Board of Directors
Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Ph.D.
Founder and President
Dr. Yohannes Haile-Selassie is a world renowned expert on early human ancestors and has worked in the Afar region for over 25 years. During that time, he worked closely with the Afar people and came face to face with the lack of opportunities experienced by the Afar women and children, which lead him to found the Ko-K-Yo Foundation. To find out more about Dr. Haile-Selassie, please click here.
Denise F. Su, Ph.D.
co-Founder and Treasurer
Dr. Denise Su is known for her research into the environments of early human ancestors. She has conducted fieldwork in the Afar region and joins Dr. Haile-Selassie in her desire to provide more opportunities to the people of Afar, with whom she has worked during her time in Ethiopia.
Robert Jackson
Robert Jackson is one of the leading lawyers in Cleveland, OH, and a senior partner at Kohrman Jackson & Krantz, LLP. He is an avid traveler and has visited some of the most remote places in the world, including the Afar region, which has inspired his desire to help the Afar people.
Robert Koonce
Secretary
Robert Koonce is the Chief Development Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland. He is passionate about providing children everywhere with equal access to educational opportunities.
Cyrus Taylor, Ph.D.
Vice-President
Dr. Cyrus Taylor is the Albert A. Michelson Professor in Physics at Case Western Reserve University. He is dedicated to issues related to education and the equal participation of women at all levels of academic leadership.
Cynthia Kubu, M.D.
Dr. Cynthia Kubu is a staff neuropsychologist and Associate Director of the Neuroethics program at Cleveland Clinic. She is also co-President of the Clinic's Women's Professional Staff Association. She is dedicated to issues on women's empowerment and gender equality.