ICRI Staff

ICRI employs over 100 staff members in its field offices around the world. We are tremendously proud of the dedication and skill of each member of our global team. The following biographies provide more information on key ICRI staff members who lead our diverse array of programs to improve the lives of children and families around the world.

Alejandra Calderón, HOMEY Executive Director

Alejandra joined the HOMEY program as Executive Director in July 2009, bringing with her solid program management skills, extensive clinical experience working with youth and families, and deep roots in the community. Alejandra has previously worked for CARECEN, the San Francisco Human Services Agency, Instituto Familiar de la Raza, and the UCSF Child Trauma Research Project. Alejandra holds a B.A. with honors in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University.

Alejandra was born in Nicaragua but grew up in the Mission district of San Francisco. As an adolescent she was involved in a local street gang, an experience that helped to inspire her work with at-risk youth experiencing similar life circumstances. She believes that at-risk youth join local gangs in an effort to buffer out the effects of poverty, trauma, community and family violence. She strongly believes that part of the healing process includes cultural affirmation and self-empowerment, which is why she was so honored and humbled to become a part of HOMEY. Alejandra is the proud mother of Isabel and Sonia Escalante-Calderón and has been dancing with the group Danza Xitlalli for the past nine years.

Chagua Camacho-Olguín, Project Commotion Co-Director

Chagua is the Co-Director of Project Commotion, where she leads individual and group classes in movement and sensory integration. Chagua has worked with children of diverse ages and abilities for over 7 years. She has taught more than twenty children on the autism spectrum, with whom she has seen overwhelmingly positive results in their abilities to understand their bodies and develop improved social skills. Chagua’s work has been included in a clinical stuffy by the UCSF Department of Physical Therapy and Rehab Science. She has also led movement classes for severely emotionally disturbed children from San Francisco Burt's Children's Center.

Chagua holds a Certificate in Child Development and Family Studies from City College of San Francisco, and has completed coursework in Economics in Mexico City, Mexico. She holds a Safety Certification and a KAT Certification (Kinder Accreditation for Teachers) from USA Gymnastics. Project Commotion’s curricula is influenced by Chagua’s training with renowned child psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry.

Leonard Chumo Falex, ICRI Africa Program Manager

Leonard holds a (Double Major) Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi, and is currently undertaking his MBA at the Leadership Training institute, Nairobi. He consults on Organizational Growth and Leadership and is a co-founder of Christian Youth in Action (CYIA).

Leonard’s career has included serving as Deputy Principal at Kapkirwok High School; Enterprise Development Officer, Ministry of Labor; working in operations at Barclays Bank- Head Office; and serving as a constituency committee member at the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.

Prior to joining, ICRI, Leonard had actively participated in the periodic trainings offered by ICRI (Africa) while working at the National Assembly of Kenya. While volunteering at ICRI, Leonard developed great passion for the grassroots advocacy programs carried out by ICRI (Africa). He is honored to be associated with the reputation of ICRI in being at the forefront of championing an Africa where all children and families are safe, healthy and economically empowered.

Ken Jaffe, President & Executive Director

Ken is the founder and leader of ICRI. He started the organization in 1981 to improve the lives of children and families throughout the world, through technical assistance and consultation, resource dissemination, and the establishment of model projects.

Ken received his child development training at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and his Master's Degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where he conducted comparative research in international child care and development practices. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from John F. Kennedy University, where he studied juvenile justice and children's rights. Ken is the author of numerous articles on international early childhood education, child advocacy, program management and work and family policy issues.

Ken served as Chair and member of the California Governor's Advisory Committee on Child Development for nine years. He has worked extensively on family child care issues and was a founding member of the International Family Child Care Association and the World Forum on Early Care and Education. Ken was the Vice-Chair of a statewide commission to formulate a strategic plan for child care development in California.

Ken has assisted in the improvement or establishment of more than 300 child care, child health and child abuse prevention programs worldwide. He has been a consultant to the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., and has advised the governments of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Sweden and Ecuador on child and family issues. In addition, Ken has presented over 300 keynotes and seminars to policy makers, executives, and non-profit professionals worldwide.

