framework for Higher Education Qualification in "Introduction to Regeneration & Sustainable Communities" in 2011 at the university of Bolton, UK. Following his degree Vany worked as a volunteer for Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau as an Administration & Generalist Advisor to gain valuable work experience, later securing paid employment within the public sector at the Neighbourhood Management Team for Bolton Council, working as an assistant administration & community liaison officer, before moving into the private sector as sale advisor covering the French speaking market
Ms. Nelly Mbiya Tshibangu
Communication officer
Nelly holds a master degree degree and a higher education aggregation in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Congo. Nelly is passionate about media and literature. She has expertise in managing training-oriented projects, particularly with the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie.
Mr. Augustin Mbenga
PhD Candidate in Philosophy and Instructor
PhD candidate in philosophy at the Catholic University of Congo and instructor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa, Augustin Mbenga is interested in the thought of French philosopher Paul Ricœur, from which he develops a philosophy of hospitality, adapted to the context of memory wounds. After several doctoral research stays at the Catholic University of Louvain and the Protestant Institute of Theology in Paris, he has several scientific articles to his credit. One on the pedagogical paradigm of translation published in issue 30 of the Ithaque Review of the University of Montreal, the other, dealing with sign and evidence in Paul Ricœur's phenomenology, was published in volume 20 of the Bulletin of Phenomenological Analysis of the University of Liège. Passionate about ethical and political issues, he is committed to promoting responsible leadership.
Our Partners
Dr. Riobart E (Rob) Breen PHD
Partner
Dr. RÃobart É. Breen is the Director of the Institute for Transformational and Ecosystem-Based Climate Adaptation (ITECA), which is dedicated to transformational adaptation to climate change by promoting climate justice and equity, advancing nature-based and behavior-based solutions, and preparing the next generation of climate change leaders, including through community engagement and service learning. He is also a lecturer and faculty advisor for the Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy program. He led the Climate Adaptation Team in the Office of Climate Change at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and was an Environmental Policy Analyst for the Ocean and Great Lakes Unit of the New York State Coastal Management Program. Dr. Breen's interdisciplinary work addresses the "complex problems" of adaptive, resilient, and sustainable community transitions in the face of anthropogenic climate disruption and hyperdevelopment, with a focus on biodiversity conservation, urban and community forestry, coastal watershed management, collaborative adaptive governance, and generational equity. He holds an MA and PhD in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and Administration. Creator of the climate change simulation and scenario game EarthQuest, he is a member of the ecoregional think tank Anam Circle and has led the White Mountain Youth Corps and the Coconino Rural Environment Corps. He is also the founder of the Anam Earth Center for Sustainability and Culture, a community-based nonprofit organization. Dr. Breen lives at Glendara Homestead with his family and practices regenerative agroecology and sustainable living. Research Interests: Natural Resource Policy and Planning, Environmental Policy and Planning, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions, Environmental Governance and Leadership, Sustainability, Climate Justice and Environmental Equity
Mr. Daniel J. Forte
Partner
Dan holds a Master's Degree from SUNY New Paltz in Education. He served as an elementary school principal, an assistant director in charge of educational and professional development for a large multisite adult educational facility for the developmental disabled, helped develop and implement leadership training for a national not-for-profit organization working with international students and scholars and assisted pastors in developing church leaders. His present passion is developing loving servant leadership in the international church.
Mrs. Susan J. Forte
Partner
Susan has served in leadership roles in several not-for-profit organizations primarily providing services and care to individuals with developmental disabilities. In her last leadership role in this area, she served as the Director of Staff Development for an organization with 1200 employees. She oversaw the staff training component of the organization working with the various departments in the provision of mandated state and federal trainings and those necessary for the orientation of new employees. Susan also created and implemented leadership development curriculum and follow-up for all levels of leadership throughout the organization – from middle managers to senior leaders. In addition, Susan designed and facilitated a multiple agency initiative.
