Country Offices
Kinvia's Programs team includes development professionals and technical experts located in Canada and in our countries of operation.
Bolivia
SHIRLEY ESTEVEZ
Country Director
La Paz, BoliviaWith a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics, Shirley made a career as a translator for INGOs World Vision, Christian Children’s Fund and Plan International in their Bolivia offices prior to taking on more of a programs focus in the role of Communications and Sponsorship Manager for Plan International in La Paz. She joined Kinvia in 2011 as Program Officer, responsible for day-to-day management of our local partners and for monitoring the achievement of strategic and programmatic priorities. Shirley has held the role of Country Director since 2015. She has also returned to university to complete a degree in education.
Canada
SYDNEY RICHARDS, RD
Director Of Indigenous Partnerships & Programs
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Sydney obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan and her accreditation as a Registered Dietitian. Sydney joined Kinvia in November of 2021, primarily working with community partners and the Food Forest Project, while bringing additional nutrition expertise to our partnerships.
Prior to Kinvia, Sydney worked as a Community Dietitian with multiple First Nation communities, focusing on food security, food sovereignty and general health and wellness. As a member of Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Sydney is passionate about supporting food and land initiatives in Indigenous communities across Canada.
East Africa Regional Office
YESHITILA ALEMU
Country Director
Addis Ababa, EthiopiaWith more than 15 years of experience in the international development sector, Yeshitila joined Kinvia in 2012 as a Program Officer for the Ethiopia Country Office. Prior to Kinvia, he held positions with World Vision Ethiopia and ActionAid International Ethiopia where he provided expertise in the areas of participatory rural development as well as program planning, monitoring and evaluation. Yeshitila holds a BSC in Agricultural Extension and an MSC in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
HANA TADESSE
Accountant
Addis Ababa, EthiopiaHana joins the team with extensive non-profit experience having worked in the sector throughout her career. She has worked for over 18 years as an accountant, senior accountant and acting finance manager at various local NGOs. Hana has a Diploma in Accounting from Unity University College, a BA Degree in Accounting and Finance, a BA Degree in Business Management and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Alpha University College. Her experience includes working with both small and larger agencies, including Abebe and Family P.L.C., Emmanuel United Church, KMG-Ethiopia and more recently the Justice for All – Prison Fellowship Ethiopia (JFA-PFE).
Mikiyas Wondosen Kebede
Driver and Liaison Officer
EthiopiaSupports the smooth day-to-day operations of the East African Regional Office by coordinating logistics, transportation, procurement, and administrative processes to ensure efficiency and compliance. Joined in 2026, Mikiyas brings over eight years of professional experience, having worked with multiple non-profit organizations.
EMEBET AYELIGN
Sr. Program Manager, Gender and MEAL
EthiopiaEmebet holds a BSc degree in Business Education and MA degrees in Management of Vocational Education and Training from Addis Ababa University and Sociology from Indira Gandhi National Open University.
She began her career in finance and administration, serving as Tariff and Revenue Head at Bahir Dar Municipality, Accountant at Amhara Region DPPC, and Finance and Administration Officer at ActionAid Ethiopia. She also worked as a lecturer, teaching Business Education and Research Methodology courses at different colleges.
While working with ActionAid Ethiopia at Janamora CDDP, Emebet developed a strong interest in program work and shifted her career focus to program management and MEAL in 2008. Since then, she has worked with Pro Pride, Pact , Save the Children, Forum of Federation, and Lutheran World Federation in program management, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning roles. Emebet joined Kinvia in November 2024.
Ghana
AUGUSTINE N-YOKUNI
Country Director
Tamale, GhanaAugustine joined Kinvia in 2011 as a Program Officer for the Ghana Country Office and then assumed responsibility as the Kinvia Ghana Program Manager. Now, Augustine holds the position of Country Director for Kinvia’s team in Ghana. Augustine has over 10 years of development experience in managing food security, education and climate change related programs through local level implementing partners. He has developed and maintained strong relationship with research institutions, universities, INGOs, government agencies and community based organizations in Northern Ghana with the belief that collaborative work is the path to a world where children thrive!
GRACE BINIYAM
Program Officer
Tamale, GhanaGrace joined the Ghana team in mid-2016 as Program Officer. Previously, she held a senior position as Program Manager with World Vision. She brings to the role strong skills in planning, budgeting and reporting. Grace is an effective communicator and has a great deal of experience in partnership relations, and is also experienced in various child sponsorship models.