Maggie Kamau-Biruri, ICRI Africa Director Emeritus

Maggie is the Founding Director of ICRI-Africa, a nonprofit organization that supports and nurtures grassroots organizations allowing them to gain access to funds and recognition as critical stakeholders in development. A strong proponent of grassroots sustainable development, Maggie has spoken extensively about the role of grassroots and advocated for donor support to community-based organizations.

Prior to returning to Kenya in 2005 to oversee the ICRI-Africa office, Maggie lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 10 years where she worked at various nonprofit organizations. As the Communications Director for ICRI-HQ, Maggie assured constant communication with all ICRI offices around the world and was involved in fund development for ICRI international programs.

Maggie has consulted and advised multiple international organizations working in Africa as well as advised donors interested in Africa. Maggie has made numerous presentations on Africa issues including at the Community Foundation of Minneapolis/Minnesota Council of Foundations, Association of Small Foundations, Global Philanthropy Forum, and San Francisco World Affairs Council.

Maggie sits on the Boards of Project Baobab, an organization that provides opportunities for marginalized youth through entrepreneurship, and Akili Dada, an organization that supports and nurtures the next generation of women leaders through paying their school fees and mentoring bright young women in Kenyan high schools. Maggie also serves on the advisory Boards of several organizations in the US and in Africa including The Clarence Foundation, Women of Africa and Harambee Arts. Maggie holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and B.A in Education.

Rufaro Kangai, Child Resource Institute Zimbabwe Director

Rufaro is the Founder and Director of the Child Resource Institute Zimbabwe. CRIZ is involved in grassroots advocacy, orphan care, early childhood development, community health and empowerment of young women and girls in Zimbabwe.

Rufaro has over five years of experience in the field of HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, youth counseling and NGO management. Rufaro has consulted for international and domestic organizations working in Africa and Asia, and has advised donors interested in funding programs in Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Rufaro has been recognized for her work with vulnerable young women and girls in Zimbabwe, and recently delivered a keynote address at the Young African Women’s Summit. She has spoken on African issues at ZimExpo events in the United States and Canada, as both a keynote speaker and a participant in a panel discussion on AIDS, Politics, Economics and Religion Panel. Rufaro spoke with Memory Banda, one of the founding members of the Girl Child Network Trust, at an event organized by the International Development Exchange (IDEX) on the challenges facing young Zimbabwean women leaders.

Rufaro is currently an MBA candidate at the African Leadership and Management Academy (ALMA) and holds a B.A in Broadcasting and Communication Arts from San Francisco State University.

Dhirendra Lamsal, ICRI Nepal Country Director

Dhirendra is the Country Director of ICRI Nepal and oversees ICRI’s work on numerous programs to support children and families in Nepal. Dhirendra has over 15 years of experience working in community development, education, and HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention.

Dhirendra’s skills in non-profit management and project design/implementation have benefitted numerous programs of ICRI Nepal. He received funding from the United Nations Development Program to work with the Network for Children, Prisoners, and Dependents to provide holistic HIV prevention and support services to Nepali prisoners and their families. Dhirendra has also served as a key participant in the formulation of the National Plan of Action for Children through Nepal’s Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Welfare.

Dhirendra has presented seminars and working papers on children’s issues, HIV/AIDS, and community development at international conferences and forums in Australia, Hungary, Northern Ireland, India, the United States, Malaysia, and Thailand. In 2007, Dhirendra received the Global Leader for Young Children award from the World Forum Foundation.

Ellie Mashhour, Child Care Operations Manager and Senior Consultant

Ellie has been a Director of the ICRI Child Development Center since 1993 and now serves as ICRI’s Child Care Operations Manager. Ellie oversees five ICRI child care centers with a combined enrollment of nearly 300 infant, toddler, and preschool children.

Ellie is an expert on child care facilities design, budget development, and licensing. Prior to her work with ICRI, she was director of the preschool and school aged child care program for the Alameda County YWCA.

