Leadership & Team
Palms for Life Fund is led by international development professionals, country-based coordinators, and an independent Board of Directors. Our leadership model combines global expertise with sustained local implementation across Southern Africa.
Palms for Life Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by an independent Board of Directors.
Executive Leadership
New York Headquarters
Hannah Laufer-Rottman
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Founder and Executive Director of Palms for Life Fund. Former senior leader at the United Nations World Food Programme with nearly three decades of experience in global food security and social development. Since 2006, she has led multi-million dollar initiatives grounded in human rights and long-term community partnership. She has secured and managed grants from USAID, the European Union, UNICEF, and OSISA. Holds a Master’s in Social Sciences from the University of Brussels.
Maayan Laufer
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Director of Operations at Palms for Life Fund, overseeing strategy, communications, and cross-country coordination. Leads operational systems for program implementation. Also serves as Executive Producer of the Ceres Food Film Festival. Holds a BA in Biology and Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Adeshola Mayowa Balogun
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Executive Assistant supporting organizational operations and cross-regional coordination. Holds a Law degree and a Master’s in Public Management, with professional experience across nonprofit and financial sectors.
Camila Yanzaguano-Bravo
COMMUNICATIONS
Holds an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Cities and Social Justice from The New School, New York. Field experience in the nonprofit sector in Barcelona and Cape Town, contributing to employment and housing policy initiatives. Brings a rights-based perspective to PFL’s communications work.
Regional Advisors & Representatives
Stephanie Login-McGinn
REGIONAL ADVISOR
Based in Eswatini, with 20 years of experience in international development and conservation. Supports Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa portfolios with expertise in research, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, and donor engagement. Holds a BSc in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and an MA in Human Geography from the University of South Carolina.
Ben Begbie
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Nineteen years of experience working with San and other indigenous communities across southern Africa. Former leader of WIMSA (Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa). Has worked with the Global Environment Facility, UNDESA, UNDP, and the World Bank on indigenous rights, land tenure, education, and livelihood programming. Published researcher on San communities.
Kerry Jones
DIRECTOR, AFRICAN TONGUE, LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
Director of African Tongue, specializing in Ju, Tuu, and Khoe languages. Co-author of multiple dictionaries, including the multilingual N|uuki-Namagowab-Afrikaans-English dictionary. Collaborates with PFL on language preservation initiatives and has represented South Africa at UNESCO during the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Country Leadership
NAMIBIA
Kingston Makoni
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
Over 20 years of experience in project coordination and management across Zimbabwe and Namibia, with expertise working alongside indigenous San communities and vulnerable children. Holds a BA in Economic History (University of Zimbabwe), an Advanced Diploma in Child Rights Law (Lund University), and a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Belinda Karuaihe
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Over ten years of experience in financial management within donor-funded organizations. Expertise in grant management, audit preparation, financial reporting, and program budget monitoring. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Ester Kaino Nakale
ECD OFFICER
Over 16 years of experience in community development, including fieldwork within Ju/’hoansi San communities in the Omaheke region. Background spans health, livelihood support, and education. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences (Psychology and Sociology).
BOTSWANA
Dorothy Okatch
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
Social Worker with over 14 years of experience designing and implementing programs in health, education, and youth leadership across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Has conducted consultancies for local and international organizations in HIV, advocacy, human rights, and organizational strategy. Holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (Social Policy and Administration) from the University of Botswana.
Gabatshwane Motlogelwa
PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
17 years of senior management experience across civil society organizations and the private sector. Expertise in coordinating programs for vulnerable populations including people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and community-based natural resource management. Holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Botswana.
Lillian Chilambampane
FOOD SECURITY MONITOR
Extensive experience in social and community development with a focus on women and youth empowerment, HIV prevention, and community health. Holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (Youth and Community Practice) and a double major in Sociology and English from the University of Botswana.
