Our Team

U.S. Leadership Team

Kupenda’s U.S. team of experienced professionals works closely with their colleagues in Kenya to oversee the organization’s strategic planning, operations, and program implementation and evaluation.

Cynthia Bauer

Cynthia Bauer

US CEO and Co-Founder

    US CEO and Co-Founder

    Cynthia Bauer is deeply committed to eliminating disability stigma and creating a more inclusive world for children and families impacted by disabilities. Her passion for this work was sparked while studying wildlife biology in Kenya, where she encountered harmful beliefs about disability. She realized that, had she been born there, she might not have survived—since she was born without her left hand. This formative moment profoundly shaped her awareness of the dangers faced by children with disabilities, particularly in low-income countries, and spurred her to co-found the organization. Drawing on her lived experience as a person with a disability, 25 years leading Kupenda, and two decades in nonprofit and government sectors, Cynthia is a global leader in disability justice, recognized for her public speaking, writing, and workshop facilitation. As part of this leadership, she played a key role in developing Kupenda’s stigma-reduction workshop model, which is being replicated by organizations throughout the world. Her collaboration with diverse influential community members has led to locally led, sustainable solutions that transform harmful beliefs into inclusive practices, improving thousands of lives. Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology from the University of Maine and a Master of Science in biology and applied ecology from Eastern Kentucky University.

    Read more about Cynthia’s experience in her LinkedIn profile here. 

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    Tyler Dingman

    Tyler Dingman

    Associate Executive Director

      staffAssociate Executive Director

      Tyler Dingman joined Kupenda for the Children after more than 15 years in frontline program leadership. While living in Lusaka, Zambia, for a decade, he directed nonprofit operations that built schools, managed a lunch program serving 11,000 students daily, and created systems that safeguarded resources and streamlined work. He also partnered with teams in Honduras, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal to raise farmer’s incomes by expanding access to affordable power, water, and internet solutions. Informed by years of international on-the-ground experience, Tyler recognizes the critical importance of advancing community-driven, locally led solutions. He brings extensive cross-cultural and organizational management experience to his current role overseeing programs, operations, and finances for Kupenda. Tyler holds a Bachelor of Arts in international politics with a concentration in international development from Trinity Western University.

      Read more about Tyler’s experience in his LinkedIn profile here. 

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      Jessica Charles Abrams

      Jessica Charles Abrams

      Development Director

        staff

        Development Director

        Jessica Abrams is a global health professional with over 20 years of experience as a technical writer, communications specialist, project manager, and teacher trainer. She lived in China and Botswana for three years, managing health and education projects, and has supported local teams in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries implementing USAID, UNICEF, CDC, PEPFAR, and privately funded projects. Jessica now steers Kupenda’s growth strategy—cultivating donors, crafting high-value proposals, and expanding organizational capacity. She is driven by a deep commitment to ensure children with disabilities are valued and have equitable access to the health, opportunities, and loving inclusion they need to survive and thrive. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in writing and family studies from Messiah College and a Master of International Public Health from Boston University.

        Read more about Jessica’s experience in herĀ LinkedIn profile here.Ā 

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        Rebecca Heidorn

        Rebecca Heidorn

        Program Officer

          Program Officer

          Rebecca Heidorn leverages strategic communications and data analysis to deepen Kupenda’s disability support systems within communities. She works closely with Kupenda’s Kenyan-based partner organization to deliver case-managed support through a dedicated mobile application. Her tailored interventions remove barriers to families impacted by disability so that they can fully realize their potential. Rebecca is a committed disability advocate who represents Kupenda at global conferences, meetings, and technical working groups. She has a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a concentration in psychology from Gordon College and is pursuing a Master of Public Health at Liberty University.

          Read more about Rebecca’s experience in her LinkedIn profile here.

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          Sandra Bauer

          Sandra Bauer

          Child Scholarship Coordinator

            Child Scholarship Coordinator

            Sandra Bauer brings more than three decades of classroom and administrative experience to Kupenda. After 20 years teaching gifted students and two years in professional tax preparation, she assumed a dual role at Kupenda—coordinating the child scholarship program and overseeing all financial recording and reporting. Her background in gifted education, child development, and bookkeeping uniquely equips her to support both the organization’s program recipients and its fiscal integrity. As the mother of Kupenda’s founder, Cynthia Bauer, she draws on personal insight to relate to and support the families of children with disabilities that the organization serves. Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a major in political science from the University of Maine and a Master of Arts in gifted education from Notre Dame College (New Hampshire).

            Read more about Sandra’s experience in her LinkedIn profile here.

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            Lauren Blair

            Lauren Blair

            Content and Policy Writer/Editor

              Content and Policy Writer/Editor

              Lauren Blair began serving Kupenda for the Children in both a volunteer and board member capacity, including more than a decade as board chair. She later moved from governance to operations, developing and refining program materials, donor communications, and strategic content. A seasoned writer, Lauren has drafted policy for multiple U.S. government agencies and contractors and authored An Unlikely Gift, the story of Kupenda’s founding and growth. Her empathy for children with disabilities is rooted in her own childhood health challenges and extensive surgeries. She is passionate about creating cultural narratives that recognize and embrace value in people of all abilities. Lauren holds an honors Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Mary Washington.

              Read more about Lauren’s experience in her LinkedIn profile here.

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              Board of Directors

              Leah Battillo I Chair I Special Education Teacher and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
              Jeff Gentry I Vice Chair I Disability Services Director
              Patricia Prasada-Rao I Treasurer I Senior Consultant
              Beth Melillo I Secretary I Organizational Development and Change Management Specialist
              Keita Rone Wilson I Board Member I Speech Pathologist, Special Education Teacher, and Educational Consultant
              Daniel Huss I Board Member I Construction Supervisor
              Maddy Ullman I Board Member I Writer, Photographer, and Storyteller
              Josh Peigh I Board Member I Leader, Activist, Communicator, and Pastor

              Consultants and Interns

              Jialan Wang | Mobile App Development Consultant

              Stephen Kitsao | Disability Advocate and Journalist

              Julia Nash | Mobile App Development Consultant

              Stephen Abrams | Software Engineer and Architect Consultant

              Grace Santa | Kuhenza Intern

              Amy Allaire | Design Consultant

              Julie-Ann Burkhart | Design Consultant

              Phil Knowlton | Media Consultant

              Nicolette Elliott | Software Engineering Intern

              Sanjida Azad | Program Management Intern

              Sona Kalatardi | Program Management Intern