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MichiKen Board of Directors
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Jim Sterken, the president of the MichiKen board, is a computer engineer and entrepreneur. Jim led two early service trips to Kenya, and directed the establishment of the computer lab at the Bishop Lawi Imathiu Secondary School (BLISS) in 2010. Since then, Jim has visited Kenya over a dozen times. In addition to the continued expansion of MichiKen’s microloan program, Jim’s goals include expanding WIFI access outside the BLISS school to all Kithoka residents and funding a new well to be used by Kithoka area farmers to grow reliable crops in a time when droughts have become much more frequent.
Dan Clauw is a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, and leads an annual trip of health professions faculty and students to Kenya. During the past ten years, more than 250 faculty and students traveled to Kenya to complete health surveys and assessments. Dan led the fundraising for the building of a science laboratory at BLISS and is deeply committed to building economic, scientific and medical partnerships within the greater Meru community.
Thomas Nyongesa is a computer systems analyst at the University of Michigan. Born and raised in a remote village in northwest Kenya, Thomas excelled in academics and sports, and completed his undergraduate education in Nairobi. After serving as the coach of the Kenyan national swim team, Thomas moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and completed his graduate studies in computer science. On two service trips to the Meru region, Thomas has served as an advisor and implementor of computer labs in primary schools and at BLISS.
Rama Mwenesi is a 2013 graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering, received his Masters in Industrial & Operations Engineering in 2016, and earned his Ph.D. in 2022 in Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems. Rama was born in Kenya, was educated in Kenya and South Africa, and completed his senior year of high school in the United States. Rama has received several awards for his work, including the Michigan Difference Student Leadership Award and the Stellar Multicultural Performance Award from the Center for Engineering Diversity and Outreach. Rama has participated in five MichiKen service trips.
Marianne Clauw is a management consultant in the commercial and nonprofit sectors. She has visited Meru six times, and led the implementation of online accounting for BLISS. Marianne mentors undergraduate and graduate students traveling to Kenya, and is engaged in the business microloan program for the Meru area.
Amy Tremper is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan. Amy designed and implemented a reproductive health program for the upper primary and secondary students in Kithoka. Amy mentors University of Michigan medical students each year on the annual trip to Kenya, and has trained teachers in the Kithoka schools to continue the work of ensuring the health and well-being of young people in the area.
Dan Clauw is a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, and leads an annual trip of health professions faculty and students to Kenya. During the past ten years, more than 250 faculty and students traveled to Kenya to complete health surveys and assessments. Dan led the fundraising for the building of a science laboratory at BLISS and is deeply committed to building economic, scientific and medical partnerships within the greater Meru community.