Who We Are

Evelyne Keomian

At the age of 26 she moved with her young son to the United States, in hope of a better future for both of them. Her very first task was to gain an education that will allow her to integrate society. Today, Evelyne holds a bachelor’s in psychology and hopes to obtain her master’s degree in special education. Her son is currently attending college.
By U.S. standards, Evelyne is a low-income single mother. Even so, she has financed herself most of the KSP fundraising efforts. She is on a mission to give back to her community, and become the help she wished she had when she was younger.

Marie-Yvette Guy-Tiéoulou

Marie-Yvette Guy-Tiéoulou is a PhD candidate in sociology and Economy at University Felix Houphouet Boigny of Abidjan. With a Master in Sociology, Mrs Guy-Tieulou has been leading our Ivory Coast team as the director of the Karat School Project Yopougon, Allokoi campus since September 2019. She transitioned from her position as a community outreach director for the KSP into this new role where she gets to oversee all levels of operations including our women’s programs. Before joining us she worked at Orange, Cote D’Ivoire.
She is a mother to an amazing young girl, passionate about girls’ education, and enjoys creating programs to improve women’s life quality.

Evita Grant

Evita Grant is an entrepreneur, lawyer, scientist, and engineer with extensive experience spanning technology, business, law, and innovation. She is the Founder and CEO of TecHustle, a trade-enabling company focused on helping small businesses across Africa and the African Diaspora participate more competitively in global commerce.
Evita previously practiced intellectual property law, advising clients across the life sciences, biotechnology, clean energy, and technology sectors. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from MIT, as well as a PhD in Engineering Sciences and a JD from Harvard University. As an Advisory Board Member of The Karat School Project, Evita brings her multidisciplinary expertise and global perspective to support the organization’s mission of expanding educational opportunities and empowering communities.

Skip Smith

Skip began his career as an artist creating stained glass windows for homes in Rancho Santa Fe, California. After several successful years as an artist, he transitioned into construction, where he spent decades building a wide variety of projects throughout San Diego. For over 25 years, he was a trusted contractor for SeaWorld San Diego, where he was able to combine his construction expertise with his artistic background and creativity.
He has been volunteering with The Karat School Project for nearly five years and has served on the board for the past two years. Skip believes deeply in the work KSP is doing and values the real difference KSP makes in the lives of women, children, and families both locally and in Côte d’Ivoire. He is especially inspired by hearing personal testimonies from those impacted by the organization and takes pride in helping support KSP events and initiatives. His goal is simple: to give back, help others, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Judith Kramer

Judy Kramer has had a longtime interest in international issues regarding women and children. She attended the 4th UN Conference on Women in China in 1995 and spoke locally about her experiences. In 2014-15, she was West Coast coordinator of the Eliminate Project, a KIwanis/UNICEF campaign to eliminate the tetanus that kills newborns and mothers in the developing world. She has long supported the Global Fund for Women and was Board President of the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula. In her local life, she is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto and a nature photographer based at Gallery House in Palo Alto.

Janis Zinn

Zinn has served as a dedicated board member of The Karat School Project since October 2025, bringing valuable nonprofit and philanthropic experience to support the organization’s growth and mission. After visiting Côte d’Ivoire and witnessing firsthand the impact of education on girls, women, and underserved communities, she became passionate about helping expand awareness, partnerships, and sustainable opportunities through KSP.

David Hoffman

David Hoffman has served on the Board of The Karat School Project since March 2024, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in human resources and organizational development. He currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Wider Circle and previously held leadership roles at Google and Capital One. His experience spans people analytics, talent management, organizational culture, and building strong, effective teams.
David is passionate about creating opportunities for people and strengthening communities. Through his involvement with KSP, he has supported initiatives including the Youth Empowerment Story Summit (YESS), helping connect young people with inspiring stories, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.

Sherry Auerbach

Sherry has dedicated much of her retirement to nonprofit and international service work through the Los Altos Rotary Service Club International. Through her advocacy and leadership, she helped introduce The Karat School Project to the club’s international committee, which led to KSP receiving its first major international grant of $50,000 to launch the Girls’ Education Incentive Farming Program in Côte d’Ivoire. She later traveled to Côte d’Ivoire to visit The Karat School and witness the programs firsthand. She continues to support KSP through fundraising, awareness building, and initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, sustainability, and girls’ education.

Staff & Volunteers: Cote d’Ivoire

Marina Keomian

Marina is child number 6 in a family of 7. Just like her sister Evelyne, Marina had to pay her way through school because as a girl her father thought it will be a waste of money to pay for her education. She put herself in secretary school. She later used that skill to land a position with the UN during the civil war.
As a mother of three young children and as a girl who once was not given a chance to a better future she was happy to join and make a difference when her sister asked her to help. Now she directs the weekly reading and writing programs of the Karat School Project. She said there is no greater joy than to see children learn their first letters and see door of possibilities open for them.

Diane Bado

As one the staffs who is wearing multiple hats, Diane comes to us with background in HR and Communication. She Currently our administrative assistant and Teaches in our 1st Grade classroom. She enjoys traveling to new destinations.

Cedrick Yoman

With a BA in Sociology from Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny of Abidjan, Teacher Cedrick has been wearing multiple hats with the KSP since inception.
From computer skill classes, to English lessons, to PE classes, to assisting with administrative task, Cedrick has steeped in a leadership role to help improve and empower the community.

