Batonga Team
The team implementing the work of Batonga is led by a very hands-on Board of Directors. The members of the Board are assisted in their work by Batonga’s executive director, Stephanie Cate.
Stephanie Cate Executive Director, Batonga Stephanie is the first full-time employee and executive 
director of the Batonga Foundation. Stephanie has been working for the Foundation since early 2008 and is in direct contact with Batonga’s program partners working in Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone as well as various organizations, groups, and embassies in the U.S. in order to develop and discuss best practice strategies and initiatives involving girls’ secondary education in Africa. She has also participated in events and conferences in the US and abroad in order to help Batonga highlight the need for advocacy for the importance of girls’ secondary school education.
Abigail Evans Intern, Batonga Abby Evans joins the Batonga Team with significant experience serving and working with non-profits both nationally and internationally. She previously served on the Board of Directors of E.R.I.C.A. and has worked extensively with Invisible Children. While volunteering in Thailand Abby taught English, math and dance to orphans affected by AIDS. She has a wealth of experience being a leader and working with others collaboratively towards a common goal. Abby is earning her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges with high hopes of being involved in international non-profit work in her future.
Ty Johnson Intern, Batonga Ty Johnson is a rising junior at Georgetown University studying International Politics and Foreign Policy and is so excited about joining the Batonga Foundation team. She is dedicated to solving the health and education issues that women and girls face all over Africa and views Batonga as the perfect gateway to finding solutions. She has held numerous leadership positions and has gained valuable experience managing various clubs and organizations and looks forward to building upon these skills. She will be studying abroad in Ghana for the fall and in France for the spring and she hopes to bring everything she has learned with the Foundation with her around the world to inspire others.
Katie LeClair Intern, Batonga Katie LeClair is finishing her graduate degree in Public Communication at the School of Communications at American University. Starting off with an English Literature bachelor’s degree, Katie decided to participate in a more practical field, choosing to go into communications in order to better assist in nonprofit work. She is interested in international women’s rights, health, and education. She is excited to continue her work at Batonga and hopes to help assist with spreading the word about the organization, which she believes to be a most important cause.
Gina Maffucci Intern, Batonga Gina Maffucci is a rising junior at American University where she is studying International Development and minoring in Psychology. She has a special interest in improving opportunities for women and children on the global level, specifically concerning the issues of education andhuman rights. Gina has experience working with girls’ educational and empowerment programs, including Girl Scouts of America. She also hopes to study abroad in Africa next spring. Her career goals include working at a non-profit or NGO that promotes the interests of women and children abroad. Gina is excited to be joining the Batonga Team for the summer and to help expand girls’ education programs in Africa.
Thomas Corrigan Intern, Batonga. Thomas Corrigan is a rising sophomore at Georgetown University in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. His intended major is Regional and Comparative Studies, focusing on Africa and the Middle East. Previously he has interned in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, at Cleveland City Council and the Cleveland Clinic. He has also worked in several municipal, state, and national political campaigns. With a keen interest in Africa and women’s education, he knows the Batonga Foundation will be a great opportunity to make an impact this summer.
Crystal Tannehill Intern, Batonga. Although she has always had a passion for international relations and women’s issues, it is only recently that Crystal left a career in advertising to pursue a graduate degree. She is currently studying International Peacebuilding with an emphasis in Human Rights at American University. She is hoping to bring her unique blend of media expertise and peacebuilding studies together to help Batonga grow and improve the lives of girls throughout Africa.