Dr. Steve R Branson
Partner
Dr. Steve Branson is a distinguished retired pastor with an illustrious 48-year career in ministry. He served as the pastor of Village Parkway Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas, for 29 years, where he provided steadfast spiritual leadership to his congregation. Even in retirement, Dr. Branson remains actively engaged in ministry, preaching in churches worldwide and teaching at Baptist seminaries in Havana, Cuba, and Arusha, Tanzania. A committed educator, Dr. Branson has served as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for 20 years and previously held a similar role at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. His academic contributions extend internationally, having been invited to speak at the prestigious Oxford Round Table.
Dr. Jon Mandle, PHD
Partner
His main interests are in contemporary political philosophy and ethics, as well as their history. He is co-editor, with David Reidy, of the Cambridge Rawls Lexicon (2015) and A Companion to Rawls (Blackwell, 2014), and the author of three books.
Dr. Michael Elliott PHD
Partner
Professor and Director of international students, State University of New York, Albany (USA). As Director of ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services), Dr. Michael Elliott brings almost 30 years of experience in the field of international education.
Paul E. Schlett
Partner
In obeying his earthly father and his heavenly Father, Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering at Missouri Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri at Rolla) in 1972 and a Master of Divinity at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993. He developed refractory products at Harbison Walker Refractories for 9 years and then worked for Exxon Research & Engineering and Valero Energy for 17 years. He served as a bi-vocational pastor in the inner city of Schenectady, NY. As a refractory engineer, he taught courses and provided refractory lining system designs in oil refining equipment in 21 countries. His greatest joy in life as husband, engineer and pastor has been to apply God's wonderful truths from both creation and the Bible in every aspect of life. God is so good!
Mr. Charles T Kriss
Partner
Esq Attorney at Law
Mr. Travis Weber
Partner
Vice President for policy and Government affairs, Family Research Councel, Washington DC. Travis S. Weber, J.D., LL.M., is Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at Family Research Council.
Mr. Robert Osburn
Partner
Robert Osburn was the founder (2009) and Executive Director of the Wilberforce International Institute until September 2020 when he became Senior Fellow. Wilberforce International Institute is an organization whose mission is to train college students, especially international students, to be redemptive change agents.
Antonio Piizzi
Partner
Antonio Piizzi. Born in Italy, Catholic, lawyer, expert in labour law and in administrative law, liturgical music choral singer, film critic, passionate about international politics, music, literature, painting. Against all forms of racism.
Dr. Valeria Elliott
Partner
Valeria Elliott is a Latino educator and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing culturally responsive professional programs serving Latino communities. Currently an Online Course Facilitator at Cornell University in the Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship, she mentors women startup founders globally while pioneering innovative educational platforms that bridge cultural identity with professional advancement. Elliott founded the first comprehensive "Lawyering in Spanish and Latin American Initiatives" program in the United States at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2003-2010), where she created international internship networks across Latin America and Spain and established the Spanish Section of the Colorado Bar Association. Her bilingual legal services work included coordinating pro bono programs and developing continuing legal education curricula used by over 500 attorneys in the Denver Metro area. Elliott's entrepreneurial ventures focus on transforming traditional language learning through culturally responsive storytelling. As founder of Spanish Inspired (2024-present), she created a platform where professionals learn Spanish through authentic Latino narratives, challenging grammar-heavy methods that lack cultural relevance. Her previous venture, Mokovi (2013-2018), earned her the prestigious Small Business Administration InnovateHer award for "most innovative business improving women's lives." Currently completing her Ph.D. in Latin American, Caribbean and U.S. Latino Studies at the University of Albany (expected December 2025), Elliott serves on the International Advisory Council of the Freire Institute at the University of Lancashire. Her work has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, National Law Journal, and international publications across Latin America.
Mr. Garry Finkell
Partner
I received a bachelor's degree from Fordham University in New York City. My major was philosophy with a minor in mathematics. I received a master of science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. My degree was in the field of Industrial and Management Engineering. I had two careers. The first was with government of the State of New York doing analysis of social programs and also mental health programs. I then moved into the area of medical research in the fields of pregnancy and childbirth along with newborn medicine. I was elected to be the president of the New York State Perinatal Association. It is an umbrella organization for all professionals in these fields. This includes obstetricians and neonatologists as well as nurses in those fields, along with geneticists, midwives, and public health workers. I was involved in the founding of the Ronald McDonald House of Albany New York in 1982. I was president of the board of directors on two separate occasions.