About Us

Mission and Vision

The KGSA Foundation partners with the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA) to provide a free, holistic high school education and boarding to 150 girls in Kibera, Kenya – one of Africa’s largest informal settlements.

Through financial and technical resources, the Foundation supports KGSA’s academic programming in addition to nutrition, health care, extra-curricular and leadership initiatives along with higher education scholarships for graduates to unlock potential, expand opportunities, and enable each girl with the ability to shape her future.

Together with KGSA, we are working to break the cycle of poverty for the girls and their families, empowering them to become stronger, more independent and resilient women

Philosophy

We believe local problems need local solutions. We recognize the expertise of community leaders and invest in their ability to respond to problems on their own terms. When local leaders are given the chance to lead, they create innovative solutions to combat poverty that outsiders may miss.

We believe in the power of the #girleffect. Investing in girls transforms their lives and uplifts their families and communities.

We stand by our Child Protection Policy. The protection of children is an integral component of KGSA’s approach: that girls receive a quality education in which their rights are respected and they feel safe and protected.

We value transparency and accountability.

History

Founder's Story: Abdul & Ryan

The KGSA Foundation began through a chance meeting in a bar in Kibera. Ryan Banning and a few friends who were studying in Kenya through the Minnesota Studies of International Development program met Abdul Kassim, the founder of the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA).

Over a beer, Abdul told Ryan how he wanted to change the world around him and the inequalities that persisted for women. He told them about a soccer program that he had started to offer girls an outlet and a bridge to realizing their potential. His dream was to create a free secondary school for girls as a way to promote self-awareness, empowerment, and equality. He felt that through active participation in education, the arts, and athletics, the girls would have the opportunity to develop confidence and strong minds, bodies, and spirits, empowering them to become inspiring leaders in their own communities and country, advocating for a brighter future for Kibera and Kenya.

Ryan and his friends emptied their pockets, raised several hundred dollars, and helped build the first free secondary school for girls in Kenya and Kibera, the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA). With a sense of inspired urgency from Abdul, Ryan went back to the US, finished college, and started a non-profit organization dedicated to building and harnessing the unique strength of women to lead their communities out of poverty through enrolling in KGSA. Ryan moved back to Kenya for a year to work with Abdul and other community leaders on the logistics of an international partnership. In 2011, the KGSA Foundation was registered as an official 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Through the years, KGSA enrollment grew from serving 13 students to over 100 girls. KGSA expanded from one rented classroom with mud floors to two school buildings and a dormitory. In addition, two volunteer teachers evolved into a professional staff of 30 members.

In addition, KGSA developed more programs to holistically address the girls’ needs such as school meals, health care, a social worker and more extracurricular activities.

This tremendous growth wouldn’t be possible without our partners. Families, churches, Rotary Clubs, high schools and other non-profit organizations who continue to advocate for and invest in girls’ education.

2002-2006

Our Soccer Roots

Abdul Kassim starts a soccer team to engage and inspire girls in Kibera.

2006-2009

From Soccer to Secondary Education

Abdul Kassim founded the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy to start providing education to 13 girls in one classroom with two volunteer teachers.

2008-2009

An International Partnership

Ryan Banning, inspired by the school and its mission, starts an international partnership to provide support. The KGSA Foundation is born.

2015

The Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb

Twenty-six individuals climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for a new dormitory to provide a safe and stable learning environment for the girls.

2020s

The Girl Effect Coming Full Circle

After contractor issues and pandemic delays, KGSA's dormitory finally opened in July of 2021. Thanks to a generous grant from the Girls Opportunity Alliance at the Obama Foundation, KGSA boarded 46 girls in the first year.
The KGSA Girl Effect came full circle when Director Claris Akinyi became the school's first female leader in 2023.
In 2024, KGSA's new classrooms were constructed including science and computer labs and six beautiful learning spaces.
In 2025, KGSA became a 100% boarding school serving 120 girls in grades 10th - 12th grades.

The Team

Foundation Leadership

Katy began leading the KGSA Foundation in 2020. She is a dedicated international development professional with twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She worked with a Mayan women’s association in Guatemala for two years and is passionate about girls’ empowerment and local leadership. Prior to becoming KGSA’s Executive Director, Katy worked at Global Dental Relief for a decade coordinating pediatric dental projects in five countries including Kenya. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and a Master of Arts in International Development from the University of Denver. Katy lives in Colorado with her husband and two kids. She enjoys traveling, Zumba and advocating for social justice. She cherishes every trip to Kenya – KGSA truly feels like home.

Ryan Banning met Abdul Kassim in 2006 while studying abroad in Kenya. Inspired by Abdul’s leadership and work within the Kibera community, Ryan returned to the US motivated to establish a Foundation that would further support Addul’s efforts. In 2009, Ryan both established the US Foundation, and moved back to Kenya for a year to be close to the school, and to establish the in-country partnerships and relationships needed to move forward. Ryan led the Foundation until 2016, when he joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors. He has a Master’s of Science Degree from American University in Development Management with a focus on Monitoring and Evaluation and Gender Studies. He has been awarded the 40 Under 40 Award from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, the Eli J. Segal Entrepreneur Fellowship, and a 2014 Visionary Award from the Hummingbird Foundation for his work with the KGSA Foundation. He now lives in Portland, OR and is the Director of Community Partnerships & Events with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.

