Team
Senior Management
Dr Caroline Varin
CEO and Co-founder
Caroline Varin is CEO and co-founder of Professors Without Borders. She has led the charity since 2016, overseeing its expansion, the creation of the Think Tank and Prowibo Online. In addition, she has published seven books on international security and recently on the use of games in higher education. She was senior lecturer in International Relations & Law at Regent’s University, and has taught at Richmond University and the London School of Economics.
Caroline holds a PhD in International Relations and an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics, an LLM in International Law from the Universita di Bologna, Italy, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania. She recently completed an MBA in Educational Leadership at Tampere University, Finland.
Rachel Warnick
Head of NGO Excellence & Training
Rachel is a recognized thought leader in innovative, non-formal, and lifelong learning. She brings a special focus on Africa, on youth, and on gender-transformative education, fostering essential, transferable skills that bridge the gap to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship.
Having worked and lived in 24 countries across four continents, Rachel’s global approach drives educational equity, accessibility, and engagement through initiatives that equip individuals with the skills needed to succeed in an evolving world. As a respected speaker, she shares her insights at international conferences and forums, advancing dialogues around the future of education and youth empowerment.
Rachel also spent fifteen years in the finance, energy, and humanitarian sectors, most notably with Goldman Sachs and the UNHCR. She holds an MSc in International Management from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She is a National Geographic Certified Educator, a Teach SDGs Ambassador, and works with the African Union and UN organisations on a pan-African environmental initiative. She was honoured with the 2022 NGO Whisperer Social Impact Fellow of the Year Award.
Irené Muhire
Chief Technology Officer
Irené Muhire is a seasoned technology leader with over 10 years of experience. Renowned for his strategic vision and leadership, he previously excelled as IT consultant and as Manager at a startup called Hailo/taxi. Where he led a migration project to ensure a seamless transition of all driver and passengers data from one application to another, including high-profile clients such as MPs and CEOs. His ability to achieve all service level agreements while focusing on outcomes that improve users experience earned him the prestigious Justies Award from the Ministry of Justice for exceptional performance under pressure.
With a background from IT consultancy, startups to cyber security sectors, Irené brings a unique blend of tech insight and product management expertise. His experience as a senior product manager and senior consultant has equipped him to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and drive innovative and deliver user based solutions. Irené enjoys fostering a culture of innovation and aligning technical strategies with business objectives to propel organisational growth.
Emily Bastable
Co-Head of Programmes
Emily is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and the University of Southampton in Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise using student-centred participatory research methods. Emily obtained her fellowship with Advance HE in 2024, has served a two-year term on the Quality Assurance Agency’s Student Strategic Advisory Committee, she has also recently been elected to the Reaching, Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement (RAISE) Network Committee. In her first year volunteering with us, she coordinated Prowibo’s first visit to Ghana- teaching AI literacy to faculty staff and communication skills to first year students and is looking forward to shaping the year of programmes.
Dr Bob Eckhart
Co-Head of Programmes
Bob is currently a University Lecturer at the Pedagogical State University “Ion Creanga” in Moldova, after serving as a Fulbright Scholar there from 2022-24. He is training teachers and teaching courses in communicative competence while researching the impact of social media/YouTube/multiplayer video games on language acquisition. In the 2019-20 academic year, Bob was a Guest Lecturer at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle (U of Paris III) and a visiting instructor at Xidian University and Hunan Agricultural University. Before that, he completed two other Fulbright grants. The first was a Fulbright Scholar grant at Minsk State Linguistics University in 2018 as a Visiting Professor in the Teacher Training Institute. The second was a Fulbright Specialist grant in 2019 with Belarusian State University, in the Economics and Management Department, teaching Professional Language and Communication. His career started on the faculty of the English Department at Ohio State University in 1995 and he retired from there as a member of the senior international staff in 2015.
