Meet The Founders & Staff

The founders of Flying Kites, Leila de Bruyne, Justine Axelsson, and Toby Storie-Pugh, began their work in Kenya volunteering at orphanages located in the slums of Nairobi. Here, they began to think critically about options available to orphaned children. Most urban orphanages that surround Kenya’s capital are located in decrepit concrete buildings, housing more than 200 children, and lacking in amenities such as running water, plumbing, electricity, and furniture. The children that Leila, Justine, and Toby found themselves caring for in the slums suffered from communicable diseases and malnutrition, lacked access to basic education, and had no real life choices available to them.

Flying Kites was born out of the desire to affect lasting change in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. What began as a series of volunteer trips to Kenya has grown into an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to improving the standards of care and education available to poor children. Through our commitment to exemplary care and education, we help children reclaim their childhood and grow to reach their full potential.

Leila de Bruyne - Executive Director, Director of Marketing
Toby Storie-Pugh - Executive Director, Director of Programs
Justine Axelsson - Executive Director, Director of Development

Brian Jones - Country Director, Kenya
Michael Chambers - Director, Adventure Challenges
Megan Renfro - Operations Manager, Adventure Challenges
Julianna Morrall - Director, Volunteer Program, Kenya
Molly McGuirk - Creative Director
David Mcrorie - Director, Productions
Hannah Pfeiffer - Administrative Assistant
Rina Ortega - Child Sponsorship Coordinator
Andrew Blais - Director, MyTurn
Phoebe Karami - Head Matron, Kenya
Lilly Wambui - Residence Manager, Kenya
Michael Behan - Kenya Program Director, Magnet Effect
Jane Mbugua - Kenya Program Manager, Magnet Effect
Hannah Wesley - US Program Director, Oasis
Frannie Noble - Kenya Program Director, Oasis
Francis Karioke - Head Master, Flying Kites Leadership Academy, Kenya