Leadership committed to responsible service

President · United States

Pascal Yéhi TOKPA

Leadership • Governance • International Development

Pascal Yéhi TOKPA is an international development and management professional with decades of experience in financial management, governance, procurement, institutional capacity building, and project management. He has contributed to development initiatives supported by the World Bank and other international development partners. An entrepreneur and business leader, he brings extensive experience in organizational management and strategic leadership. As President of Jeannot TOKPA Foundation, he is committed to honoring his father’s legacy by promoting education, sustainable development, community empowerment, and opportunities for underserved communities.

Vice President / Vice-Chair · Côte d’Ivoire

Fabrice Loua GUÉI

Modern Literature • Communication • Higher Education

Fabrice Loua GUÉI holds a doctorate in Literature and has an academic background in Modern Literature and Information and Communication Sciences. His education and professional experience enable him to contribute to higher education through teaching, knowledge sharing, student mentorship, and the development of intellectual, writing, and communication skills. His profile reflects strong academic and pedagogical experience. He provides specialized and complementary instruction in Modern Literature, Performing Arts, and Information and Communication Sciences. As Vice President of Jeannot TOKPA Foundation, he brings expertise in education, communication, culture, and training to the Board. He also contributes to strategic discussions and to the development of initiatives that promote access to knowledge, cultural enrichment, and community advancement.

Treasurer · Côte d’Ivoire

Flora Anabelle TOKPA TOGOULI

Agriculture • Agroecology • Rural Development

Flora Anabelle TOKPA TOGOULI is a plant and animal production assistant with a specialization in cooperation, and a rural development practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agroecology and specializes in providing technical guidance to producers of perennial and food crops, as well as livestock farmers. She currently works as an agronomy technician within the ANADER zone office in Alépé, Côte d’Ivoire. Dynamic, rigorous, and skilled in education and outreach, she works effectively in teams, supports rural communities, and promotes initiatives that advance sustainable agricultural development. As Treasurer of Jeannot TOKPA Foundation, she contributes to responsible resource management and to the Foundation’s agricultural and community development initiatives.

Secretary · Djibouti

Edithe TOKPA

Administration • Education • Humanitarian Service

Edithe TOKPA is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to serving others. She works as a secretary at the Diocese and also provides private tutoring. She currently volunteers at the infirmary of Caritas Djibouti, a Catholic Church charitable service supporting vulnerable people, including street-connected children, families experiencing homelessness, and undocumented individuals. Through her administrative, educational, and humanitarian experience, she has developed strong organizational, listening, compassion, and service skills. As Secretary of Jeannot TOKPA Foundation, she is committed to advancing its mission with care and dedication.

Director · Côte d’Ivoire

Gerôme TOKPA

Sustainability • Forests • Climate Resilience • Responsible Supply Chains

Gerôme TOKPA is a sustainability and natural resources professional with more than 20 years of experience in sustainable forest management, responsible supply chains, climate resilience, deforestation, and social issues. He holds degrees in Mining Geology from ENSTP in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, and Geoecology from the University of Freiberg, Germany. After working at ETH Zurich and Precious Woods in Gabon, he opened the Côte d’Ivoire branch of Earthworm Foundation in 2011. He currently serves as Africa Director of Earthworm Foundation, working with companies and partners to advance responsible and resilient value chains.

Earthworm Foundation • Africa Director

Director · Switzerland / Côte d’Ivoire

Kathrin Heitz-Tokpa

Rural Development • Community Engagement • Human Rights

Kathrin Heitz-Tokpa is a social anthropologist and development professional with over ten years of experience in rural development, capacity strengthening, community engagement, and human rights. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Basel and completed a CAS in Development and Cooperation at NADEL, ETH Zurich. She is co-founder and Country Director of the Swiss NGO CABOZ Action in Côte d’Ivoire. Since 2008, she has conducted research across the country and currently contributes to community engagement, human rights, and policy advocacy for health projects at the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire.

ORCID: 0000-0002-0507-4194

Director · United States

Simone SESSE

Public Health • Clinical Research • Community Health

Simone Sesse, RN, MPH, is an epidemiologist, clinical research coordinator, and registered nurse with experience in clinical research, public health, preventive medicine, grant management, program evaluation, and population health. At Griffin Health, she coordinates a longitudinal study supporting older adults and caregivers and contributes to federally funded preventive medicine residency programs. Her work spans participant recruitment and follow-up, IRB compliance, data quality, grant reporting, survey development, and multidisciplinary coordination. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade with the CDC in Abidjan, supervising HIV testing and supporting laboratory development in several countries. She holds an MPH and a BSN from Sacred Heart University and brings a practical, evidence-based perspective to community health initiatives.

Registered Nurse • Epidemiologist • Clinical Research Coordinator

Director · Côte d’Ivoire

Jean-Luc TOKPA

Logistics • Transportation • Entrepreneurship • Agribusiness

Jean-Luc TOKPA is an entrepreneur and business professional with a background in Logistics and Transportation. He has developed practical experience across several sectors, including freight forwarding, passenger and goods transportation, and agropastoral activities. Through his entrepreneurial work, he has gained valuable expertise in logistics operations, business management, and service delivery. As a Director of Jeannot TOKPA Foundation, he is committed to contributing his entrepreneurial experience, practical knowledge, and understanding of local economic realities to initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods, community development, and economic opportunities.

Director · Côte d’Ivoire

Tiémoko Noël GUÉI

Education • Training • Community Leadership

Tiémoko Noël GUÉI is an experienced educator and community leader with a longstanding commitment to education and to social, religious, and community life. Trained as a primary school teacher, he entered the civil service in 1972. Throughout his career, he served successively as a teacher, school principal, and teacher educator at CAFOP, contributing to the education and mentorship of several generations. A passionate trainer, he remains actively involved in his community. He serves as a delegate of Saint Joseph Parish in Guiglo, an adviser to the Dan traditional chiefdom, and a founding member of the WAKOTO Association, whose name means “union” in the Dan language. His experience, dedication to service, and commitment to solidarity are valuable assets to Jeannot TOKPA Foundation.