Ushirika Foundation was formed by friends in the United States who have traveled in East Africa and built connections with innovative people there who have plans, dreams, enthusiasm, and work ethic to build a better future for wildlife, the environment, and their communities. The only thing lacking is the funding to bring their plans to fruition. Ushirika seeks not to direct programs, but to tap into the rich human resources that already exist in conservation and education and support the visions of people who understand the needs and challenges that are faced.
We have also noted that there are generous individuals, organizations, and corporations who want to help improve this planet we all share, but don't have a physical presence in these areas, or the time or resources to identify where their donations of funds and goods will be thoughtfully and carefully utilized to their full potential.
Ushirika Foundation is able to bridge the gap by forming partnerships between donors and recipients of the donations. In fact, Ushirika is the Swahili word for Partnership. The foundation's role is to identify where donations will best be utilized, to oversee the distribution of donations, and to verify that the donations are being utilized as intended by our generous donors. We know you have many options for donating money to important causes and we diligently ensure that your donations have maximum effect. No one in our organization receives a salary or compensation so that donations can be impactful to the projects we support.
Being a small organization allows us to focus on very specific projects and have good oversight. The foundation's board members and officers work on a purely volunteer basis allowing maximum use of the funds to attain the goals of our identified projects. Please checkout our Projects Page.
Board of Directors and Officers
Lois Hild, DVM
Founding Director, President
Lois Hild began traveling to Kenya in 2011 and came away from that visit knowing that she had to return, and firm in the sense that she had to make a difference, but as to just how wasn't clear to her - yet.
After numerous trips leading safaris she has become well acquainted with many of the people working in wildlife conservation, including other veterinarians. She has been able to identify wildlife conservation projects that have the potential to make a big impact and evaluate how funding and goods can be used to aid in their goals. She has also met people in many walks of life in Kenya and has been impressed with the knowledge and ingenuity of the people, along with their dedication to preserving their wildlife and environment. She also found that the Kenyan people put a great emphasis on education.
Lois earned a Bachelor degree in Animal Science at Cal Poly, Pomona, and her doctorate in veterinary medicine from University of California, Davis in 1988. Prior to her acceptance to veterinary school she ran the diagnostic lab at the Los Angeles Zoo. After receiving her degree she practiced in Southern California and was the owner and sole veterinarian of a mobile practice which served a very diverse clientele. She is also President and owner of a high voltage electrical contracting company in California. After retiring from veterinary practice, and making a number of trips to Kenya she started Lois Hild Photography, Ltd, a small safari operation specializing in safaris with an emphasis on conservation and photography. This was only accomplished with the significant help of friends she has made in Kenya. She takes no profits from the safari company and all profits stay in Kenya.
After numerous trips leading safaris she has become well acquainted with many of the people working in wildlife conservation, including other veterinarians. She has been able to identify wildlife conservation projects that have the potential to make a big impact and evaluate how funding and goods can be used to aid in their goals. She has also met people in many walks of life in Kenya and has been impressed with the knowledge and ingenuity of the people, along with their dedication to preserving their wildlife and environment. She also found that the Kenyan people put a great emphasis on education.
Lois earned a Bachelor degree in Animal Science at Cal Poly, Pomona, and her doctorate in veterinary medicine from University of California, Davis in 1988. Prior to her acceptance to veterinary school she ran the diagnostic lab at the Los Angeles Zoo. After receiving her degree she practiced in Southern California and was the owner and sole veterinarian of a mobile practice which served a very diverse clientele. She is also President and owner of a high voltage electrical contracting company in California. After retiring from veterinary practice, and making a number of trips to Kenya she started Lois Hild Photography, Ltd, a small safari operation specializing in safaris with an emphasis on conservation and photography. This was only accomplished with the significant help of friends she has made in Kenya. She takes no profits from the safari company and all profits stay in Kenya.
When not in Kenya, Lois resides on the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies along with family dogs, horses, donkey, cow, and a rescued tortoise, plus a variety of wildlife that wanders the property.
Stephen Wilson
Director, Secretary
Stephen Wilson first travelled to Kenya in 2018 and immediately felt a connection with the people, the wildlife, and the environment. He too felt a calling to make repeat visits and be a part of effecting a positive impact. He has been a donor to both conservation and community development projects and didn't hesitate when asked to take a pivotal role in getting the foundation off the ground.
Stephen was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Stephen received his Bachelor of Science from Queen's University, Belfast and Master of Science degrees in Petroleum Geology from Imperial College, London. After receiving his degrees, his work in the oil exploration, storage and distribution industry took him around the world to West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. In 1984 he moved to United States to put his expertise to use in a new role in environmental management for a marine transport company. Here he was responsible for compliance with environmental standards and regulations.
Stephen has served on the Board of Directors as a Director and as Vice President for a not-for-profit organization involved in oil spill response in Alaska. As well, he has served as President of his church on Bainbridge Island, WA, where he resides with his wife Sherri, two daughters, and a variety of four-legged family members. He travels to Kenya as often as possible and especially enjoys the birds there.
