Staff
New York - Headquarters
Steve Mendelsohn
Executive Director
Prior to joining FilmAid, Steve was the Executive Director of Project Rebirth, a nonprofit organization based in downtown Manhattan, whose mission is to document the entire reconstruction of the World Trade Center site through a feature-length documentary film and an installation in the Memorial Museum at Ground Zero.
Before Project Rebirth, Steve was the Executive Director of Manhattan Neighborhood Network, the nation�s largest nonprofit public access cable television network, where he oversaw all strategic, fiscal, operational, and marketing initiatives. Prior to that, Steve was a General Manager at Razorfish, an Internet design and consulting company, where he developed the Solutions Department and oversaw operations for the New York office. He also worked at Nurun, a French Canadian Internet consulting firm, where he ran New York operations. Steve also worked for a decade with American Express, where he held a variety of marketing positions in the Credit Card, Travel and Financial Services Divisions. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Michael Aberg
Media Production Manager
Michael currently serves as the Media Production Manager for FilmAid International. Before working for FilmAid, Michael resided in Indonesia for three years where he, amongst other freelancing duties, worked for the international news broadcast and production company AsiaWorks as well as for UNAIDS, where he led a video production on post-tsunami Aceh, Indonesia. Before living in Argentina and Indonesia, Michael worked for Propellerhead Software, a Swedish music software company. Prior to that he worked with broadcasting for the BBC in London. Michael holds a HND in Sound and Video Engineering from Salford University in the UK.
Charlena Tillett
Program & Communications Associate
Charlena serves as the Program and Communications Associate for FilmAid International. A recent graduate of Georgetown University, Charlena was afforded the opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania, Africa where she studied politics and government. While there, Charlena developed a deeper understanding of the country through interning with a non-governmental organization “Kivulini”—a women’s rights organization that serves as a resource for women involved in domestic violence
Nicholas Constantakis
Finance Director
NAIROBI, KENYA - East Africa Head Office
Charles Otieno
Kenya Country Manager
Charles is responsible for overseeing all aspects of FilmAid�s programs in Kenya. Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Literature, Sociology and Political Science), and has over seven years experience in development communications. He has participated in several projects involving the use of the arts in various formats, including theatre and radio, for communicating development and awareness issues. He has worked in various capacities for the last three years in FilmAid�s program in Kenya.
Stella Suge
Administration and Finance Manager
Is a graduate in Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University. She has over 8 years experience working in finance and administration in various organizations ranging from private business to non-governmental organizations. Stella has been with FilmAid since 2005.
Shem K. Cheruiyot
Accountant
Shem is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who enjoys living with a positive outlook on life with specialized knowledge in the area of accounting. Shem had worked in the private commercial sector for over two years before joining the Filmaid family. His area of specialization entails bookkeeping, accounting, preparing of finance accounts, handling all the statutory requirements, development and implementing financial policies amongst other financial procedures.
KENYA (KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP) - Field Office
Christopher Agutu
Program Manager
Before joining Filmaid, Chris worked for Sanaa Art promotions for 4 years in various capacities in Program Development and Management. He has extensive experience in the use of performing and visual arts as channels/medium of communication in Development Education targeting youth. Chris is a graduate in Development Communications. Chris believes in making a positive impact on other people�s lives. He hopes to use this opportunity to share the skills and knowledge acquired over the years towards achieving these objectives. He also seeks to learn from those who have been working in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya and he hopes that his work and experiences there will be a source of inspiration throughout his life.
Anthony Muteru
Production and PVP coordinator
Anthony Muteru holds a B.A degree in Mass Communication from St. Augustine University in Tanzania having specialized in the electronic media. He has over 4 years experience in the media, having started out as a freelancer working on promotional films and documentaries. He worked with FilmAid for the first time in 2003 as a consultant before working in the TV industry as a programs editor. He joined FilmAid again in 2005, as the Assistant Program Manager where he has also coordinating the activities of the Participatory Video Project. He has supported and continues to support the organizations community-based video projects in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps. Anthony has a wealth of experience in editing, cinematography, directing and management. His main passion is working with the refugee youths under the Participatory Filmmaking Program, mentoring them to become professionals and voices of change in the community.
KENYA (DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP) - Field Office
Victor Odindo Ombonya
Project Officer
Project Officer
A graduate of the University of Nairobi with, of all the things, a BSc. degree in Chemistry and Botany, Victor�s passion for art � and especially artistic expression � has taken him to organizations and endeavors that seek to place people at the center of their focus. Prior to FilmAid, Victor worked at Abila Creative Center, a community based organization located in Kisumu, Kenya which uses art, creativity and community media to address social challenges facing rural communities. Victor believes that the stories of the underprivileged � and how they are told � is what will ultimately break down barriers that continue to deny millions of people the opportunity to be human and to live life with dignity. Victor believes that FilmAid affords a great opportunity to contribute his creative and inspiring ideas. Victor loves movies and music, and he is an accomplished visual artist.
