The board of directors at the See Them Grow Foundation plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and impact of the organization. Our board members remain true to our vision and values, and their membership offers a diverse and synergistic range of experience, expertise, nationalities, and cultures. These are our key people, and they are all at your disposal, individually and collectively, to help the foundation achieve its mission.
The organizational culture of the See Them Grow Foundation is centered on empowerment, inclusiveness, collaboration, accountability, and compassion. By upholding these values, the foundation creates a positive work environment that inspires and motivates employees and volunteers and helps increase productivity and overall impact.
Yvette Kibwika is a Ugandan-American beauty queen and philanthropist who gained fame for her role as Miss Uganda North America. Yvette was born in Uganda and later moved to the United States to pursue her education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of North Florida, where she was also an active member of various student organizations. She earned her Masters degree in Human Resource Development at Villanova University.
In 2010, Yvette was crowned as Miss Ugandan North American Association, a prestigious beauty pageant that celebrates the culture and heritage of Ugandans living in North America. As Miss Uganda North America, Yvette used her platform to promote awareness about various social issues, including education, health, and women’s empowerment. She also worked tirelessly to raise funds for various charitable organizations, including the Reach A Hand Uganda and the Uganda Rural Fund, nonprofits that support the education and well-being of young people in Uganda.
Yvette’s role as Miss Uganda North America also allowed her to participate in various cultural events and represent the Ugandan-American community on an international stage. She was a proud ambassador of Ugandan culture and heritage, and she used her title to promote unity and understanding between people of different backgrounds.
Outside of her pageantry work, Yvette is also a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur.
Through her various endeavors, Yvette Kibwika has become a respected and influential figure in the Ugandan-American community. Her dedication to philanthropy, cultural awareness, and entrepreneurship has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
Yvette Kibwika is a Ugandan-American beauty queen and philanthropist who gained fame for her role as Miss Uganda North America. Yvette was born in Uganda and later moved to the United States to pursue her education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of North Florida, where she was also an active member of various student organizations. She earned her Masters degree in Human Resource Development at Villanova University.
In 2010, Yvette was crowned as Miss Ugandan North American Association, a prestigious beauty pageant that celebrates the culture and heritage of Ugandans living in North America. As Miss Uganda North America, Yvette used her platform to promote awareness about various social issues, including education, health, and women’s empowerment. She also worked tirelessly to raise funds for various charitable organizations, including the Reach A Hand Uganda and the Uganda Rural Fund, nonprofits that support the education and well-being of young people in Uganda.
Yvette’s role as Miss Uganda North America also allowed her to participate in various cultural events and represent the Ugandan-American community on an international stage. She was a proud ambassador of Ugandan culture and heritage, and she used her title to promote unity and understanding between people of different backgrounds.
Outside of her pageantry work, Yvette is also a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur.
Through her various endeavors, Yvette Kibwika has become a respected and influential figure in the Ugandan-American community. Her dedication to philanthropy, cultural awareness, and entrepreneurship has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
Barbara W. Shank, Dean and Professor Emerita, earned a BA from Macalester College and a MSW & PhD from the University of Minnesota. She was engaged in social work education for forty+ years. Under her leadership, the school grew from 50 to 600 students, 4 to 34 full-time faculty, and 1 to 5 programs offering 5 professional development institutes. In 2014, the School launched an online DSW program, ‘Education as Practice’. Barbara consults on BSW and MSW program development and reaffirmation of accredited status.
Barbara has served in various leadership capacities with the National Association of Social Work MN Chapter (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), and the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD).
Currently she serves as a CSWE Accreditation Site Visitor, on the CSWE Katherine Kendall Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of NASW and as Secretary of the International Association of Schools of Social Work IASSW).
Barbara was named NASW MN Social Worker of the Year (1993), NASW Pioneer (2016), received the Distinguished Service Award, University of St. Thomas (2017), named a Fellow in the Global Institute of Social Work (2017), received the Lifetime Achievement Award, National Association of Social Workers, MN Chapter (2019) and was named as one of the 50 Notable Social Workers in US History
(2019).
