Meet The Daraja Team

Brian Schlaak is currently the Deputy Director at Daraja Academic Hub. Brian served for six years on the Daraja Board (his last two years as Chair), before joining the staff in 2025. Brian is a career educator who most recently worked at Ojai Valley School where he served as Director of Development. Prior to that he spent fifteen years as Head of Upper School at Woodside Priory, a day and boarding school in Portola Valley, California. He has worked as an administrator in both public and private schools for 25 years, and worked as a classroom teacher for the 15 years before that. A graduate in History from UC Berkeley, he received his Masters degree in Education Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University. Past positions include Educator in Residence for Stanford’s School Redesign Network, and Reform Coordinator for the Large to Small School conversion at Hillsdale High School. He has also been a Naval Officer, a Peace Corps volunteer, a bartender, and a whitewater raft guide. He is thrilled to be working to support the miraculous young women of Daraja.

Regina Bianucci Rus is a Bay Area native and is passionate about nonprofit service. She has served organizations as a volunteer and as a board member providing leadership and expertise in financial matters alongside her income tax practice she started in 2007 and raising three children. In 2022, she was honored as the City of Novato’s Citizen of the Year, nominated by her husband, which helped her decide to leave her current career in order to serve nonprofits professionally. She is the first and only accountant to serve Daraja from its earliest years filing annual income tax reports, and now serves as Daraja’s first controller on staff. She cannot believe her luck in being able to oversee financial operations for Daraja in the USA and Kenya and to contribute to the team that provides an essential education to girls in Kenya.

Taya holds a Master’s degree in Recreation Management and a BA in New Communication Media with a minor in Environmental and Outdoor Education from the State University of New York at Cortland. Prior to joining Daraja, she worked as a backpacking instructor, leading outdoor and immersive education programs, traveling to countries across Southeast Asia, Central America, and East Africa. It was during a trip to Kenya that Taya was first introduced to Daraja and she knew she wanted to contribute to Daraja’s mission in whatever way she could.

Taya is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment and creating opportunities that help young women realize their potential as leaders in their communities and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, rock climbing, photography, and traveling.

Patty worked in the private sector for many years before finding her professional passion in the nonprofit world. She is grateful she can contribute to meaningful and beneficial missions and causes. Daraja is a special place for her because she believes everyone deserves an education and an opportunity to develop to their full potential. She’s lived in northern California for many years and enjoys all the natural beauty and outdoor activities around the Bay Area. Patty is also a world adventurer and has Kenya next on her list.

Victoria Gichuhi is a highly respected educator, strategist, and visionary. She believes in core values that impact positive change for social justice. Victoria has a Master’s in Business Administration and Strategic Management, and a Bachelor’s in Education and Secondary Education. This background has helped her nurture Daraja to become an institution of excellence. Victoria is a co-author of Daraja’s published empowerment and leadership curriculum- W.I.S.H.. and a member of the Laikipia County Education Board.

Victoria believes that every girl has the right to an education. Her commitment and experience led her to partner with Daraja Founders, Jenni, and Jason, in 2008 and create Daraja. Victoria is passionate about empowering girls who have grown up in difficult circumstances.

Her great leadership of the institution’s vision and mission over the years has ensured the great success of all programs and led to Daraja’s recognition by the Ministry of Education, KICD, and UNESCO, among other institutions.

Following a degree in commerce, Hellen Ngunjiri has practiced accounting and finance for over 15yrs. She worked for Make A Difference Consultants for 7yrs a path that lead her to Daraja. Early in her career, her empathy and belief in people’s abilities interested her a lot and she pursued a Diploma in HR Management. Her recent certification in Monitoring and Evaluation will help her analyze the impact of the systems and processes in place.

Passionate about being part of the change, Daraja is the perfect place to be. Investing in Girls’ education brings change to generations across the world. Hellen loves spending time with her family and friends, hosting gives her joy, and reading calms her soul.

Caroline holds a certificate in education and a B.A. in project management. As special programs director at Daraja, Caroline is responsible for planning and executing campus programs, including W.I.S.H. (Women of Integrity, Strength, and Hope), the Transition Program, and the alumna program.

Before taking over the special programs, Caroline was an English and literature teacher, head of the language department, mentor for the grassroots club, and a facilitator of W.I.S.H. classes. Caroline believes in creating a movement of changemakers.

Chris has worked at Daraja Academy since its inception in 2009. He started as a groundsman before becoming Daraja’s Head Gardener, Head Of Security, and is currently Facilities Manager, overseeing the previous two departments together with Kitchen and Maintenance.

Chris feels it is a privilege and honor to be a member of the Daraja Administration team and a member of the Kangaroo Family in Daraja’s family tree. He loves working with and mentoring young people. Chris is passionate about girls’ education. His greatest joy is seeing them come to Daraja, go through W.I.S.H. and eventually graduate and leave Daraja ready for university or college, and become changemakers.

Sarah is a Kenyan, born and raised in Nyeri, central Kenya. She is responsible, hardworking, and self-driven. She holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree (majoring in Finance) from Kenyatta University. Sarah joined Daraja in September 2012 as an administrative assistant. Her integrity, hard work, and passion for what she does has helped her grow from that position to achieve her current position as the business manager. As the business manager, Sarah is responsible for the finances of Daraja Academy ensuring that money donated is used efficiently and for the intended purpose. She is a believer in gender equality and hence a champion of girls’ and women’s empowerment.

Mercy believes that education is a tool that breaks down all barriers and lays a foundation for progress and growth in individuals as well as the society at large. As a passionate teacher, she endeavors to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning that will guarantee quality education for Daraja girls which ensures the attainment of a future that every one of them hopes for.

Mercy is a trainer of Science who has supported girls to grow their talents and has won a national award through the Young Scientists Kenya competition held in 2019 in which her students finished as first runners-up. She has also authored a revision book in Biology hence guiding students on how to write accurate responses to various questions in this subject. Mercy holds a Higher National Diploma in Applied Biology and has trained for pedagogy in education at Kenya Technical Trainers College. She is also a community-minded person who reaches out to people in need through various programs organized by friends in her networks.

Caroline is a reliable, resourceful, outgoing, and responsible woman with 15 years of progressive experience in teaching. She has excellent interpersonal and communication skills and relates well with people. Caroline is a strong believer in being positive in life and developing other people to make the world a better place.

Caroline is a graduate teacher from Moi University with a Bachelor’s of Education. Her favorite subjects include Mathematics and Geography. She joined Daraja in 2013 and says her life has never been the same since meeting girls whom she could identify with. Caroline developed an interest in supporting their psychological needs and thus enrolled for a Master’s in Psychological Counselling.

Her educational philosophy is based on my uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family.