The East African Water Development Group is led by an experienced Board with a range of expertise. This extensive range of skills allows us to quickly and effectively deploy the resources necessary to ensure the success of our projects and initiatives.
ahMED JIRDE - FOUNDER & chairman
Ahmed Jirde, an American of Somali origin, graduated from North Dakota State University as an Electrical Engineer working in the electrical field from 1982 to 2000. For the last 15 years he established and worked through his own business and became self-employed. In 2012 he was trained in the state of Ohio on how to drill water wells.
Abdi Rahman M Hassan - board member
Abdi Rahman M Hassan is a counselor with Change Happens!, a Houston based nonprofit that provides a variety of programs focused on educating and enriching youth, promoting pro-active healthcare measures and housing displaced families. Abdi possesses an M.P.A. from Texas Southern University and is a Doctoral Candidate in Counseling set to graduate 2020. His theoretical approach to counseling is Solution focus and CBT – Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He’s originally from Hargeisa, Somaliland, and was resettled in Houston three decades ago. He speaks Somali and is a leader within the African diaspora community locally, supporting refugee resettlement causes. Abdi has family in Somaliland, particularly in Hargeisa and Abaarso and is well connected in the local community and elected officials.
ALI SHARIF - BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Sharif is a retired real estate marketing professional. He has been a longtime supporter of Pan-African causes. During the early years of the 70s he prepared a draft resolution calling for disinvestment of apartheid South Africa, which Congressman Ron Dellums presented to the U. S. Congress. He was also an active member of Liberian Association of Northern California.
MARYETTA C. MARKS - BOARD MEMBER
By passion, purpose, and design, Ms. Marks is a criminal defense trial attorney who has been practicing law more than 37 years. Per her parents, she has always had to have the last word, making her a natural advocate.
STASI JACKSON - BOARD MEMBER
Anastasia Jackson is a rising senior at Howard university. Pre -med. She was born in Oakland, CA and raised in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Jackson is aspiring to own and work in a holistic hospital. Some current projects she is working on currently are writing a book about the US and China's health care aid in Africa, founder of an app that is being developed that will connect a lot of students on one platform, and more than 8 years experience in healthcare. Ms. Jackson met the granddaughter of the former Somalian president, who plans to bring the ambition and drive to help move EAWDG forward.
