Friends of Gueoul

The Board of Directors of Friends of Guéoul meets monthly to plan and implement fundraising events, as well as brainstorm and plan programs in Senegal. It’s fun! We’d love to have you join us. Please call 303-788-1716 for meeting dates.

The Board

Judy Beggs (Board of Directors and Executive Director) succumbed to a lifelong and unfulfilled wanderlust, shut down her American life and her law practice of 16 years and joined the Peace Corps where she met . . .

Abdou N’Dir (Board of Directors) started this story. He was born in 1982 or 1983 in Guéoul. He came to the U.S. on a dance scholarship and graduated with a graduate degree in Accounting from the University of Denver in 2011.

John Montaña (Board of Directors) and Judy met in 1993. He had just finished law school, and the two of them collaborated on several legal matters. He met Abdou in Denver in 1995, and always vowed to go visit Guéoul. John is a great writer and captured Senegal and why we do this in this essay.

Clare Donnelly (Board of Directors) and Judy were long term friends. Clare was developing an international business in the 90’s that continues to this day. Her business acumen and organizational abilities have been key to the rapid and successful development of Friends of Guéoul. In 2009, she was named Volunteer of the year.

Niki Pierson Richardson (Board of Directors, graphic design) came to visit Guéoul for a month during a term break at college. She met Abdou and the people of Guéoul.

Lyzz Ogunwo Elizabeth Ogunwo is currently serving as a Small Enterprise Development U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Guéoul, Senegal. Prior to the start of her service in August 2010, Lyzz worked for the Obama Administration at the Department of Energy as a Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Energy. Before then, she was a Field Organizer for President Obama’s 2008 Presidential Election Campaign. Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Lyzz received her B.A. in International Affairs and Corporate Communication from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Chas Richards (Board of Directors) a businessman with years of varied experience. It’s his creative and innovative ideas that have carried the Board of Directors on its successful course. He has been a tireless volunteer on the fund-raising events, and has served as Silent Auction director for our annual dinner. In 2010, he was named Volunteer of the year.

Diane Wilson, CPA. (Board of Directors) visited Guéoul in 2010 as part of the volunteers who are developing the academic enhancement program and the art programs.

Susan Everett (Board of Directors) has a degree in Non-Profit management. Her technical training on the science of Board and non-profit development has steered us toward being a more effective and professional Board and Organization.

Kaija Hurlburt (Board of Directors) has a masters in international affairs and economics, is a former Peace Corps volunteer (Albania, 05-07), and is currently working at a foundation seeking to reduce global conflict. Her experience in international development helps guide the ongoing efforts of FoG to improve the lives and livelihoods of girls and their families in Guéoul. Kaija additionally visited Senegal in 2009 as part of a graduate school project on the development of small and medium enterprises.