Board Chairman
Robert Archibald
Leads the Board's governance and strategic oversight, prior to which he held senior leadership roles guiding organizations through growth and change.
Meet our Board of Trustees
The Board is SREF's highest governing body — the fiduciaries and stewards of the public trust who set strategic direction, safeguard our finances, and hold our mission accountable to the communities we serve.
Our trustees
The people steering SREF forward
Each trustee brings a distinct field of expertise — from law and finance to operations and public policy — united by a shared commitment to SREF's beneficiaries.
Vice Chairman
Jacob Adams
Brings more than 20 years of leadership in international government policy and global relations.
Board Secretary
Dr. Joseph Bart Venancio
Healthcare professional, patented inventor, published scientist, serial entrepreneur, and humanitarian.
Board Member
Krischa Arrington
Chief Operations Officer at Beacon Sleep Solutions, leading enterprise operations and strategic development.
Board Member
Clark Merkley
More than three decades of executive leadership, legal expertise, and organizational governance experience.
Board Member
Gaensya Kyungu
Currently pursuing a degree in Construction Management at Brigham Young University–Idaho.
Board Member
Nana Agyeman Sarfo-Kantanka, Esq.
Lawyer and Valuation & Estate Surveyor practicing in Ghana, driven by a passion for justice.
Board Member
Jacob Rasmussen
Finance and accounting professional with a strong background in taxation and corporate accounting.
Board Member
Shauna Wood
A dedicated advocate for service, empowerment, and community development.
Standing committees
Every trustee serves on one committee
Committees carry the detailed, asynchronous work of governance, so full board meetings stay focused on strategy and decisions.
01
Finance Committee
Reviews monthly financials, audits budgeting models, and ensures compliance before any public or donor reporting.
02
Operations Committee
Analyses field data, tracks programme execution, and monitors progress toward SREF's three-to-five year goals.
03
Communications Committee
Guides outreach and PR messaging, digital infrastructure, and resource development, including the Give-or-Get pipeline.
Fiduciary duties
Three duties every trustee carries
Board service at SREF is a working commitment, not an honorary title. Each trustee holds the same three legal duties a nonprofit board owes the public it serves.
- Duty of care. Exercise sound judgement and stay well informed about programmes, finances and operations.
- Duty of loyalty. Give undivided allegiance to SREF's mission above any outside or personal interest.
- Duty of obedience. Keep every decision faithful to SREF's stated mission and the public trust.
What service involves
The commitment, stated plainly
A snapshot drawn from SREF's Board Member Agreement, so nobody joins without knowing what they are taking on.
- Meeting attendance
- 75% of quarterly board meetings
- Committee service
- One standing committee, ~2–3 hrs/week
- Give-or-get
- $500 annually — give, or help raise
- Term length
- Per SREF bylaws
- Compensation
- Voluntary, unpaid service
Serve with us
Become a board member
We are looking for people who bring not just expertise, but genuine investment in the lives of the youth and families we serve.
What we look for
- Significant professional experience in business, government, philanthropy or the nonprofit sector.
- A commitment to and understanding of SREF's beneficiaries, preferably grounded in direct experience.
- Diplomatic skill — the ability to cultivate relationships, facilitate dialogue and build consensus.
- Diligence in completing assigned tasks for the full duration of board membership.
- Integrity, credibility, and a genuine passion for improving beneficiaries' lives.
What trustees gain
- Expand your network. Access to philanthropic leaders, business professionals and change-makers.
- Sharpen your leadership. Hands-on governance, strategic leadership and nonprofit management.
- Public recognition. Featured in SREF's communications, newsletters, reports and website.
- Build your resume. An official title and board position for professional platforms.
- Direct impact. A tangible contribution to youth development in Ghana and Tanzania.
- Exclusive events. Invitations to SREF events, fundraisers and special briefings.
How to join
Four steps to the table
What to expect after you reach out.
- Step 1 Express interest Send a brief letter of interest and your resume to the Board Chair.
- Step 2 Conversation Meet the Governance Committee and Board Chair to discuss fit and expectations.
- Step 3 Meet the board Join a board meeting as a guest to see SREF governance in action.
- Result Vote & onboard On board approval, sign the Board Member Agreement and begin your term.
Ready to steer the mission?
Start the conversation
We would love to hear from you. Reach out to our Board Chairman to talk about joining SREF's Board of Trustees.