Akwaaba, welcome! It’s been a while.
And while we appreciate you staying committed to Aya through thick and thin, we feel it’s only proper to reintroduce ourselves to all of you.
Familiar faces, a few new key roles, and expanding our team – all with the same mission and values.
So, let’s break it down for you. This is Aya!
Aya Leadership
Around since the birth of the organization in 2010 and part of the original group that traveled to Berekum as part of Semester at Sea, Grant continues to lead the business operations for Aya. His vision and prowess is what keeps us moving on a sustainable path towards equitable access to quality education.
Originally from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, he now resides in New York, traveling and running marathons in his spare time.
Similar to Grant, Chris has also been involved since Aya’s inception in 2010. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Chris has spent the better part of his professional career traveling the world and has been residing in Ghana full-time since 2022.
Currently, Chris is leading the charge into a sustainable future through Aya’s Baobab initiative, working to leverage Ghana’s resources to reinvest in its own education system.
Do you want to know anything about Aya’s programs and operations in Ghana?
Just ask Olivia.
A true angel amongst us, Olivia handles all things Aya Scholarships, liaising with home teachers, families, schools, and more. She’s been with Aya for over a decade, having previously overseen construction of the Akatim Village School through careful collaboration with Ghana Education Services. Her depth of local knowledge contributes directly to the scholarship program’s success.
That’s Dr. Brittany, to you.
After growing up in Louisiana and relocating to Salt Lake City, Brittany obtained her EdD in Education Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah.
With over a decade of experience in education, Dr. Chelette supports Aya’s mission by collaborating directly with Aya Educators and our Programs Team to provide support and ensure highest outcomes possible.
She started with us by managing a sponsorship program, and has since grown into a pillar of our organization and a daily reminder of our values.
A fan of our branding? How about Aya’s social media? Maybe an e-mail has caught your eye?
Don’t worry, we’re big fans too and we owe it all to Sophie.
Owner of El Kreativ and giving her time to Aya, Sophie is the woman behind our communications, both strategy and output, and is a driving force behind bringing our mission and vision to life.
When we don’t have the words, she’s always there to clear it up and, most importantly, refine our storytelling before we bring it all to you!
Working closely with Olivia, Bright has been on the ground doing the day-to-day work in Berekum, Ghana since the launch of Aya’s Scholarship program.
Managing funds, ensuring no student is left behind, and holding all stakeholders accountable are just a few of his responsibilities, all completed with a smile on his face.
He started his journey with Aya as a fixer, someone who can get things done within the local systems, and has quickly turned into an integral part of Aya’s success and, most importantly, the scholar students’ bright futures.
We’re not done just yet…
If you’ve read our previous blog post, Anatomy of an Aya Scholarship, you’ll know just how integral our Aya Educators are to the program’s success.
These change makers are more than just teachers and tutors – they’re mentors, support systems, and key stakeholders in the success of each Aya Scholar.
Michael first became involved in our organization during our time at the Akatim Village School (2010-2020). He has since rejoined Aya as an educator, responsible for home tutoring sessions.
Why did Michael choose a career in education?
Because he never forgot the feeling from childhood when a teacher looked him in his face and told him to quit.
Since that day, he’s been committed to opening doors for others that need the extra support.
Having grown up in Berekum, Yvonne continues to give back to the community through her work with Aya.
The most important lesson she feels she can pass on to Aya’s Scholars is how to cultivate a growth-mindset and a self-driven process through adaptability, resilience and a willingness to learn from failure.
She brings the joy into her work with Aya and has had a major impact on her scholar students.
Also hailing from Berekum, Ghana, Esther attributes her passion for education to Madam Violet, a teacher who taught her to think critically, learn hard, and never give up.
Today, Esther takes those same values into her tutoring sessions with Aya’s scholars.
She self-asserts her style as a mix between creativity and discipline, keeping each lesson learner-centered to maximize effectiveness.
Her commitment to both her family and profession inspires us daily.
Mr. Adabor Adu-Gyamfi is Aya’s newest educator and we’re lucky to have him join the team!
With over 10 years experience teaching, primarily at the JHS level, he brings key insight and knowledge into the curriculum for our Aya Scholars, especially as they prepare for national entrance exams into Senior High School.
Originally from Ahafo-Goso, Adabor spent most of his life in Berekum and is now giving back through Aya’s programing.
Welcome aboard, Mr. Gyamfi!
“Never Turn Your Back on Family”
When asked in a recent interview why they have been with Aya so long, the answer from one of our volunteers was profoundly simple: you never turn your back on family.
Our team is more than our expertise and experience. It’s full of a collective belief that opportunity shouldn’t be limited by location and that every child deserves the chance to dream. We’re a group that’s rooted in hope for the future, but grounded in resilience for what it takes to get there.
If you’ve been with us from the beginning, thank you so much. We know you have unlimited choices of where your money and support goes, and we’re beyond grateful that you’ve prioritized equitable access to education.
New here? We’re happy to have you and hope this provides a better understanding of who’s behind the work you see on the screen. It’s truly a collective effort, and you are very much included in that.
As a Ghanian proverb cites: wisdom is like a Baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.
To move forward in our mission, we all have a role to play, and that includes you.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to Aya!