Sharon Runge

Executive Director, Emerita

Sharon worked with the Kenyan led staff to develop partnerships, raise funds, develop and expand programs and lead volunteer trips. Her leadership has enabled Kenya Connect to expand and add new programs including creating Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary Pad kits, an extensive school library program including the acquisition of a “Magic School Bus” and “Reading Rover” truck to serve as mobile libraries, a new Moringa Tree planting program and composting toilets, the development of teacher Professional Learning Communities, and the new solar-powered Library Learning Center which houses a proper library, meeting space, sound studio and offices and the new EdTech Hub. Sharon holds a Ph.D. from NYU and a MA from Boston College in Higher Education Administration and a BS from the University of New Hampshire in Child/Family studies. Early in her career Sharon worked in a variety of positions in Higher Education Administration at Johns Hopkins University, Spalding University and Ithaca College. She also served as Director of Development at St. John’s Parish Day School. Sharon was recognized as a TIAA Difference Maker in 2018 for her work with Kenya Connect and the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire in 2023.