Meet Our Leaders

Leadership in the United States and Kenya

Quinten “Quint” Clarke ’87


Founder

Quinten “Quint” Clarke is a Blair Academy alumnus and the founder of Blair in Kenya, an independent nonprofit he established in 2005 after a student trip to Kenya revealed the need for educational opportunities in rural communities.

Through partnerships with local leaders and donor support, Blair in Kenya has helped develop two schools serving more than 1,100 students.

Quint also serves as the Head Coach of the Girls’ Basketball Team at Blair Academy, where he has coached since 2010 and encourages students to engage in service and global learning.

Bobbie Monaco, MSN, CPNP-PC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Bobbie Monaco is a board-certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with more than 40 years of pediatric nursing experience. She practices with the CHOP Care Network and has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Through her work with Blair in Kenya, Bobbie helps expand access to healthcare for students and the surrounding community, with a focus on nutrition, preventive care, and malaria treatment.

She also provides menstrual health education and helps distribute washable, sustainable Days for Girls (DfG) menstrual kits, supporting the mission of Blair in Kenya to improve health and opportunity for children and families.

Elly Adongo

Founder & Board Member

Elly Adongo is a Founder and Board Member of the Blair Educational Centre, which encompasses both primary and junior secondary education.

  • Strategic Leadership: He is instrumental in defining the school’s long-term vision and ensuring its curriculum meets high standards of excellence.

  • International Relations: Elly serves as a vital bridge between the school and its global supporters. He fosters strategic partnerships with international donors, particularly those in the United States, to secure the resources necessary for the school’s growth.

  • Nonprofit Governance: He also serves on the board of Blair in Kenya, Inc., the U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to funding education and community development projects throughout the region.

Dr. Jane Ferry

Medical Mission Leader

Dr. Jane Ferry has been instrumental in developing the healthcare mission of Blair in Kenya.

In 2015, she traveled to Kenya to help launch the first medical outreach program in the village. The initial clinic was held under a mango tree, where volunteer medical professionals treated villagers and provided health education to mothers.

Her work helped inspire the creation of God’s Providence Medical Clinic, which now provides daily healthcare services for students and community members at the Blair Educational Center.

Elly Adongo and Zilper Onginjo are local community leaders from the Kisumu region whose partnership with the Blair in Kenya nonprofit began through a chance meeting with founder Quint Clarke.

Zilper Onginjo

Zilper Onginjo serves as the Managing Director of the Blair Educational Centre, bringing 13 years of leadership experience to the institution.

  • Professional Expertise: She specializes in school marketing and is widely recognized for her disciplined, results-oriented approach to management.

  • Awards & Recognition: Her career reached a major milestone in 2024 when she was named Edupreneur of the Year (East Africa), an award honoring excellence among women in educational entrepreneurship.

  • Education: She holds a Diploma in Business Management from the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).

  • Community Impact: Beyond the classroom, Zilper is a passionate advocate for sports and economic empowerment. She manages a local girls' football club that has achieved regional victory, and she actively mentors women and children in agribusiness to help them generate sustainable income.

  • Personal Life: A dedicated member of her local church, she spends her free time as an active choir member. Her professional philosophy is defined by resilience: "Giving up is not a choice."

  • Contact: zilperokumu17@gmail.com

Managing director of Blair Educational Centre

Together, Zilper and Elly have transformed the center from a local initiative into a high-ranking academic institution and a hub for community health and sports.

Community Leadership

Both Blair Educational Center and Blair Serem Academy are guided by local school boards made up of community leaders.

These leaders help ensure that the schools reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.

Blair in Kenya believes that true partnership and local leadership are essential for long-term success.