Ellie also serves as a Senior Consultant for ICRI, and has advised numerous organizations on child care design and development projects, including LucasFilm, Ltd.; Amgen; the California State Assembly, Senate and Secretary of State; and The Children's Pre-School Center of Palo Alto.

Janet Massite, Finance Manager

Janet is the Finance Manger of the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI). As Finance Manager of an international organization with more than 100 employees, Janet oversees the organization's $4 million budget. Janet has been employed at ICRI for over 8 years and performs a variety of program management tasks for ICRI projects assisting children, youth, and women around the world.

Janet is the Co-Founder and Advisor of Hupenu, a program that is geared to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDs in young women of Zimbabwe. She also Co-Founded Future Impex, an import/export organization that distributes second hand goods to developing nations. Janet has served as a financial advisor to Eco Village, a non profit organization that is committed to creating youth and community awareness of the environment. Janet also currently sits on the board of Drawbridge, an arts program for homeless children.

Prior to working with ICRI, Janet assisted with the operations of a family business in Kenya and Mozambique, her home country. Janet has a great passion for working on issues that relate to the improvement of the lives of children and the empowerment of women in African societies. Janet holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University.

Chou Nuon, Development and Program Manager

Chou is the Development and Program Manager of the International Child Resource Institute. She assists with administration, communications, fund development, and program development for ICRI’s consultations and international and domestic projects.

Prior to joining ICRI, Chou was a development intern at Habitot Children's Museum in Berkeley, where she assisted with various fundraising projects and activities. Chou has volunteered for Child Family Health International, the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

Having benefited tremendously from her participation at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County during her adolescent years, Chou now serves on the Women of Taste Committee doing research and fundraising for Girls Inc.’s annual signature fundraiser event. Chou holds a BA in International Relations from the University of California, Davis.

Hannah Odjenma-Botchway, ICRI Ghana Country Director

Hannah is the Country Director for ICRI Ghana, where she oversees a range of programs to assist Ghanaian children and youth. Hannah designed and implemented the Ghana Girl Child Project, and manages the day to day operation of this vocational training and support program for young women and girls. She also oversees the Early Childhood Initiative and coordinates ICRI Ghana’s work with the Ministry of E ducation, Department of Social Welfare, and National Nursery Teachers’ Traning Centre.

Prior to joining ICRI Ghana in 2003, Hannah enjoyed a long career in primary education and management of youth and family programs. Hannah has participated in the founding and management of a large number of artistic, educational, and support organizations in Ghana, including the PASOAF Foundation, the Kukrudu Theatre Company/Tabiloi Theatre, and the Teenage Foundation.

Hannah is an accomplished poet and playwright, and has authored numerous works related to HIV/AIDS awareness and youth empowerment. She has also been a featured actress in multiple plays, films, and television programs, as well as a radio presenter for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and a news reporter for Metropolitan Television. Hannah served as the spokeswoman for the Society of Women Against AIDS in Ghana in public awareness campaigns on Ghanaian television and radio.

Hannah has extensive training in education and counseling, including a degree in Basic Education from University of the Cape Coast and a certificate in HIV/AIDS counseling and caregiving from the University of Ghana Legon.. She has been an active member of the Ghana Association of Teachers, the School Health Education Program, Youngsters in Peer Education, and the Ghana Actors Guild.

Hannah was invited to participate in a session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York City. She was also selected as a Global Leader by the World Forum Foundation and presented on the work of ICRI Ghana at the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Belfast, Ireland.

Erin O’Donohue, Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

Erin is the Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of ICRI. She oversees program development, fund development, fiscal management, human resources, and strategic planning for our global network of programs. Erin also provides international consulting and training on a range of subjects, including child protection, child development and early intervention, gender-specific programming and best practices for serving young women and girls, and interventions for children and women who have endured trauma.

Erin was previously employed as a Senior Staff Attorney at Legal Services for Children (LSC) in San Francisco, where she represented hundreds of child clients in cases involving child abuse and neglect, education, and immigration. Erin was the Founding Attorney and Director of LSC's award-winning Young Women's Empowerment Project, which provides coordinated legal and social work services to at-risk young women. Erin also served as Director of LSC's Guardianship Project, and has worked on a number of initiatives to improve services for children living in kinship care.

