Meet the team
Meet the dedicated team and board members leading our efforts to support and empower the LGBTQ community. Together, they bring diverse expertise and a shared commitment to creating lasting change.
board members

Maggie Lower
Maggie Lower
Chair
Maggie Lower is a seasoned modern marketer with more than two decades of executive leadership experience. Most recently, as CMO at Hootsuite, Lower drove global brand success with a multi-award winning global rebrand. She has also led marketing, sales and customer teams at leading brands including Cision, TrueBlue, Aon Hewitt, and Bank of America. As Board Director at Grindr, she was part of the team that helped to take Grindr public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2022. Lower mentors in the U.S. Marketing Academy, fostering diverse talent and LGBTQ+ leadership. She has also been honored as one of AdWeek’s 20 Global PrideStars and is a member of the McKinsey Alliance, an LGBTQ+ executive forum. Lower was recently recognized for the sixth consecutive year by Involve and YouTube on their Outstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Global Executives List, honoring LGBTQ+ executives, future leaders, and allies across global organizations for their work in driving global change; this is her third year in a row in the Top 20. Lower received a BA in History from Hamilton College and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Brandon Riker
Brandon Riker
Vice Chair
Brandon Riker has a diverse background in finance, politics, and philanthropy. Since 2017, he has served on Washington College’s Board of Visitors and Governors as a member of the Advancement and Enrollment Committees. He previously served in senior roles at financial services organizations, including ProShares and Teucrium Trading. Riker has also held significant roles in the highest profile Democratic campaigns, including senior positions on President Obama’s 2008 primary and general election campaigns. In addition to a degree in economics from Washington College, Riker holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

Marnie Webb
Marnie Webb
Secretary
Marnie Webb is the Chief Community Impact Officer for TechSoup and leads Caravan Studios, a division of TechSoup. In her role, she works with communities around the world to describe the desired impact and to develop technology solutions that help them move towards that impact. Her work is influenced by human centered design principles, as well as methodologies from social work and international development, such as Participatory Action Research. She has been working with civil society, governments, academia, and corporations for more than 30 years to put together teams and solutions that can accomplish big goals, with and for communities. She’s passionate about protecting the rights of humans to live the lives they want to live, safely, freely, with love and in a spirit of abundance.

Lule Demmissie
Lule Demmissie
Treasurer
Lule Demmissie is seasoned business leader and operator. In addition to serving on the Safeplace International board, she serves on the INX Advisory board, a leading tokenization innovator in the blockchain and Defi space. Lule served as US CEO and US Board Member of eToro, the world’s leading social investing platform. She led the strategic business vision for all of eToro’s American operations while building a customer-centric platform. Prior to eToro, Lule served as the President of Ally Invest, as Managing Director of Investment Products & Digital Guidance at TD Ameritrade, and with leading investment firms such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, and Merrill Lynch.
A fintech executive possessing intersectional identities, Lule offers needed and underrepresented perspectives on investment challenges facing a variety of communities. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Smith College, an M.B.A from Columbia Business School, a CIMA designation from the Investments & Wealth Institute and the 7, 66 and 24 securities licenses. Lule’s other passions are song writing, singing and writing fiction.

Justin Hilton
Justin Hilton
Founder & Board Member
Justin is a visionary writer and humanitarian, as well as a dynamic workshop and course leader and speaker, renowned for his commitment to fostering empathy, trauma healing, and global activism. Dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices, Justin has spearheaded transformative initiatives that empower leadership in underserved communities, advance social justice, and build resilient, connected communities. He is a recognized thought leader in global equity and social/emotional healing.
Justin’s work is a testament to the power of compassion in action. As the founder of SafePlace International, he has created a sanctuary of hope and support for vulnerable refugee populations, especially LGBTQ+ refugees and single mothers, offering them not just aid but dignity and empowerment.
In recent years, Justin has focused on training leaders, primarily throughout Africa, to harness their inner strength and self-awareness, equipping them to navigate the most challenging circumstances with grace and resilience. His message is clear: through understanding and compassion, we can drive profound and lasting positive change in the world.

Sarah Summerall
Sarah Summerall
Board Member
Sarah Summerall is the founder of Summerall Law, End Probate, and Essential Estates – all businesses focused on keeping more money with families on the passing of a loved one. She is a lawyer who has been practicing estate planning for 15 years, since she graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law and completed her undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Utah. Summerall Law’s community initiatives focus on helping underserved communities in California and has a free Special Needs Trust program to help families who have disabled children put plans in place to enable friends and family to care for their disabled family members after they pass. EndProbate is focused on keeping more money in African-American families by providing a free process to avoid probate. Summerall has been advising SafePlace International’s founder Justin Hilton since he started the organization in 2017 and lives in San Francisco, California.

Owen Harris
Owen Harris
Honorary Board Member
Owen Harris is one of the co-founders of SafePlace International and served as its first Director of Operations, working in Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Mexico. Owen currently serves as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and honorary board member at SafePlace International.
team members

Rachael LeClear
Rachael LeClear
Executive Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Rachael LeClear is a nonprofit leader, higher education professional, and passionate humanitarian who has served as SafePlace’s Executive Director since 2022. Rachael began her support of the forcibly displaced community in 2016 in Greece, with projects focusing on emergency response, environmental relief, ecotherapy, permaculture education, livelihood training, and community building.
As a passionate defender of the planet and all who call it home, she is deeply committed to increasing equity, facilitating social change, and supporting viable, community-led alternatives to traditional, often exploitative models of humanitarian aid. In her current role, she loves expanding the SafePlace family–all those who are connected by the impact this work has had on them individually and on communities all around the world. Outside of SafePlace, Rachael serves on the board of Lighthouse Relief, is an aspiring voiceover artist, and loves to hit the trail with her four-legged friends.

Cherie Singh
Cherie Singh
Director of Operations / Trainer, Employability Skills
Pronouns: She/Her
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is in the presence of fear, when one chooses to live freely, where true courage exists.
Cherie, an Indian national, is an engineer-turned-humanitarian with 8+ years of experience driving successful programs across diverse sectors. As the Director of Operations, and Trainer for Employability Skills for The Dream Academy, Cherie directs international operations, programs, finance, data analysis, research initiatives, and staff engagement. She is passionate about creating sustainable solutions for marginalized communities, particularly women and LGBTQI+ persons.
She has a MA in International Affairs with a dual specialization in Global Gender Policy and International Development from Washington DC, United States. A strong believer in the power of humanistic values, Cherie identifies herself as a critical agent of change, hope, and compassion. It is her lifelong commitment to end all forms of suffering and promote gender equity.
Cherie takes every opportunity she can get to travel to Ladakh for a Himalayan spiritual experience, and considers it her second home.

Masi Zhakata
Masi Zhakata
Global Director, The Dream Academy / Leader of Socio-Emotional Class
Pronouns: They/Them
I’ve turned my trauma into power, embraced my true authentic self, and now stand as not only a safe space but also an advocate for policies that make life easier for all LGBTQI+ refugees and siblings worldwide
“Nyasha “Masi” Zhakata is a fierce advocate for LGBTQI+ rights, a compassionate leader, and a resilient voice for those who are doubly marginalized, such as refugees and asylum seekers. Born in Zimbabwe and now seeking asylum in Cape Town, South Africa, Masi has transformed their personal experiences into a powerful platform for advocacy, bringing global attention to the struggles of LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly within the refugee and migrant communities. As the Global Director of The Dream Academy, Masi oversees all programming, operations, and staff, ensuring that the organization remains a beacon of hope and empowerment for LGBTQI+ individuals. They lead the Socio-Emotional Class, providing a safe and supportive environment for those navigating the complexities of sexual and gender identity, migration, and refugee status.
Masi is also the founder of Pachedu, a grassroots collective that brings together LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers residing in South Africa. Through Pachedu, they collaborate with local LGBTIQ organizations to create safe spaces and provide essential support for those who often face exclusion and violence. Their documentary “Tribe”has garnered international recognition, being nominated in various countries around the world. This work further amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and highlights the ongoing struggles for acceptance and human rights.
Masi’s activism is marked by their involvement in significant protest movements. They were one of the organizers of the march to the South African Parliament against the Ugandan government’s bill criminalizing LGBTIQ community members, which proposed harsh and brutal penalties. They also played a key role in the protest against the invitation of Professor Lumumba of Kenya by the EFF at the University of Cape Town, condemning his incitement of violence against queer siblings in Kenya. In addition to their activism, Masi has pursued academic excellence, completing an advanced sexual minorities course with the Law Faculty of Pretoria University. This education equips them with the legal expertise needed to advocate for policy changes that benefit sexual minorities, particularly within the refugee and asylum-seeking communities. Masi’s resilience and unwavering dedication to the protection and access to health, education, and basic human rights for all LGBTQI+ refugees and migrants, especially in South Africa, have made them a formidable force in the global fight for justice and equality. Their work continues to inspire and empower countless others to stand up for their rights and embrace their true selves.

