Our Team
Amplio is based in Seattle, with a country office in Ghana. We are guided by our values of partnership, responsibility, respect, transparency, and learning.
Wasila Abdulai
Finance and Administrative Manager
Skilled in finance and nonprofit administration, Wasila has experience in tech innovation and startups, youth entrepreneurship, and the cocoa sector. Prior to joining Amplio, she was a finance and accounts associate for Yison Tech Hub and the Ghana Cocoa Board, a governmental organization that supports the production, processing and marketing of cocoa in Ghana. At Amplio, Wasila leads accounting, training, capacity building, and team collaboration, and holds down the fort for our office in Wa, Upper West Region. Wasila holds a bachelor's degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MBA in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD UBIDS).
Thelma "Anike" Amao
Communications Officer
Anike leads and works on Amplio Ghana stories, videos, and reports. She also manages social media and supports the development of editorial content for Amplio US. A creative thought partner with an entrepreneurial spirit, Anike brings expertise in communications, social media management, sales and marketing, customer service, and performing arts management. With a background in digital media, including gender issues in the media, Anike is passionate about using her skills and knowledge to advance society. She holds an M.A. in Performing Arts from the University of Ghana and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Riley Byrne
Operations and Admin Manager
Growing up in Southeast Asia, Riley learned three lessons: meet people where they are, community prosperity is specific to the community, and every person has a story like your own. Since earning her BA in Political Science and a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communication with honors at Chapman University, Riley has used these lessons to advance in the nonprofit field. At Amplio, she brings experience in operations, donor relations, volunteer and events coordination, and community engagement. Prior to moving to Seattle, Riley worked for Orange County United Way and Templo Calvario Community Development Corporation in Southern California.
Michael Dakura
Information Technology Manager
Michael has supported technology for Talking Book programs since 2016. He provides technical support and training for Amplio partners in Ghana and globally. Prior to joining Amplio, he worked on community research and data collection in northern Ghana with a focus on socio-economic and health issues, local resources, and community needs. He also served as a data officer for Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans and a systems/network administrator for St. Joseph Knowledge Centre, one of the first ICT centers in the Upper West Region. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Cape Coast, a higher national diploma in accounting from Sunyani Polytechnic, and an advanced diploma in computing from IPMC Ghana.
Toffic Dapilaah
MEAL/Partnership Development Manager
Toffic Dapilaah is a seasoned M&E specialist with over 10 years of experience in designing and implementing SBCC programs. He plays a crucial role in supporting partnership development efforts for Amplio across Africa. Toffic's expertise spans various sectors, including agriculture, health, nutrition, women's empowerment, and COVID-19 response. He has led SBCC programs across Africa, collaborating with organizations such as MEDA, UNICEF, CARE, USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation COCOBOD, GIZ etc. He is a graduate of the USAID Young African Leadership Initiative program in public sector management, and holds a master's degree in project management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology as well as a bachelor's degree in business management from Zenith University College. Toffic remains dedicated to driving impactful change and fostering strategic collaborations. Moreover, he's a recognized speaker at prestigious conferences, including the SBCC Summit 2022 in Morocco and the ICT4D Conference in Ghana 2024. His contributions have significantly advanced Amplio's mission of promoting social change and empowerment across Africa.
Fidelis Awonodomo Da-uri
Programs Coordinator
Fidelis Da-uri is an expert in audio content design and social and behavior change communication strategies. He has produced message over a dozen languages, including songs, dramas, and expert interviews in partnership with UNICEF, Ghana Health Service, CARE, COCOBOD, MEDA, ad others. He has over 10 years of experience designing and implementing Amplio Talking Book programs to address a wide range of issues and sectors, including agriculture and food security, climate change, maternal and child health, nutrition, financial literacy, women's empowerment, child protection, peace and security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and more. A skilled musician, he composes songs and plays the gyile, a West African xylophone. Fidelis holds an MA in Development Communication from SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies and a BA in Business Administration from University of Education, Winneba.
Lee Ann De Reus, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Lee Ann De Reus is a nonprofit leader, scholar, and ardent advocate for women’s rights, racial equity, and climate justice. She is the co-founder of Panzi Foundation, with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, which assists survivors of gender-based violence at Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She served as the Executive Director of DV LEAP, providing access to legal justice and safety for survivors of domestic violence across the US. Her expertise in sexualized violence has garnered global recognition, with speaking engagements at TEDx, the Oslo Freedom Forum, and the UN Commission on the Status of Women. As an Associate Professor at Penn State Altoona, she taught courses in Human Development, conducted research on sexualized violence, and led teams of PSU students on international experiential trips to Rwanda, Chad, Mozambique, Tanzania, and and the Dominican Republic.
Lawrence Ephrim
Software Engineer
Lawrence is passionate about coding and creating innovative solutions. With a strong foundation in software development, he is adept at problem-solving and collaborating in cross-functional teams. Lawrence has worked on various projects, where he has gained valuable knowledge in areas such as web development. At Amplio, he supports the Amplio Talking Book platform and the development of SBC Impact Designer, a digital platform that uses AI prompts to help organizations and teams integrate social and behavior change frameworks into their projects for greater impact. He holds a BSc in Information Technology from the University of Cape Coast.
Emmanuel Sasu
Junior Software Developer
Emmanuel is a passionate and results-driven software developer based in Accra, Ghana. With a degree in Computer Science from the University of Ghana, he has cultivated a diverse skill set that spans the realms of software engineering and low-level systems. He
enjoys building innovative and efficient computer software and crafting solutions that marry theory and practice. Outside the realm of code, Emmanuel is an active member of the vibrant tech community in Accra. He believes in the power of collaboration and continually seeks opportunities to learn, share knowledge, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of software development.
Simon Tang
Business Development Manager
Simon joined Amplio in 2016. Early on, he was the Talking Book program officer for MEDA's Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) project, which economically empowered 23,000 women to improve food security and nutrition for their families by growing and selling soybean. Today, he leads and works on business development, manages Talking Book programs, and supports partner relationships. He has expertise in audio content creation and management, survey design and implementation, and community mobilization. Prior to joining Amplio, Simon was officer-in-charge for the implementation of the live drama phase of UNICEF’s Communication for Development program. He also served as a cultural officer for the National Commission on Culture in the Upper East Region. He holds a BA in Integrated Development Studies from the University for Development Studies, Ghana.
Gumah Aloysius Tiah
Ghana Country Director
Gumah has over a decade of experience in emergency and development work across diverse fields, including climate change, disaster management, food security, health, WASH, livelihoods, gender, and governance. A leader in program development, management, and monitoring and evaluation strategy, Gumah has worked in Ghana and internationally. He previously led and coordinated programs for the Swiss Red Cross in South Sudan, British Red Cross in Sierra Leone, SEND Foundation of West Africa, Population Services International, Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency, and the Community-Driven Initiatives for Food Security project funded by Global Affairs Canada. Gumah has an MA in Development Management from the University for Development Studies, Ghana.