who we are

Pamoja Project Team

Our Pamoja Project Team brings together expertise in health care, psychology, financial management, marketing, art, business and international relations

Carol Parker, MPH, PhD *

**Founder & Executive Director**
Carol founded the Pamoja Project in early 2005 after working as a volunteer in Tanzanian HIV/AIDS projects. She holds an MPH and Ph.D. in Public Health and has spent many years writing on and researching public health issues, both domestic and international. Carol has presented at the International AIDS Conference, spoken on HIV/AIDS in Africa at a variety of other venues in the United States, and developed her targeted research on Tanzanian children who are both orphaned and HIV-infected into the Continuum of Care Model. Carol makes her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she is active in local and state-wide governmental initiatives to improve healthcare access.

Catherine Monserrat, PhD*

Catherine first traveled to Tanzania on a volunteer trip in 2005. The Tanzanian people won her heart and engaged her passion. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Pamoja board. Catherine has degrees in Education, Child Development and Clinical Psychology. Much of her professional career has been dedicated to teaching, counseling and writing. She has been privileged to bring these skills to Pamoja’s projects. Currently, Catherine works as a professional development counselor with medical students and residents.

Nancy Dean Kreger, BFA

Nancy grew up on a farm in Massachusetts, a descendant of generations of small business owners. While in New England, she demonstrated her commitment to young children as an educator at a daycare and a private school. A skilled artist, Nancy created a regional artisans showroom in her community. Currently Nancy paints the New Mexico landscape and has built energy-efficient custom homes with her architect husband. She has a BFA in Visual Design and created and maintains the Pamoja Project's website.

Jill Balazs, MBA

Jill joined the Board recognizing a need to expand Pamoja Project’s reach and impact. She has utilized her background in public affairs and marketing for the National Organization on Disability during the building of the FDR Memorial in Washington DC, the Department of Energy’s public affairs department, and leading technology corporations. Her MBA from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management, gives Jill global perspective on social and economic issues. Jill resides in the East Bay of San Francisco, California where she remains involved in local education and housing issues, as well as the real estate industry.

Olais Meinyali*

Olais began working in Tanzanian child welfare in 2008, with training from a German non-profit that was developing programs in our service area. As our new Education Program Director, Olais' commitment to the children in our service area extends to his willingness to be available for the day-to-day needs of the children while also making sure that tuition is paid and grades are good. Olais is a born leader who maintains clear communication with the Pamoja Project as well as the families under his care.

IN MEMORIAM - CRAIG HALE* - 1955 - 2021

*Have worked in Tanzania at Pamoja Project program sites.