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Travis Vaughan, Edify’s Program Director in the Dominican Republic, works to grow and improve the quality of Edify’s programs in the Dominican Republic. Previously, Travis worked for CDC Small Business Finance, a domestic microfinance institution, providing capital and technical assistance to small business owners in California. He attended Point Loma Nazarene University where he studied business administration with an emphasis on International Development. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and business student of the year.

His passion for microfinance began when he saw it’s potential to impact the lives of the poor while he was studying international business in central America. This led him to begin a nationally recognized microfinance club on Point Loma’s campus. Travis also co-founded the San Diego Microfinance Alliance (www.sdmicrofinance.org), a consortium of local organizations and universities that provide a network of small business resources, microfinance news and educational opportunities. This Alliance also provides volunteer and mentorship opportunities for students and business professionals in the San Diego community.

Travis’s favorite part about his job in the Dominican Republic is meeting with the proprietors to discuss their operations and put together financial statements with them to analyze the potential for future growth. Travis is happily married to his wife Cristen. They live in Santo Domingo and enjoy hiking, cooking, and weekend travel to the beach with friends.

Cristen Vaughan joined Edify in October 2011. She is the Training Coordinator and Spiritual Transformation Associate in the Dominican Republic working to ensure that school directors and teachers receive good quality, Christian training and curriculum. She earned a B.A. in International Development Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University where she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in San Jose, Costa Rica and grew to love the Spanish language and Latin American culture. Cristen also spent two summer terms Ghana working with the Human Factor Leadership Academy with Dr. Senyo Adjibilosoo. Cristen is married to Travis Vaughan; they live in Santo Domingo and enjoy reading, scuba diving, rock climbing, cooking and traveling together.

Godwin Fiagbor coordinates Computer Laboratory and Christian Transformation in Ghana for Edify. He joined Edify in October, 2011 and installs Computer Labs in Edify sponsored schools and also see to the implementation of ICT developments in these schools. He also oversees Christ- centered teaching and discipleship in these schools.

Prior to joining Edify, he worked at CAL Bank, one of the largest Ghanaian Banks as an ATM Operations and Reconciliation Officer in the electronic banking department. Godwin was in charge of managing the activities of 47 CAL Bank ATMs including reconciling the cash flows of these ATMs. He also led a team to automate reconciliation processes while at CAL Bank.
Godwin also serves as the Operation Officer for Sickle Aid Ghana, a nonprofit organization that educates and assists people with sickle cells.

He graduated with a B.SC honors in Chemistry from the University of Cape Coast and also with an executive certificate in project management from the Graduate Institute of Management Studies of University of Ghana.

Blake Armstrong serves as Vice President and Country Director of Rwanda for Edify. Blake is a co-founder of Edify and previously served as its Chief Financial Officer and VP of Operations.

Prior to Edify, Blake worked with Opportunity International, the world’s largest Christian microfinance network, serving under Chris Crane as President’s Council Coordinator. Working with the President’s Council, a group of Christian marketplace leaders, Blake sought out ways to put their time and talent to use within Opportunity International’s global operations.

Blake spent an academic year in Grenoble, France teaching English as a Second Language to junior high and high school students while fine-tuning his French language skills.

Blake earned a B.A. in International Business from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA and studied French language, literature and art for six months at the University of Grenoble in France.

Raphaëlle studied at la Sorbonne in Paris, France. She got her B.A. in Geography and Political Science in 2005 and her Masters in Communications in 2008 before working at Merck in Paris as a Marketing Coordinator. She moved to California in 2010 where she worked for Sony as a Community Relations Manager.

She joined Edify in August of 2011 as the Rwanda Business Manager where she is in charge of communications strategy and manages the computer lab, textbook and internship programs. Her experience in Communications has been valuable in establishing a communication strategy with Edify’s partners, creating marketing materials and managing their distribution. As a bilingual speaker of French and English, she plays an integral role in facilitating relationships with Rwandan partners.

Brittany Roman serves as the Director of Training in Rwanda. Before joining Edify, Brittany worked as an inner-city educator at a public charter school in Washington, DC. In DC she gained experience serving as both a classroom teacher and as a Reading Specialist. Brittany’s love for traveling began back in college, when she traveled around the world on Semester at Sea. This was her first of many trips to the developing world. Brittany attended Point Loma Nazarene University for her undergraduate degree and teaching licenses, and has a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. Brittany has a passion for education, and a heart for those who are underserved. She is married to Jesse Roman and currently lives in Kigali, Rwanda.

Jesse Roman joined Edify on August 1, 2011 as Program Manager for Edify Rwanda. Prior to joining Edify, Jesse worked at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the official campaign committee for U.S. House Republicans, for four years managing the low dollar mail program and the physician donor program raising over $20 million.

As Program Manager for Edify Rwanda Jesse has been able to use his knowledge of vendor and budget management in implementing and managing Edify Rwanda’s Finance and Accounting & Human Resource training as well as managing the day to day accounting for Edify Rwanda.

Jesse graduated in 2007 from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with a B.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology.