Global Team

Leonard co-founded and served as Executive Vice President of Century Analysis, Inc. (CAI) alongside his wife, Sara Lafrance, from 1976 until the company’s acquisition by New Era of Networks Inc. (NEON) in 1998. During CAI’s formative years and rapid growth, he played a pivotal role in defining the company’s product strategy, guiding research and development initiatives, and leading marketing efforts that established the company as an innovator in systems integration and enterprise software solutions. Widely recognized as a thought leader in the industry, Leonard was a frequent speaker at national and international technology conferences as well as academic and investment forums, where he shared insights on emerging technologies and the future of information systems.

Before founding CAI, Leonard built a strong technical foundation through a series of increasingly responsible positions in the information technology field. His career included roles as a Hardware Engineer at IBM and Product Test Engineer, Account Manager, and Advisory Systems Analyst at NCR, where he gained extensive experience in computer systems, product development, customer engagement, and technology implementation.

Throughout his career, Leonard has been deeply committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He has served on numerous boards and advisory groups, including the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, Nevada, and Jopari Solutions, a leading healthcare technology company. He has also advised several early-stage companies, helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of commercialization, growth, and market development. For many years, he was an active member of Sierra Angels, Northern Nevada’s premier angel investment organization, supporting emerging businesses and contributing to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also served with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), providing guidance and mentorship to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

In recent years, Leonard has focused on expanding educational opportunities through technology. As President of NCLab, he has championed innovative approaches to online STEM education and workforce development. NCLab was created with the vision of making high-quality technical education accessible to learners regardless of geography, age, or prior experience. The platform provides interactive instruction in computer programming, mathematics, computational thinking, and 3D modeling, helping students develop skills that are increasingly essential in today’s technology-driven economy.

Under Leonard’s leadership, NCLab has served schools, libraries, workforce development organizations, and community-based programs across the United States and internationally. The company has been particularly effective in reaching underserved populations, including individuals seeking new career pathways, adults re-entering the workforce, and students who may not thrive in traditional educational environments. Through its self-paced, hands-on learning model, NCLab has empowered thousands of learners to gain confidence, develop marketable technical skills, and pursue meaningful employment opportunities in high-demand fields.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Leonard has devoted considerable time and energy to philanthropic endeavors. Alongside Sara, he has played a significant role in supporting educational initiatives in both Nevada and Ghana through Educational Pathways International (EPI), helping provide life-changing scholarship opportunities for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His commitment to education, innovation, and service reflects a lifelong belief that knowledge and opportunity can transform lives and strengthen communities.

Eunice Adjoa Eghan serves as Program Director for Educational Pathways International (EPI) in Ghana, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission of expanding educational opportunities for talented students facing financial barriers. As EPI’s principal representative in Ghana, she oversees scholarship recipient support services, provides counseling and mentorship to students, coordinates relationships with partner universities and serves as a key liaison with government agencies, educational institutions, community leaders and the business sector.

A highly respected education and development professional, Eunice is deeply committed to empowering young people through education and personal growth. Her work extends far beyond program administration. She provides guidance, encouragement, and practical support that help students navigate the academic, personal, and professional challenges of university life. Through her leadership, EPI scholars receive not only financial assistance but also the mentorship and support needed to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Eunice brings extensive experience in educational program management, stakeholder engagement and student development. Prior to joining EPI, she served as Coordinator of the Educational Sponsorship Program for Childcare International Ghana, a German-based non-governmental organization. In that role, she managed relationships with sponsors, partner organizations, families, and community leaders while overseeing services for more than 280 residential students. Her responsibilities included program administration, student mentoring, community outreach, and strategic coordination with local and international partners.

Known for her exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, Eunice has earned a reputation as a compassionate leader and trusted advisor. Her ability to build strong relationships across diverse constituencies has been instrumental in strengthening EPI’s partnerships and expanding its impact throughout Ghana.

Eunice’s academic background reflects her lifelong commitment to education and leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in General Management, and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. In addition, she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and completed a Certificate in Leadership Empowerment from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

LISA STEVENS, MBA

As the daughter of EPI founders Sara and Leonard Lafrance, Lisa Stevens has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that educational opportunity can have on individuals, families, and communities. Inspired by the organization’s commitment to helping talented students overcome financial barriers and is honored to help advance EPI’s vision of empowering future leaders through access to higher education.

