Bonny Vainö Idhenga, BVIF Chairman
Bonny Vainö Idhenga is a well-travelled executive from an early age; our Founder Bonny learned the importance of struggle and sacrifice as a means to make life better for his nation. Bonny has a long history of serving his country, first in exile, sacrificing as a young man and was part of the liberation struggle that brought Independence to Namibia in 1990. He is the founder and Chairman of the Foundation. Bonny holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Pinar del Rio in Cuba. He further studied Diplomacy and International Relations at the Diplomatic School of Madrid, Spain and completed studies at Academy of European Law, Trier, Germany and also completed studies at the Mexican Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, in the City of Mexico. This was only the start of Bonny’s long and prominent diplomatic career, where he learned that developing international relations was a means for enacting positive change. Bonny’s extensive experience in foreign relations has spanned 21 years.
Dr. med. Katri Elina Clemens, BVIF President
From 1997 to 2000, while completing her doctoral thesis in Bonn, Germany, researching the impact of tuberculosis in Namibia, Dr. med. Clemens travelled to Namibia on a regular basis. Soon after completing her Doctorate program, she received her license to practice medicine in the year 2000. Since 2002, she regularly holds lectures in palliative medicine at international venues around the world - focusing on building the capacity of local practitioners on providing patients with relief from the symptoms of pain, physical stress, and mental stress of serious illnesses. Because of her deep commitment to improved healthcare for both patients internationally, and in Namibia, she was appointed as the President of the Bonny Vainö Idhenga Foundation in 2015. She has been initiating, planning and organizing various national and international scientific congresses and in 2016, she established the International Academy of Palliative Care in Bonn.
read more...
Dan Pandeni Scott Idhenga, Vice President
Dan Idhenga is an adaptive and globally-minded entrepreneur at heart. He has lived in ten countries and founded his first startup as an undergraduate student in 2016. Since then, Dan has graduated from Baruch College (City University of New York), where he studied finance and successfully completed internships at J.P. Morgan, American International Group (AIG) and other firms. In addition to his Investor Relations role at ConfirmD™, Dan Idhenga has managed a Namibian company’s operations including international supply chain dynamics, risk mitigation and product acquisition & distribution for more than seven years. Dan dedicates much of his time to making Namibia a better place to live in by collaborating with German NGOs in his role as a Vice President at the Bonny Vainö Idhenga Foundation (BVIF). To further assist in his development advocacy efforts, Dan is currently attending King’s College London (KCL) in pursuit of a Master’s degree.
Naita Hishoono, Executive Director, Secretary
Naita is a trained journalist, having worked in broadcasting in both Germany and Namibia. She served as a senior producer for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), in both it’s English and German language programs. Naita is also is a development professional, bring wide experience to the Foundation; having worked as Program Director and later as Executive Director for the Namibian Institute for Democracy. Currently she is a serve as Senior Project Officer for Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Namibia.Naita is a trained journalist, having worked in broadcasting in both Germany and Namibia. She served as a senior producer for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), in both it’s English and German language programs. Naita is also is a development professional, bring wide experience to the Foundation; having worked as Program Director and later as Executive Director for the Namibian Institute for Democracy. Currently she is a serve as Senior Project Officer for Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Namibia.
Gerson Naruseb, Executive Director / Treasurer
After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch, Gerson went on to earn a diploma in Financial and Cost Accounting from Abington College in the UK. He comes to us with a broad range of professional achievements. He has worked for the Ministry of Finance and served as an accountant for Telecom Namibia. Furthermore, he is a board member of the Namibian Drilling Contractors Association. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching television, being involved in community develop initiatives and farming.After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch, Gerson went on to earn a diploma in Financial and Cost Accounting from Abington College in the UK. He comes to us with a broad range of professional achievements. He has worked for the Ministry of Finance and served as an accountant for Telecom Namibia. Furthermore, he is a board member of the Namibian Drilling Contractors Association. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching television, being involved in community develop initiatives and farming.
Maray Cordovi, Executive Director / Deputy Treasurer
Maray de la Caridad is a Pharmacist by profession. Maray obtained a degree in Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Camaguey in Cuba. Maray is employed at Katutura’s Intermediate Hospital as a Pharmacist since 2005. Maray is a de facto member of the technical team, and serves as the Deputy Treasurer for the foundation. Maray’s professional and personal life has been dedicated to ensuring for the well being of vulnerable people.
Brigadier General Theophilus Namupala, Executive Director / Administration
Theophilus is a decorated former soldier, serving both PLAN and SWAPO as an integral member of the Defence Forces responsible for liberating and gaining Namibia’s Independence. Theophilus is a natural born linguist, speaking no less than 6 languages, a skill that continues to serve him well, as it allows for effective international and national communication with various communities in and outside of Namibia. He is a Procurement and Administration professional, having received his degree from the University of Namibia in 2007.
Theophilus was appointed on an executive level to oversee all Foundation’s Administrative operations. He is a well-qualified and experienced business manager, with an impressive track record of success in various strategic roles. He is popular for being able to creatively design and implement unique interventions that ensure operational success. He has crucial experience with projects and project management that are essential to BVIF Foundation.