Board Of Directors

Chair of the Board

Dr. D’Andrea Weeks

D’Andrea Weeks, Ed.D. has been involved with Vitendo4Africa in some way since 2012 and is the chair of the board of directors. She is currently the director of business director for the Texas International Education Consortium, a consortium of 33 universities across Texas. D’Andrea has over 20 years of experience leading productive teams and streamlining internal operations. As a grant writer and strategist, she has won over $4M in federal and foundation grants. As a thought partner and catalyst for non-profits and institutions of higher education, she has consulted on a diverse range of topics from global education, educational innovation, educational leadership, program development, evaluative inquiry, curriculum review, grant writing, institutional matchmaking, and non-profit board development. These projects have spanned five continents and multiples states in the United States. 

As an adjunct faculty at Lamar University, D’Andrea has co-taught courses in Strategic Planning, Global Communication, Global Leadership Issues, and Academic Research Writing. D’Andrea has also been a Peace Corps volunteer in Eastern Europe, a social worker at a school for the deaf, and a transition specialist for deaf-blind youth and adults. D’Andrea received her Doctorate in global educational leadership from Lamar University. After living on three different continents and traveling in over 20 countries, she has chosen to settle down in St. Louis, Missouri.

Board Vice Chairman

Allain Kagarama

“I am a community leader. My past experience in the insurance industry help me understand the financial needs of folks in various communities. I joined the board member of V4A to serve as an additional resources to help connect The Haves and Have Nots in the community. I believe sharing informations offered by public and private sectors will help strengthen the community in various domains such as education, health and businesses. ”

Board Members

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Sebastian Mwangi

Board Member

Vitendo for African is truly the immigrant vehicles that’s takes a lot of people to destination that they have always dreamt of. When Geoffery shares his Vision with me I truly found the space to do what I have always wanted to do. This is to help and connect people with the help they need, making difference in people’s life by connecting them with others. My background in Finance and Experience with people across the globe has really helped to carry the vision of the group.

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Patavee (Patty) Vanadilok

Board Member

Patavee (Patty) Vanadilok is an immigration attorney who loves her clients and loves the practice of immigration law. Whether her clients are refugees on the path to obtaining U.S. citizenship, immigrant entrepreneurs launching their startup idea, businesses hiring foreign workers, immigrant investors creating jobs in the United States, international students transitioning to their professional careers, or families reuniting with relatives from abroad, Ms. Vanadilok feels privileged to support each and every one of their dreams.

Her office is located in the CORTEX Innovation District in the Central West End.
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Dr. Wambui Waruingi

Board Member

Dr. Wambui Waruingi is a neonatologist at St Louis university practicing at Cardinal Glennon. She is new to the Missouri area having lived in Ohio for 9 years. She was born in Nairobi, Kenya and completed medical school training at the University of Nairobi before relocating to the USA with her family. She is a mother of five children ranging from 1.5 to 22 years of age. He interests include her Christian faith, reading, travel, cycling and fitness. Wambui brings to the table a good understanding for what training in the health field entails for women, and is interested in mentoring young people with ambitions in the health care field. She is also willing to mentor middle and high school students in any health related or STEM project

Dr. Christina Vivit

Dr. Christina Vivit

Board Member

Dr. Christina Vivit is a Filipina-American with passions for community health, immigrant and refugee empowerment, and celebrating life and culture. She is currently practicing in the field of pelvic health as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in the Greater Los Angeles Area along with leading community health research within Vitendo4Africa. She received her bachelors and doctoral degrees at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. She found a special home and heart in Vitendo4Africa throughout her time in St. Louis and is passionate about Vitendo4Africa’s mission, vision, and acts of service within the immigrant and refugee community. Christina is a recipient of 2018 Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) Elwood Scholar Award and presented at the 2019 American Public Health Annual Meeting (APHA)  “Stressors in Immigrant Youth Assessed Within Community-Based Programming” alongside of Vitendo4Africa’s passionate leader, Geoffrey Soyiantet. On her free time, she enjoys being outside, spending time with loved ones, crafting, dancing, and sipping on coffee or tea.

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Jesii Kimani

Board Member

Jesii in the Executive director and owner of Lucky Trucking LLC in St Louis. After attending immigrants entrepreneur workshop hosted by V4A Jesii was inspired to start his own logistic company. He also worked with Hogan for a period of three years as owner operator. Jesii has been a great resource and a mentor to young entrepreneurs in St. Louis. Through his help, many immigrants have entered into the tracking business and are now financially stable and growing. Jesii has a bachelor in Science from Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya.

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Dr. John Mwangi

Board Member

Dr. John Mwangi is an internist in Saint Louis, Missouri. He received his medical degree from University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences and has been in practice between 11-20 years. He volunteer with V4A to provid health education to immigrants during health fair and special events.

Dr. Christopher Gearin

Dr. Christopher A. Gearin

Board Member

Dr. Christopher is the Director of the Higher Education Leadership Doctoral program and faculty at Maryville University. He obtained his Doctor of Education from Maryville University, his Master of Education from Harvard University, and his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Westfield State University. Dr. Gearin was a college president for over 20 years. He was also a Director at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where he served on the Advisory Board to the Administrative Dean and received a merit award for his accomplishments as an administrator. He has been appointed to many advisory boards and was also the Board of Education President for an elementary school. He received the State of Missouri Meritorious Public Service Award for his service as the Chairperson for an advisory board to the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education. He is a longtime social justice advocate for the international community.

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Geoffrey Soyiantet

Founder: Vitendo 4 africa

Vitendo4Africa provides a forum for discussion of common issues, aspirations and solutions for the advancement of individuals and groups from African Immigrant community in Missouri. we are committed to promote and preserve the diverse African History, Music, arts, and cultures. Vitendo4africa sponsors events organized by Immigrant Communities in St louis and other neighboring cities.