Victor Cebotari
Director of Cooperation & Development
Victor currently serves as the Strategic Advisor for Academic Affairs at the University of Luxembourg. Previously, he was at the forefront of child education and development policy at the UNICEF Office of Research and Foresight. Additionally, Victor was a lecturer and researcher at Maastricht University and the United Nations University (UNU-MERIT) in the Netherlands.
Victor holds a PhD in Social Protection from Maastricht University and an MSc in Social Policy Analysis from KU Leuven. As a certified instructor in Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Victor is a longstanding advocate for transformative, inclusive, and innovative education.
Management
Stacey Garwe
Programmes Manager
Stacey is an emerging community development practitioner passionate about creating positive change at the grassroots level. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurial Leadership at the African Leadership University. Stacey’s mission is to empower young people with the knowledge and skills to advance their personal development and contribute to sustainable community development. She is a responsible, open-minded, and forward-thinking problem solver with a proven social impact track record.
Stacey is also an effective communicator and writer and can lead teams at various levels. She believes that youth have a significant role to play in creating positive change in society and is dedicated to improving education and employment outcomes for children and young people. She believes that youth can contribute significantly to positive societal change and is committed to dedicating her life to improving education and employment outcomes for children and youth.
Tenzin Bowe
Operations Manager
Tenzin is a lifelong learner with a keen interest in process improvement. While he is a self-described generalist, he works primarily in the communications and business development fields. In practice, this involves a mix of project management, digital marketing, and market research.
Tenzin started as an intern at Professors Without Borders in 2021, in his current capacity as Operations Manager he works with all departments to increase organisational efficiency and harmonise messaging. Tenzin also works as a business analyst at epi[x], an epidemiological software start-up. He graduated from Richmond, The American International University with a BA (Hons) in International Relations and a minor in Philosophy.
Rachel Cantlow
Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel is a passionate MA student, specialising in Human Rights and Sustainability at the OSCE Academy, Bishkek, with a BA in Sociology and International Relations from the University of Leeds, UK. Her commitment to social justice, human rights and education aligns closely with Professors Without Borders’ mission to increase equal access to quality education globally in skills valued in today’s climate.
With nearly two years of experience at Leeds University Union as a Liberation and Campaigns Assistant, Rachel developed and managed initiatives supporting diverse and underserved student communities, including projects that enhanced student representation and inclusion. This background has given her skills in volunteer management, community engagement and project management, which are essential for recruiting and coordinating volunteers effectively at Professors Without Borders.
Ario Daniso
Project Manager
Ario is a dedicated advocate for equal educational opportunities and a firm believer in the power of access to education as a catalyst for positive social change. With a focus in International Relations, Ario has cultivated a passion for promoting inclusive learning environments and advocating for educational rights for all.
Starting with Professors Without Borderers in 2022 as a project manager, Ario leads several initiatives at Professors Without Borders, working closely with the CEO, to implement technological solutions that further the organization’s mission of providing accessible education worldwide. With a holistic approach to process improvement and a commitment to humanitarian ideals, Ario strives to create positive impact through his work in communications, social outreach, and project management.
Ian Harriman
Social Media Manager
Ian is a multitalented and colourful individual with a passion for narrative and storytelling. Having previously worked in a variety of entertainment roles from circus to public speaking, he now is channelling that enthusiasm into his role as Social Media Manager, helping to highlight Prowibo’s new achievements and growing connections. Ian graduated from Regents University with a double major in Psychology and International Relations.
Nadine Minampala
Francophone Manager
Entrepreneurship consultant, trainer and facilitator, Nadine has a diverse background in social development and education. For 12 years, she has been coordinating a support service for diversity entrepreneurs in Brussels. For this committed woman, (social) entrepreneurship is one of the ways to respond to social inequalities and divisions: an effective lever that allows us to rethink the economic models of society.
Nadine has led programmes in Senegal and Guinea-Conakry since 2019 for Prowibo and is excited to take on the new challenge of Francophone Manager.
Volunteers
Naimullah Aziz
Communications Assistant
Naimullah is a resilient educator and digital creative whose journey began not with privilege, but with purpose. Teaching in a small town with limited resources, he quickly learned to wear many hats—combining creativity, analysis, and adaptability as a way of life. What started as survival evolved into strength, shaping him into a quietly versatile individual with a global mindset and a deep desire to make an impact through storytelling and technology.