KGSA Foundation Board of Directors

Diane became connected to KGSA through her friendship with Becky Albright, our Chair Emeritus. Diane and her husband, Pete, have been long-time supporters of KGSA and have been a part of several benefit concerts throughout the years. She has had the great privilege of meeting Abdul, Teka and several of the girls over the years and has been inspired by their strength, their hope for the future, and their pride in Kibera and the school. Diane is an engineer and business leader and has a special passion for girls education especially in the sciences, math and technology. She is also a founding board member of Wholly Kicks, a Colorado nonprofit, and a Marketing and Strategy specialist for the medical device industry. Most recently, she served as Director of Strategy, Business Development and Advanced Research for Philips. She brings her expertise in strategy, organizational development and marketing to support KGSA’s mission and programs. Diane began her tenure as chair in 2023.

Anne discovered KGSA in 2008 while studying abroad in Nairobi with Kalamazoo College. She fell in love with KGSA’s students and mission, and volunteered her time as a math and physics teacher at the school. She was awarded a Davis Projects for Peace grant to return to Kenya in 2010 and conduct an educational seminar at KGSA, teaching physics students to build solar lanterns. For 10+ years after returning to the US, Anne has been committed to fundraising for KGSA with lots of support from her family and friends. She is also an accomplished healthcare data specialist and encourages women in STEM careers in everything she does. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her partner Dan and many pets, and she enjoys hiking, growing her own food, and woodworking.

Sean spent most of his professional life with PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM. For the last eight years of his career, he served as CEO of one of the largest global NGOs, JA Worldwide. It was through JA that he discovered KGSA during a visit to Kenya and has returned to the School multiple times since then. Now retired, he serves on a variety of non-profit boards throughout the United States, the KGSA Foundation being the most important.

Steph Dawes is the Director of K-12 Program at Girl Scouts of the USA where she develops and supports strategic initiatives that elevate the Gold, Silver and Bronze Award—Girl Scouts’ highest awards. Through her role, Steph engages national partnerships and provides resources and support that equip over 50,000 Girl Scouts a year with the tools they need to successfully develop meaningful and sustainable solutions to challenges in their communities and the world. A Gold Award Girl Scout and 12-year youth development professional, Steph carries a B.S. from Michigan State University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and enjoys horseback riding, yoga and community engagement through Women Give San Diego and the KGSA Foundation.

Becky visited KGSA in 2012 and fell in love with the students and the faculty of KGSA. The education and programming impressed and inspired her so much that she immediately got involved and has been ever since. She started on the Board of Directors in 2014 then became Chair in 2015 and participated in the Elevate Education campaign – summiting Kilimanjaro to raise funds for a dormitory and community center. Becky has been working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Monument, Colorado since 2004, and lives in Palmer Lake, Colorado with her husband, Philip Tedeschi – who introduced her to KGSA in the first place. After many years of service as Board Chair, Becky transitioned to Chair Emeritus in 2023.

Hosain Lipson joined the Board in 2016 after climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro the previous year to raise funds for the KGSA dormitory. He lives in Minnesota and is the National Director of Sales for Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. Since 2008 he has served on the fundraising committee of CornerHouse of Minnesota. Hosain was introduced to KGSA through Becky’s husband Phil Tedeschi. Hosain and Phil were classmates from 3rd grade through undergrad at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Dr. Dan Harris is board certified in internal medicine and practices hospital medicine in Grand Junction, CO. He became involved with KGSA after participating in the Elevate Education climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2015. He has served on the KGSA board since 2015.

Antony Maikuri is an equity-centered Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) leader with over a decade of experience designing and leading evaluation systems across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. As KGSA’s MEL Board Lead, he helps strengthen how the academy measures impact and uses data to amplify girls’ voices and success stories. Originally from Kenya, Antony holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Measurement from the University of Minnesota and is passionate about using evidence to drive equity, learning, and opportunity for young women

Germaine Jackson is a native Californian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Pitzer College, a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from UCLA. For the past twenty-six years Germaine has worked as an educator and community advocate for social change and equity in schools. Her work in public and private education focuses on curriculum development, culturally relevant teaching, student leadership and community engagement.

During her tenure in independent schools, she’s worked with the National Association of Independent School (NAIS) Equity and Justice team creating programs, initiatives, and conferences for membership schools. Recent work in public schools in Los Angeles and Inglewood focused on arts integration, project-based learning and the incorporation of restorative practices to reduce discipline rates and improve student engagement. As a result of her leadership, her schools received the Hart Charter School of the Year Award, California Distinguished School, and the Gold Ribbon Award. In 2020, Germaine was recognized by the National Action Network as a California Education Champion for closing the achievement gap for African American students in English and Math.

Germaine currently works at Pacific Ridge, an independent school in Carlsbad, California where she leads the service-learning program for grades 6-12 and teaches middle school Science. In her free time Germaine enjoys spending time with family, volunteering at the local food pantry, reading, photography, and mentoring teachers and school administrators.

Videos, Awards & Resources

Press & Awards

In 2014, KGSA was honored as one of the first thirteen Ashoka Changemaker Schools in East Africa, the only one in Nairobi. These schools support children as changemakers – individuals with the skill set and connection to purpose that enable them to take initiative to solve problems and drive positive change in their communities..