Earl Semu
Earl Semu
Assistant Director, Global Family Initiative / Leader, Socio-Emotional Courses
Pronouns: She/They
Building strong relationships and understanding the needs of our community is the foundation of creating lasting change.
Earl is a Zimbabwean asylum seeker in South Africa, dedicated community leader, activist, and parent with a deep commitment to building and maintaining relationships within the community. With a focus on understanding the unique challenges faced by the people they serve, They coordinate outreach efforts that truly make a difference, also extending support and tracking student progress after graduation, ensuring that they have the resources and guidance needed to thrive in their future endeavors.
In 2020, Earl founded The Little Angel Feeding Project, a grassroot initiative born out of passion for helping others. As an animal lover, they bring empathy and compassion to all aspects of their work, striving to create a positive impact on the community.

Moran Perez
Moran Perez
European Partnership Director, SafePlace International / Caseworking Coordinator, SafePlace Greece
Pronouns: He/Him
We, as a society first, but also within the European Asylum Service, need to understand that people not only escape their country due to political or military reasons, but also because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Moran Perez is a Spanish graduate in International Relations. He completed his studies in France and Brazil, where he worked with vulnerable communities. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, he moved to Greece to work with various organizations while continuing his education. In Athens, he earned two Master’s degrees in Foreign Policy and Mediation and Conflict Resolution, and he is now in his second year of law school.
In the humanitarian sector, Moran has served as a caseworker for organizations supporting pregnant and GBV women, as well as SafePlace Greece (SPG) and SafePlace International (SPI), where he assists the Program Director, handles casework for LGBTQI+ members needing social assistance, and seeks collaborations with organizations in Greece and across Europe. Additionally, Moran works with Positive Voice as an STD tester, counselor, and coordinator for a housing program for the trans community and people living with HIV. He also coordinates the project RefCheckpoint, providing anonymous and free tests and hospital accompaniment in nine languages.

Ashley Avan Caeter
Ashley Avan Caeter
Assistant Director, The Dream Academy
Pronouns: She/They
I continue to use my life experience and my presence to create safe spaces for our queer refugee family around the world. Showing up as my most authentic self invites others to do so as well.
Ashley Avan Caeter is a Zimbabwean asylum seeker living in Cape Town, South Africa and supports the Global Director of The Dream Academy in coordinating and executing all aspects of the program. Ashley identifies as a queer transgender woman and is a strong advocate for trans rights, largely through her digital presence on social media platforms. It is her life’s mission to ensure that every place in the world represents inclusion and diversity.

Oche Mercy
Oche Mercy
Administrative Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her
Equality is not just about being the same; it’s about celebrating the unique colors of humanity’s spectrum with love as our common thread.
Mercy is a people-centric person with attention to detail, efficient time management, multitasking proficiency, and effective communication skills. She possesses a strong commitment to justice and human rights. Her firm belief in equality across gender, religion, ethnicity, and sexuality drives her passion.
Her professional journey began as an administrative assistant at Cedarcrest Hospitals. Her transition to SafePlace International was a natural choice, aligning with her vision of a world free from discrimination based on sexual orientation and race. At SafePlace, she leverages her expertise to conduct research, coordinate meetings, and establish collaborations with other organizations.
Her commitment to promoting equality remains resolute. She believes that people are the most important part of any endeavor, and as such, it is important to commit to ensuring fairness across the world.

