staff
Melissa Kushner, Founder & Executive Director
Melissa has spent her entire career working in international development. Melissa’s experience has provided her with a deep understanding of multi-sector partnership building, heath infrastructure development, fundraising, field research and organizational and program development. Positions at the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships, Hahn Associates, Population Communications International and Gay Men’s Health Crisis have made her a well-rounded development practitioner, giving her both hands-on and managerial experience. Melissa received her MPA from New York University and her BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Brad McKenna, Director of Development
Brad McKenna has been working in the non-profit sector for over 10 years and has a passion to inspire others for positive change. He began his career as a dog guide trainer at Leader Dogs for the Blind and it was there where he found his interest in philanthropy. At Leader Dog he initiated and managed an outreach program that added over 4,000 new donors in its first year. Later, in 2007, he moved to Malawi, Africa, where he held the position of Director of Development at Kindle Orphan Outreach. Brad also brings clear mathematical and technological skills. While working as New York University first Development Analyst he focused on assessing business needs and developing solutions. In 2009-10, Brad led the university’s largest fundraising software project in over a decade. Brad holds a B.A. in Communication and General Sciences from Michigan’s Rochester College and is completing his Masters in Fundraising at New York University.
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Patricia Schmiedigen, Program Manager
Patricia Schmiedigen received her associate's degree in humanities and her B.A. in psychology from New York University. After graduating with honors she was hired by the university as a field researcher evaluating the 4Rs Program, part of the nation-wide effort to implement social emotional development into public education. In 2007 Patricia joined the Peace Corps and spent the next 29 months living and working in rural Zambia. During this time she developed a model for training Neighborhood Health Committees, which she was asked to formalize and facilitate. She is now managing Goods for Good programs and field staff from the New York headquarters.
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Natalie Bonifede, Communications Manager
Natalie Bonifede completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley where she received a B.A. in Sociology. During her final semester of college, Natalie lived in Cape Town, South Africa for six months while studying at the University of Cape Town. During this time she worked with several local organizations including a grass roots orphan care center. While abroad Natalie developed a keen interest in development and nonprofit work and is excited to further develop her interest here in New York.
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Blessings Lungu, Malawi Program Manager
Blessings Lungu received his B.S. in Environmental Health from the University of Malawi and has spent his entire career working with NGOs in Malawi. Blessings has an extensive background working with orphans and vulnerable children, the chronically ill, people living with HIV/AIDS and women. He is experienced in family planning, resource mobilization, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation and community capacity building services. Most recently, Blessings worked with Chisomo Children's Club helping to develop and strategize programs that care for and educate street children. Prior to that he worked with the United Nations World Food Programme to help formulate their Assistance to Malnourished Groups, School Feeding and Orphans and Vulnerable Children Livelihoods programs. Blessings is certified in Psychosocial Counseling, Child Protection, Flood Moderation and Drought Mitigation Practices.
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Raphael Tembenu, Malawi Field Officer
Raphael Tembenu has spent more than 10 years in the vehicle management industry and has extensive knowledge of both car maintenance and administrative procedures. Most recently, he worked for a car hire company as a Hiring and Sales Manager, where he was responsible for fleet management, client relations and human resources. In his free time, Raphael volunteers as a choir director for Children of the Nations, a nonprofit working with vulnerable and orphaned children.
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Jeremy Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer
In 2006 Jeremy made his first field research trip to Malawi where he traveled to several local institutions caring for orphans and vulnerable children. From July 2007 through January 2008 Jeremy lived in Malawi with Goods for Good. Jeremy received his MBA from New York University and his BA from Brandeis University.
