Our Team

Visionary Leadership

Meet the extraordinary individuals leading UHAFD's mission to transform lives through compassionate investment and ethical humanitarian aid.

Our Founders

Founding Visionaries

The extraordinary women who established UHAFD to create a new model of compassion-driven investment and humanitarian aid.

Susan Klatten

Founding Contributor

A pioneering industrial heiress who transformed her family's legacy into a force for global change, Susan brings strategic vision and resources to UHAFD's educational and environmental initiatives.

Denise Coates

Strategic Investment Lead

A self-made technology entrepreneur who revolutionized her industry, Denise brings her financial acumen and innovative spirit to UHAFD's micro-equity investment model.

Miriam Adelson

Humanitarian Response Director

A physician and philanthropist with a lifelong dedication to medicine and humanitarian causes, Dr. Adelson applies her medical expertise to UHAFD's crisis response strategies.

Executive Team

Executive Leadership

The dedicated professionals who oversee UHAFD's daily operations and strategic initiatives across the globe.

Elena Fontana

Chief Executive Officer

With 25 years of experience in international development, Elena has led UHAFD's operations since 2012, overseeing its expansion into 30+ countries and pioneering its digital transformation.

Sarah Ndegwa

Chief Financial Officer

Previously a partner at a global accounting firm, Sarah brings rigorous financial oversight and innovative funding structures to UHAFD, ensuring maximum transparency and impact per dollar.

Rajiv Mehta

Chief Operations Officer

With experience leading operations across three continents, Rajiv has streamlined UHAFD's global logistics network, enabling rapid response to crises while maintaining operational excellence.

Maria Rodriguez

Chief Programs Officer

A former UN development specialist, Maria oversees UHAFD's diverse portfolio of programs, ensuring they align with beneficiary needs and create sustainable impact across all operational regions.

James Tanaka

Director of Strategic Partnerships

James leverages his extensive diplomatic background to build UHAFD's global network of partners, from government agencies to private sector collaborators and international organizations.

Priya Sharma

Chief Technology Officer

A pioneer in humanitarian tech, Priya leads UHAFD's digital transformation efforts, implementing blockchain for aid tracking, AI for disaster prediction, and digital platforms for grant management.

Global Presence

Regional Leadership

Our regional directors ensure UHAFD's mission is implemented effectively across diverse global contexts, with deep understanding of local challenges and opportunities.

Nala Diallo

Regional Director, Africa

Based in Nairobi, Nala oversees UHAFD's extensive operations across Africa, from climate resilience in the Sahel to entrepreneurship programs in East Africa.

Lin Wei

Regional Director, Asia

From UHAFD's Bangkok office, Lin coordinates programs across Asia, focusing on disaster resilience, healthcare initiatives, and sustainable development projects.

Isabella Morales

Regional Director, Latin America

Leading from Bogotá, Isabella directs UHAFD's initiatives throughout Latin America, specializing in community-led development and environmental conservation.

Governance

International Advisory Board

Our diverse advisory board brings expertise from finance, development, academia, and humanitarian sectors to guide UHAFD's strategic direction.

UHAFD's International Advisory Board comprises 15 members from diverse backgrounds, including the original founding circle, independent experts in development finance and humanitarian response, and representatives from communities where UHAFD operates. The board meets quarterly to review the organization's strategic direction, financial performance, and program impact.

The Advisory Board is supported by specialized committees focusing on:

Ethics and Governance
Program Evaluation and Impact
Investment Strategy
Risk Management
Community Representation

This governance structure ensures UHAFD maintains the highest standards of ethical operation while consistently innovating to maximize its global impact.

Join Our Global Mission

UHAFD is always seeking passionate professionals and volunteers to help advance our mission of transforming lives through compassionate investment.

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