The leadership of First Step Initiative is composed of people who are from the Congo, speak the language, understand the culture, and can work through local politics. Financial functions are handled by Grand Central Charity, an umbrella organization 501(c)(3) well-versed in loan administration.

Chingwell Mutombu is the Founder and Executive Director of First Step Initiative. She is driven by her commitment to and vision for social justice. Throughout her professional career, she has worked on issues affecting disenfranchised communities both nationally  and internationally.

Her diverse background includes the founding of a consulting business which she currently runs, and her work as an advocate for human rights. She offers expertise in nonprofit management, program evaluation, microfinance, and grant management. Currently, she chairs the Multicultural Endowment Fund at the Saint Paul Foundation. A former Philanthropy Fellow at the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, Chingwell is a graduate of Luther College and holds two Master's degrees from Seton Hall University in Public Administration (with focus in nonprofit management) and International Relations.

E-mail: chingwell@comcast.net

Yav Deliege is the Country Director in the Congo. Yav brings more than 25-years of professional experience in management, organizational development and government relations.Yav is a visionary leader who has a very strong track record of starting and completing very successful ventures. Throughout his professional career he has focused his efforts on building the next generation of leaders, empowering rural communities to become their own change agents and building the capacity of institutions to become sustainable. Yav has worked with many communities throughout the southern part of the DRC and has helped build schools (High Schools and a University) that have contributed in an increase of educational attainment in remote areas of Southern DRC.