A long-time resident of Connecticut, John has had a successful business career. After earning BA and MBA degrees at Stanford University he has worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, Inc., Group Vice President for Plastiglide Manufacturing Corp. and President of Stanwood Mills, Inc., a diversified supplier of industrial woven fabrics.
John has been active in town government in numerous capacities, as well as several charitable causes. He serves on the Board of Directors of Neighbor to Neighbor, which provides food and clothing to the local working poor and elderly. In 2015 in partnership with the 14Plus Foundation, he co-founded the RISE Zambia Scholarship Initiative in Zambia in memory of his wife, Joan.
Alaina Merrill is a strategic public relations and corporate communications professional. She co-founded RISE Zambia in 2015 in memory of her late mother, Joan Shulman.
Alaina is responsible for our marketing, public relations, and all website and social media operations. She is also involved in all policy and administrative decisions.
Alaina was raised in Connecticut and earned her B.A. from Vanderbilt University. After graduation, she taught English in Madrid, Spain, for three years before returning to the U.S. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Manna Project International.
She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with her husband Matt, who is a valued member of our Board of Advisors, and her dog Luke.
Stanley was born in northern Zambia. After completing secondary school, he moved to Lusaka.
He has worked with the 14+ Foundation in various capacities since its beginning. He now serves as Director of Finance. In 2015, Stanley volunteered to help us start RISE Zambia, including making most arrangements to enroll and support our first Scholar, Agness. Since then, he has identified, evaluated, and supported each additional RISE Scholar. In 2018, he was named Managing Director of RISE Zambia within the country.
Stanley is currently completing coursework for his BSc Accounting and Finance at the Univ. of Zambia. His skills in organization and project management will help us guide RISE Zambia as the program continues to grow.