Barbara W. Shank, Dean and Professor Emerita, earned a BA from Macalester College and a MSW & PhD from the University of Minnesota. She was engaged in social work education for forty+ years. Under her leadership, the school grew from 50 to 600 students, 4 to 34 full-time faculty, and 1 to 5 programs offering 5 professional development institutes. In 2014, the School launched an online DSW program, ‘Education as Practice’. Barbara consults on BSW and MSW program development and reaffirmation of accredited status.
Barbara has served in various leadership capacities with the National Association of Social Work MN Chapter (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), and the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD).
Currently she serves as a CSWE Accreditation Site Visitor, on the CSWE Katherine Kendall Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of NASW and as Secretary of the International Association of Schools of Social Work IASSW).
Barbara was named NASW MN Social Worker of the Year (1993), NASW Pioneer (2016), received the Distinguished Service Award, University of St. Thomas (2017), named a Fellow in the Global Institute of Social Work (2017), received the Lifetime Achievement Award, National Association of Social Workers, MN Chapter (2019) and was named as one of the 50 Notable Social Workers in US History
(2019).
Lori Lundin is a long-time American broadcast journalist who has received multiple awards for her investigative reporting, including from the American Women in Radio and Television. She is particularly passionate about environmental and sustainability issues vital to the health and well being of future generations of humans and animals.
Lundin considers herself a global citizen, a world view that has led to travels to places with diverse cultures throughout the Americas, Southeast Asia, Europe and several countries in Africa. The human spirit and beautiful wildlife on the continent of Africa left an indelible mark.
She believes every child, regardless of where they live is equally entitled to an education, clean water, food and healthcare. She is excited about contributing to the critically important work of “See Them Grow Foundation.” Its mission is crucial for the survival of future generations, communities and the planet.
Lori Lundin is a long-time American broadcast journalist who has received multiple awards for her investigative reporting, including from the American Women in Radio and Television. She is particularly passionate about environmental and sustainability issues vital to the health and well being of future generations of humans and animals.
Lundin considers herself a global citizen, a world view that has led to travels to places with diverse cultures throughout the Americas, Southeast Asia, Europe and several countries in Africa. The human spirit and beautiful wildlife on the continent of Africa left an indelible mark.
She believes every child, regardless of where they live is equally entitled to an education, clean water, food and healthcare. She is excited about contributing to the critically important work of “See Them Grow Foundation.” Its mission is crucial for the survival of future generations, communities and the planet.
Franki received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has learned firsthand how education empowers those who struggle with poverty and adversity.
Franki is the Founder and CEO of Frazier Recovery Homes which offers housing and supportive services to those struggling with long term homelessness, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and criminal justice involvement.
Franki offers a person-centered approach to those she serves and believes that “each and every one of us wakes up each day recovering from something—offering hope is the greatest gift of all.”
Franki received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has learned firsthand how education empowers those who struggle with poverty and adversity.
Franki is the Founder and CEO of Frazier Recovery Homes which offers housing and supportive services to those struggling with long term homelessness, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and criminal justice involvement.
Franki offers a person-centered approach to those she serves and believes that “each and every one of us wakes up each day recovering from something—offering hope is the greatest gift of all.”
Daphne has a BA in Secondary Education in Foreign Languages with a specialty in French, and a minor in American Cultural Studies.
After having worked in an internet-based company in Minneapolis, MN, as customer services representative, she went to China to teach English, and is now currently working for the British Council in Beijing.
Plagued by restlessness and curiosity, she is always exploring and travelling, and incessantly asking questions; furthermore, she likes to stay active, her ultimate love being soccer, followed by rock climbing and canoeing.
After spending a couple months in Uganda, she fell in love with the weather, the people, the music and all the secrets and potential that the Pearl of Africa has to offer. Ideally, she hopes to find a way to use funding from socially responsible businesses in the corporate world to not only foster cultural diversity and cross cultural awareness through tourism and volunteering, but further to educate the underprivileged, to empower the vulnerable, and to cultivate self sustainability in all aspects.
Daphne has a BA in Secondary Education in Foreign Languages with a specialty in French, and a minor in American Cultural Studies.