We are fortunate to have someone with his breadth of experience helping to lead the organization.
Julia Hild
Board Member
Julia traveled to Kenya in 2016 as an assistant tour leader for her mother. She not only felt a connection with the animals, but also the people she met along the way. Her connection and ability to communicate with the elephants at a rehabilitation unit is remembered by the head keeper there to this day.
Julia grew up in southern California with family pets and horses. Through dedication and hard work, she garnered a number prestigious wins and national championships riding her reining horses. At the age of 19 she started her own training business where she enjoyed starting young horses and laying a good foundation for their success as show horses or beloved companions for recreational riders. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant while still running her training business. After a move to Colorado, she held a key position in a medical cannabis transport company supervising drivers and assuring that all compliance was in order. She helped the company grow to one of the largest in the state.
When medical issues left the family business in California without a general manager, she stepped in to fill that role. Having grown up with the electrical company it was both familiar and a completely new role for her, but she took it on with her inherent tenacity and innovation. As Vice President and General manager she is leading the company through some challenging times in the construction industry.
Though no longer training horses as a business, she and her fiancé spend much of their leisure time riding their horses, team roping, and taking care of their dogs, cat, and African Grey Parrot.
When medical issues left the family business in California without a general manager, she stepped in to fill that role. Having grown up with the electrical company it was both familiar and a completely new role for her, but she took it on with her inherent tenacity and innovation. As Vice President and General manager she is leading the company through some challenging times in the construction industry.
Though no longer training horses as a business, she and her fiancé spend much of their leisure time riding their horses, team roping, and taking care of their dogs, cat, and African Grey Parrot.
Advisory Board
nelson KasoE
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Nelson grew up in a small village on the eastern boarder of the the famous Maasai Mara herding the family's livestock. During his long days in the bush with the herd, he became familiar with the wildlife that he shared the environment with. He learned to identify them, along with becoming so acquainted with their sounds and behavior that they became as familiar to him as family.
In spite of a late start at school, Nelson excelled at academics and rose to the top, even becoming the school captain in high school, where he put his natural leadership qualities to use. Extracurricular interests included traditional Maasai chanting and volleyball, but it was his participation in clubs such as Friends of Conservation and the Wildlife Club that were instrumental in further developing his passion for wildlife and an ambition to conserve it.
After graduating from high school Nelson worked for the Ministry of Health and as a registration clerk, but wildlife and nature were like a siren call, so when the opportunity came in 2008 to attend the prestigious Koiyaki Guiding School (now the Wildlife Tourism College) he was eager to answer that call. He earned his Bronze Certification from the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association upon graduating, and three years later his Silver Certification, a distinction held by a very small percentage of guides. He is known and respected in the Kenyan guiding community wherever in the country you may find him.
Nelson is a respected elder of his village and serves on the Board of Management of the village day and boarding school which serves almost 300 primary level students. The school puts an emphasis on making sure that girls receive an education equal to their male counterparts. Nelson's sisters were the first girls in the area to graduate from secondary education, the family setting a standard for education for girls.
Nelson is in addition, an accomplished wildlife photographer, but at heart is a devoted family man and spends as much time as possible with his wife and four children, and plays a pivotal role in nurturing the development of all the children of his village.
We look forward to the unique perspective Nelson brings to our Advisory Board with is in depth understand of the needs of conservation along with the needs and challenges faced by communities in contact with wildlife.
Nelson is a respected elder of his village and serves on the Board of Management of the village day and boarding school which serves almost 300 primary level students. The school puts an emphasis on making sure that girls receive an education equal to their male counterparts. Nelson's sisters were the first girls in the area to graduate from secondary education, the family setting a standard for education for girls.
Nelson is in addition, an accomplished wildlife photographer, but at heart is a devoted family man and spends as much time as possible with his wife and four children, and plays a pivotal role in nurturing the development of all the children of his village.
We look forward to the unique perspective Nelson brings to our Advisory Board with is in depth understand of the needs of conservation along with the needs and challenges faced by communities in contact with wildlife.
Samuel Kiripash
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
A native of the Maasai community, Samuel Kiripash was born and raised in Kenya in a small village in Sekenani, located in the southern part of the country and adjacent to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the top tourist destinations. Growing up in this community has taught him the fundamentals of love, community, caring, and governance.
He was born to a family of four and was raised by a single mother after his father died in 2006. With her funds from selling beads and trinkets to tourists, she paid the school fees for him to attend local primary and high schools. Fortune had it that in 2012 he met a remarkable American, Mr. Ralph Ogden, who supported his college education in Kenya and the United States.
Samuel holds a Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (now the Wildlife Research Training Institute), a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science from Africa Nazarene University, and a Master of the Environment from the University of Colorado, Boulder where he specialized in Environment and Natural Resources Policy. Samuel has a broad experience and understanding of conservation policies in Kenya.
