Board of Directors

Anne Awori is a visionary architectural designer and co-founder of the Awori Foundation, where she blends business acumen with creative ingenuity to create lasting, impactful change. Born in Kenya, Anne has extensive experience designing homes across Africa and the United States, bringing a deep understanding of diverse cultural and environmental contexts into her work.

Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that art and architecture hold the power to transform lives. Anne’s work extends beyond traditional design, as she has dedicated much of her career to creating welcoming, sustainable spaces for marginalized communities seeking refuge in the United States from conflict zones around the world. Her compassionate approach ensures that these spaces are not just functional but also offer dignity, hope, and resilience to those in need.

With degrees in International Business Administration, an MBA, and a Master’s in Architecture, Anne combines her diverse skill set to craft innovative solutions that uplift communities. Drawing inspiration from nature, fashion, and materials, and influenced by architectural greats like Peter Zumthor and Hiroshi Nakamura, she is committed to creating spaces that inspire and heal.

Outside of her professional work, Anne channels her creativity into designing jewelry and art, and enjoys hiking—expressions of her belief that creativity has the power to drive positive change in all aspects of life.

Jonathan Awori is a Kenyan Pediatric Cardiologist whose work blends creativity with cutting-edge medical technology. A pioneer in using Virtual Reality (VR) to reimagine the understanding of Congenital Heart Disease, he explores how immersive technology can enhance surgical planning and patient care.

With an academic foundation that includes a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Research from the University of Michigan, Jonathan combines scientific expertise with his creative background in the arts. He holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre, specializing in musical theatre and Shakespeare, which has informed his unique approach to medicine. His training includes a Pediatrics Residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital, a Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard University, and a Senior Fellowship in Advanced Cardiac Imaging at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor University.

Jonathan’s artistic sensibility extends into his medical practice, where he has used improvisational theatre techniques to enhance communication and collaboration within healthcare teams. His global health work, particularly in Kenya, reflects this creative approach. He has employed Theatre in Health Education (THE) to address local health challenges, demonstrating his belief in the power of storytelling to drive change and engage communities.

A passionate clinician, traveler, and performer, Jonathan is committed to the intersection of art and science, seeing limitless potential in this interdisciplinarity to solve complex global problems. As a co-founder of Awori Foundation, his innovative approach continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare, education, and beyond.

Dr. Hayanga is a Professor in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the West Virginia University Medicine.  He is the Director of the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute ECMO Program and Medical Director of Research.  Board certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, he completed his surgical training at Johns Hopkins University and University of Michigan followed by cardiothoracic and transplant surgery training at the University of Washington and University of Pittsburgh respectively.  He served as an Alfred Sommer Scholar during his MPH at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, as a 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) Patient Safety Scholar, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fellow and Senior Medical Adviser to the Deputy Secretary in Washington, D.C.  He is a 2021 Johns Hopkins Leadership Fellow and holds a Masters degree in Healthcare Leadership (MHL)  from Brown University and certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).   He is an expert Health Policy panelist with RAND Corporation, elected member of American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and editorial board member for Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation and LUNG and expert reviewer for numerous journals including Nature and JAMA.  He is a grant-funded researcher and has authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers.  His clinical work and research focus on ECMO, transplantation and application of data analytics in prevention, diagnosis, and mitigation of end-stage pulmonary disease. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Surgeons, and the American College of Chest Physicians.  He was invited to write the guidelines for the use of ECMO in patients with severe  COVID-19 disease in JTCVS.

Malaika Awori-Gunther, half Kenyan-half Scottish, was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. She currently lives in Quebec, Canada with her husband Brendan and two children Caleb and Naomi.  She attained her BSc in Biochemistry with a Minor in Music Technology at McGill University in Montreal and worked as a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry for several years. She then obtained her Medical Degree and residency training in Family Medicine at McGill University. She currently works at a community clinic as a Family Physician in Hudson, Quebec.  She strongly believes in the power of education, preventive healthcare and well-being. In her spare time, she likes to read, play piano, spend time in nature and travel with her family.

Dr. Heather K. Hayanga (Kaiser) is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist at West Virginia University Hospital. Dr. Hayanga received her medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her Fellowship for Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She also studied Health Policies and Comparative Health Systems at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Publications include: Residential segregation and access to surgical care by minority populations in US counties and Perspectives of future physicians on disaster medicine and public health preparedness: challenges of building a capable and sustainable auxiliary medical workforce. Dr Hayanga has been a valuable member of The RJW Foundation since 2009. Her education, training and expertise has been an immense value to the RJW Foundation in helping healthcare constrained communities.

With over two decades of experience in healthcare, Lucy is a passionate advocate for compassionate, high-quality patient care. As a Registered Nurse and Clinical Manager for the State of California, she leads with dedication, ensuring that every patient receives the care they deserve. Her expertise spans emergency response, psychiatric and critical care management, and the development of individualized treatment plans that prioritize patient well-being.

Lucy earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from West Coast University in Van Nuys, CA, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from College of the Canyons University in Phoenix, Arizona. In her current role, she oversees nursing staff, conducts crisis and medical assessments, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to create a safe and therapeutic environment for patients. Her leadership fosters not just patient stability but also team cohesion and morale.

Beyond her professional commitments, Lucy’s heart is rooted in service. She frequently returns to her home country, using her medical expertise to uplift underserved communities. From organizing health initiatives to volunteering in medical missions—a passion she’s carried since her nursing school days—she remains steadfast in her commitment to making healthcare accessible to those in need.

Now, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Awori Foundation, Lucy brings her wealth of experience in healthcare, leadership, and community service to drive the foundation’s mission of health, education, and empowerment. Her vision is clear: to bridge gaps in healthcare and create sustainable change for communities around the world.