OUR PEOPLE POWER EVERY STEP OF CHANGE.

By training lay counselors and health workers, Finemind equips communities to lead their own mental health solutions—scalable, sustainable, and built to last.

Finemind emerged from Pavel Reppo’s personal experience with mental health challenges and his desire to create accessible care for underserved communities. Pavel first visited Uganda in 2013, where he witnessed the profound mental health needs of communities recovering from displacement and conflict. This experience planted the seeds for his commitment to global mental health.

In 2019, Pavel connected with David Oyet, a dedicated advocate from Agago District. David shared firsthand accounts of the enduring impact of the Lord’s Resistance Army, civil war, and intergenerational trauma in Agago, where limited resources and stigma left many without support. These conversations crystallized Pavel’s vision to address the critical mental health gaps in Uganda by adapting evidence-based models to empower local communities.

Finemind began by working closely with local health centers in Agago, integrating mental health care into primary health systems. The approach focused on training lay health workers, building on the strengths of the community to deliver effective and culturally relevant care. What started as a partnership in Agago has evolved into a growing movement, proving that community-driven mental health care can transform lives and create lasting change.

FINEMIND'S FOUNDING STORY

We value kindness, so we practice radical empathy by approaching every person with compassion and humanity, even in the most challenging situations. This means showing up, listening deeply, and delivering care that not only heals but also restores dignity to those who have felt forgotten.

We value mutual aid, so we practice shared responsibility by training local health workers and community members to lead mental health care efforts. This ensures that our work is not charity, but a partnership where communities own their health and collectively rise together.

We value durability, so we practice long-term impact by integrating mental health services into existing health systems, ensuring they thrive long after our direct involvement. This means building programs that are not just effective today but designed to withstand the test of time and resource scarcity.

We value courage, so we practice bold advocacy by speaking truth to power, challenging stigma, and pushing for mental health to be prioritized nationally. We take risks by implementing innovative solutions in resource-limited settings, because the cost of inaction is far greater.

We value community, so we practice relentless inclusion by working hand-in-hand with local leaders, families, and clients to create solutions that truly reflect their needs. Every decision we make is rooted in trust, shared vision, and the belief that healing happens together.

OUR VALUES

OUR LEADERSHIP

David Oyet

Co-founder & Programs Director david@afinemind.org

David exudes an infectious warmth and a remarkable talent for bringing people together. While pursuing his studies in health management at Clarke International University, he founded the You Innovate Club, fostering critical thinking to inspire creativity and innovation within society. Highly resourceful, dependable, and driven to create meaningful change, David is also a proud Mandela Washington Fellow.

Samuel Olara

Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

Samuel has a magic touch when it comes to supporting and guiding our counselors. He ensures that our work is not only impactful but also measurable, helping us stay accountable to the communities we serve. Samuel takes immense pride in seeing how his efforts contribute to transforming lives every day.

Pamella Nakku

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Pamella is sweet, sassy, and as reliable as a Rolex. She ensures that data is collected accurately and on time, making sure no detail is overlooked. Her dependability and sharp eye keep us on track, helping to drive the success of our programs and showing us all how precision leads to impact.

Pavel Reppo

Co-founder & Executive Director pavel@afinemind.org

Pavel is dedicated to creating opportunities that drive sustainable, positive change. As a co-founder and former CEO of The Wayfaring Band, he helped provide transformative travel experiences for adults with intellectual disabilities. Outside of his work, Pavel enjoys both making and savoring a good omelet.

Eva Aciro

Accounting & Finance

Eva is a dedicated professional with a degree in Procurement and Logistics Management and certification in QuickBooks. She has a proven track record in managing finances, record-keeping, and data analysis. With a commitment to excellence and a belief in teamwork, Eva consistently delivers results and is eager to contribute to organizational success.

Peace Akello Phiona

Psychiatric Nurse

Peace is a committed psychiatric nurse currently working with Finemind Uganda, dedicated to improving mental health care access in underserved communities. Guided by the belief that mental health challenges do not define an individual, Peace strives to empower people to prioritize their well-being, happiness, and self-care. Their compassionate approach and dedication to making a meaningful impact are central to their work in addressing mental health needs and fostering resilience.

SOME OF OUR COUNSELORS CHANGING LIVES DAILY

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Maurice Osire Tukei

Maurice is a Clinical Psychologist, University Counselor, and Lecturer at Clarke International University, dedicated to shaping the future of mental health care in Uganda. He’s trained in a range of therapeutic approaches—including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)—and brings both clinical expertise and deep empathy to his work.

Rose Kisa

Rose is a powerhouse in health research, with a focus on mental health, HIV, and reproductive health. As a faculty member at Makerere University School of Public Health, she doesn’t just study these issues—she mentors the next generation of researchers tackling them. Her commitment to advancing knowledge and policy has earned her recognition, including an academic leadership award.

Ilda Kuleba

Ilda Kuleba is a builder—of programs, partnerships, and possibilities. With over 16 years in public health, she’s helped drive impact across international organizations and the private sector. From 2017 to 2023, she served as Country Director for Mozambique at mothers2mothers. Now, as African Director for Strategic Operations and Partnerships, she’s focused on expanding programs to new countries and forging high-impact funding collaborations.

Peter Kalulu

Peter is a problem-solver at heart. As the Founder of Field for Humanity Uganda, he brings expertise in Quantitative Economics and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) to the table. His experience spans everything from participatory planning to managing complex health data systems, including EPIVAC COVID-19 data management. With a Postgraduate Diploma in M&E from Uganda Management Institute, he’s passionate about using data to drive meaningful change.

Benedict Akimana

Benedict is on a mission to change how Uganda approaches mental health. As a psychiatrist at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, he balances clinical care, research, and teaching. He has a special focus on non-communicable diseases like cancer and is a strong advocate for workplace mental health. Whether working with patients or shaping policy conversations, he’s committed to ensuring mental health gets the attention it deserves.

Steve Kaeuper

Steve has spent more than 50 years making math make sense—whether in classrooms, tutoring sessions, or even as a financial advisor. A graduate of Earlham College and the University of Kentucky, he’s taught in diverse settings, including to Finemind’s founder, Pavel Reppo. Though technically "retired," Steve keeps busy teaching, mentoring, and volunteering, always finding ways to help others navigate numbers and life.

Sarah Durant Finke

Sarah is a therapist, educator, and supervisor with a heart for healing. As a licensed clinical professional counselor, she specializes in trauma, grief, and loss—helping individuals navigate life's hardest moments. She runs a private therapy practice in Maine but has also worked internationally, particularly in Uganda, where she’s contributed to both research and direct care in the field of trauma.

Rasa Dawson

Rasa Dawson is a mission-driven leader with a passion for scaling organizations that create lasting change. With over 15 years of experience in fundraising, communications, and advocacy, she has led growth and visibility efforts at global nonprofits including StrongMinds, Semilla Nueva, and Oxfam America. She holds a master’s degree in Conservation Biology and is deeply committed to advancing mental health, equity, and bold, systems-level change.