
Kahindo Mbodwam – President
Kahindo Mbodwam is the founder of Poiema International Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in educational ministries from Moody Bible Institute-Chicago and a master’s degree in teaching and training from Université Aix-Marseille in Aix-en-Provence, France. She has worked as an educator for more than 20 years in Africa, Europe, and the US.

Amani Lwanzo – Vice president
Amani Lwanzo is an independent international consultant with extensive experience working in education, health and economic development. She has led assignments for USAID, DFID, the UN and the World Bank Group.
As a native of the DRC, Amani knows first hand the transformational and important role Poiema will have in providing high quality Christian education to young Congolese leaders and is honored to support Poiema.

Marie Makaya Phagan – Treasurer
Marie Phagan wears many hats. She is an event organizer specialized in speaker management and has contributed in organizing events in Belgium and Kinshasa, DRC. She is also a professional makeup artist. Marie has served in church as worship leader and bilingual interpreter for pastors and has been active in youth and women’s ministry.
Marie is originally from Congo but she was raised in Belgium before returning to Kinshasa in 2012 with her husband, Pastor Brett Phagan, and their children. Pastor Brett leads the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa.