Our Staff

Staff
Staff Photo, Niger, 2022

Image of Katherine Kolios

Katherine Kolios

Executive Director

Katherine’s experience spans education, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and malaria prevention. She joined RAIN in 2017 having lived, worked, and studied in Francophone communities throughout Africa, South America, and Europe. Katherine has experience working in the field and in headquarters of organizations large and small. Currently, she leads RAIN’s strategic planning, serves as the liaison between Niger and U.S. operations, and ensures RAIN has the resources needed to implement programs effectively in tandem with community partners. She is a graduate of Brandeis University’s Health: Science, Society and Policy program.

Image of Zakari Madougou

Zakari Madougou

Country Director

Zakari comes to RAIN with over 35 years of experience in rural development. He has served as Country Director for Helen Keller International in Niger and Guinea, Country Director for CARE in Ivory Coast, and Country Director Adjoint for CARE in Niger. Zakari also has experience with USAID, Oxfam, IMF, PLAN, and others. These posts have enabled him to develop expertise in resilience, local development, natural resource management, food security, humanitarian response, and post-crisis rehabilitation.

Zakari holds a degree in Agronomy from the University of Niamey and has completed coursework at the Agronomic Institute of Paris Grignon, UNESCO University of Sciences and Techniques of Montpellier, Georgetown University, and the Center for Tropical Agronomy Studies in Nogent sur Marne. He speaks English, French, Zarma, Hausa, and Portuguese.

Image of Boubou Aw

Boubou Aw

Program Director

Boube joined RAIN’s team in 2019 with a Masters in Project and Program Management from Eastern University in Pennsylvania and over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Starting out in program coordination, Boube climbed the ranks at World Vision. Over the course of his time there and elsewhere, Boube developed expertise in monitoring and evaluation, crisis management, and community partnership. He is fluent in Zarma, French and English.

Image of Salifou Kountche

Salifou Kountche

Director of Administration & Finance

Salifou has led RAIN’s in-country Administration and Finances since 2014. Prior to joining RAIN, he spent over 14 years climbing the ranks at World Vision working on projects in Maradi, Zinder, and Tillabery until achieving the post of Chief Accountant for the National Office. Salifou earned his degree in Accounting and Business Management at SODESI in Niamey, Niger. He is fluent in French and Zarma and conversant in Haussa and Mina.

Image of Azara Touma Touma Ibrahim

Azara Touma Touma Ibrahim

Director of the Agadez Learning Center

Azara has been working with NGOs, including OXFAM and SNV’s “Youth, Advocacy, Women, Work and Alliances” project, since 2003. Her focus has been on literacy, reproductive health and leadership training. She is also an entrepreneur and has a passion for women’s cooperative work. She plays a crucial role in training program participants and on-the-ground monitoring of program implementation. She speaks Tamasheq, Hausa, and French.

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Freya Hoffman-Terry

US Office Manager

Freya has extensive experience in the non-profit world. She has managed youth development programs for the YMCA of Southern Maine, A’s & Aces (a tennis, literacy and lifeskills organization in New Orleans) and Boston Scores (a soccer, poetry and service learning nonprofit). Prior to her youth development work, Freya served in the U.S. Peace Corps, in the Philippines, where she conducted environmental education lessons and organized a literacy program. Freya received a BA in Sociology, from William Smith College. She lives with her husband, Jake, in Kennebunk, Maine.

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Kyana Burgess

US Communications and Outreach Manager

Kyana joined the RAIN team in 2023 with B.A. in Anthropology and Sustainability from the University of New Hampshire and a dedication to connecting people through visual media and storytelling. Her focus is the intersection between social and environmental justice, evident in her previous work with the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute and F.A.I.R Lab. Her experience in the nonprofit world includes managing environmentally-driven projects focused on implementing sustainable initiatives and strengthening global outreach development.

Image of Rabaha Rosalie Alain

Rabaha Rosalie Alain

Agadez Accounting & Logistics Manager

Rabaha came to RAIN after completing her Masters in accounting at the African Institute of Technology. She helps to oversee budgets, contracts, and operations for the Agadez office. She speaks Haussa, Zarma, and French.