Firew Kefyalew, Assistant Professor & Regional Academic Director

Firew Kefyalew is an Ethiopian with over 30 years of experience in program/project development/management, capacity building, teaching, research & documentation, counseling, and leadership in multicultural environments. He received a B.A. degree in Educational Psychology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia in 1985, anda M.A. in Educational Psychology from the same university in 1994. He also holds a diploma in Organization Development Consulting (2000). Earlier in his career, Firew has served as secondary school Guidance and Counseling Officer in Asmara, Eritrea (1987-1990) and in Addis Ababa (1991-1993). He has also worked with the Department of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Ireland in the Ethiopia and Rwanda field offices assuming progressive roleswhere he finally became the Director of the Ethiopia Field Office (1998). For six years (1998-2004), he was the Program Development Officer of Rädda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden) in the Southern Sudan Program.

Stephanie Hartman, Chief Operating Officer

• M.A. Future Generations University
• B.A. Davis & Elkins College

Stephanie Hartman left her position of WV State Tax Department Director of Information Technology to join the Future Generations Graduate School team as the Chief Operating Officer. While at the WV State Tax Department she worked as a programmer, a database administrator and oversaw all aspects of its Information Technology Department. Her current responsibilities at Future Generations Graduate School include human relations, finance office management, grant management, facilities management, and board relations. She was a member of the University’s Class of 2017 and earned her MA in Applied Community Development. Stephanie is a native of Pendleton County, WV.

Stephanie is a Nationally Certified Emergency Technician and volunteers with the Pendleton County Emergency Rescue association.

Nawang Sing Gurung, Nepal

Assistant Professor & Regional Academic Director

• M.A. Future Generations Graduate School
• M.S. New Hampshire College
• B.A. University of Massachusetts

Nawang S. Gurung studied to be a Civil Overseer in Butwal, Nepal and earned his Master of Science in Community Economic Development in Boston. Back home in the Himalaya, his 45 years community-building has included health care center and bridge construction, off-grid hydropower, and multiuse water systems. Under the United Mission of Nepal and Future Generations, Nawang has directed integrated community health and development programs in Nepal, India, and Tibet, China. Most recently, Nawang serves as the Chairperson of the Barun Bachaon Task Force responsible for implementing Biomeridian monitoring of climate impacts in Nepal’s Barun Valley.

Luke Taylor-Ide, United States

Mr. Taylor-Ide serves as Vice President of the Community Engagement Division and
Executive Director of Future Generations—advancing the worldwide network of
participatory action research partnerships. Taylor-Ide has led multi-year assignments
with Future Generations in Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and central Appalachia.
Taylor-Ide started Future Generations Appalachian Program in 2016 to help
landowners find new economic opportunities through sustainable forest use. His
current research activities center on the intersection between Agroforestry,
Agri-tourism, and Outdoor Recreation. He is co-founder and President of the
Pendleton County Farmers Market as well as a Trustee for the Pendleton Community
Foundation.

Rosealie Lynch, United States

Ms. Lynch is an alumna of Future Generations University and long-time
former employee. She is passionate about sustainable development and spent
the last 3 years traveling and working in El Salvador. Her experience
encompasses development, communications, donor relations, and teaching.

Besmillah Sakhizada, Afghanistan

Mr. Sakhizada is an alumnus of Future Generations University with a focus on
Peacebuilding. Besmillah Sakhizada is a highly accomplished professional with a
proven track record in community development and peacebuilding. He has also
completed a specialization in computer science at the bachelor's level.

Previously, Mr. Sakhizada served as a researcher and data analyst on a significant
primary health care research project conducted by Future Generations Afghanistan in
collaboration with John Hopkins University. With over 17 years of experience in NGO,
he has excelled in his roles as Admin Manager and Program Director, and currently
serves as Managing Director of Operations for FGA since Jul-2022.

Mr. Sakhizada also contributes his expertise to the board of Future Generations
Empowerment (NGO) as Secretary in Afghanistan. He has an extensive knowledge
and experience in community development and organizational behavior.

Savela Jacques Berenji, Haiti

Savela, alumna of Future Generations University,  examines whether Future Generations Haiti could use sports to encourage a gradual change in the trends and evolution of prejudices between residents of the community of Cite Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Historically, sports games are used as a method of social integration and unification between people from different cultures and walks of life, as well as a way to instill national pride among citizens. Savela bases her theory that sports can help in unifying the slums in Cite Soleil on the thoughts of M. Ban Ki-Moon, who is the Secretariat General of the United Nations. She claims that sports are an essential factor in social change and peace, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development goals set up by the United Nations. In Savela’s research, questionnaires, interviews, and documentaries were used to access whether the relations between citizens living inside and outside of Cite Soleil could improve due to unification through sports. Sports events between communities can foster psychological comfort needed to boost morale, unify citizens, and break down socio-cultural and economic borders- all circumstances required to pave the way for peace.