Board Members
Josiah Shafroth
Josiah Shafroth grew up in Boulder, Colorado. After high school, he began working in a variety of different fields which allowed him to interact and form connections with coworkers from around the world.
This inspired him to go back to school, escape the Boulder bubble, and to learn more about the world. He earned a bachelor's and subsequently a master's degree in international crime and justice from John Jay College in New York City.
When Josiah moved back to Colorado, he began working as a case manager with refugee families, first at Lutheran Family Services and then with Jewish Family Service. He speaks Spanish and French.
Ikoba Lino Lokononei
Ikoba Lino Lokononei, born in 1968 in what South Sudan is now, exemplifies resilience and determination. He began his educational journey at a local village school, where he developed essential literacy skills and ultimately completed high school. Seeking greater opportunities, Lino relocated to the United States in 1992, motivated by the hope of providing a better future for his family.
As a father of six—four boys and two girls, Lino has demonstrated a commendable commitment to his family by engaging in various employment opportunities to ensure their welfare. His steadfast dedication underscores the qualities of a diligent and responsible caregiver.
Beyond his familial obligations, Lino has taken on the role of a community leader and advocate for refugees and immigrants, concentrating on health-related issues and the importance of equitable representation. His efforts in organizing community initiatives reflect a deep understanding of the challenges faced by diverse populations, fostering collaboration and support among both newcomers and longstanding residents.
Lino's dedication to community service and leadership has made a significant impact, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious environment. His journey illustrates the potential for one individual to influence their community positively, reinforcing the importance of cooperation and mutual support in building a better future for all.
Deacon Margaret Beneya
Margaret Beneya is a dedicated community leader whose life blends faith, service, and practical support for those around her. She actively manages church services and coordinates programs, offering spiritual guidance and compassionate care that strengthen her congregation. Her commitment to social work extends beyond the church walls into multiple sectors of community life.
Margaret plays a key role in supporting children with disabilities, including accompanying them to medical appointments to ensure they receive proper care and their families feel supported in the process. Through her work with Goodwill, she helps individuals gain job training and employment opportunities that build financial stability and resilience. She is also engaged in mental health education and marriage counseling, walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate emotional and relational challenges.
In the healthcare sector, Margaret serves as a housekeeping professional at the University and Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Denver, where she helps maintain a clean and safe environment for patients, families, and staff. She further contributes to community life through sports management as a baseball catering coordinator, overseeing logistics and hospitality to enhance the game-day experience. Across all these roles, her compassion, leadership, and resilience shine through. Whether leading worship, supporting vulnerable families, or organizing community programs, Deacon Margaret Beneya remains a steady source of encouragement and inspiration.
Rev. Robert Lobung
Robert Lobung has spent many years in inclusive advocacy work alongside refugees and immigrants, helping families navigate complex systems, access essential resources, and build a genuine sense of belonging in their new home. His work centers on listening carefully to their stories, connecting them with services, and amplifying their voices in community and civic spaces.
In Advocacy for Older Adults, Robert actively stands with seniors, particularly those from refugee and immigrant backgrounds, ensuring they receive dignified care, clear information, and support in accessing health and social services while working to reduce isolation and honor elders’ wisdom.
Through Championing Youth Leadership, he mentors young people from diverse communities, encouraging them to step into leadership, use their voices, and engage in meaningful service.
His Intergenerational Programs & Impact bring elders and youth together to share culture, stories, and skills, strengthening families and fostering mutual understanding.
Grounded in Health, Dignity, and Equity in Aging, he speaks up for fair access to healthcare, transportation, and supports for aging community members facing language or cultural barriers.
Inclusive, empowering Families and Community Voices, Robert equips families to advocate for themselves in schools, clinics, and public agencies so their perspectives shape local decisions and policies.
Jennipher Kateregga
Jennipher Kateregga is a vibrant personality known for her warmth and positivity, which she brings into every environment she enters. Her professional journey is marked by significant involvement and contributions across various organizations and communities.
As a professional realtor based in Colorado, Jennipher specializes in serving African communities, holding certifications in At Home with Diversity, Short Sale Foreclosure, Accredited Buyer’s Representative, and Seller Representative Specialist. Her dedication to her craft is underscored by her active membership in several esteemed associations including the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, United Alliance for African Communities in the USA, United Ugandans association of Colorado, South Metro Denver Association, Black Realtors Association in Colorado, and African Support for Rocky Mountain Region.
Beyond her real estate expertise, Jennipher Kateregga is committed to personal growth and leadership, evident from her Leadership Certification from the Entre Institute, she volunteers with Global refugee solutions as a community coordinator and extends her influence and support to the community through her renowned home buyer seminars, which she has been conducting for over two and a half years.
Jennipher's multifaceted involvement in professional associations and bilingual expertise, coupled with her commitment to community service and leadership, underscores her role as a beacon of positivity and a dedicated advocate for her clients and community alike.
Fr. Patrick C. Taban
Taban Patrick Consantino was born in the shadows of war and spent almost two decades growing up in a refugee settlement in northern Uganda. His first name, “Taban,” meaning suffering or fatigue in Arabic, reflects the harsh reality that marked his early years as a teenager. Born in what was then Sudan, now the Republic of South Sudan, after the 2011 secession, he and his family fled to the Magburu Refugee Settlement in 1989, where they lived for nineteen years before briefly returning home, only to be displaced again by renewed conflict.
Amid these experiences, he discovered a deep calling to stand with the marginalized. His journey of formation took him across several countries, where he studied philosophy, social sciences with a focus on social communication, and theology, while also serving in pastoral and social ministries. These paths prepared him to advocate for social justice and to amplify the stories of those who are often unheard.
Taban is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in film and television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Through documentary and narrative filmmaking, he tells real stories of refugees, former inmates, and others on the margins, using cinema as a tool for truth-telling, healing, and change. His work, including award‑winning short documentaries and ongoing projects such as “Shadows and Light: A Refugee’s Journey,” reflects a vision of education, justice, and peace as a beacon of hope for the hopeless.