Simama International
Simama International is a U.S.- based charitable organization dedicated to supporting children and families to access a quality education by providing them the stability and support they need to thrive academically.
We invest in impactful, community-driven solutions that help children and families cover education costs and provide academic support, counseling, social stability, and other critical services to remove common obstacles to educational attainment in Kenya.
Since 2015, we have granted programmatic funding to support the work of the Simama Project while also providing resource generation and other technical support to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Simama Project as a local Kenyan institution.
Simama International is registered with the IRS as a 501c3 Charitable Organization based in San Francisco, California governed by an elected, uncompensated Board of Directors.
Simama International also proudly serves as the fiscal sponsor and partner of the Education Our Gift Foundation (EOG) which supports similar programs in nearby Nyeri, Kenya. Check them out at educationourgift.org
Chris Bennett
President & CEO
Chris is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Simama International responsible for the organization’s strategic growth and impact with a focus on operations, fundraising, and oversight of funds provided to the Simama Project. As a childhood friend of Simama Project founder Matt Orcutt, Chris served as an advisor during the creation of the Simama Project in 2012 and helped establish Simama International, serving as the Founding Chairman, Board of Directors from 2013 until July 2025.
An expert in global health and international development, Chris has spent 20 years designing, managing and fundraising for global programs to support those impacted by poverty, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Most recently, Chris worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) designing and managing a $300 million agreement with UNICEF supporting global health, WASH, education, data, and emerging threats programs across 75 countries, including a significant portfolio of work in Kenya.
Chris holds a BA in International Relations from UCLA and an MA in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University. He lives in Chantilly Virginia with his wife, four girls and American Bulldog Romeo. Chris enjoys cooking for his family and friends, playing and watching sports, and teaching his daughters how to play poker.
Board of Directors
Larisa Warhol
Board Chair
Dr. Larisa Warhol spent 8 years as a social entrepreneur in Kenya where she was actively involved in the creation of Simama’s Center of Worth and developing its programming.
She is an academic and sustainability strategist with over 20 years of experience advancing environmental, education, and community-driven development worldwide. She has advised international NGOs, multilateral agencies, and other private enterprises on integrating sustainability, gender equity, and impact measurement into their operations. Her work has supported initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia, with a focus on locally relevant and globally scalable solutions. Most recently, Larisa works for USAID, managing a $185M portfolio of global natural climate solution projects.
Larisa holds a PhD in Education Policy from Arizona State University and a Master’s of International Policy and Practice from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She loves to travel and has become an avid basket weaver.
Raélle Dorfan
Board Vice Chair
Raélle joined the Board of Directors in 2020, having first visited Simama in 2023, Raélle is steadfast in commitment to further the organization's expansion and evolution especially as it pertains to programming that empowers meaningful connection and impact in alignment with art and culture.
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Raélle studied various forms of dance, Pilates and musical theater before immigrating to California, where she graduated summa cum laude from UCLA's World Arts and Culture Dance and Choreography Department. As an artist and arts professional, Raélle was named Executive Director of nonprofit Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles (DRC) in 2018 and has tripled the organization's programs, services and budget since. In addition to her role at DRC, Raélle continues her work as Creative Director, Education Director and Producer, and is resident Teaching Artist and Choreographer at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. Raélle has served as grant panelist, guest speaker at various cultural arts events locally and nationally, and as judge for numerous shows. Raélle has performed at California’s most prestigious venues with Pacifico Dance Company, LA Fusion Dance Theater, and presented her own musical and movement projects. Raélle currently sits on multiple Advisory Boards, predominantly focused on youth education, connection and skill development.
William Newsom
William joined the Board of Directors of Simama International to help establish the official structure of the organization and assist with development of the bylaws and articles of incorporation.
A college classmate of Matt’s, Will joined the board in 2012 after learning about Matt’s vision to grow Simama into a world-class charity and expand its reach to more youth in Kenya. Will leverages his legal background to help keep Simama compliant and transparent, and jumps in wherever he is needed to support Simama’s U.S. organization, from fundraising to copywriting. In his spare time, Will keeps up with local politics, reads science fiction, plays soccer, and works on his plan to one day own an asteroid mining company. Will graduated from UCLA with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Hastings College of the Law with a JD and currently works as a venture capital attorney at Cooley LLP.
Ryan Borcherdt
Ryan joined the board in 2015 after spending three months on the ground with Matt in Kenya experiencing first-hand the difference that Simama in making in the lives of Kenyan youth.
Having worked with small to medium sized businesses his entire career as both an investor and a small business owner, Ryan’s role is to continually improve the organization’s operational efficiency and procedures. Ryan enjoys playing soccer, fly fishing and backpacking whenever he has spare time. He graduated from UCLA with a BA in Business Economics and runs an organization that operates enrichment programs for children throughout the Bay Area.
Rachel & Jarod Griesbach
Rachel and Jarod met Matt and the Simama Project while working in a medical clinic in Nanyuki, Kenya in 2016.
Inspired by the difference Simama Project was making in the community, they ended up spending that year working with Matt and the kids, Rachel using her skills as a nurse and Jarod using his skills as a carpenter. Rachel works with Simama Project advising on health, while Jarod helps with building projects. They own Red Hart Brewing in Red Deer, Canada, where they live with their 2 boys, dog and 7 chickens.
Matt Orcutt
Founder & Executive Director
Matthew Orcutt is the Founder of the Simama Project and an Executive Director and Founding Board Member at Simama International.
After graduating from UCLA, Matthew worked in Los Angeles and San Francisco before a life-changing trip to Kenya in 2009 inspired him to start the Simama Project. He now lives primarily in Kenya, where he oversees Simama Project’s programs, staff, and operations, and makes frequent visits to the United States to collaborate with the Board of Directors and key partners.
Matthew is also the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Laikipia Highlanders, where he continues to serve through community-based projects that align closely with Simama’s mission of empowerment and service.
In his spare time, he enjoys the ongoing quest for the perfect burrito, cheering on the San Francisco Giants, reading Shakespeare, and spending time with his nephews.