Obert Simon
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
BICA-registered Accounting Technician with over six years of experience in financial reporting, budgeting, reconciliations, and audit support. Five years of NGO-specific experience, including work in human rights organizations. Skilled in asset management and project financial management.
SOUTH AFRICA
Itunu Bodunrin
LOCAL COORDINATOR — PLATFONTEIN
Holds postgraduate degrees in Media and Cultural Studies. Since 2013, has conducted sustained social research and program coordination in Platfontein, focusing on opportunity pathways for !Xun and Khwe communities. Brings academic and field experience in indigenous youth engagement and cultural documentation.
Nathalie Irna Cloete
LOCAL COORDINATOR — RICHTERSVELD
Over 20 years of experience in logistics and project coordination, now applied to program implementation within the Richtersveld Nama communities. Provides on-the-ground operational oversight and local partnership coordination.
Pieter Johannes Naude
LOCAL COORDINATOR — UPINGTON, ASKHAM & ANDRIESVALE
Background in advertising and marketing, based in the Kalahari since 2021. Coordinates PFL’s work within ‖Khomani San communities across Upington, Askham, and Andriesvale, supporting program delivery and local engagement.
Cherene Matendi
INTERN — PLATFONTEIN
!Xun San community member and 2023 graduate of !Xunkhwesa High School. Supports local program implementation and community coordination. Speaks !Xuntali, Afrikaans, and English.
Andre Nthoho
INTERN — PLATFONTEIN
Khwe San community member engaged in research and community development initiatives since 2013. Supports local coordination and implementation within Platfontein.
Board of Directors
Naama Laufer
PRESIDENT
Brings a lifelong perspective on international development shaped by her upbringing across multiple countries during her mother’s career with the UN World Food Programme. Committed to the Fund’s mission of community-driven, dignity-centered development.
Andrew J. Trager
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
18-year veteran of ADP’s Employer Services Division, advising organizations across multiple industries on HR, payroll, regulatory compliance, and benefits. Graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Master of Arts from the University at Albany.
Ellen Jacobson
DIRECTOR
Owner and executive of Elila, a leading intimate apparel brand for plus-size women. Third-generation business executive with extensive experience in retail partnerships and brand management. Holds a BA in Business from Simmons College.
Eric Moskowitz
DIRECTOR
Chief Operating Officer, Americas for WhiteCrow Research. Previously VP of Market Intelligence and Analytics at Korn Ferry, leading a 100-person research and knowledge management team. Career began in business journalism at The New York Times, Bloomberg News, and other publications. Holds a Master’s in Journalism from NYU and a BS in Political Science from the University of Rochester.
Board of Advisors
David L. Rottman
Former President and Chairman of the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York and Senior Faculty in psychology and human motivation. Previously Senior Vice President of Career Development at JPMorgan Chase; holds a Master’s in Applied Psychology from NYU.
Carlo Scaramella
Retired Director and Representative of the United Nations World Food Programme with over 30 years of leadership across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. Founder of WFP’s Office for Climate Change, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction; holds a Doctorate in Political Science.
Trevor Page
Served 31 years with the United Nations, primarily the World Food Programme, including roles as Head of Mission in India and China and Director of Emergency Humanitarian Relief. Extensive field leadership across Africa and Asia.
Mirella Mokbel Genequand
PhD in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts with nearly 18 years at the World Health Organization. Former Chief of the Food Aid for Development Unit, coordinating WHO technical assistance to WFP across multiple regions.
David Mait
Head of Marketing at Stellar Health with over 20 years of leadership in technology and healthcare sectors. Earlier career included fundraising and program work with the UN World Food Programme and development nonprofits.
Raphael Smith
Qualitative market researcher specializing in cultural analysis and ethnography. Background in food entrepreneurship and community engagement, with a focus on food systems and identity.
David Brooks
Former digital strategy leader at Ruder Finn, Ogilvy, and Burson-Marsteller, managing programs for major corporate and healthcare clients. Holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BA in English Literature from Boston University.