LEADERSHIP TEAM

Debora L. Kobe

Founder & Executive Director

MEET OUR TEAM

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Cyrille Bally

Programs Director

Anna Chanthavongseng

Fundraising Director

Jean-Fabrice Niangoran

Financial Officer

Emmanuel Mahillet

Project Director

Witnessing the devastation around her during the post-electoral war in Ivory Coast in 2010, Debora reflected on the unimaginable struggles of children who had lost their parents and homes. She made a promise: "If she survived, she would dedicate her life to helping these children rebuild theirs". That promise has since become her life's work.

At just 17 years old, Debora left home to pursue education in Ghana, learning to navigate the challenges of financial independence and self-reliance. Despite personal hardships, she excelled, earning a prestigious Fulbright-sponsored scholarship, which enabled her to study for one year in the United States. Upon her return to Ivory Coast in 2016, she rallied hundreds of supporters through social media to launch her nonprofit, which has since become a beacon of hope for children who are homeless, uneducated, or at risk of violence and exploitation. The organization also supports single mothers, young girls, and boys, empowering them to build sustainable futures.

With over a decade of professional experience in sales and marketing, a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, and as a mother of two, Debora brings unmatched passion, resilience, and vision to her mission. Her own experiences have shaped her belief that true change goes beyond providing food and shelter. It requires addressing the mental health, emotional well-being, and social challenges that perpetuate cycles of poverty and homelessness.

Jean-Fabrice Niangoran is a seasoned Senior Business Executive with a strong background in finance, operations, and strategic leadership. With extensive experience across industries like technology, logistics, agribusiness, and oil & gas, he have served as both CEO and CFO, driving growth and financial optimization. Holding an MBA in Accounting, he specializes in enhancing profitability and operational efficiency, particularly within the African market. Fluent in English and French, Jean-Fabrice excels in leading multicultural teams, fostering relationships, and achieving results in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Since joining in 2018, Jean-Fabrice expertise in financial strategy, operational efficiency, and leadership has significantly benefited My Education My Future by providing a strong financial foundation to support its mission. His proven ability to optimize resources and implement sustainable growth strategies ensures the organization can expand its educational programs effectively. Additionally, his multicultural experience and focus on the African market strengthens our capacity to address regional challenges, foster partnerships, and drive impactful change for the youth and communities.

Anna's background as an Early Childhood Educator and Assistant Director at the National Hemp Association, the largest hemp non-profit in the United States, has shaped her ability to create programs that engage children from the youngest age, fostering a sense of curiosity, resilience, and academic success. Anna’s work with children, especially in underserved communities, helps to ensure that young minds are given the tools they need to succeed in learning and life.

Through her engaging programs, children are not only introduced to academic concepts, but also develop critical life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and self-confidence which are essential qualities for overcoming adversity. In addition to her advocacy work, Anna’s hemp recipe won the first Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance contest. Her book, The Hero Seed, is an educational children's book that focuses on teaching young readers about the benefits of hemp, a versatile plant with a wide range of applications, from food and medicine to fiber and energy.

As an educator, nutritional writer, activist and mother, Anna plays a key role in securing the resources necessary to support My Education My Future’s programs, which are designed to provide educational opportunities for youth, especially those from underserved communities. 

Emmanuel combines his deep knowledge of revenue assurance, fraud management, and mobile payment solutions to drive innovation in financial inclusion across Africa. His extensive background in telecom and mobile payment analytics is crucial in breaking down financial barriers that often prevent underserved youth from accessing education. By leveraging digital financial solutions, Emmanuel is uniquely equipped to expand the organization's reach, ensuring that educational resources are accessible, affordable, and scalable for communities in need.

Moreover, his experience working with global leaders like KPMG and MTN has honed his ability to develop data-driven financial models that support our long-term goals. Whether through enhancing fundraising strategies, building partnerships, or optimizing financial operations, Emmanuel’s expertise has been instrumental in securing the funding and resources necessary to expand our programs and increase our impact.

Emmanuel's leadership helps implement innovative financial systems that enable the organization to continue empowering communities, ensuring that young people—particularly those facing poverty, violence, and homelessness—can access the educational opportunities they deserve.

Cyrille Bally has served as the Programs Director at My Education My Future since 2016, bringing nearly a decade of dedicated service and expertise to the organization. A recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for the Community College Initiative Project in 2015, Cyrille joined hands with Debora, the founder, as part of the same cohort, to help rebuild the lives of the most vulnerable children in Ivory Coast.

As a Government Social Worker, Cyrille works tirelessly with children rejected by their families due to stigmas surrounding illnesses like AIDS or misconceptions about witchcraft. His deep commitment to social justice and his extensive background in early childhood education enable him to provide critical support to some of the most marginalized youth. Cyrille’s work involves overseeing all programs, ensuring the identification of the most vulnerable children, and effectively managing resources and funding to meet their needs.

His extensive experience in social work and education, combined with his ability to allocate funds based on the needs of the community, has made him a cornerstone our efforts. Cyrille's passion for empowering youth through education and social support has been integral to the organization’s mission, helping to break the cycle of poverty and violence across Ivory Coast.