As Communications Assistant at Prowibo, Naimullah supports the team in crafting and expanding the organization’s digital presence with clarity and soul. His work is rooted in authenticity—telling stories that not only inform, but connect and inspire. Drawing from his background in education, writing, music, and digital content creation, he believes in using creativity as a bridge between ideas and real-world change. With humility and ambition, he continues to grow at the intersection of purpose and possibility—believing that even from the most remote corners, dreams are meant to travel far.
Basak Celik
Business Development
Basak is an executive with nearly 20 years of experience in digital transformation, business development, and social impact within complex international environments. She has held leadership roles in marketing, societal engagement, and business development at companies such as Accenture and Sodexo, as well as in corporate foundations. Working directly with executive committees, general management, and key partners, she has led multicultural teams, launched multi-million-euro initiatives, and supported sustainable, innovative, and meaningful transformations.
A graduate of the TRIUM Global Executive MBA program (HEC Paris, LSE, NYU Stern), Basak combines strategic vision with operational rigor to lead projects with strong business and societal impact. She has driven the global deployment of CRM tools across 60+ countries, designed client offerings aligned with ESG criteria, and structured engaging philanthropy policies on a global scale.
Artemis Chaikali
Grants Volunteer
Artemis Chaikali is an English Literature undergraduate at the University of Warwick with a strong passion for writing, research, and education. Through extensive volunteer experience—including roles at an Oxfam Bookshop, a Social Grocery, and an on-campus nursery—she has developed excellent communication and organisational skills. Her background in academic research, essay writing, and editorial work has strengthened her attention to detail and her ability to craft compelling narratives.
Artemis is passionate about supporting global education initiatives and sees grant writing as an opportunity to apply her writing expertise to secure funding for impactful projects. Her strong analytical skills, combined with a deep commitment to nonprofit work, enable her to identify funding opportunities and craft persuasive grant proposals. Aspiring to enter the publishing or nonprofit sector, she views this role as a key step in developing essential skills for her future career.
Cynthia Christelle
Content Marketing Associate
Christelle is an aspiring educational technologist driven by the potential of education technology and user experience to enhance digital learning. With a background in communications and digital marketing, she working to contribute significantly to any field in the education technology and marketing spaces.
Christelle started as an intern at Professors without Borders in 2022. She helps create captivating social media program campaigns that engage our audience and raise awareness of our different education empowerment initiatives. She is currently pursuing an honours degree in Computer Science at the African Leadership University.
Krishna Desai
Finance Volunteer
Krishna has a strong track record of driving impact through strategic initiatives at the intersection of finance and education. She has a Master’s in Education and International Development from University College London and eight years of experience in the environmental and educational sectors.
A Chartered Accountant by profession, she transitioned to the education sector with seven years of corporate finance experience. Krishna has led corporate advisory, fundraising and operational management in her previous roles at BDO India and Fourth Partner Energy (renewable energy start-up). She brings pertinent skills in scaling impact initiatives, while…
building relationships with international investors and managing organisational change for a start-up. As a teacher with the Teach for India fellowship, she worked directly with eighty students in a low-resource Mumbai school during the Covid-19 pandemic. She drove significant improvements in student engagement and curriculum development, while sustaining meaningful relationships with community stakeholders. Deeply aware of education systems in low-resource contexts, Krishna is committed to developing holistic education through her work in fundraising and programme support.
Joining Professors Without Borders as a Fundraising Volunteer, Krishna is excited to combine skills in fundraising and donor engagement with her firsthand experience of low-resource educational contexts, to support the organisation’s mission of access to quality education.
Scholastique Ineza
Content Marketing Associate
Scholastique is an enthusiastic and dynamic leader. She brings a deep-rooted passion for product design and innovative tech solutions that address societal needs. With a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and professional development, Scholastique is always eager to embrace new challenges and explore fresh opportunities. Her journey is driven by a desire to merge technology with practical applications, aiming to make a significant impact in communities. She believes in the power of education and knowledge-sharing as key tools for driving positive change and advancing global understanding.
