Bill Spoor — Founder of HVU

Bill graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1992 with BS in Finance, a minor in Environmental Resource Management, and as a varsity letterman in football. In 1995, he graduated from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University, going on to earn his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1998. From 1995 to 2007, Bill worked at Merrill Lynch as a Managing Director with the Global Markets and Investment Banking Group. From 2007 to 2018, he worked with Goldman Sachs in New York, NY as a Managing Director in the Leveraged Finance Group. Since leaving Goldman, Bill has formed an agricultural business in New Jersey called Underground Farms which focuses on harnessing data to promote the responsible practices of local farmers. Bill is also a commercial, instrument and multi-engine rated pilot, a skill that grants him access to the rural outposts of Africa.

Elke Spoor — Founder of HVU

Elke graduated from Gordon College in 1990 with BA in English and a minor in History. In 1992, Elke graduated from Lesley College with a Masters in Elementary Education. Her love of teaching, combined with her love for children, drove her to seek opportunities abroad for missionary work, leading her first to the Philippines, then on to work with an orphanage in Paraguay.

Bill and Elke currently reside in New Vernon, NJ with their four daughters. Together, they maintain a sheep farm in New Vernon, an activity that helps them scout livestock for families in Uganda. The Spoors are members of the Presbyterian Church of New Providence, NJ.

TIMOTHY MUTEKANGA LWANDA

Born in Uganda, in 1974 Timothy received his BS in accounting from Makerere University Kampala before continuing to London, UK and receiving an accounting degree with the firm Hodgson Harris Company, with whom he worked from 1981-1985, before moving on to politics. Most recently, Timothy served as Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity from 2003-2006, and today is a senior partner with the accounting firm Muyanja Lwanga Company.

JEFF R. LOVELL

Jeff graduated from Hillsdale College in 1994 with a BS in Finance and Political Economy. He has spent the last twenty-one years in the finance industry, and has been with J.P. Morgan Asset Management since 2004. His wife is Clista Lovell, with whom he has three daughters. Jeff is also a member of Connection Pointe Christian Church, where he is active on their Global Impact Team.

GEOFFREY ONEGI OBEL

Born in Uganda, in 1987 Geoffrey was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and admitted to Princeton University. On receiving his BS, Geoffrey went on to study at the New York Institute of Finance before returning home to found the Uganda Securities Exchange Ltd. In 2001, he was appointed Chairman of Uganda’s National Social Security Fund. Since 2006, Geoffrey has served as the Director of UAP Financial Services, Ltd.

Amanda Kara — Chief Development Officer

In 1988, Amanda immigrated to Kenya as a refugee from Sudan, then immigrated to the United States in 1995. In 2005, Amanda graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a BS in Biology-Chemistry and an MA in Exercise Physiology. While at UAB, Amanda was Captain of the Track & Field Team and distinguished herself as a varsity letterman, academic all-American and all-conference star. Since 2008, Amanda has lent her considerable talents to HVU, handling monthly budget operations. With three marathons under her belt, Amanda also enjoys coaching other runners and is a personal trainer at the Chatham Club of Chatham, NJ.