Executive Team
Mary Ellen Manda, Director CEO
Dr. David Suze Manda, Chairman
Angela Yoshiko Wilson, Webmaster
Board of Trustees
Dr. Paul Komba, Professor at Cambridge University and Barrister, UK
Dr. David Suze Manda, International studies MA, PhD , USA
Mary Ellen Manda, BSN Registered Nurse, USA
Urbain Kiluwe Lupembe, High School Teacher, Local Representative, DRCongo
Advisory Board
Dr. Sethuramiah L Rao, the Permanent Observer of Partners in Population and Development to the United Nations
Abigail Shepherd, BSN Registered Nurse, Member, USA
Barbara Shotwell, Member, USA
Lydia Chaplin, Member, USA
Bert Jackson, Member, USA
Victoria Trimmer, Member, USA
Adama Coulibali, Engineer at Microsoft Corporation, USA
The Founders
Dr. David Suze Manda
- Ph.D. in International Studies in Peace, Conflict and Development, at the Universitat Jaume I in Castellón, Spain.
Dr. David has always had a passion for helping people around the world, and he always knew he would eventually help his homeland. Born and raised in D.R. Congo, David has an incredibly adventurous life. From ministering around the world to witnessing his country being torn apart by war, David sought an education that would prepare him to be the kind of leader his home country needs.
While working on his Ph.D., David and his wife, Mary, have founded an organization to connect the people of D.R. Congo to the world. He understands the value of knowledge, access to information, education, and connection. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the opportunity to travel and receive an education like David. Instead of finding ways to send thousands of people around the world, David has found a way to bring the world to them.
Mary Manda
- Registered Nurse (R.N.)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pacific Lutheran University.
Mary, much like her husband, has always had a heart for helping. Every day Mary works to make our world a better place, and she's excited to extend her efforts to her husband's homeland.
While working on her Bachelors degree in nursing, Mary and David had countless conversations and brainstorming sessions on ways they could help D.R. Congo. After much consideration and research, they realized that Connecting Congo would be perfect.
Mary sought a degree in nursing because she always knew she wanted to help people – in some capacity. Being a nurse allows her to connect with people in need every day. Whether it's a simple hello, a smile, or a more complicated medical procedure – Mary has always known how to brighten someone's day. Now she has found a way to share her passion for knowledge, love, and humanity beyond the hospital.