Erin has over 17 years of experience designing, implementing, and managing projects at a range of domestic and international non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Yale Law School. Erin has also studied child development and early childhood education at the Yale Child Study Center.

Susan Osterhoff, Project Commotion Co-Director

Susan is the Co-Director of Project Commotion, where she leads individual and group classes in movement and sensory integration. Susan has nine years of experience with children of all ages and abilities in movement programs at recreational after-school programs, as well as in the San Francisco Unified School District.

Susan discovered the art of capoeira in 1996, which nourished her love of movement – primarily being upside-down – and inspired her to combine this passion with her joy and fascination of working with children. Now with over 10 years of training under world-renowned Mestre Urubu Malandro, she is a graduated student, known in the Capoeira world as “Professora Formiguinha.” Susan has created multiple Capoeira programs for youth ages 3 and up, and is excited to be directing the Youth Capoeira program at Project Commotion!

Susan is also a faculty member in the Child Development and Family Studies Department at City College of San Francisco. She holds a BS in Communications from the University of Michican, a Certificate of Completion in Child Development/General from the City College of San Francisco, and both a Safety Certification and a KAT (Kinder Accreditation for Teachers) Certification, from USA Gymnastics. She is currently pursuing a Feldenkrais Training Certification at the Institute for the Study of Somatic Education in San Francisco.

Pam Pryfogle, Senior Consultant

Pam has broad experience in the early childhood education field, including administration, instruction, marketing, public relations, research, and consulting. Pam has a Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in early childhood, from California State University at Hayward. She has also completed additional post-graduate studies in the field of the Atypical/Normal Infant.

Pam has over twenty-five years of experience in early childhood and infant research, study and instruction; parent/teacher advisory services; and child care program directing and administration. She has experience in a variety of settings, including community and city colleges, hospitals, child care, and Head Start. She has worked as a researcher and infant educator for the CA State Department of Education, the Agency for Infant Development, and Oakland's Children's Hospital.

Pam is currently a guest lecturer at Cal State Hayward in the Human Development Department. In addition, she is the founding Director of the Redwood Forest Preschool in Castro Valley, CA. Pam has acted as a media consultant on early childhood issues, and produced a freelance publication, “Advice For Parents”.

Maria Silva, Family Daycare Support Network Director

Maria has worked for over a decade with ICRI’s Family Daycare Support Network, which provides nutrition education and financial support to family daycare providers serving low income children in Alameda County.

Maria has held a variety of positions at FDSN and currently serves as the Program Director. In addition to conducting home visits to educate family daycare providers, Maria manages the administration of FDSN and communications with FDSN’s funder, the California State Department of Education.

Marianela Soto Hurtado, Senior Consultant

Marianela is the creator of ICRI’s Assessment and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse project, which provides trainings on child sexual abuse to Chilean professionals working with abused children. A Chilena herself, Marianela recognized the strong need for training and sensitization on child sexual abuse in Chile. She designed and implemented the project, developed a collaboration with the Chilean government’s SENAME centers, and has personally trained more than 700 Chileans on child sexual abuse.

Marianela is an expert on child sexual abuse, and she has authored numerous articles and taught graduate-level courses on topics related to children’s mental health. She has worked as a psychotherapist at the Giaretto Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, a children’s therapist at South End Mental Health Center, and a psychoeducational evaluator at Boston Children’s Hospital. Marianela holds a Master’s Degree in Human Development from Harvard University, an advanced graduate certificate in Child Counseling from the University of Virginia, and an advanced professional certificate in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University.

Renee Zarlow, Senior Consultant

Renee has over 35 years of experience in the education field. She has a Standard Elementary Teaching Credential with specialization in early childhood education, a lifetime children’s center permit, and a Master of Arts degree in Education/Educational Technology.

Renee has taught in both the Oakland and Berkeley public school systems, and has worked to create, document, and implement a variety of educational programs in the private sector.

Renee was the owner/director/teacher of a private pre-school located in Berkeley for many years. She has also been a director of many preschools in the Bay Area and works as a consultant in the field of early childhood education.