Janet Van Abs
Board Vice-Chair, Kiwimbi International
Janet is a retired Director of Information Technology Services at MFX (formerly MFXchange Holdings Inc), who brings her love of children and her belief in the importance of education to the Kiwimbi team. She joined the Kiwimbi board in 2017 at the urging of the board treasurer at that time, a classmate from college. For several years, Janet served as Vice Chair of Kiwimbi International and chaired the Development Committee, focusing on seeking foundation grants which would allow Kiwimbi to expand their programs. She loves to travel and, after her 2018 visit to many of the schools where Kiwimbi works, she encourages Kiwimbi supporters to join one of our cultural exchange trips to Kenya. There they can experience life in Amagoro, where Kiwimbi’s Learning Center is located, see the schools we serve, and the impact of their support first-hand.
Janet was inspired by her alma mater, Hobart &William Smith Colleges, whose mission is “Preparing Students to Lead Lives of Consequence”. She hopes the work Kiwimbi does will help many more children build a strong academic foundation, giving them the academic skills they need to go on to high school and pursue their dreams.
