Staff

Close bio Calvin Echodu founded Pilgrim Africa in 2001 as an all-volunteer effort and, as its CEO, has overseen the organization's expansion to its current status as an international NGO with upwards of 100 employees in Uganda and the US, an annual budget of over 2 million USD, and far-reaching programs in public health and education.  Calvin was raised in Uganda, and moved to the US in 2007.  Currently he divides his time fairly evenly between Uganda and Seattle. A visionary, charismatic, social entrepreneur, Calvin leads Pilgrim Africa with both boldness and humility.

Close bio Dorothy heads the Seattle office of Pilgrim Africa. Since 2007, Dorothy has helped coordinate Pilgrim Africa's work in malaria control.  Currently she oversees Pilgrim Africa's Teso University Project in Soroti, Uganda, and creates and maintains partnerships with American universities. Dorothy graduated from Yale University in 1990, and got her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Washington in 2009. In the 90's, she worked with Native American tribes and government agencies in conflict over natural resource use in the Northwest. The experience of working with Indians gave her a lifelong appreciation and support of indigenous efforts of self-determination.  She is honored to work with the people of Teso and Uganda.

Close bio Sean Dimond serves as the Director of External Relations for Pilgrim Africa. He brings over a decade of experience in global nonprofit and corporate communications, public relations, resource development, and executive nonprofit leadership. With a degree in Philosophy, and Masters-level course work in Theology and Counseling, Sean has led communications and advocacy initiatives on multiple continents, working with executives, political leaders, and globally engaged philanthropists.

Having been deeply influenced by indigenous people, his heroes include rural, indigenous Mayan women living in the mountains of Guatemala; Sudanese refugees rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of civil conflict; children living with leprosy in Northeast India; and families in Uganda who know how to dream with their eyes open. Confident that the right story at the right time can change the world, Sean also believes that what's most often needed to affect change in the world is engaged, curious, and committed listening.

Close bio Patrick Ongodia directs daily operations of Pilgrim Africa in Uganda.  He graduated from Makerere University, Kampala with a Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) in 2006. He has also attained a post graduate diploma in legal practice, from the Law Development CentreK. He is an enrolled Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all courts subordinate thereto, and provides legal advice to Pilgrim on Ugandan judicial matters. When asked to be part of Pilgrim's journey, he humbly accepted. In his words, "it was and still is a satisfying experience to participate in lifting the lives of the poor and vulnerable". Confronting challenges for positive and progressive change drives him to serve in Pilgrim Africa.

Close bio Angella Amuron is Chief Operations Officer for Pilgrim Africa, working in the Soroti, Uganda, office. She has six years of microfinance work with Faulu Uganda Ltd (now Opportunity Uganda), a Christian organization from 2000 to 2006. Angela Joined Pilgrim in 2008 as an Accountant/ Administrator was promoted to Finance Manager 2009, Director Operations & Finance 2010. She graduated with a Uganda Diploma in Business Studies from Makerere University Business School, and a Bachelor in Commerce degree from Makerere University in 2005. She then attended Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands, and received a MBA (Finance & Accounting) in 2007 and Post Graduate diploma (Financial management) in 2010.

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