Leadership

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.