He is a passionate environmental and natural resource professional who enjoys working with others to solve complex problems related to the sustainable use, protection, and management of the earth’s resources. Additionally, Samuel keeps himself as informed as possible about current and scientific events and continues to follow global and local discussions about the environment and climate change. We look forward to Samuel's important contributions as he brings a fresh perspective based on his youth, excellent education, and his life experience and connection to his culture.
Samuel has a passion for community service. He looks forward to giving back to the Maasai and the broader Kenyan community to his full potential. Samuel also loves spending time outdoors and playing soccer during his free time. He is an enthusiast of the Colorado Rapids and Arsenal soccer teams.
Dr. Stephen Ngulu, DVM
Advisory Board
Dr. Ngulu’s childhood was spent in Mathare North, an informal settlement situated in the renowned Eastlands region of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. Despite the environment characterized by a high crime rate and limited educational opportunities, Dr. Ngulu displayed remarkable academic achievement during his primary and secondary school years. His determination and academic prowess led him to enroll in the esteemed University of Nairobi,
where he embarked on a journey to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stephen Ngulu brings an outstanding level of experience and expertise to the
Advisory Board. Dr. Ngulu received his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of
Nairobi in 2010. After graduation he provided veterinary services to the island of Lamu,
Kenya, and smaller outlying islands where he treated animals of those communities.
He established and ran an animal welfare awareness program in all the primary schools of Lamu
while carrying out this same mission throughout the local community, especially with the
farmers. During his time there he also established a population management program for the
island’s dogs and cats.
where he embarked on a journey to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stephen Ngulu brings an outstanding level of experience and expertise to the
Advisory Board. Dr. Ngulu received his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of
Nairobi in 2010. After graduation he provided veterinary services to the island of Lamu,
Kenya, and smaller outlying islands where he treated animals of those communities.
He established and ran an animal welfare awareness program in all the primary schools of Lamu
while carrying out this same mission throughout the local community, especially with the
farmers. During his time there he also established a population management program for the
island’s dogs and cats.
Dr. Ngulu’s next post took him into the role of wildlife veterinarian at Ol Jogi Wildlife
Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya. While there he was in charge of the treatment
and rehabilitation of wild animals at Ol Jogi’s Wildlife Rescue Center. Additionally, he carried
out disease surveillance and prevention for both the wild animals and cattle of the conservancy
while maintaining working relationships with the stakeholders, both local and international.
Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya. While there he was in charge of the treatment
and rehabilitation of wild animals at Ol Jogi’s Wildlife Rescue Center. Additionally, he carried
out disease surveillance and prevention for both the wild animals and cattle of the conservancy
while maintaining working relationships with the stakeholders, both local and international.
In 2015 he assumed his current position as wildlife veterinarian at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in
Laikipia Kenya, one of the world renown leading conservancies for managed wildlife conservation. In his capacity at the conservancy, he is also the manager and head veterinarian for the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
At Ol Pejeta he has taken on many roles, one being providing hands-on veterinary care
for wildlife, both captive and free ranging, including the last two Northern White Rhinos
(NWR) on the planet. He is involved in the international effort to save the NWR from extinction. He has also taken on vitally important managerial roles in the areas natural resource
management, strategic planning, and fund raising of supervising staff, through grant writing.
As if that isn’t enough, he also oversees the health and welfare of the conservancy’s
anti-poaching dogs. While doing all the above, Dr. Ngulu has also continued his education,
receiving his Master of Science in Veterinary Preventative Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public
Health from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 2020, and his Executive
MBA in Business Administration and Management in 2023. To round out his list of
accomplishments, he is a co-author or contributor to several scientific papers in the areas
of wildlife ecology. He holds certifications in Operations Management, Macroeconomics,
Microeconomics, and Managerial Accounting.
Laikipia Kenya, one of the world renown leading conservancies for managed wildlife conservation. In his capacity at the conservancy, he is also the manager and head veterinarian for the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
At Ol Pejeta he has taken on many roles, one being providing hands-on veterinary care
for wildlife, both captive and free ranging, including the last two Northern White Rhinos
(NWR) on the planet. He is involved in the international effort to save the NWR from extinction. He has also taken on vitally important managerial roles in the areas natural resource
management, strategic planning, and fund raising of supervising staff, through grant writing.
As if that isn’t enough, he also oversees the health and welfare of the conservancy’s
anti-poaching dogs. While doing all the above, Dr. Ngulu has also continued his education,
receiving his Master of Science in Veterinary Preventative Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public
Health from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 2020, and his Executive
MBA in Business Administration and Management in 2023. To round out his list of
accomplishments, he is a co-author or contributor to several scientific papers in the areas
of wildlife ecology. He holds certifications in Operations Management, Macroeconomics,
Microeconomics, and Managerial Accounting.
Ushirika is extremely fortunate to have a man of Dr. Ngulu’s accomplishments and
knowledge on our Advisory Board.
knowledge on our Advisory Board.