Board of Directors

Guinean Alliance for Education and Development’s Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the policy-making and overseeing body of this Organization. It is composed of mainly non-Guineans, who have and continue to dedicate their lives to the betterment of those, who are less fortunate in our society.

Dr. Stephanie Schechner, Chair

Dr. Stephanie Schechner is Professor of French and Chair of Modern Languages at Widener University located in Chester, Pennsylvania where she has taught since 1999.  Dr. Schechner holds M.A. and PhD degrees in French literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Her research focuses on 20th century French women writers.  She has been a supporter of GAED since its founding and traveled to Guinea on behalf of the organization in December 2018.

Mamadou Alpha Barry, Founder

My name is Mamadou Alpha Barry, founder of the Guinean Alliance for education and Development (GAED). I hold a BA in Economics, a BBA in Finance and MS in Management with a concentration in Finance. As the only one in my family to have had the opportunity to get a formal education, I strongly believe in the endless possibilities that an education can bring in someone’s life. I also know that I could not have done it without my family and my community’s support. Starting this organization was an inspiration I drew from a very bright Guinean student who was smart and willing but needed the opportunity and resources to accomplish his dreams of pursuing a college education.
I was inspired then by a young man’s desire to overcome the limitations of his circumstances and today I am even more inspired by young women and men’s willingness to help others. I am always reminded that in the end, what we do for others is what counts. We all need help or needed help at various stages of our lives, and I count it a privilege to work with people whose focus is that of helping others.
I am grateful that GAED has been able to positively impact a number of young Guinean students in their quest of earning a college degree. I am hopeful that our reach and impact will be even greater in the years to come. We must continue to support young people in obtaining an education. They are our future.

Carrie G. Barry, Member

Hello and welcome from GAED’s Board of Directors. My name is Carrie Gertrude Barry and I am a mother, wife and a humanitarian. My life’s creed and work has been, informally, to help support children and young adults to have the opportunity to be educated and to support them in their realization that education can prepare them for enormous opportunities in life to better themselves and the world around them. I serve on the Board of Directors of GAED, because I believe in the organization’s founding mission of assisting young Guineans in obtaining a college education with the hope of supporting them in preparing themselves to fulfill their life’s journey and to inspire them to help their country in its quest for development.

Thank you for visiting our website. If you believe in our mission of helping  educate our future generation, then please consider joining our cause by donating or volunteering. We would be honored to partner with you.

Mamadou Keita, MPA, Former President

I graduated from Widener University with a Master’s in Public Administration. GAED has been a lifestyle. I believe that for Guinea to advance or develop, we need to train the workforce of tomorrow today. The best way to achieve this goal is through education. A quality of education for that matter. My goal is to help GAED fulfill that dream.

Natasha Bennett, Esq., Member

Natasha Bennett is an attorney, barred in the District of Columbia. She currently practices in the area of Landlord/ Tenant and contract law. Natasha defends tenants facing eviction in the District of Columbia.  Natasha is a proud alumna of the University of the District of Columbia from where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Justice, her Juris Doctorate, and her Master of Laws in Clinical Education, Social Justice, and Systems Change.  Natasha’s life purpose is to manifest God’s love for everyone through her acts of service. As a life long learner and educator, she joined GAED because she believes in its mission and its vision. Investing in the education of Guinean youths is the best way to ensure that the next generation will have a better quality of life and advance the development of Guinea.

Michael June, Member

Michael L. June, manages the Hotline Call Center for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and has worked at that agency for over 20 years.  He is deeply involved in Toastmasters, where he continuously strives to strengthen his public speaking, evaluation & leadership skills.  One of Michael’s passions is helping others improve their public speaking skill.  He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where we worked as a Personnel Management Specialist for 4 and half years.