Karen Elliot

Karen Elliott is the Executive Director of the Rafiki Foundation. Karen has served with Rafiki since 1990, including twelve years on the mission field, most of that time in Jos, Nigeria. Upon returning to the U.S., she became the Director of Africa Operations for the Rafiki Home Office and was responsible for managing the ChildCare and Education Programs for all ten Rafiki Villages as well as curriculum development. She served at the Home Office for ten years before being named Rafiki’s Executive Director in January of 2012.

Karen travels to Africa several times each year to oversee operations at each Rafiki Village and considers herself to be an “American African”, comfortable talking to presidents of African countries, national church leaders, local tribal chieftains… but especially in caring for the children and students at Rafiki Villages.