Mara Tshibaka is co-founder and co-Executive Director of KsiK. Mara has lived all over the world, including South America, Africa and Europe. Because of her diverse background she speaks 5 languages. Mara  is also a daughter of the Congo; her father was born and raised there.

Prior to founding KsiK, Mara worked as a singer/songwriter and model for several years before transitioning into real estate and eventually becoming Director of Sales at the independent record label Ultra Records.

In 2008, Mara traveled to Ghana with a micro-finance organization, Opportunity International. While there, she produced what has now become one of the communication tools used to promote Opportunity International's work to alleviate global poverty. It was in Ghana that Mara revived her passion for transforming lives and decided to change directions, leading her to NYU. 

Mara graduated Cum Laude from Amherst College with a double major in German and Spanish. She is a second year graduate student at NYU's Center for Global Affairs concentrating in Transnational Security. She will complete her Master's from NYU in May, 2012. 

Elizabeth Cantrell is co-founder and co-Executive Director of KsiK.  Prior to founding KsiK Elizabeth balanced her time between humanitarian projects and the political arena. She taught English in rural Zimbabwe, lived and worked at one of the leading rural hospitals in southern Africa and developed a social entrepreneurial enterprise for survivors of human trafficking in Hyderabad, India. 

She is a veteran of three congressional cycles, was Deputy Director of the Kentucky Democratic House Caucus and served as Kentucky Political Director for Hillary Clinton during 2008’s heated Presidential primary.  

Elizabeth is currently a second year graduate student at NYU's Center for Global Affairs concentrating in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from the University of Louisville and will complete her Master's at NYU in May, 2012.   
 

Jesse Doland is an emerging filmmaker based is Los Angeles, CA.  Wearing the hats of both Creative Director and Technical Advisor Jesse is an indispensable member of the KsiK team.   

In addition to his work for KsiK, Jesse works as a free-lance filmmaker, producer and editor. His credits include numerous commercials, promotional videos and original works. Jesse is currently developing a docu-series that highlights the everyday face of global poverty. 

Jesse holds a B.A. in film from Azusa Pacific University.