A lifelong advocate for learning and professional development, Lisa has built a distinguished career spanning business, sales leadership, and the wine industry. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Sonoma State University and an MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California. She began her professional career with Sprint Corporation, where she completed the company’s highly regarded sales and management training programs. During her four years with Sprint, Lisa earned three promotions, advancing into sales management and establishing a reputation for exceptional performance, leadership, and customer engagement.

Following her success in telecommunications, Lisa transitioned into the wine industry, where she combined her entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen and passion for wine into an accomplished career. Over nearly two decades with Henry Wine Group and Winebow, two of the nation’s premier wine importers and distributors, she managed a large and diverse territory, consistently ranked among the organization’s top-performing sales professionals and was honored as Salesperson of the Year. Her ability to cultivate lasting client relationships, develop market opportunities and deliver sustained results earned her recognition as a trusted and respected industry leader.

Lisa’s dedication to excellence extends beyond sales. She has pursued some of the wine industry’s most rigorous educational credentials, earning the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Levels 2 and 3 with Distinction. She is currently a candidate for the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma, one of the highest and most respected qualifications in global wine education, held by only a small percentage of wine professionals worldwide.

In 2026, Lisa and her husband, Jeff Boyer, traveled to Ghana to participate in EPI’s student selection process and to experience firsthand the impact of the organization’s work. Meeting scholarship recipients, alumni, university partners, and community leaders deepened her appreciation for the transformative power of education and reinforced her commitment to EPI’s mission. She and Jeff are now actively involved in support of the organization’s continued growth and success.

Jeff Boyer is a seasoned business professional whose career has spanned hospitality, fine wine, sales leadership and business development. With more than two decades of experience building brands, developing markets and leading high-performing teams, he has earned a reputation for strategic thinking, exceptional relationship management, and a commitment to excellence.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he developed a strong foundation in human behavior, communication, and leadership, skills that have served him throughout his professional career. He began his career in the hospitality industry, managing restaurants and leading service teams recognized for delivering outstanding guest experiences. These early leadership roles helped cultivate his expertise in customer engagement, team development, and operational excellence.

Jeff later transitioned into the wine industry, where he built a distinguished career in sales and distribution. During his tenure with Henry Wine Group and Regal Wine Imports, he consistently achieved top sales results and was honored as Salesperson of the Year in recognition of his exceptional performance, leadership and ability to drive business growth. His success in developing markets and cultivating lasting client relationships led to increasingly senior leadership opportunities throughout the wine industry.

Over the course of his career, Jeff has held key positions with several of the nation’s most respected wine producers and distributors. He managed multi-state distribution for Long Shadows Vintners, helping expand the reach and visibility of one of Washington State’s premier wine portfolios. He subsequently directed Western U.S. sales and distribution for the internationally acclaimed Paul Hobbs Winery, where he worked closely with distributors, retailers and hospitality partners across major markets. At Ramey Wine Cellars, one of California’s most respected wineries, Jeff’s responsibilities expanded further as he oversaw sales and distribution across nearly half of the United States, managing complex business relationships and driving sustained growth for the brand.

An Eagle Scout, Jeff has long embraced the values of leadership, integrity, service, and lifelong learning. He believes strongly in the importance of mentorship and creating opportunities for others to succeed. These principles align closely with the mission of Educational Pathways International (EPI), whose work he proudly supports.

EPI BOARD

Braimah is Senior Assistant to the President for Global Sustainability and Director of the Center for International Water and Sustainability at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada. He is an expert in international Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) with extensive field, academic, teaching, grantmaking, and management experience. He has a deep understanding of the importance of integrating WASH programming into other development sectors such as health, agriculture, education, environment, gender, and micro-finance, as well as the need for strong partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.

Braimah served as a Senior Advisor at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, where he managed the Foundation’s WASH grant portfolio and represented the Foundation to the broader WASH sector. He was also previously the Director of the WASH Sector at World Vision US where he led the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of global WASH strategies and large-scale integrated sustainable programs.

Early in his career, Braimah worked with the World Vision Ghana Rural Water Project as a hydrogeologist where he was involved in the siting, design and construction of over 500 water supply systems in about 400 remote and guinea endemic communities and institutions in Ghana. He has researched and published numerous papers, articles and reports on WASH issues in developing countries, and on water quality and human health.