Lionel Monkam
Lionel Monkam
Community Engagement Manager, French Dream Academy / Program Director, SafePlace Greece
Pronoun: He/Him
We are good together, sharing love and empathy, making the world a better place for you and for me.
Lionel Monkam, originally from Cameroon and living in Greece as a recognized refugee, joined SafePlace in 2019 as a community member, at a time when he was very vulnerable and needed a safe space for himself. After graduating from The Dream Academy, he officially joined the team. As Program Director for SafePlace Greece, Lionel oversees the community center in Athens, coordinates distribution of resources such as food and clothing, organizes livelihood training workshops, teaches sex positivity workshops, and works to build community among single mothers and the LGBTQI community. Lionel also serves as Community Engagement Manager for the French Dream Academy.

Ethan Chigwada
Ethan Chigwada
Leader, Socio-Emotional Courses / Trainer, The Dream Academy
Pronouns: They/Them/She/Her/He/Him
Helping others motivates me because it leads to real and lasting change.
Ethan Chigwada, a Zimbabwean asylum seeker living in South Africa, is the Leader for Socio-Emotional classes for The Dream Academy, which includes topics such as trauma healing, anger management, PTSD management, healthy coping mechanisms, social reintegration, and acts of kindness, among others.Â
As a Trainer, Ethan helps create effective training materials and programs tailored to the needs of the trainees, conducting training sessions in a clear, engaging, and informative manner. Last but not least he also helps monitor and evaluate trainees’ progress through assessments, feedback, and performance reviews. Ethan identifies as gay and is a passionate advocate for sexual and gender diversity in politics and civil society. Ethan also works with an established queer organization in South Africa, PASSOP, as a Community Mobilization Officer and leads all of their major LGBTIQ initiatives. He dreams that the LGBTQIA+ community lives in a peaceful world where they will not be judged based on their sexuality.

Beverly Dhliwayo
Beverly Dhliwayo
Leader, Parenting Class
Pronouns: She/Her
I am a voice for parents and single moms and extend my love and support to marginalized refugees in South Africa and beyond. Lets connect!
Beverly Dhliwayo is a lesbian mom and Zimbabwean asylum seeker living in South Africa and leads The Dream Academy’s Parenting class. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and in a world where face-to-face interaction is a challenge, Bev helps to expand that village to the virtual realm, where parents discuss the challenges they face and make it known that we are truly in this together!
Bev is passionate about queer rights and never misses an opportunity to reach out and extend her support and care to marginalized LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers in South Africa and beyond.

Nokuthula Gumede
Nokuthula Gumede
Community Engagement Manager, Parenting​
Pronoun: She/Her
Success is not just about making the right moves, but also about making every move count.
Nokuthula Gumede is a caregiver, leader and counselor. She is a community server and mental health professional with years of experience. Her journey includes being a Rainbow Parent in the LGBTIQ community and offering love, care, and support through working and partnering with other organizations.
She possesses great communication skills, holding diverse dialogues and facilitating collaborations. She is dedicated to shaping and changing people’s lives by teaching them sufficient skills like cooking and baking so they can sustain themselves. She strongly believes that good is not good enough when better is expected.Â

GG Mothai
GG Mothai
Community Engagement Manager, Botswana
Pronouns: They/Them
Be the rainbow on everyone’s cloud.
Known as GG or Gybian, Gagotheko Mothai is a non-binary human rights activist based in Maun, Botswana, whose personal aim is to see everyone respect each other’s human rights despite their differences. GG received “The Innovator” award in Botswana’s first Women’s Achievement Awards in 2022.
They are one of the champions of Botswana’s LGBTQI+ decriminalization case of 2019, took part in the Maun constitutional review that guaranteed LGBTQI+ equality in the national constitution, and are currently spearheading the LGBTQI+ movement in their region of Ngamiland and Okavango. GG also has a qualification in HIV testing and counseling, of which they mostly offer services to LGBTIQ+ persons.

Grey*
Grey*
Community Engagement Manager, Uganda
Pronouns: He/Him
I strive to empower marginalized communities in Uganda through fostering inclusivity and advocating for equal opportunities for all.
As Community Engagement Manager for Uganda, Grey*, a Ugandan national, is responsible for in-country operations including recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and supporting participants of TDA all the way through post-program engagement, as well as coordinating with local partner organizations and identifying resources that may be useful for community members. Grey identifies as gay and has a strong desire to serve others in his community. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Management in 2017 from Kyambogo University.Â
*Due to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, Grey’s name and photo have been altered to protect his identity.

