Staff
New York - Headquarters
FilmAid International
24 West 23rd Street, Fourth Floor
New York, N.Y. 10010
p. 212.529.1088
f. 212.529.1084
info@filmaid.org
Steve Mendelsohn
Executive Director
Prior to joining FilmAid, Steve was the Executive Director of Project Rebirth, a nonprofit organization based in downtown Manhattan, whose mission is to document the entire reconstruction of the World Trade Center site through a feature-length documentary film and an installation in the Memorial Museum at Ground Zero.
Before Project Rebirth, Steve was the Executive Director of Manhattan Neighborhood Network, the nation’s largest nonprofit public access cable television network, where he oversaw all strategic, fiscal, operational, and marketing initiatives. Prior to that, Steve was a General Manager at Razorfish, an Internet design and consulting company, where he developed the Solutions Department and oversaw operations for the New York office. He also worked at Nurun, a French Canadian Internet consulting firm, where he ran New York operations. Steve also worked for a decade with American Express, where he held a variety of marketing positions in the Credit Card, Travel and Financial Services Divisions. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Andrew Heyduk
Program Officer
Previously the Director of Special Projects at the Americares Foundation, Andrew has extensive experience directing a range of emergency humanitarian relief operations, such as helping to develop community health initiatives in Iraq and collaborating with community health outreach workers in Chad and Sudan. At Americares, Andrew played a lead role in expanding the organization's focus from emergency relief to support for disaster preparedness and post-disaster capacity building programs. Andrew has worked in the Balkans, Middle East, Asia and Africa, with organizations such as the International Medical Corps. He holds a Master of Science in International Politics from Edinburgh University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Miami University.
Caroline Avakian
Director of Communications & External Relations
Before joining FilmAid, Caroline served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Ripley-Grier Studios, the largest casting and rehearsal facilities in New York City. During her tenure there, Caroline was instrumental in helping to restructure and rebrand the company. Prior to her work with Ripley-Grier Studios, Caroline worked as a freelance media-training consultant for companies such as Pfizer, Kraft Foods International and Altria Group. In 2007, Caroline was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work as a television correspondent. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from St. John’s University and a Master of Arts in Theatre from Antioch University. Caroline has worked as a television correspondent, producer and writer.
Margaret Shafer
Communications & Administrative Assistant
As Communications and Administrative Assistant, Margaret manages the headquarters’ office operations while also working closely with the Director of Communications on many ongoing projects related to outreach, developing partnerships as well as FilmAid’s public relations and marketing strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in writing from Santa Clara University in California. Following graduation, Margaret spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps working in a women and children’s homeless shelter in Spokane, Washington.
NAIROBI, KENYA - Field Programs
FilmAid International8 Wendy Court, David Osieli Road
Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
(Tel) +254 (0) 20 4454079
(Fax)+254 (0) 20 4454080
Charles Otieno - Kenya Country Manager
Charles is responsible for overseeing all aspects of FilmAid’s programs in Kenya. Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Literature, Sociology and Political Science), and has over seven years experience in development communications. He has participated in several projects involving the use of the arts in various formats, including theatre and radio, for communicating development and awareness issues. He has worked in various capacities for the last three years in FilmAid’s program in Kenya.
Angela Nyamu - Project Manager, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Stella Suge - Administration and Finance Manager
Irene Kariuki - Repatriation Officer
Jacky Munyi - Accountant/Logistician
Shem Cheruiyot - Accounts Officer
KENYA (KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP) - Field Office
Christopher Agutu - Kakuma Program ManagerAnthony Muteru - Assistant Program Manager
Emmanuel Ayiro - Program Assistant
Michael Birashirwa –Outreach Counterpart Manager
Naftali Likambo – Participatory Video Project Supervisor
George Odhiambo - Administrative Assistant
KENYA (DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP)
Duncan Waigwa - PSEA Outreach FacilitatorTANZANIA (KIBONDO) - Field Office
FilmAid InternationalP.O. Box 183
Kibondo, Tanzania
(Tel) 255.0.28.282.0480
(Fax)255.0.28.282.0233
Kenneth Bayona - Program Manager
Neema Thomas - Liaison Officer
Pius John Mbeshere - Technical and Transport Officer
Charles Wange - Program Officer
Dafroza Shayo - Program Assistant
Glen Sisso - Administrative Assistant
