Team at BACM
Meet the people who make our work possible.
Click on any team member to read their full bio
Deanne Berarducci
Founder & Director
Deanne is a lover of all things adventurous and outdoors. Anything that gives her an adrenaline rush she will do at least once, sometimes twice. She loves to be challenged and actually thrives under pressure. However her true passion has and always will be working with and helping children. Ever since her early teens all she wanted to do was move to Africa and help the children there. She has made her dream come true.
When she first came to Kenya in 2018 she fell in love with the people, the children and the country itself. She also saw a great need for help, help that she feels is attainable and achievable in many different ways. She is a Teachers Aide with a diploma in child psychology. She is going to use this to help make her dream a success.
Her management experience started when she was 25 managing a bar. Since then she has managed restaurants, liquor stores, offices and a Marina. She has travelled and volunteered in many countries including Vietnam, Nepal, Ecuador and the Philippines since 2012. She chose Kenya to make her new home and life.
Johnson Mumbi
Executive Director
Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Presbyterian University East Africa. He also has a diploma in Travel & Tourism from Bridge International College.
He serves as a community organisation chairman and is passionate about community development. When he is not working, Johnson is a devoted Arsenal fan.
Claire Haddad
Chief Financial Officer
Claire runs her own virtual accounting firm and works as a tax accountant, bringing financial expertise to organisations in need.
Her passion for philanthropy led her to start her own NGO, “Hustle 4 Humanity”, as a young adult. She combines her professional skills with her commitment to making a difference in the world.
Lindsay Steenhoek
Secretary
Lindsay recently graduated with an Honours Diploma in Business from Algonquin College. Completing the entire program online allowed her the flexibility to pursue her true passions: animals and travel.
When she is not managing a horse showjumping stable, she is backpacking to unique places all over the world. Lindsay spent the winter of 2018 volunteering at an orphanage in Kenya. She fell in love with the country and culture, as well as humanitarianism. She has been finding ways to make a difference in the world ever since.
Salome Denny
RESEARCH & SALES
Salome grew up in the mountains of England’s Lake District, so has always had a passion for nature and all living things. Mountain climbing and hiking have given her a great sense of calm and patience, along with a drive to be challenged.
As a young child she felt it was deeply wrong that not all children get to enjoy the same beauties in life, through no choice of their own. From this grew a desire to treasure Human Rights and a dream to help others wherever they are in the world.
Salome gained a bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Sociology, then travelled to Nepal where she volunteered with children in orphanages for 3 months. She fell totally in love with the people, the language, the culture and most of all the children. She has since achieved a Master’s degree in International Peace and Development. She currently works in Cumbria and volunteers her time advocating for Human Rights and raising awareness of the global refugee crisis.
Miriam Kimani
BOARD Member
Miriam has a diploma in special needs education and has been a certified teacher since 1991. She is currently the main special needs teacher at Kimuchu Special Unit in Thika.
Miriam enjoys reading novels, travelling and watching documentaries. Her ability to see a future for the children she teaches drew her to work with us. She hopes that by doing so she will be giving back to the children of her country.
Esther Njenga
BOARD Member
Esther is from Kenya. She has a certificate in beauty therapy from Pivot Point Beauty College and operates a small business in Nairobi.
She serves as treasurer for community based organisations. She believes in helping the community and changing the outlook for the less fortunate in Kenya. “Putting a smile on someone’s face is the greatest treasure you can ever give” is how she lives her life. She also enjoys travelling.
Megan Demeter
RN, BSN
Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marshall University and has spent more than 14 years in nursing, specializing in adult and pediatric heart surgery. Her work at the bedside has given her a deep commitment to caring for people at their most vulnerable.
In 2021, Megan volunteered with Because ALL Children Matter, an experience that changed the way she sees the world and continues to shape her life and work today.
Megan lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and three sons. When she’s not caring for patients, she loves to travel, hike, and explore new places with her family.