BoardOfDirectors

Mamadou Oury Diari Diallo

Mamadou Oury Diari Diallo was born in Labe in the west central Guinea. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry. He worked in Guinea for five years before moving to the U.S. Settling in New York City, he received training with non-profit organizations and participated in community

Thierno Neke Diallo

Thierno Neke Diallo is Guinean. He was born in Ivory Coast, then moved to Gabon in central Africa where he got his associate’s degree in chemistry and biology. He emigrated to America in 2002 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the New York City College of Technology. The love of caring for

Colleen Striegel

Colleen Striegel of St. Paul, Minnesota, began her international work with her husband, Jerry, when they were Peace Corps volunteers in Peru in the early 1970s. Colleen went on to work for a number of years in human resources leadership positions for hospitals and universities in Colorado and Minnesota, before returning to international work with the

Ibrahima Bokoum

Ibrahima Bokoum, serving as Guinnovation’s Vice Chair of the Board from Gatineau, Canada, was born in Dinguiraye in northeast Guinea. Like many children growing up with few modern amusements, he took advantage of all that nature around him had to offer. He swam with friends in a nearby river, practiced school lessons and listened to stories

Cieraca Rhodes

Cieraca V. Rhodes, is from rural NE North Carolina. Growing up with very humble beginnings, planted a fire in her to go after everything that she desires. She is committed to delivery excellence. She has a passion for helping others and a genuine desire to give back. Cieraca is passionate about helping others succeed and

Cherif Diallo

Cherif Diallo was born and raised in Guinea. After completing his secondary education, he moved to France and enrolled at the University of Caen, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics management. He continued his education at the University of Rouen, where he obtained a master’s degree in environmental risk management. After working a

Lee Mortimer

Lee Mortimer of Durham, North Carolina serves as board member of Guinnovation’s board of directors. Most of his career has been in writing and communications. His professional experience includes newspaper and broadcast journalism, when he covered a variety of local and state news issues. His experience includes advertising, technical writing and marketing communications in the telecommunications

Fanta Jalloh

Fanta Jalloh was born in the Labe region of Guinea and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. She holds a degree in clinical research and a certification as a qualified clinical research central monitor. She began her career in 2016 and has since worked with several global organizations on study indications, mainly on infectious diseases,

Peg Riehm

A lifelong Minnesotan and current resident of Mendota Heights, Peg Riehm was introduced to Guinnovation by board chair Colleen Striegel, a close friend and former coworker of Peg’s late sister Julie Toner. Julie had a special love for Africa from her Peace Corps experience in Kenya and her work with the American Refugee Committee–now Alight.

Karen Epp Mortimer

Karen Epp Mortimer of Durham, North Carolina serves as secretary for Guinnovation’s board of directors. Karen’s 45-year career includes executive positions with U.S. non-profits focused on health care, children’s services, and services for at-risk youth and adults. The Caring Program for Children, a precursor to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), was described by a leading state