Our Team
Julia Alvarez – Executive Director
Julia brings nearly a decade of nonprofit experience to her role with Elephant Energy. After spending five years as a social change consultant, helping U.S. based organizations work more effectively and efficiently, Julia is thrilled to be back in international development. Julia received her BA in international studies from Kenyon College and her MA in international peace studies from the UN mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. In addition to her consulting work, Julia has experience as a policy analyst in Washington, D.C. and as a facilitator of youth leadership development workshop. Having lived, traveled and worked globally, Julia is excited to have an opportunity to help share sustainable light with communities around the world.
Matt Vanderwerken – Program Manager – Namibia
Matt is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where he received a BA in Physics. After several marketing and management positions in Buffalo and New York City, Matt decided to move to his hometown of Syracuse to work in the IT field and for a medical laboratory. Volunteering and community development have long been focus areas in Matt's life. In 2011, he started Operation Northern Comfort, a nonprofit based out of Syracuse, New York, that is dedicated to helping the disadvantaged in his community. From 2012–2014, Matt served with the U.S. Peace Corps in Namibia as a secondary school teacher and worked on projects in his village to foster small businesses. Instead of moving back to the United States after his service, he chose to stay in Namibia and join Elephant Energy to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in rural Namibian homes and providing solar power for those in most need.
Veronica Ferris – Manager of Special Initiatives
Veronica is a Community Economic Development volunteer with the United States Peace Corps Namibia. She is passionate about renewable energy, and has also volunteered with at-risk populations in the U.S. and abroad. She received her B.A. in Economics and Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary, and is now helping Elephant Energy provide solar products to rural populations in Namibia.
Theo Hamukoto – Senior Regional Sales Manager for Kavango East and West Regions
Theo is a Christian and after he matriculated, he worked at the Ministry of Labour, in the National Planning Commissions and with the Ministry of Trade and Industry as an interviewer/enumerator in Oshana region. Theo has 6 years of sales experience working for Trustco Group International as an ICDL/IOL marketer and with Edcon group as a cell phone consultant. In 2012, Theo was first employed as a regional sales manager at Elephant Energy. He is enjoying his current job more than anything else and is looking forward to greater achievements as an individual as well as a team. In August 2014, Theo was promoted to Senior Regional Sales Manager because of his ability to mentor new staff and his success in his region.
Elizabeth Ndivayele – Senior Regional Sales Manager for Ohangwena and Oshikoto
Elizabeth grew up in Windhoek, Namibia, where she completed high school and did her office administrator studies at the International University of Management. Since completing her studies, Elizabeth has had three primary jobs, first as an office administrator at Sigma Trading, second as a manager at Portugal House Selling, and the third is as a Regional Sales Manager with Elephant Energy. Elizabeth joined the team in March 2012 and she loves working with Elephant Energy–not just for herself, but for the community as well. In August 2014, Elizabeth was promoted to Senior Regional Sales Manager and she continues to support and mentor Regional Sales Mangers in north-central regions. Elizabeth hopes to continue to work with Elephant Energy forever…and we hope she will, too!
Kalokela Dominic Simpindu – Regional Sales Manager for Zambezi Region
Dominic has worked as a palliative home-based care provider, and in youth education and prevention programs with Catholic AIDS Action for 10 years. He has also worked for Caprivi Hope for Life as a program facilitator and monitoring and evaluation officer and as a senior qualitative researcher in social issues. Dominic joined the Elephant Energy team in May 2014 and he believes that to reduce the loss of lives caused by fire from candles in homes, Elephant Energy is the solution.
Maria Nikodemus – Regional Sales Manager for Khomas Region
Born and raised in Windhoek, Maria was a board member of the Open Talk Newspaper from 2007-2008 whilst in Grade 10 and 11. She has also volunteered at the National Youth Council and worked on the HIV/AIDS Campaigns from 2009-2010. From 2012 to 2014, Maria was a Team Supervisor at Fides Bank Namibia in Windhoek. Maria is a young, versatile and enthusiastic individual with a keen interest in customer service. She has the ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.
Ndeyapo Shikomba – Regional Sales Manager for Oshana, Omusati and Kunene Regions
Ndeyapo Shikomba grew up in Ogongo, Namibia, where she completed high school and then continued her education at the Valombala Vocational Training Centre, studying Information Communication Technology. Ndeyapo has worked as a Secretary at Princess Fashion Design, an Administrator at the National Customer Service Marketing and a Bookkeeper at National Business Management Network. In April 2015, she joined Elephant Energy where she is now the Regional Sales Manager for the Oshana, Omusati and Kunene Regions.
Carol Murphy – Consultant
After receiving her Masters Degree in environmental science, Carol has spent the last 25 years in conservation and development work in Southern Africa. She provides freelance assistance to Elephant Energy's projects in the Zambezi and is a member of the Nambian Board of Trustees.