Braimah was born in Ghana, West Africa, and grew up in the northernmost and poorest region of the country. As a child, he sometimes walked long distances to fetch water during the dry season.

Braimah received his B.S. from the University of Ghana; M.S. from Carleton University, Canada; and his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Motivated by the power of scientific innovation, the magnificence of our natural environment, the untapped spirit of at-risk families, and the benefits of strategically designed communities, Mark Bruce dedicates his time and talent to key organizations in Northern Nevada which support his vision of the future. He believes education is the cornerstone of just about everything.

A strong and committed advocate for science innovation and a healthy natural environment, Mark Bruce was involved with the Desert Research Institute Foundation for many years, serving on its Governance and Audit Committees. As the Nevada Governor’s Appointee to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), he served as Chair and Vice-Chair.

Additionally, Mark has dedicated a substantial portion of his life to the health and well-being of at-risk children and families. He was a courtroom voice for at-risk children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and helped economically disadvantaged families negotiate life-changing legal issues as a Trustee to Washoe County Legal Services. Proudly, Mark served for many years as a Trustee with The Children’s Cabinet, a public-private organization serving thousands of homeless, foster care, and other at-risk children.

Mark received a B.S. degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Kofi Mensah is a retired Food Process Engineer/Senior Fellow living in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife, Mrs. Akua Mensah. He worked at Pillsbury/General Mills for 34 years, retiring in 2013. Since then, he has consulted for General Mills and Hershey, advising on processing and equipment design.

At Pillsbury/General Mills R&D, Kofi helped develop products like Toaster Strudel and Freezer-to-Oven biscuits for a national restaurant. He became an expert in dough processing and holds a utility patent for dough processing equipment.

Kofi received the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)’s Lifetime Achievement in Engineering in Industry award in 2010. He has published several articles in the area of Agricultural and Food Process Engineering.

In 2019, Kofi and his wife launched the Antwi Mensah and Family Foundation to help elementary schools in a Ghanaian municipality. The Foundation has constructed and commissioned (in 2024) a 16-stall Ultra-Modern Washroom facility for the Ejisu R/C elementary school in Ghana.

Kofi also volunteers for the Ghanaian Association of Minnesota (GhanAM), of which he is a past President. He currently mostly serves in an advisory role.

Kofi holds a PhD (1979) and M.S. (1976) in Food Process Engineering from Ohio State University and graduated with distinction in Biological Engineering from the University of Guelph in 1974. Before Guelph, he studied engineering for one year (1969-1970) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, before receiving a CIDA scholarship to continue his studies in Canada.

Tom is the Henry J. Kaiser Professor of Organized Health Systems, Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley.

Beginning in 1976, he taught for four years in the Sloan Program in Health Services Administration at Cornell University. In 1980 Tom joined the faculty of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.

During his 30 years on the faculty, Tom taught courses in medical care organization, management, governance, innovation in health care organizations, and evaluation research methods. He published numerous articles and books across a broad array of topics, including the integration of health care services, hospital-physician relationships, health information technology, evidence-based management, Lean management, and quality improvement.

From 2004 – 2014 Tom served on the board of directors of On Lok Senior Health Services, a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly located in San Francisco and nearby communities. From 2009 – 2019 he served on the board of directors and from 2014 -2015 as board chair, of John Muir Health, a multi-hospital integrated health care delivery system headquartered in Walnut Creek, California.

In 2016, Tom co-founded the Center for Lean Engagement and Research in Healthcare (CLEAR) at the University of California, Berkeley. CLEAR’s research team studies the implementation of Lean management (the service industry’s version of the Toyota Production System) and its effects on the performance of hospitals and other healthcare organizations.

Tom received his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology from Stanford University, specializing in organizational sociology. He resides in Orinda, California with his wife Jane.

Professor Saba is a distinguished academic, researcher, innovator, inventor and entrepreneur who has spent over two decades working in academia. He is a Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology of the Faculty of Biosciences at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana, with a focus on the One Health Approach to solving the menace of Antimicrobial Resistance. His flair for teaching, research, innovation and collaboration can be felt locally and internationally through his interdisciplinary activities which was born out of his love for general knowledge.

