Jackie Trujillo, Board Chairperson

"We believe that every child has a right to basic literacy and basic education. It is through education that we empower individuals and communities around the world to raise themselves above poverty and to become self-sufficient."

Jackie Truijillo has served as the CEO and Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Harman's overseeing the operation of 330 restaurants. She has participated on numerous panels for COEX, MUFSO, California Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association, and sits on the National Advisory Board for the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.

Allen Todd Wilkes, Fund Development

"The Mali Rising Foundation is providing me a unique opportunity to help improve the lives of thousands of the world's finest young people. The Malian youth are eager to learn and are taking steps to improve their lives. They are so grateful for our help. This is what motivates my work with this unique and uplifting foundation."

Allen Todd Wilkes is the Regional Manager for Business Improvement at Barrick Gold Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent his formative years in Bamako, the capital city of Mali during the 1970s. In addition to sitting on both the Executive and Fundraising committees, his primary role is to provide technical direction for project development drawing on his extensive personal experience and cultural knowledge of Mali.

James Arrington, Public Relations

"Participating in the growth of Mali through the building of schools has transformed my life and allowed me to see the joy that comes from joining with others in a noble cause. It is exciting to see real change being affected through our constant efforts. Moreover, it is gratifying to know that today a thousand children have a better future because of Mali Rising Foundation."

James Arrington is the founder and owner of Pukrufus Design, an advertising design firm in American Fork, Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master's of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He brings his wide multimedia and communication skills and expertise to the foundation and is responsible for all design needs.

Bruce J. Boehm, Legal

Bruce J. Boehm is a shareholder at McKay, Burton and Thurman law services. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for Seyfarth Shaw in California. Mr. Boehm graduated with a law degree from Brigham Young University where he was a member of both the Law Review and Moot Court Team. The main areas of his expertise include litigation, labor, employment and corporate law.

Fred A. Johnson, Event Planning

Fred Johnson is the founder and CEO of Eagle Environmental Inc., a Utah based full-service environmental remediation company. Under his leadership over the past fifteen, Eagle Environmental has grown to over 100 employees and is licensed in six western states. Mr. Johnson has created traditional and non-traditional educational programs for employee's professional and personal fulfillment. In addition to serving on the Mali Rising Foundation board, Mr. Johnson is also active in the Midvale Boys and Girls Club.

Gretchen Winston, Secretary

"On a trip to Mali in 2000 I met Yeah. When he became the executive director of the MRF I felt that it was a perfect combination of a great mission and the right leader. On my trip I had seen the need for schools in Mali. To have a Malian who really understood the people and their needs heading the project looked like the best way to accomplish the goal. I am pleased that I have been a part of the development of the MRF."

Gretchen Winston is the Business Manager of Winston Associates, an Urban Planning and Landscape Architectural firm in Boulder, Colorado. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Winston volunteers at the Intercambio de Communidades in Boulder as an ESL instructor.

Jill Miller, Finance and Fund Development

Jill Miller oversees the operational, financial, and administrative aspects of the nonprofit Sundance Institute. She is also responsible for the development of Utah-based community programming and securing state and local government funding. Miller is credited with securing a strategic long-term agreement with Park City Municipal Corporation for the Sundance Film Festival. She oversees the Sundance Institute's Utah Advisory Board and serves as treasurer of Sundance Institute. Miller has served as chairwoman of the Utah Arts Council Board of Directors and on the Board of the Park City Chamber/Bureau.

Keven J. Stratton, Vice Chair

Keven Stratton is the owner of Cascade Golf Club in Orem, Utah. He is also a partner at Smith and Stratton law firm specializing in business law, real estate and estate planning. Mr. Stratton is very involved in commercial and community activities in Utah County. He also serves on the boards of several community organizations.

John Thornton, Fund Development

"Education is the best tool to overcome poverty. We've been so blessed to live in America. We are grateful for the education our children have received here. It's exciting to be involved with Mali Rising to bring the opportunities for more education to the children there."

John Thornton is licensed real estate broker in Utah and Idaho with over seventeen years of experience. He received his degree in Finance and was previously worked for General Electric. Mr. Thornton currently works with Prudential Utah Real Estate specializing in the development and sale of multi-residential projects as well as land acquisition and entitlements.. He is also active in his community in various capacities including serving as a political delegate and coaching youth sports.

Andrew Van Dyke, Treasurer

"I originally volunteered to serve Mali Rising Foundation to ensure that it is supported by fully compliant accounting and finance systems.  I have stayed because I fell in love with the people of Mali and work that Yeah is doing to raise his country out of poverty."

Andrew Van Dyke chairs the Finance Committee at the Mali Rising Foundation. He holds an MBA degree from Brigham Young University and is fluent in Korean. He has seventeen years of progressive responsible accounting experience. Mr. Van Dyke managed the Accounting Department of Superior Care Pharmacy Inc. for two years and has successfully completed eight accounting system conversions and implementations in the last ten years.

Steven Waters, Public Relations

Dr. Steven Waters is a principal at Charles River Associates and an adjunct faculty member in the Economics Department at Brigham Young University. Dr. Waters became a member of the Mali Rising Foundation board in 2008 where he provides valuable input on sustainable economic development issues. He is also an avid djembe drum player and regularly facilitates drum circles at fundraising activities.

Yeah Samake, Executive Director

Yeah Samake, the director of the foundation, received his Master's degree in Public Policy at Brigham Young University. He has extensive training in policy analysis and program evaluation. His love for his native land and people drive his determination to empower them through education.

Matt Sanders, Public Relations

Matt Sanders is a Professor of Communication at Utah State University. Dr. Sanders received his PhD in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His research focuses on communication and management in nonprofit organizations, social entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. He also teaches conflict management, leadership, and interpersonal communication.

Scott Dixon, Fund Development

Scott is a resident of Uintah Utah and father of five. He received his Bachelors Degree from Weber State University and is President and Owner of Stacey Enterprises, Inc., a general building contracting firm, operating in the Western United States. Scott and his wife Julie recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Mali, Africa where they assisted in the building of schools and providing much needed dental care for the people of Africa.

Jeffrey E. Hawkes, Project Development

"One of the greatest experiences in my life has been to have some small part in helping Mali rise."

Jeffrey Hawkes is the Sales Territory Manager for Medtronics Inc., a medical technology firm providing solutions for chronic pain. He has a bachelor's degree in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on business management, communications and psychology. He has over 30 years of experience in the health care industry having served both as the President of the Healthcare Materials Managers Association and Director of Materials Management for Pioneer Valley Hospital.