Corina Maller
Grants Volunteer
Corina is a scientist from Austria with a PhD in Chemistry and Pharmacy. After spending the past 10 years studying and conducting research at universities in Austria, Germany, Serbia, and the United States, she’s excited to step out of the lab and support Prowibo’s mission.
Education has always played a central role in Corina’s life, and she’s deeply committed to making it accessible to others. She still feels a sense of wonder every day as she learns how things work and is constantly reminded of how much there is still to discover. That curiosity is something she believes everyone deserves the chance to experience, no matter where they are in the world.
With extensive experience in scholarship applications, academic writing, and peer review, Corina has developed a strong ability to work independently and communicate complex ideas clearly. At Prowibo, she is trying to put those skills to work to help secure funding that opens doors for learners everywhere – and she’s proud to be part of a team that believes in the power of education to change lives.
Lise Mouschang
Project Lead
Lise is a passionate advocate for education and social impact, with experience collaborating
with educational NGOs and student-led initiatives. She has played a key role in mentoring
and outreach programs, working to expand access to higher education for underrepresented
students. Now, she brings her dedication to education, policy, and community development to
Professors Without Borders, where she strives to create meaningful change on a global scale.
Lise holds an MSt in Global and Imperial History from the University of Oxford, an MSc in
Development Studies from the London School of Economics and a BA in European Politics
from King’s College London.
Oluseyi Adebayo James Sodiya
Project Lead
Oluseyi Adebayo James Sodiya is a seasoned project and product management professional with over two decades of experience in the IT, telecommunications, e-commerce, and digital technology industries. He has adeptly led numerous projects to successful completion, continually driving innovation and efficiency.
Oluseyi holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Architecture and boasts an array of certifications in project management, occupational health and safety, UX design, product management, and generative AI, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Currently, he hosts the “360Seconds Podcast” on YouTube and other social media platforms, where he dives into the latest in technology and innovation. Additionally, Oluseyi pens a weekly op-ed column titled “Tech Talk with Oluseyi” on www.skydaily.ng, sharing insights on the tech ecosystem.
In his leisure time, Oluseyi enjoys reading, researching, and ideating new concepts, as well as watching movies and spending quality time with his wife and children. A DIY enthusiast, he relishes hands-on projects and believes that AI is poised to revolutionize the way we work and live.
Advisors
Majeks Walker
Strategic Advisor & Co-founder
Majeks Walker has taught and practised law since 2004. He has an LLM from UCL (Banking Law, Conflict of Law, Corporate Law and Law of Foreign Investment in Emerging Economies), and a Certificate in Law Teaching. He was called to the Bar in England and Wales in 2006 and is a qualified SPP Mediator.
Majeks has taught law at Kaplan, and the University of Greenwich. He has also taught Criminology and Psychology at the Royal Holloway University of London. He currently lectures law at undergraduate and postgraduate level at the University of Westminster, and at Regent’s University London.
He is a seasoned corporate trainer and provides advice and training to many multinational companies and sovereign states on various legal issues. Majeks also does a range of philanthropic work, including helping to give a voice to those that cannot afford legal representation.
Rana Cömertpay
Strategic Advisor
Rana Cömertpay is a Research Associate at LISER with a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Luxembourg, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degree from HEC-ULg, University of Liège. Her work focuses on impact evaluation and policy analysis in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in education, labor, and migration economics. At LISER’s Development Policy Impact Analysis Unit, she evaluates policies in Africa in collaboration with J-PAL Europe, LuxDev, and the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Her research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Development Economics. Rana has taught a range of subjects, including econometrics, macroeconomics, and development economics, at institutions such as the University of Luxembourg and the Université des Sciences Sociales et de Gestion de Bamako in Mali. Fluent in English, French, and Turkish, she is committed to using data-driven insights to address global inequalities, particularly for women and youth.