Professor Saba headed the laboratory complexes (Spanish Lab) of UDS, Nyankpala Campus from 2014 to 2016 and transformed it into a standard Laboratory for teaching research and learning. He was later appointed as the Deputy Director of International Relations and has been actively involved in the Educational Pathways International Scholarship activities since 2015.

His work at the international relations office of the UDS saw an increase in successful collaborations and partnerships as well as promoted mobilities, exchanges and scholarship among students and staff of the university. He won several competitive international grants and contributed to several international research projects with several publications to his credit. He has also been part of a number of committees in the UDS and was part of several delegations of the University to foreign partner institutions.

Professor Saba is a member of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Working group. He was the founding father of the African Association for Food Protection (now called African Continental Association for Food Protection) and a leading member of the Africa Food Safety Network spearheaded by the International Atomic Energy Commission. He served on the Expert roster for the WHO/FAO Joint Committee on Microbiological Risk Assessment of Food (JEMRA) for the 2018 to 2022 and reappointed on the same committee from 2023 to 2027. He was part of three experts’ committees that provided scientific advice to the Codex Alimentarius Commission through the FAO and WHO for the management of microbial risk in Food by member states.

Innovation is his hobby and he has been granted design patent by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization for a handwashing device with the trade name SabaWashWash. His team emerged as the winner of the maiden UNLEASH Innovation Lab (Food innovation category) held in Denmark in 2017. Due to his passion for innovations, he founded the Saba Innovation Hub in 2021 to mentor the youth and promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics among Basic School Students. He is currently nurturing five startups which are largely made up of his past students and mentees from the University for Development Studies.

Professor Saba holds a BSc.in Agriculture Technology with a first-class honors from the University for Development Studies (UDS), an MSc. and Ph.D. from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain. He holds an LLB degree from the Central University, Ghana and an LLM from the University of Ghana School of Law. He is also an alumnus of the Galilee International Management Institute, Israel, where he obtained a certificate in Management of Higher Education Institutes. He speaks Ewe, English, Spanish fluently and basic level French, Twi, Ghana and Dagbani.

Nelson Shelton earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Until 2011, he was the Associate Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he worked on accreditation and strategic planning, and taught courses in business ethics and business strategy. For most of his career at Saint Mary’s College, he was the Director of the Graduate Business programs at the College.

Nelson has long held an interest in international business and international education. As Director of Graduate Business, he was instrumental in establishing an international MBA program that drew students from around the world, and in organizing exchanges and immersion trips that exposed Saint Mary’s students to various national and business cultures outside the U.S. He has led trips to England, France, the Czech Republic, and Mexico, and has taught in Saint Mary’s Executive MBA Program in Graz, Austria, as well as in the international MBA program on campus.

Dr. Nelson is a graduate of Stanford University in political science, and earned master’s degrees in political science from Northwestern University (with a specialization in African politics), in education from Stanford University, and in business from Saint Mary’s College. His doctoral field of study at Berkeley was business and public policy, with a focus on early attempts to restructure the financing and delivery of health care in the U.S. His intellectual interests focused on business ethics and corporate social responsibility, including the issue of climate change. He serves on the board of the Climate Path Ecological Fund, a foundation that selects and finances carbon offset projects around the world.

Carmelo founded the University Studies Abroad Consortium® (USAC), a consortium serving international educational needs of 49 universities located throughout the United States. He retired in 2017.

USAC’s mission is provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, experiences, and attitudes to prepare them for the global society of the 21st century, believing that study abroad is the most effective way to accomplish these goals. Courses taken abroad on USAC programs are integrated into students’ degree programs at their universities at home.

USAC also provides faculty and administrators of its member universities teaching opportunities, site visits, faculty and staff exchanges and the opportunity to host academics from USAC’s partner universities abroad. Hundreds of U.S. professors have broadened their experiences by taking advantage of these opportunities.

Under Carmelo’s direction, USAC grew from a single program in the Basque Country into one of the most successful study abroad organizations in the country. More than 50,000 students have studied on USAC programs since its inception.

Carmelo earned a Ph.D. from University of Iowa and has taught at several U.S. universities, including the University of Nevada, where he is a Professor Emeritus. He has published many articles on the Basques and on literature, a monograph entitled: ”Solitude: Art and Symbolism in the National Basque Monument,” and edited or co-edited four scholarly books. He continues to serve on Ph.D. and Tenure Review committees at various USAC universities.