Gisele Blinssi

Gisele was born in an extremely poor family in the Ivory Coast and never went to school because she was a girl. Later on in life she put herself through beauty school to make a living for herself and her family. As a mother of 3 children she has managed to open two small businesses that she is successfully running.
She has one beauty salon and one yogurt manufacturing business where she employs other illiterate women to help them provide for their family. When she is not running her production operation Gisele is in church teaching young children the basics of reading which she taught to herself.

Léonie Vanh

Léonie Vanh is the cook, who also teaches cooking and baking to the KSP children. She enjoys cooking, baking, culinary exploration and discovery, and listening to music.

Jocelyne Hoin

Teacher Jocelyne, is an avid cook with an outstanding singing voice. She has been putting all these skills at the service of the KSP children since 2018. From overseeing menu to ensure that children are being served nutritious meals, to music lessons, and cooking classes, Jocelyne has been enjoying putting her training and skills available to the community.

Obrou Cynthia

Komoin Pamela

Avissey Lea

Tieoulou Synthia

Kamè Yeli Alice

As a mother of a KSP’s students, Alice as spent the last 2 years learning, growing, and serving the community through the mission of the KSP Côte d’Ivoire. She was first enrolled in the Alphabetisation program, she quickly learned & join the financial literacy and training program. She now leads weekly gathering for community women at the KSP center in Allokoi.

Esraa Adel

Esraa is an Egyptian medical student and also a freelance graphic designer. She uses her skills in painting and graphics to raise money to study medicine abroad. Her dream is to become a good surgeon.
When she volunteered with the KSP, she was so happy, because she was able to use her skills to help the world community. She believed in the KSP’s mission to educate girls and women, because she can relate to the obstacles many girls face in getting a good education. She’ll always be proud to be even a small part of the KSP.

Staff & Volunteers: USA

Karla Moreno

Karla Moreno is a community engagement professional with experience in outreach, partnership development, fundraising, and event coordination. She has worked with organizations across the Bay Area to build meaningful community connections, strengthen partnerships, and support initiatives that create positive social impact.
As Community Care & Partnership Manager at The Karat School Project, Karla leads community outreach and partnership-building efforts while supporting fundraising events, donor engagement, and grant-related initiatives. Fluent in Spanish, Karla is passionate about bringing people together and building stronger, more connected communities.

Erika Snow O’Connor

Erika is a social worker by training with over ten years of experience in the nonprofit and social services sector. She has worked directly with various underserved communities as a mentor, wilderness therapist, case manager, and community development volunteer as well as more indirectly through program design and development, advising, grant writing, and other "macro" social work roles. Along with a master’s in social work, Erika holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy with a minor in professional writing for civic engagement and she has had the privilege of traveling, studying, and/or working in 15 countries. She enjoys being able to combine her passions for women rights, homeless advocacy, and international social work with her love of writing in her role as KSP’s lead grant writer. In her free time, Erika can be found curled up with a good book at home, taking a yoga class, or planning her next travel adventure.

Nicole Brand

Nicole is a communications and marketing professional with over three years of experience in digital media, campaign management, and brand storytelling. She has worked across both B2B and B2C sectors, managing content strategies, paid media, and social platforms for global clients in industries ranging from technology to fashion. With a degree in Communication and a minor in Marketing from Saint Louis University-Madrid, Nicole brings a multicultural lens to her work, shaped by her Colombian roots and international experiences. She is passionate about using strategic communication to elevate diverse voices and foster meaningful engagement. At KSP, Nicole looks forward to blending her creativity and analytical thinking to support mission-driven organizations through compelling digital narratives. Outside of work, she’s likely discovering a new café, recording her podcast about life abroad, or planning her next city escape.

Elena Monti

Elena Monti is a molecular biologist, grant writer, and global health advocate with an international background in biomedical research. Her experience spans molecular biology, bioinformatics, and muscle physiology, as well as managing research collaborations across European and American institutions. She has successfully secured competitive research funding, including a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship.
As Assistant Grant Writer for The Karat School Project, Elena brings her scientific research and grant-writing experience to support the organization’s fundraising efforts and help expand opportunities for the students and communities KSP serves.

Barbara Weinstein

Barbara has been volunteering with the KSP since early 2020. She works with the grant team and helps out with whatever else is needed, from planning and budgeting to food card distributions and events in the RV community.
Barbara recently retired from her work as a technical communications consultant. She enjoys hiking, reading, exploring ideas, and spending time with her grandson. She sees herself as a bridge builder in the local community and beyond, helping to bridge differences and bring people closer together.

Anais Sahores

Anais Sahores is a French native who has spent the last 18 months in the United States as an au pair. She has a degree in law, focusing on human rights, and is looking forward to pursuing her masters in business management when she returns to France. Anais is excited to put her French and English language skills to use volunteering to translate materials for KSP and to help as much as she can. Anais enjoys spending time outdoors, being active, seeing friends, learning news things and exploring the world.

Michel Ange Siaba

Michel-Ange is currently in his third year at Stonehill College, majoring in Criminology with a double minor in Sociology and German. He is the Volunteer Coordinator at the KSP and is keen on reaching out to out those willing to help the cause. He believes education is a human right and an invaluable tool in creating a brighter future. He is passionate about the work KSP does because it will contribute to the development of the Ivorian future: “within each student, I see is an ingenuity waiting to be awakened, a heart eager to learn and grow, and the future of our nation.”