Jess Teutonico
Founder + CEO
Jess is dedicated to community development and investing in human potential. She has been working in Kenya since 2005 on sustainable development programs in remote areas and generating campaigns and media platforms that raise positive awareness and education around this country. She consults on many international conferences addressing global issues with a focus on youth initiatives. In her past life, she was a Director of Special Events at Vogue Magazine and produced the worlds leading fashion shows and events. She divides her time between New York City and Kenya. She is a black belt in Kung Fu. @jessteutonico
John-Paul Teutonico
Executive Director + Photographer
John-Paul is an entrepreneur and former partner of SecondMarket. He spent over sixteen years working in finance and is currently following his passion as a photographer. John-Paul has been involved with Under the Acacia for the past two years drawing on both his corporate experience and visual storytelling to raise funds and awareness for our programs. Loita Hills Academy is especially close to his heart as it was his first project in Kenya and he formed long lasting relationships with the students and community. @jpteutonico
Joseph Koyie
Country Director, Kenya
Joseph is building his home of Loita into a sustainable and thriving community. His story is a true testament of a real leader and unstoppable determination. He met Jess in 2007 and together they have been creatively rewriting new futures for remote comunities. Joseph is one of the top guides in the Maasai Mara with Sanctuary Olonana. Clients travel all over the world to experience Kenya through his guiding, knowledge and charisma.
Dylan Mahalingam
Chief Strategist + Project Ambassador
In 2004, Dylan began his journey with Lil' MDGs to make change by inspiring youth to work together towards meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Dylan has worked with young leaders from 41 countries on projects in five continents. In 2008, he came to the realization that his efforts will have more impact if he focuses his work and resources on communities that are resourceful, focused and dedicated to working together to ensure its success, but lacked the capital to do so. Dylan collaborated in the formation of Under the Acacia, and took on the role of Chief Strategist & Project Ambassador. @lilmdgs
Ilda Rastoder
Brand Ambassador
Ilda Rastoder was born in Montengro (the former Yugoslavia) where she lived until the outbreak of the Bosnian War. She and her family found refuge in Germany prior to immigrating to the U.S. She is philanthropically driven and has been involved in many charity organizations, most notably Kids for Tomorrow and We Are Family Foundation's Three Dot Dash, as a mentor. Ilda has been involved with Under the Acacia since the beginning. She is a graduate of Bernard Baruch College and currently works at SecondMarket as a financial analyst.
Kristina Paul
Brand Ambassador
Born in Hawaii and raised on Guam, Kris Paul joined Under the Acacia after her first visit to Kenya in 2008. She spent six days trekking through the remote Ndoto Mountains, delivered school supplies to students, was stung by a hornet and drank warm goat's blood after a warrior's ceremony. Naturally, after all of that, she fell head over heels in love with the people that Under the Acacia works so fervently to support. Kris works for SecondMarket, a financial services firm in New York, where she also sits on the Board of the company's philanthropic arm, SecondMarket Impact. She is a graduate of Fordham University.
Charles Newman
Chief Creative Designer
Charles Newman is a designer and builder whose passion lies in working with those most in need. Charles has a reputation as a professional and focused project manager who helps communities complete projects in creative, timely, and cost effective ways. His dedication to efficient and sustainable development principles are evident in the projects he has completed in South America, Africa and the Carribean. Charles's work has been published in Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Record, and Engineering For Change.
We are a volunteer based organization. We come from various corners of the globe, different backgrounds and specialized skill sets. But we all have one undeniable thing in common. Our love for Kenya and commitment to work with incredible people, in incredible places and together make incredible things happen. We make the invisible become visible.
Erika Boll
Chief Strategist
Erika is inspired by Kenya as a place of immense opportunity, motivation and excitement. She is a student at New York University studying international development, the role of women, and neocolonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa. She conducted research in Kenya during the summer of 2011 and has worked with various non-profits including the International Rescue Committee, Sustainable Development for All - Kenya, Opening Village Doors Foundation, Louise Blouin Foundation, Lambda Legal and Leadership Initiatives. Erika resides in New York City.