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

With her husband, Nazir, Mary was a major benefactor to education, human services, and the arts in Nevada. She acted as trustee and secretary-treasurer of the Nazir and Mary Ansari Foundation, a charitable foundation seeking to improve people’s lives through support of human services, education, the arts and culture in northern Nevada. In 2007, she and her husband were recognized by the University of Nevada’s Board of Regents as Distinguished Nevadans and honored as Outstanding Philanthropists by the Sierra Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Map Library bears her name.

Mary received a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Business Administration from Western Michigan University. She received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Mary served on several public boards and published numerous books on Nevada place names, the most recent one published in 2015. She served on the EPI board from 2009-2020.

Dr. Nazir Ansari is a strong supporter and benefactor of the University and the state of Nevada. During his 28 years as a professor of business (1967-1995), he has taught and impacted the lives of nearly 6,200 University of Nevada, Reno students, many of whom have gone on to become prominent leaders in their chosen fields. His leadership gifts to the University of Nevada, Reno (endowment of the Mary B. Ansari Map Library, the establishment of the Business & Government Information Center, and support of the University scholarships) were most helpful in the success of the University’s Capital Campaign in the 1990s. The College of Business building at the University of Nevada, Reno was named for him in 1995.

For his dedicated service to the community, Nazir has been the recipient of many awards and honors. Dr. Ansari is a member of the board of directors of numerous not-for-profit organizations and serves as a board member and consultant to several U.S. and foreign public companies.

He holds a Ph.D. in Business from the University of Illinois (1964) and is widely respected as an expert in the field of strategic management and international business. On several occasions, he has been an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on issues of national economic policy.

Nazir is president and trustee of the Nazir and Mary Ansari Foundation, a charitable foundation seeking to improve lives through support of human services, education, the arts, and culture in northern Nevada. In 2007, he and his wife, Mary, were recognized by the University of Nevada Board of Regents as Distinguished Nevadans and as Outstanding Philanthropists by the Sierra Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Dr. Antonia Neubauer (Toni) began traveling to Nepal in 1983. Twenty years ago, she asked a casual question of a Nepalese guide: “What is the one thing you would like to see in your village?” When she got the answer “a library,” she sprang into action. A former language teacher and education researcher, Toni had directed major studies on literacy and school-business partnerships in the U.S. and served as a consultant to the Pew Foundation, Lilly Endowment, and the U.S. Department of Education. Founding READ Global was what she had to do.

Today, more than 4 dozen, self-sustaining, community-chosen, READ Community Library and Resource Centers dot the landscapes of 3 countries, thanks to her energy and forward-thinking take on rural needs and village abilities.

Toni served on and chaired many boards including the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, White Williams Foundation, and the Northern Nevada International Center. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2009 Presidential Award, NEPCAN as well as the London Observer Ethical Award, The International Visionary Award from the Northern Nevada International Center, The Ambassador for Peace Award from the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, and the 2015 Tourism Cares Legacy in Travel Philanthropy Award. She was also the Founder and President of Myths and Mountains, Inc., a cultural adventure travel company rated among the Top 10 “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure.

Toni earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration, a Master’s in French Literature, and a BA in French and Economics.

Dr. Jane A. Nichols has been involved in higher education and social policy issues throughout her career. She is currently retired after serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs for Truckee Meadows Community College, and the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs for the statewide Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

Under her leadership, Nevada’s system of higher education developed a statewide Master Plan which includes accountability measures, increased financial aid for low-income students, and created a new State College to improve the college-going rate of Nevada’s high school graduates in Las Vegas.

Jane has been a gubernatorial appointment to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education since 2001 and is currently the Commission’s Past President. She has served on advisory boards for the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and the National Collaborative for Post Secondary Education Policy. She has also served as a grant reviewer and program assessment advisor for NSF Division of Undergraduate Education programs.

Prior to joining the NSHE in 1997, Jane was an Associate Dean for the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. From 1990 to 1995, she was Coordinator for the UNR Core Curriculum and University Assessment programs. She served as Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work from 1984 to 1990. She served on the faculty of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Her publications are primarily in the area of higher education assessment and finance.

Jane earned a doctorate in higher education with a concentration in administration and statistics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also holds a master’s degree in social work with emphasis in administration and casework from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a B.A. (with distinction) in psychology from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College).