After having worked in an internet-based company in Minneapolis, MN, as customer services representative, she went to China to teach English, and is now currently working for the British Council in Beijing.
Plagued by restlessness and curiosity, she is always exploring and travelling, and incessantly asking questions; furthermore, she likes to stay active, her ultimate love being soccer, followed by rock climbing and canoeing.
After spending a couple months in Uganda, she fell in love with the weather, the people, the music and all the secrets and potential that the Pearl of Africa has to offer. Ideally, she hopes to find a way to use funding from socially responsible businesses in the corporate world to not only foster cultural diversity and cross cultural awareness through tourism and volunteering, but further to educate the underprivileged, to empower the vulnerable, and to cultivate self sustainability in all aspects.
Carol Tyroler has 25-years of experience working in the field of women’s economic empowerment, livelihoods and cross-cutting areas such as microfinance, land tenure, the environment, and gender equity.
She has conducted women’s livelihood assessments and evaluations, strategies and project designs, as well as implemented programs in over 39 countries in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. She holds 2 MA from Duke University in International Economic Development Policy and Business and the Environment.
Carol has owned her own consulting business (Tyroler and Associates) for the past 15 years and in that capacity has worked for a variety of entities including the UNDP, UN Women, USAID, World Bank, DC-based consulting firms, various government ministries, INGOs, and local NGOs – all of which have focused on livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment.
Last summer while doing a Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy for CARE Rwanda, she had the pleasure of traveling to Uganda to see the Mountain Gorillas. It was during this time that she visited Batwa Orphanage located near where the Mountain Gorillas live and felt a strong desire to do something positive for the many orphanages in Uganda. Carol lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her 11 year old daughter Ella.
Carol Tyroler has 25-years of experience working in the field of women’s economic empowerment, livelihoods and cross-cutting areas such as microfinance, land tenure, the environment, and gender equity.
She has conducted women’s livelihood assessments and evaluations, strategies and project designs, as well as implemented programs in over 39 countries in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. She holds 2 MA from Duke University in International Economic Development Policy and Business and the Environment.
Carol has owned her own consulting business (Tyroler and Associates) for the past 15 years and in that capacity has worked for a variety of entities including the UNDP, UN Women, USAID, World Bank, DC-based consulting firms, various government ministries, INGOs, and local NGOs – all of which have focused on livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment.
Last summer while doing a Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy for CARE Rwanda, she had the pleasure of traveling to Uganda to see the Mountain Gorillas. It was during this time that she visited Batwa Orphanage located near where the Mountain Gorillas live and felt a strong desire to do something positive for the many orphanages in Uganda. Carol lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her 11 year old daughter Ella.
Henry Kisitu – Assistant Executive Director was born and raised in Uganda. He received a scholarship to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Human Resource and Change Leadership.
He has used his education to start a tile company in Uganda called UgaTile Investments. Currently, he is furthering his experience and knowledge of tile and construction in Hawaii, USA.
He is the founder of Jajja Wellness Tonics providing healthy and delicious products, developed with high quality ingredients for the wellbeing of all.
He is also actively involved in the Ugandan community, has volunteered at the Ruth Gaylord Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
In his free time, he paints, sculpts, and draws. He loves Uganda and looks forward to progressing the people and the development of his country.
He is honored to be on the board of See Them Grow Foundation! Lastly, he is a die-hard Manchester United soccer fan and plays football (soccer) any chance he can get!
Henry Kisitu – Assistant Executive Director was born and raised in Uganda. He received a scholarship to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Human Resource and Change Leadership.
He has used his education to start a tile company in Uganda called UgaTile Investments. Currently, he is furthering his experience and knowledge of tile and construction in Hawaii, USA.
He is the founder of Jajja Wellness Tonics providing healthy and delicious products, developed with high quality ingredients for the wellbeing of all.
He is also actively involved in the Ugandan community, has volunteered at the Ruth Gaylord Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
In his free time, he paints, sculpts, and draws. He loves Uganda and looks forward to progressing the people and the development of his country.
He is honored to be on the board of See Them Grow Foundation! Lastly, he is a die-hard Manchester United soccer fan and plays football (soccer) any chance he can get!