Our Leadership

GLI envisions a world where people from all walks of life listen, think, and act together on equal footing in order to improve communities globally.

Our programs fall into two broad categories: ‘listen and think’ programs and ‘act’ programs. The ‘listen and think’ programs are virtual or in-person programs that bring people together in educational experiences that encourage people to think differently about international development. Meanwhile, GLI’s ‘act’ programs are community-led programs that seek to address challenges in the areas of public health, economic development, and the environment.

Board of Directors

Jamie Van Leeuwen founded the Global Livingston Institute in 2009 to encourage students and community leaders to think bigger and think differently about international development. He currently serves as the GLI’s Chief Executive Officer. Jamie has been traveling to East Africa for more than a decade and continues to develop innovative partnerships between GLI and members of the public, private and nonprofit sectors in Uganda. In addition to his role as GLI’s CEO, Jamie is also a Senior Advisor for Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.

Ryan currently serves as the executive director of the Global Livingston Institute and has worked with the organization since November 2012. In this capacity, he manages the day to day operations of the organization and oversees all GLI’s programming – both in Colorado and East Africa. Prior to this role, Ryan worked in Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s Office of Community Partnerships. He graduated from St. Edward’s University.

Moses Twahirwa is a high-energy and results-driven professional with experience in operations, project management, and customer service in a managerial capacity. His excellent planning and organizational skills have resulted in the optimum functioning of the departments and consistent achievement of customer service standards. Moses has proven interpersonal and motivational ability that has ensured a strong team approach and the attainment of maximum performance levels and productivity. Moses holds an MBA in Project Management from Mount Kenya University and is currently doing an MBA in Strategic Management from the same University.

Martina has worked with GLI since 2011. In June 2014, she was hired as the Director of East Africa Logistics. In this role, Martina manages the GLI’s Kampala Campus and oversees and coordinates all of the logistics for the GLI’s programming throughout East Africa.

Martina was born in Mbarara, Uganda, and has resided in Kampala since the age of 15. She graduated from Cavendish University Uganda, studying business administration and management. Martina is passionate about international development and travel, as well as international business management. She spends her free time reading and pursuing opportunities for international travel.

Nasser is from Iganga district (Eastern Uganda) and has been working with the GLI since 2017 to lead hundreds of travelers around Uganda and handle logistics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality management from Makerere University, and is fluent in English, as well as two local Ugandan languages. Nasser brings an incredible energy to the GLI team with extensive knowledge of Uganda and a personal mission to become a global tourism expert.

Bruna is originally from Brazil and is passionate about using education as a way of empowerment. She holds a BA in International Relations and an MBA in Cross-Cultural Human Resource Management from the University of Sao Paulo and has experience in non-profit and education programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As Office Manager, Bruna helps run the day-to-day operations in both the United States and Uganda.

Cat MacCormick joined the GLI team in February of 2018 after graduating with a BSBA International Business Degree from the University of Denver. Starting as a GLI intern, she has grown into a leadership role and now oversees GLI's financials and operations. As Co-Chair of GLI's Women's Leadership Retreat she is building a Women's Leadership Mentoring program launching in June, 2022. Cat enjoys the dynamic and fast-paced work environment that comes with being a part of a global team!

John Wetenkamp is a connector of people and places. Using inclusivity and curiosity as tools, he aims to find common ground with everyone he interacts with. John has spent his entire career in non-profit work, advocating for vulnerable communities, coaching and mentoring young people, and championing the preservation of culturally and historically significant places in Denver, Colorado. John brings a lens of critical pedagogy with his facilitation practice, and is never afraid to lean into uncomfortable conversations to bring about bolder truths. In his free time, John coaches high school soccer, writes original music, and gives historic tours of Denver.

Since he graduated from Cornell University in 2021 with a BS in Biological Sciences (Global Health), he has facilitated GLI’s public health projects, virtual education programs, and research. He is a co-chair of GLI’s Research Committee, a consortium of professors and other experts who advise and manage GLI’s many research projects. Sebastian also leads the Global Scholars Fellowship Program, a virtual community development course that teaches students and professionals best practices in community development. Sebastian resides in New York but has roots in Hong Kong and Germany.

Raymond has worked at GLI’s Entusi Resort and Retreat Center on Lake Bunyonyi since its grand opening in 2013. He currently serves as the Manager of Entusi. In this role, Raymond coordinates all of GLI’s initiatives in Uganda and manages guest relations at Entusi.

Raymond was born and raised in the suburbs of Kabale, Uganda.

Rumbidzai Gumbie (or "Rumbi") is a Zimbabwean who grew up in the UK and recently moved from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she worked as a Nurse Educator for four years. Rumbi is now back in London where she will begin her doctorate program in Public Health and Policy. She manages and streamlines the research systems and grant writing processes.