Explore Our Commitment to Africa’s Future
This section outlines our mission to empower African communities and our vision of a thriving, self-sustaining continent. It showcases the core values guiding our initiatives in education, healthcare, and development.
Our Leadership Team
This section highlights the skilled leaders dedicated to advancing communities across Africa.
Jessica M. Thompson
Name: Jessica M. Thompson
Nationality: American
Role: Executive Director, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
Jessica M. Thompson is an American nonprofit leader with a heart for Africa. As Executive Director of the Help Africa Charity Organization, she leads the organization’s mission to uplift and empower underserved communities across the African continent through healthcare, education, and sustainable development.
A Colorado native, Jessica earned her degree in International Development at Georgetown University and began her career with grassroots initiatives in Kenya. Her deep commitment to Africa grew from those early experiences, leading her to work with global organizations like UNICEF and World Vision before joining Help Africa.
Since assuming her role in 2019, Jessica has overseen the expansion of Help Africa into nine African countries, pioneering projects in girls’ education, clean water, and rural healthcare. Her leadership is driven by compassion, data-informed strategies, and deep partnerships with local communities.
Jessica’s work has earned her recognition at several international development forums. Outside her professional life, she enjoys mentoring youth, advocating for global equity, and hiking in the Colorado mountains.
Dr. Aisha Kamau
Name: Dr. Aisha Kamau
Nationality: Kenyan-American
Role: Head of East African Affairs, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
Dr. Aisha Kamau is a distinguished development specialist and regional strategist with dual roots in Kenya and the United States. As the Head of East African Affairs at Help Africa Charity Organization, she leads regional operations, partnerships, and program implementation across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.
Raised in Nairobi and later educated in the U.S., Dr. Kamau holds a Ph.D. in International Development from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focused on rural health systems and gender equity in East Africa. With over 15 years of experience in humanitarian work, Aisha has held key roles in both local NGOs and international agencies, including CARE International and the World Bank.
She joined Help Africa in 2020, bringing a deep understanding of the region’s socio-political dynamics and a passion for grassroots-driven change. Under her leadership, the organization has strengthened collaborations with East African governments, launched youth entrepreneurship initiatives, and expanded maternal health and education projects in underserved communities.
Aisha is celebrated for her inclusive leadership, cross-cultural communication, and commitment to African-led solutions. Outside of her professional life, she is an advocate for women in leadership, a published author, and enjoys mentoring young East African changemakers
Marcus J. Reynolds
Name: Marcus J. Reynolds
Nationality: American
Role: Head of Finance, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
Marcus J. Reynolds is a certified financial expert and nonprofit finance leader with over 18 years of experience managing budgets, audits, and financial strategy for humanitarian organizations. As the Head of Finance at Help Africa Charity Organization, Marcus is responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial integrity, compliance, budgeting, and donor fund management across all operational regions.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Marcus earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan and holds CPA certification. He began his career in the private sector before transitioning to nonprofit work, driven by a desire to contribute his financial expertise to global development causes.
Since joining Help Africa in 2021, Marcus has implemented rigorous financial controls, streamlined cross-border accounting systems, and led successful financial audits that strengthened donor confidence. He is a strong advocate for financial transparency and capacity building in local partner organizations across Africa.
Marcus is known for his precision, ethical standards, and ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for leadership and program managers. Outside of work, he enjoys chess, volunteering at youth financial literacy workshops, and traveling with his wife and two children.
Rebecca T. Lawson
Name: Rebecca T. Lawson, Esq.
Nationality: American
Role: Head of Legal Affairs, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
Rebecca T. Lawson is an accomplished attorney specializing in nonprofit law, international compliance, and human rights. As the Head of Legal Affairs at Help Africa Charity Organization, she ensures that the organization’s operations across Africa and the United States remain legally sound, ethically guided, and aligned with international regulations.
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rebecca earned her Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School with a focus in international human rights law. She began her legal career working with the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative and later served as legal counsel for several global nonprofits working in crisis-affected areas.
Rebecca joined Help Africa in 2018, where she has since led the organization through complex legal landscapes involving cross-border compliance, grant agreements, local partnerships, and employee protections. She is also responsible for legal training within the organization and managing all contracts, MoUs, and risk mitigation strategies.
Admired for her precision, integrity, and dedication to justice, Rebecca is a staunch advocate for ethical practices in global aid work. She regularly speaks at nonprofit legal summits and contributes to publications on NGO governance. Outside of work, she volunteers with immigration legal aid groups and enjoys sailing and classic literature
David L. Harrison
Name: David L. Harrison
Nationality: American
Role: Head of Grant Programs, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
David L. Harrison is a seasoned grant strategist and philanthropic advisor with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and program development. As the Head of Grant Programs at Help Africa Charity Organization, David oversees the design, acquisition, and management of grant funding to support sustainable projects across Africa.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, David holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University and began his career as a grant writer for local health initiatives. His skill in building long-term donor relationships and designing impactful, data-driven programs quickly gained him recognition in the nonprofit sector.
David joined Help Africa in 2020, where he has led the organization’s expansion of grant partnerships with international development agencies, private foundations, and government aid programs. Under his leadership, the charity has secured multi-million-dollar funding for education, clean energy, and maternal health projects in East and West Africa.
Known for his analytical mind and unwavering commitment to transparency, David is passionate about making every dollar count. He often collaborates with local African NGOs to ensure grants are tailored to real community needs. When not writing proposals or analyzing impact data, David enjoys jazz music, mentoring young nonprofit professionals, and hiking with his family.
Emmanuel K. Mensah
Name: Emmanuel K. Mensah
Nationality: Ghanaian-American
Role: Head of West African Affairs, Help Africa Charity Organization
Biography:
Emmanuel K. Mensah is a dynamic development leader and regional policy expert with over 17 years of experience in humanitarian coordination, economic development, and regional integration. As the Head of West African Affairs at Help Africa Charity Organization, he oversees strategic programs and partnerships across Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal.
Born in Accra, Ghana, and raised in Washington, D.C., Emmanuel holds a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Development from Tufts University. He has worked extensively with ECOWAS, USAID, and Oxfam on projects addressing poverty reduction, food security, and youth empowerment in West Africa.
Since joining Help Africa in 2021, Emmanuel has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s impact in the region. His leadership has helped launch community agribusiness projects in Nigeria, girls’ education initiatives in rural Ghana, and post-conflict recovery programs in Liberia. He is highly respected for his cultural fluency, crisis management skills, and strong local partnerships.
Emmanuel is a passionate advocate for African-led development and sustainable change. When he’s not coordinating regional projects, he enjoys Afrobeat music, reading African political history, and mentoring young development professionals.
Supporter Stories and Testimonials
This section features uplifting testimonials from donors and beneficiaries, sharing their heartfelt experiences with our organization.
The efforts of this team have truly transformed lives, and I feel honored to contribute to their mission.
Sarah T.
Community Advocate
I am deeply grateful for the impact this organization has made in my community—it has been life-changing.
James O.
Healthcare Volunteer
Take the First Step to Transform Lives Today
This section encourages visitors to make a difference by subscribing or donating and creating lasting impact.
- Education Aid
- Health Programs
- Clean Water
- Sustainability
- Community Growth
