Diyar Hasan, Project Manager, Kurdistan Iraq

Diyar Hasan is Tutapona’s Project Manager in Kurdistan, Iraq and is a graduate of Duhok University’s College Faculty of Arts. He has been working with Tutapona since 2016, and has 10 years of experience working with humanitarian organizations on the operating and logistics side. He loves seeing God working through our programs to change lives.

Nariman Assaf Hamo, Program Manager, Kurdistan Iraq

Nariman Assaf Hamo is Tutapona’s Program Manager in Kurdistan, Iraq and a graduate of the University of Duhok’s College of Humanities. She joined Tutapona in 2016. What she loves most about her role is when she sees people learn to trust again, find hope, and positive change after all the challenges they have been through.

Sara Juko, Country Director, Uganda

Sara Juko is Tutapona Uganda’s Country Director, and holds a Master’s of Science in International Management from the University of East London, a postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on Finance. Her journey with Tutapona began in 2018 as Finance Manager, until she moved to her new role in June 2023. Sara is committed to making a positive impact on individuals in need of hope, drawing inspiration from Dr. Jane Goodall’s quote, "Everybody can make a difference, everybody has a role to play."

Joshua Gato Ndabaramiye, Clinical Specialist, Uganda

Joshua Gato Ndabaramiye is Tutapona Uganda’s Clinical Specialist. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Bugema University and has 8 years’ experience in providing MHPSS to people affected by war and conflict. While other Psychotherapists and Mental Health practitioners read war related trauma and trauma healing in books, Joshua lived the complex traumatic experience, and walked on the trauma healing road as a refugee from Congo. This makes him so passionate about Tutapona’s work of trauma healing where he has served for 5 years now.

Sheilla Ampumuza, Operations Manager, Uganda

Sheilla Ampumuza is Tutapona’s Operations Manager. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration, with a major in Human Resource Management at Uganda Management Institute, and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management and a Degree in International Business. She has been working with Tutapona for 4 years, starting as an Administrator / Finance officer within the Field offices. She is passionate about her role of supporting the team in responding to the mental health needs of the people affected by war and conflict so that their hope is restored.

Jesca Atala, Head of Programs, Uganda

Jesca Atala is Tutapona Uganda’s Head of Uganda Programs, and has over 12 years of experience serving in the humanitarian space. She is presently finalizing a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Clarke International University, and previously graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management. Jesca has been serving with Tutapona for 6 years, previously as the Clinical Therapist and Program Associate. Jesca cherishes the work she does, and finds it rewarding to be part of the mission to restore hope to the broken.

Vincent Matabalo, Finance Manager, Uganda

Vincent Matabalo has over 12 years of experience in Accounting and Financial Management, with a focus on compliance. He has led change management, established finance departments, designed workflow processes, and led risk mitigation and donor compliance initiatives. He is a Certified Accountant, an associate member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda, and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Tax and Revenue Administration from the East African School of Taxation and a BSc. Degree in Accounting and Finance from Kyambogo University. Vincent’s passion as a steward of organizational resources is to serve the most vulnerable through ensuring that resources are effectively and efficiently put to the right use.

Vladyslav Mediakovsky, Country Director, Ukraine

Vladyslav Mediakovsky is Tutapona's Program Coordinator in Lviv, Ukraine. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Lviv Polytechnic National University and has ministry training from Greater Grace Church in Lviv, and the Bible Speaks Church in Budapest, Hungary. Vladyslav has served in various pastoral roles since 2001 along with working as a logistics contractor within the business sector. In 2023, he joined Tutapona where he is passionate about being part of a team that helps people recover and grow in the design of the Creator. 

Iryna Moravska, Clinical Specialist, Ukraine

Iryna Moravska is Tutapona’s Clinical Specialist in Ukraine, with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, and former experience in ministry. She has a passion for person-centered psychotherapy, and believes strongly that serving people heals us, too. She joined Tutapona in 2023, as our very first national staff member in Lviv, Ukraine.

Carl Gaede, CEO & Co-Founder

Carl Gaede is Tutapona’s co-founder and CEO. He graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 1996, and has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years in the US and abroad. Carl and Julie founded Tutapona in 2008 when they moved to Gulu, Uganda and started the first field office, and then started the first office in the middle east in 2016. He is a firm believer in the power of God's love to bring true healing. He loves his role because it affords him the opportunity to share the redemptive stories, and connect partners with what God is doing. 

David Wilkes, Director of International Programs

David Wilkes, Tutapona’s Director of International Programs, has over 20 years of experience implementing programs to support vulnerable populations across the globe, and holds a Master Degree in Social Work from the Universeity of Pittsburgh.  David has been serving with Tutapona for 6 years; previously as the Head of Uganda Programs, and the Uganda Country Director.  David is passionate about developing healthy teams, and creating unique services that address the overlooked needs of those affected by war and conflict. 

Chaundra Eagar, Director of Communications

Chaundra Eagar is Tutapona’s Director of Communications, and has been working within her field in the non-profit sector both at home in Canada, and overseas for the last 15 years. She has been working with Tutapona for 6 years, starting in the Kampala office, and is a firm believer in the power of good storytelling. She loves her role, and sees it as a way to give people a voice, and as a way to spread hope to others.

Kathleen Helgeson, Chair of the Board of directors

Kathleen Helgeson holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Human Services, with national certification in Family Life Education. In private practice, Mrs. Helgeson serves families as a Funeral Celebrant, Grief Counselor, and leads grief support groups. She is a licensed pastor with The Village Church of Baldwin, Wisconsin. She recently retired as Pastor of Spiritual Care, and remains active in her local church in leadership development and prayer ministry. She has been a Board Member since 2022.

Chad Tate, Secretary of the Board of Directors

Chad Tate holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in finance, from Hamline University and a bachelor’s degree from North Central University. Chad is the President of ECMC and is responsible for the management and coordination of all Federal Family Education Loan Program and guaranty agency program activities for ECMC, and also serves on the Board of the National Association of Student Loan Administrators. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2014.

Julie Gaede, Co-founder and Board Member

Julie Gaede graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1992, and a master’s degree in social work in 1996. She and her husband Carl founded Tutapona in 2008 after providing psychotherapy services in multiple settings and ran a private counseling practice. She is currently ministering as a Prayer Counselor. Julie has been a member of the Board of Directors since Tutapona was founded in 2008.

Peter Namukowa, Board Member

Peter Namukowa graduated with a diploma in Biblical Studies in 2013, a bachelor’s degree in Child Development in 2017, and is presently a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations candidate. Peter has worked with various nonprofit organizations in Uganda and the United States, including serving Tutapona in the fields of trauma, child welfare, education, and community advocacy. He has been a Board Member since 2022.

Brandon Gess, Board Member

Brandon Gess graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1999, and a Master of Business Administration degree in 2014. Brandon serves as the Supply Chain Director for Frana Companies and has worked in plant operations, engineering, and supply chain leadership positions for the past 25 years.

He has been a member of the Board of Directors since Tutapona was founded in 2008.

Carl Gaede, Co-founder, and Board Member

Carl Gaede graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1994, and a master’s degree in social work in 1996. He and his wife Julie founded Tutapona in 2008 after providing psychotherapy in numerous community-based settings. Mr. Gaede was also employed as a psychotherapist at a county-run mental health clinic and ran a private counseling practice. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since Tutapona was founded in 2008.