Meet Our Board of Directors

David is Mechanical Engineer at Raytheon Technologies, where he applies his technical skills to drive innovation in aerospace technology. Beyond his engineering pursuits, Woods is an entrepreneur  in crafting exceptional beverages. As the driving force behind Brillé Beverages, he channels his engineering expertise into the creation of unique Ethiopian-inspired drinks. Woods and Brillé Beverages are dedicated to providing the highest standards of authenticity and quality, blending traditional brewing methods. 

He was born and raised in Ethiopia until he was a teenager, so he understands the struggle to find clean water sources in the rural communities. He has been delighted to have been selected to serve on the board of Bridge H2OPE Inc. He looks forward to helping the organization reach its long term goals.

Romulus brings over 15 years of expertise in the higher education sector, specializing in student life and leadership development. As a former adviser of H2OPE at Trinity College, Hartford, he has a deep-rooted passion for nurturing students' growth and seeing them evolve into impactful leaders. 

Romulus leads by example, encouraging individuals to step out of their comfort zones, share their unique talents, and inspire others to do the same, ultimately fostering a culture of positive influence and transformation.

Jane is a co-founder and the current Executive Director of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), based in Pittsfield, MA. With a profound passion for clean water, healthy air, and interconnected landscapes for wildlife, Jane has steered BEAT towards impactful environmental initiatives. Her expertise in nonprofit accounting has enabled BEAT to allocate resources efficiently and forge strategic partnerships, amplifying the organization's influence on environmental matters in the Berkshire community. Apart from her accounting proficiency, Jane holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in zoology, further enriching her understanding of ecological systems.

As one of the ‘Lost Boys of Sudan” John spent most of early life running from the dangers of the twenty-year civil war in Sudan, not knowing if his parents were alive or dead, trekking across

deserts and forced to live in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. Luckily John was given the chance to move to Atlanta, GA where he determined to gain as much education as he could and

then return to help rebuild the newly established nation of South Sudan. Along the way he earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Masters in International Policy.

Though he returned to South Sudan, married and started a family, John quickly learned that, despite having advanced degrees, the chaos and corruption in his newly-formed country - the result of years of unsettling war, offered few chances to earn a living and support his growing family. As a result he has returned to the United States where he can earn money to support his

family, but is determined to do any and every thing he can to improve life for those left behind in Africa. He hopes that his experience as a refugee, his education in the U.S. and his years spent teaching and working with special-needs children can be of service to Bridge H2OPE as it works to provide safe water to Ethiopian communities in need.