Volunteer Staff

Kimberly Masiello, Curriculum Development Coordinator, Volunteer Operations

Kimberly graduated in 2007 from Rutgers University with her BA in art history. While at Rutgers, she focused mainly on African art and developed a love of the culture and people. Upon graduating, she spent a year working in development at a small arts non-profit. In 2008, she enrolled in Teachers College to pursue her MA in elementary education. This is where she developed a love of curriculum development. She looks forward to combining her love of Africa and interest in curriculum development in her role with SpanAfrica.

Harrie Esterhuyse, African Operations

Harrie is from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a BA degree in International Studies and an Honours degree in Political Science from the University of Stellenbosch. He is currently completing his Masters degree in Political Science, whilst on exchange at Vrije University, Amsterdam. His research interests have mainly been focussed on political economy, development and governance in Africa. His personal vision is a self-empowered African continent that develops in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Abigail Lynch, Resource Center Coordinator, Volunteer Operations

Abigail Lynch graduated in 2007 with an honors degree in Humanities. She then spent several years working for a United States Senator supporting campaigns and fundraising. She is very proud of the work she initiated and completed in the areas of: Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, Women’s Health Issues, and Consumer Protection. Now, Abigail is living in Stuttgart, Germany where she is teaching English and so honored to be volunteering for SpanAfrica.

Lindsay Metcalfe, University Recruitment Coordinator, Volunteer Operations

I have lived in southwestern Ontario, Canada my whole life and recently graduate with my Master of Science in Elementary Education. In January I will be heading to London, England to do supply teaching and also to do some traveling throughout Europe and also into Africa. My only experience traveling to Africa to date occurred this past January when I visited friends in South Africa. I have held several volunteer positions in my life and am pleased to have joined the SpanAfrica team!

Meredith Newlin, Board Member and Director of Volunteer Operations

Meredith Newlin holds an honors degree in child psychology from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities and a master’s degree in health psychology from University College London and King’s College London. After graduating in 2007 Meredith spent several years in the Twin Cities working as a recruitment coordinator, counseling adolescents on college and career planning. In 2010 Meredith traveled to Kenya with SpanAfrica and upon return began serving on the Board of Directors and supporting the Volunteer Operations Team. Currently working as a researcher in London, England, Meredith’s research interests include psycho-social approaches to sustainable development, women’s health promotion in underdeveloped countries, evaluation of community-based support, health and social policy reform.

Rebecca Coelius, Founder and Board Member

Rebecca (Mitchell) Coelius founded SpanAfrica in 2005 after volunteering at an orphanage and HIV/AIDS clinic in Nakuru, Kenya. Her dream was to leverage technology and social media to create a more personal and sustainable mechanism for supporting social entrepreneurship and development in Africa. She is an honors graduate from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and is in her final year of medical school at the University of California-San Francisco, where she is passionate about innovations in health system payment and organization models, and health information technology. In recent years she received the Harry Truman Scholarship for public service and a Fulbright Fellowship for research on humanitarian aid in India, was named a Glamour Top Ten College Woman and to the USA Today All-Academic First Team, and was recently recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians with the Pisacano Scholarship for future leadership in primary care.

Cameron Dunkin

Cameron Dunkin holds a bachelors in political studies from Queens University in Canada, and a cum laude honours and master’s degree in international studies from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Outside of school, has spent extensive time living, working and traveling in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and other African countries over the past number of years. Amidst his numerous education, capacity building, environmental, construction, and child development projects, in 2008 he co-founded Kenyan NGO Baobab Branch.Additional work experience includes research, PR, writing,, project development, and marketing work with the International Joint Commission, Opportunity International Canada, and New Directions Canada. Having stood on SpanAfrica’s Board of Directors since 2006, he also serves full time as the Director of African Operations.

Wayne S Coetzee

Based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Wayne is SpanAfrica’s Education Niche Coordinator. Wayne attended grammar school in England but returned to his native country of South Africa where he matriculated and subsequently enrolled for tertiary education. Wayne holds a master’s degree in International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Stellenbosch. Wayne also attended technological college in the United Kingdom where he obtained a diploma in Public Services. Wayne has conducted extensive research on southern and western African political and social systems. He is passionate about educational structures in Africa and takes great interest in youth development, talent management and entrepreneurship. Wayne’s academic career coincided with his professional career and he periodically undertook part-time employment during his time at university. His employment included innovative networking between tertiary institutions in South Africa, graduate recruitment consulting for engineering and mining companies in Africa, and educational research for the National Research Foundation in South Africa. In addition to this, Wayne has three years part-time teaching experience at university level in political science, sociology and ancient cultures. “There is never a dull moment in education.”