Sulah Mawejje
Sulah Mawejje
Community Engagement Manager, Kenya
Pronoun: He/They
Put marginalized people at the center. It’s the only way to restore dignity and support them better.
Sulah Mawejje is a Ugandan asylum seeker living in Kenya. Sulah identifies as gay and is a passionate health champion and queer rights advocate deeply engaged in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. He is a member of The Nature Network, an LGBTQI+ refugee-led community-based organization in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a talented photographer and videographer and also works as an interpreter for the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR).

Uchenna Precious Aniegbuna
Uchenna Precious Aniegbuna
Community Engagement Manager, Nigeria
Pronouns: He/Him
If you can’t get a chair at the table, create yours.
Uchenna Precious Aniegbuna is a dedicated development officer with a passion for making a positive impact. His commitment to community projects and his warm, engaging nature make him a valuable asset in the humanitarian field.
Precious excels at fostering social inclusion, promoting diversity, and creating environments where marginalized voices are heard and valued. His adeptness in project management ensures the efficient execution of programs, resulting in significant and sustainable impact. Advocating for justice and equity, Precious is a powerful voice for those who need support and amplifies their stories to drive positive change.

Scott Shaka
Scott Shaka
Leader, Employability Skills / Tech Director
Pronouns: He/Him
What truly drives and inspires me is the relentless pursuit of knowledge and personal development, coupled with a deep-seated desire to positively impact people’s lives, contribute to a greater purpose, and effect meaningful change on a global scale.
Scott Shaka Mwangi, a Kenyan national, is the Leader for Employability Skills and a Tech Director at The Dream Academy. As a Leader, Scott provides training on Google Suite, storytelling, networking, social media for advocacy, writing grant proposals, and finding employment opportunities, among others.
Scott identifies as a queer transgender man and a queer rights activist. He has a keen interest in technology, which led him to be one of the first people from the African continent to be selected for the Tech Mentorship Program with Out in Tech. He is also an avid coder and problem solver. Since 2019, he has been working with the Foundation for Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women Refugees (FLBQR), a grassroots organization in Kenya, as the Communication Officer, and was promoted to the role of Secretary in 2022.

Francis Amani Mushambi
Francis Amani Mushambi
Co-Leader, Employability Skills / Tech Director
Pronoun: He/Him
Together, let’s strive for a more inclusive and equitable world.
Francis Amani Mushambi is a transgender man from Zimbabwe currently seeking asylum in South Africa. He is passionate about advocating for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, marginalized communities, and individuals in harm’s way. With a certificate in feminism and social justice, Francis has actively participated in public and social action for human rights and engaged in panel discussions and dialogues, speaking his lived reality with truth and humanity. In his roles at SafePlace, he works towards creating safe spaces and empowering individuals through sharing, training and support. He has also attended conferences focused on LGBTQI+ issues and has volunteered extensively to build his ability to engage with issues in aid of expanding the individual and collective freedom of communities at risk.

Juanjo Ladines Moya
Juanjo Ladines Moya
Bookkeeper
Pronouns: He/Him
Explore your dreams, free your world.
Juanjo is a level 32 human born, raised and currently based in Lima, PerĂş. Over the past 7 years he has immersed himself in the impact and humanitarian sectors and has used his talent in human-centered design, interpersonal relationship development and business administration to promote the development and expansion of projects dealing with topics such as sustainable income generation, nature conservation, forced migration, humanitarian education and community development, amongst others.Â
As a fierce believer in the power and impact of communal efforts, he enjoys meeting new people, learning about what they’re passionate about and connecting them with like-hearted individuals to increase the chances of sparking more positive impact in the world. He is always happy to lend a hand to other humans working on meaningful causes, explore new musical recommendations and have fun conversations about music, cats and ducks.

Careers
Interested in joining the team and working to center and amplify the voices of marginalized communities around the world? Visit our Careers page to view current openings.