Carlos Sanvee is the General Secretary of the Africa Alliance and is based at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. He joined the Africa Alliance full time in September 2007, with the aim of working with Africa YMCAs to better position themselves and for the continental movement to be able to contribute actively and successfully in world agendas.

He served as Executive Secretary of Finance and Administration at the World Alliance, Geneva, from 1999-2007. Here he was centrally involved in the development of  strategic direction of the World Alliance and the subsequent  Global Operating Plan, was responsible for the Inter-Movement Support Services ( IMSS) and instrumental in the introduction of a new policy and management of the John R. Mott Fund as well as launching a serious Review of the World Movement Fair Share formula.

Carlos began his journey with the YMCA as a volunteer for the Togo YMCA to recruit new members as part of the revitalisation of the movement. He joined the staff of the Togo YMCA in 1987 as a Leadership Development Secretary, and worked his way up to Deputy General Secretary, in which position he served for five years, before working for the World Alliance.

He holds a first degree in Physics and Chemistry from Université du Bénin in Togo and a Masters in Sociology from Université Lyon Lumière II, France.

“In Africa, as YMCAs we need to shift our mindset from being everything to everybody and focus on what we can be the best at: empowering our young people to take charge of their future. Only then, can meaningful change happen.”

As the Executive Secretary for the West Zone of the Africa Alliance, Simon Lazarre Badiane focuses on strengthening the movements in the west, to ensure sustainability. Based in Dakar, Senegal, Simon joined the Africa Alliance team in January 2008 to assist in the renewed efforts to enhance individual movements in Africa, as well as zonal and continental co-ordination of YMCAs.

His experience with the YMCA dates back to his tertiary education years when he joined the YMCA as a volunteer in 1990, before taking up volunteer leadership positions in the Senegal YMCA. Simon spent a total of two years working with YMCA Metropolitan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Ridgewood YMCA, New Jersey, before taking up the challenge of National General Secretary of Senegal YMCA. In this position, he contributed to transforming the movement from that of a struggling YMCA to a thriving sustainable YMCA with increased membership and branches.

Simon began his career with a brief stint in teaching Business English in a private college in Dakar, Senegal. He holds a BA in English Literature, a Masters in Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate degree in Project Management.

Gil Harper is the Executive Secretary of Communications for the Africa Alliance and is working with movements in Africa to develop the strategy and skills to increase the brand, profile and impact of YMCAs locally, at a continental level and within the global arena.

Her professional experience involves corporate public relations; editorship of Agenda Feminist Journal and various South African business and black business publications; media and dispute prevention at a parastatal labour organisation. She was schooled in journalism at technikon in South Africa.

She joined the South Africa YMCA as a volunteer after being contracted to handle the media management of the 16th World Council of YMCAs which was held in Durban, South Africa, in 2006. In February 2008, after two years as a volunteer, she joined the staff of the Africa Alliance. In this portfolio she works in media and communications, is the editor of the Siyahamba newsletter, the webmaster for the Africa Alliance website and is responsible for communication strategies and media training and profiling in Africa. Based in Durban, South Africa, she also works with the South Africa YMCA on specific projects.

Wangeci Kago is the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Africa Alliance of YMCAs. She assists national movements in monitoring and evaluating the process of rolling out and implementing our Strategic Plan.  This includes the development of Operational Plans, Monitoring and Evaluation schedules and quarterly plans.  She further co-ordinates quarterly reports of the progress of the implementation.  Similarly, she is involved in the writing of reports for various partners.

Wangeci previously worked with a consulting firm in Nairobi, Kenya, where she developed skills and gained experience in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.  She has worked for many international organizations such as Den-Liberia, Amani Forum (the great lakes parliamentary forum promoting peace in Africa), Swedish Cooperative Center and the Norwegian Embassy in Kenya (NORAD).

Her other skills and professional qualifications include research and proficiency in Management of Data and Information systems.  Wangeci is based at the Nairobi head office.

Nelly Lamba is a Secretary at the Africa Alliance and is based at the headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, where she is responsible for office administration and logistics. With more than ten years experience working for Africa Alliance, Nelly has a variety of portfolios, such as organising events and facilitating relations with NGOs in Nairobi.

Her strengths are in Personnel Management, Logistics, Communications and IT. Nelly has assisted in the development of the Africa Alliance website and is responsible for updating of content, with a focus on national movement web pages.