Board of Directors - Tanzania
George Mkanza
Chairman
George is a consultant with over 30 years of experience working in leadership roles across Africa and internationally. George has worked in education, rural development, nonprofit leadership, and corporate sustainability. His experience includes work with World Vision Tanzania, Aga Khan Foundation, Lutheran World Federation, FarmAfrica and Barrick Africa. George received his MBA from California Lutheran University after completing studies at the University of Dortmund and the University of Dar es Salaam.
Chairman
George is a consultant with over 30 years of experience working in leadership roles across Africa and internationally. George has worked in education, rural development, nonprofit leadership, and corporate sustainability. His experience includes work with World Vision Tanzania, Aga Khan Foundation, Lutheran World Federation, FarmAfrica and Barrick Africa. George received his MBA from California Lutheran University after completing studies at the University of Dortmund and the University of Dar es Salaam.
Narola Mollel
Secretary
Secretary
Erik Rowberg
Treasurer
Erik has spent over 45 years in Tanzania, working across education, health, farming, tech, and internet services. He built one of the country’s largest ISPs from scratch and led the Tanzanian ISP Association. He serves on five boards and enjoys mountain biking, trail running, and carpentry. Erik is a proud husband, father, and grandfather of five.
Treasurer
Erik has spent over 45 years in Tanzania, working across education, health, farming, tech, and internet services. He built one of the country’s largest ISPs from scratch and led the Tanzanian ISP Association. He serves on five boards and enjoys mountain biking, trail running, and carpentry. Erik is a proud husband, father, and grandfather of five.
Paul A. Kisanga (MD MMed FCSECSA FMAS DMAS) is a seasoned surgeon and hospital leader with over 25 years’ experience managing hospitals across northern Tanzania. He retired in 2019 as Director of Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre and has worked across Africa, America, and India. He co-founded Safari City Healthcare and chairs its board. He’s held top roles in medical associations, including Secretary General of TSA, President of TCMA, and Council Member of COSECSA. He’s also a Fellow of several surgical bodies, including WALS. Beyond medicine, he enjoys sports, travel, and community service through the Rotary Club of Njiro Arusha, where he’s served as Projects Chair and President Elect.
Remla Shirima, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MBA (Int. Health) has 20+ years of healthcare experience in the UK and Tanzania. She worked as a physiotherapist in the NHS, private clinics, and voluntary sectors, and later founded a healthcare company and civil society organization in Tanzania. She collaborates with government and global partners on advocacy, resource mobilization, and workforce development. Remla serves on health-related boards and is part of the Ministry of Health’s Technical Working Group.
Devotha Mlay is an impact-driven leader with over a decade of experience spearheading positive change within the non-profit sector, particularly with national and international education-focused NGOs. She brings gifts and expertise strategic planning, program development, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. Devotha is particularly driven to serve organizations that advance access to quality education for children, leading to holistic child development and well-being. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and is currently finalizing her MBA.
Peter Ndalo Makanza, MD(BUCHS), MMed (Mak, Kampala)FCS (ECSA) has lived in Arusha, Tanzania for the past 14 years. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon with seven years of experience in general orthopedics, trauma and pediatric limb deformity correction. He also has experience in hospital administration, particularly in the area of quality services in health systems and training. One of the founding members of Safari City Healthcare Limited, Peter had also served on two boards, both medical related. He is married and has two children. Peter enjoys traveling, watching football and movies.
Stephen J. Swanson
MD, DTM&H, FAAP Associate Professor, Division of Global Pediatrics University of Minnesota Medical School.
Founder and Chair, Tiny Feet Big Steps Neonatology Conferences.
Founder, Institute for Child Healthcare Africa (ICHA).
Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, Tanzania.
Dr. Stephen Swanson is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics who trained in pediatric infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and public health/epidemiology. Since 2013, Dr. Swanson has lived in Tanzania, working at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) and Selian Lutheran Hospital. He was the founder of the ALMC NICU.
MD, DTM&H, FAAP Associate Professor, Division of Global Pediatrics University of Minnesota Medical School.
Founder and Chair, Tiny Feet Big Steps Neonatology Conferences.
Founder, Institute for Child Healthcare Africa (ICHA).
Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, Tanzania.
Dr. Stephen Swanson is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics who trained in pediatric infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and public health/epidemiology. Since 2013, Dr. Swanson has lived in Tanzania, working at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) and Selian Lutheran Hospital. He was the founder of the ALMC NICU.
Samantha Button
ICHA-TZ Operations
ICHA-TZ Operations
USA Board
Names, photos and bios will be coming soon.