Karen Fermor
Strategic Advisor
Karen has over 25 years’ of fundraising experience. With a background in libraries, publishing and education, her involvement in the charity sector began through volunteering in her local community. She co-founded and ran local charities and community groups, learning to write bids and organise events as she went.
Since then, Karen has worked in fundraising and grant assessing for mental health, literacy, arts, and human rights charities, often with a focus on children and young people. She also worked on a freelance basis, predominantly for charities working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Based in London, she is now the Trust Fundraiser at Children and Families Across Borders, a charity dedicated to protecting and reuniting children who have become separated from their families.
Karen continues to be closely involved with her community, advising on fundraising and mentoring aspiring fundraisers. Her qualifications include a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a MA in Participatory and Community Arts.
Lucile Flamand
Strategic Advisor
A French citizen domiciled in the UK, Lucile joined Bibby Financial Services (BFS) as Chief Strategic Development Officer in January 2021 where she heads up the Strategy, Innovation, Marketing and Transformation function. Prior to BFS, Lucile was the Head of the Financial Services practice at Clarasys, a management consultancy, where she drove transformation & strategic plans for a wide range of organisations, from financial services to the not-for-profit sector.
Passionate about social impact, Lucile is connected to multiple organisations and is involved in high-level professional mentoring and other women-centred socio-political initiatives. Within BFS, she drives an initiative looking to close the gender funding gap for small and medium enterprises and is a strong advocate for active inclusion within the business world.
She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science & European Affairs from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Lyon, France and has a keen interest in modern and contemporary art.
Eva Halper
Strategic Advisor
With her strong background in education, sustainable development, and philanthropy, throughout her career, Eva Halper has successfully fostered impactful partnerships between corporate and non-profit sectors.
Eva began her career in education, teaching children and adults. During her 7 years in China, Eva had the opportunity to work for an international development agency, funding grass roots projects throughout China. After moving to the UK, Eva continued to work in the not for profit sector, focusing on cross sector partnerships to address critical social and environmental issues before entering the corporate sector.
Skilled in guiding initiatives from strategic planning to on-the-ground execution, for the past 15 years, Eva led two flagship programs for the foundation of an international Swiss bank: a global education initiative – a grant program supporting organizations working on girls’ education – and an international skills-based volunteering program for the bank’s employees.
Eva has lived and worked in diverse locations such as Australia, France, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and the UK. She is fluent in English, French, and Polish, with intermediate proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. Education remains her passion.
Richard Huston
Strategic Advisor
to help the organisation navigate technological opportunities and challenges in pursuit of its mission to expand educational access globally.
Dr Samir Moussalli
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Samir Moussalli has been in higher education for more than 30 years and has served in a few different capacities as a professor, dean, and senior advisor to the provost. He earned his doctorate in international business and his MBA from Auburn University. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science in Engineering Management and has an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Fresno.
Dr. Moussalli is a member of several boards of directors, including the Global Business and Technology Association (GBATA), the European Business University of Luxembourg and the European Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Education. Also, he is a member of the Board of Reviewers for the Journal of Global Business and Technology.
Over the years, Dr. Moussalli has taught a variety of courses in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa ranging from management and international business to quantitative methods. He is the recipient of several Global Excellence Awards from GBATA and a Best Paper Award.
Hannah Neuser
Change Consultant
Hannah supports Prowibo as a People & Change Consultant, working on organisational development and other HR-related topics. She has previously worked in People Operations at Google. She enjoys working on process improvements, employee experience, as well as learning & development. Through her background in Academia and Applied Linguistics, she has developed a passion for equal opportunity in education, as well as learning & development in professional settings and how these enable intercultural exchange across nations. Hannah holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Stockholm University, as well as an MA in English Linguistics from UCL.
Country Coordinators
Titus Ayodele
Country Coordinator – Nigeria
Titus Ayodele practices accountancy in London. He is an administrator of human and capital assets. He seats as director in some companies and as non-executive director in others. Holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance; a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance and Leadership.
