Makeda Mulugeta, RN MSN, was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She relocated to New York with her family at the age of 16 and later pursued her undergraduate and graduate studies at Hunter College in New York.

Professionally, Makeda worked as a nurse in plastic and general surgery, labor and deliver, and oncology. She later transitioned to working as a nursing instructor at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky.

Makeda treasured the time raising her three daughters during two decades as a stay-at-home mom. Spending time in the rearing and upbringing of her children sparked Makeda’s interest in education. She experienced how parental involvement and the availability of a quality education were key to children’s success.

Makeda hopes to bring the same passion and energy to Rebuilding A Nation. Her dream is to see all children in Ethiopia receive a quality education so that they can reach their God-given potential

Zewdu Lissanu, MD was born and raised in Ethiopia. He was reared with humble means and diligently applied himself to his studies and education. With determination and hard work, he had the opportunity to advance, eventually studying medicine at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Zewdu immigrated to the United States in 1986, continuing his studies at Woodhull Medical and Health Center in Brooklyn, New York where he completed an Internal Medicine residency. At the completion of this residency, Zewdu then completed a Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology at Georgetown University in 1995.

Zewdu met Makeda Mulugeta during his residency in 1990. They have been blessed with three daughters: Desta (28), Lydia (27), and Abby (25).

Zewdu has practiced medicine in Kentucky for the past 18 years. Currently, he works as the Director of the Cancer Center at Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Zewdu’s dream is to see all Ethiopian children have the same access to educational opportunities that were available to him.

Robin Citak was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon after finishing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, she was blessed to work for an extended period in Nigeria, West Africa at a center for malnourished children. As a young adult, this was a very formative life experience. It shaped her awareness of great need in the world and created a life-long gratitude for many things that are easily taken for granted. Besides working in West Africa, Robin has also had the opportunity to work as a nurse in Haiti and Peru as well as years in high-risk obstetrics and critical care in the U.S.

In September of 2018, Robin had the opportunity to travel to Addis Ababa with RAN founder Makeda Mulugeta and visit Raey School. After meeting the founders, teachers, and some of the beautiful children and their families, Robin is joyful to assist RAN in their mission to bring education and opportunity to children in Ethiopia.

Robin and her husband of 32 years have three children who have all spent time working internationally in orphanages, clinics, church planting, and promoting new international non-profits. Robin currently works in real estate and most enjoys spending free time with friends and family.

Leisha Garland was born in Appalachia near the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. Raised in poverty, she developed a heart for the downtrodden and poor. Through many blessings and the love of diligent parents and grandparents, Leisha was the second in her family to pursue college and the first to complete graduate studies. After completion of her studies, she worked in engineering and information science for five years for a top Fortune 500 company.

After marrying, she and her husband lived in multiple states and traveled doing orphanage, church planting, and philanthropic work throughout the world. She was exposed to many international schools and orphanages, eventually leading her and her family to work for five years in an orphanage in the city of Juarez, Mexico. The exposure to the devastating needs of children in developing countries impressed upon her the need of involvement to help others rise out of the poverty she and her husband had experienced in their developmental years in Appalachia.

Leisha and her husband of 33 years have three children and two international god-children. When not working with her husband in their manufacturing consulting business, Leisha spends time with her ‘children’ around the world.

Mony Ung Harsh was born in the Kampong Cham Province of Cambodia and moved to Reno, Nevada at the age of 16 with her family. Mony developed an early interest in international affairs and philanthropic work at a young age, due to her experience as a survivor of the mass genocide and purge by the Khmer Rouge during the fall of Phnom Penh in Cambodia on April 17, 1995. Having exposure and background in many different contexts, she developed an inquisitive and curious mind for culture, language, and philanthropic work. Mony’s vision is to save others from the devastation she and her family experienced during most of her teen years.

After Mony’s resettlement from Cambodia to Reno, Nevada, she worked in various fields, but mainly as an entrepreneur in real estate. She has one son who lives in Colorado. Most of her living family dwells in Reno, Nevada, with some distant surviving family in Cambodia. Mony has a heart as big as the world and a wit and perseverance to match.

When Mony is not working in real estate, she enjoys gardening, cooking exquisite international cuisine, and visiting with close friends and family.