Advisory Board
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Guillaume Lonhoudjo
Chief Facilitator
M. Lonhoudjo’s vision is to expand his reach into the community and provide training that leads to employment. On graduation, students receive help from BIO-BENIN to find employment or to set themselves up as entrepreneurs. He is the classic example of an entrepreneur who gives back. His boundless energy has led to his becoming an expert cook, learning how to brew beer and setting up an organic farm.
Julie C. Wang
Chairman of the Board and Treasurer
Ms. Wang’s time in the Peace Corps from 2012-14 in Benin, West Africa, led her to work with M. Lonhoudjo. She continues to work alongside Guillaume to manage Bio-Benin’s finances and help encourage donations to support our activities. Before coming to Benin, Julie was founder and president of Wang Associates Health Communications in New York City. She is a trained landscape designer and an avid organic gardener.
Alphonse Kouagou
Member of Advisory Board
Alphonse Kouagou is a strategic advisor for economic development initiatives in Africa. He worked for 22 years with the World Bank Group, including on its Executive Board representing 23 African countries. Born in Benin, M. Kouagou holds an MBA from the University of Maryland. He resides in Washington, D.C. and Cotonou, Benin.
Margaret Dunham
Vice President
Margaret Dunham, a resident of Paris and a frequent visitor to Benin, holds a PhD in African linguistics from the Université de Paris 3. After a career in teaching and research for many years, she became a conference interpreter. She is now leveraging her skills to facilitate multilingual knowledge sharing on a local and global level.
Paul Keherly
Secretary
Paul Keherly has always had a passion for empowering the disadvantaged to realize their potential, while working in Japan, Singapore and the UK. Since moving to Montreal, Canada, he works with Accueil Bonneau, a homeless charity, to install the technology needed to streamline client intake and assistance programs.
Walter Binger
Communications
Walter Binger works with Bio-Benin to help refine our communications and improve the impact of our messaging. As a lover of words, he delights in writing and is a strong communicator. A world traveller, Walter speaks three languages fluently and is adept at making friends and creating lasting relationships with a wide variety of people. He is passionate about helping creating a more equal and equitable world.
Matthew Trombley
Treasurer
Dr. Matthew Trombley is a highly successful entrepreneur who has created and run several enterprises. He is also an excellent mentor, skilled at turning relatively inexperienced people into first class leaders. As Treasurer at Bio-Benin, he heads up our financial operations and is leading the NGO into a bright future, through outreach to corporate and government grants and expanded donor contact. In this way we can achieve our goals to upgrade the environment and improve the local economy of Natitingou, Benin by providing vocational training that makes a real difference in the lives of the underprivileged.