Titus is a community interest individual. He is the secretary general, of Efon Alaaye UK and Europe Association, when he was a member of the non-profit Junior Chamber International he displayed his accounting prowess to service to humanity; In Rotary International he brings his knowledge in business and his leadership skills to supporting humanitarian services. Titus strives to completion in any task he is assigned. Titus coordinated Prowibo’s first programme in Nigeria at University of Lagos in 2022.
Yanoh Jalloh
Country Coordinator – Sierra Leone
Yanoh was our Professor on Community Health and Model United Nations in Sierra Leone in the summer of 2017. She lives in New York City where she teaches at the New York Institute of Technology on community health. She has connections to Sierra Leone having worked for Helen Keller International in Freetown, Sustainable Development in Koinadugu, and research on Ebola in the region. She holds an MA in Public Health from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. She is working with us on further developing our Sierra Leone program and creating opportunities for students.
Dr Noor Khan
Country Coordinator - India
Dr Noor Khan has a Masters in English from Lucknow University, Lucknow. She started her career as a lecturer in the English Department of Karamat Husain Muslim Girls’ Post-Graduate College. During her initial years of teaching, she completed her PhD in English from the same University. She was promoted to Associate Professor and later to the Head of the Department of English. In 2016 she became a Professor and Principal of the College, eventually retiring in 2018.
Noor Khan has been on the examination/selection/interview panels of various academic institutions & universities, Banking services recruitment boards, and the Ford Foundation Scholarship Programmes.
She has also served in an honorary capacity on the advisory boards of government bodies such as the Indian Railways & Indian Telecom Department. She has also been involved extensively in social work for underprivileged girls’ education and empowerment. For the past decade, she has been a core team member of Sanatkada, a weaves and crafts outlet in Lucknow which promotes craftwork from women’s groups and works for gender justice, social equality and the upliftment of girls and women from marginalized communities.
Sipim Sornbanlang
Country Coordinator - Asia
Sipim Sornbanlang received her PhD and MPS. in International Relations from Chulalongkorn University, while earlier obtaining a BA in English from Chiang Mai University. She has extensive experience working in the public and private sector, with companies and government agencies, and more recently has entered academia as a lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok.
Over the past couple of years, Sipim has served as a guest lecturer and moderator at many workshops and seminars dealing with migration, security issues for migrant workers, human trafficking, and globalization and its effects on countries and people living in Thailand and other southeast Asian countries.
Sipim grew up in a rural community in northern Thailand and this experience has helped foster a deep commitment to improving human rights and human security issues; by promoting the political rights of women and migrant workers. One of Sipim’s goals is to help reduce or hopefully eliminate poverty in Thailand and in other parts of the world. Much of Sipim’s work revolves around finding practical ways to improve the standard of life for people, especially for underrepresented minorities. Currently, Sipim is working to expand Prowibo’s presence in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia to bring quality educational experiences to students in rural areas.
Prof. Andrew Ssemwanga
Country Coordinator - Uganda
Professor Andrew Ssemwanga (PhD, Doc. Mngt, MBA, B.Com, FFA FIPA, MCIEA, CFC, FFC) is based in Uganda and served as Vice Chancellor and; Deputy Vice Chancellor cum Vice Chancellor for St. Lawrence University and Cavendish University Uganda respectively. He has served as consultant for governments, various international bodies, such as, World Bank, USAID, Association of African Universities and others.
He is a co-founding member at Stepchange Africa, a consulting firm that links entrepreneurs in Africa with investors from Europe and vice versa. He is the Regional Academic Consultant for the London Institute of Skills Development (LISD) East Africa.
He has skills, experience and knowledge in various aspects of Higher Education, such as, Business Ethics, Academic External Examining, Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sustainable Development, Assessment, Institutional Evaluation and is an expert in Corporate Governance; Finance, investment, Entrepreneurship and Accounting.
He is very passionate about collaboration with other professionals in consultancy, research, investment, higher education and rural development.