Chairman of the Board

Clarence K. Moniba, Ph.D, has almost 15 years of experience working in and out of government, with his first posting at the Liberian Embassy in Washington DC, and his second assignment to the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations. His service includes becoming the youngest person in the country’s history to be named Minister of State without Portfolio, as well as the youngest person to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).

As a Principal Advisor and Project Manager to the President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Moniba was a leading figure in major investment and infrastructure developments in Liberia from 2014 – 2018 while leading the nation’s Diaspora Engagement Unit, the Philanthropy Secretariat, and the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU).

Other roles include working with the African Development Bank’s High-Level Panel on Post-Conflict & Fragile States, as well as the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda. Academically, he received his first Master’s in Government, and his second from Harvard University’s Kennedy School with a Master’s in Public Administration, graduating with summa cum laude honors (4.0 GPA). He also has a Doctorate in Rhetoric and Professional Communications from New Mexico State University, again graduating with summa cum laude honors.

In 2018, the Government of Liberia awarded Dr. Moniba with the Knight Commander of the Most Venerable Order of Pioneers for his outstanding and distinguished service to Liberia.

Colonel Henry C. Brown (US Army) is a graduate of New Mexico State University (BA), William and Mary (MBA), and completed the National Security Affairs Fellowship at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University.

Colonel Brown is a Logistics Officer and has served in a variety of assignments in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific. He has also deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan theaters multiple times.

He was with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Middle East in Bahrain from 2017 to 2019, serving as the Senior Regional Leader for DLA Energy; responsible for the storage, supply, and distribution of bulk petroleum products to US Forces, US Department of State, and Allied Forces throughout the CENTCOM area of operations.

He has served in the United States Military since 2001.

Grace-tee Kpaan has a diverse background in labor relations and community leadership accomplishments.
She attended Global University with headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Arts. She furthered her knowledge of labor relations and workers’ solidarity by obtaining a diploma from the United Steel and General Workers Union in the USA.

Ms. Kpaan served as the President of the Dock Workers Union of Liberia for two terms and was also elected as the President of the International Transport Workers Federation Coordinating Committee. This position allowed her to coordinate efforts of over 700 unions with approximately 10 million transport workers worldwide.

She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Port Authority and held the position of Interim Deputy Managing Director for Operations. She also worked as the Superintendent of Montserrado County and chaired the Redemption Hospital Board from 2013-2018.

In education, Ms. Kpaan has also established the William Lee Bonner and Life International Schools, demonstrating her commitment to providing quality education to young minds. In addition she owned and operated a Ritter pharmacy and later established the Balm in Gilead Clinic to meet the health needs of citizens in rural Montserrado, Liberia.

Grace-tee has been recognized with numerous honors and awards from more than 20 institutions, including Inquirer Newspapers, the University Student Initiative, the Musician Union of Liberia, and the Liberia Albino Society. Her passion for social justice, commitment to education, and devotion to her community makes Grace-tee Kpaan an inspiring figure.

Veratonian – The Vera Brothers, Casey and Carter, are professional actors, designers, writers and overall entertainers.  Residing in Los Angeles, California, they have acted in dozen of movies, music videos and television commercials amassing millions of views.  They have worked with several brands, which include McDonalds, Nike, Guinness and K-Swiss, and in television shows such as The Shield, The Closer, Weeds, Bones, Criminal Minds and NCIS.

The brothers launched their clothing company, F1 Apparel, which has produced name clothing trademarks such as We’d and Bitche, now being worn in over 25 countries to include Asia, Europe and Africa.

They are also directing several documentaries that are currently in post-production for release in 2024.

Board Secretary

Gladys Koisay Payne is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Mental Health Therapist.  Additionally, as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), she has almost 20 years of field experience with a concentration in Individual, Children and Couples Psychotherapy, working with dozens of clients in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area (DMV/USA).  Her areas of expertise include: Depression and various Mood Disorders, Anger Management, Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety and Stress Management, Self-Esteem and Self-Identity, Family and Relationship Issues and Child/Adolescent Behavioral Management.  Her specific Therapeutic Modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Client/Person-Centered Therapy.  For the past 8 years, she has also engaged in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Mrs. Payne has traveled extensively to Liberia and, similar to the United States, has served as a Mentor, Counselor and Life Coach, to dozens of adults, both young and old.  She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Marymount University (USA) and a double Bachelor of Arts in Government & Law and Psychology from Lafayette College (USA).

Executive Director

Siah Jones is a dynamic leader, dedicated community builder, and proud Liberian committed to empowering the next generation of changemakers. For over two decades, she has been an active and vibrant member of the Liberian community in Charlotte, North Carolina, where her voice, vision, and leadership have inspired countless others.

Professionally, Siah holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and serves as a Project Manager at one of the nation’s largest for-profit managed healthcare companies, where she oversees complex projects with precision and excellence. Her professional expertise, combined with her natural ability to lead and connect people, makes her uniquely positioned to drive forward the mission of the Moniba Foundation.

A passionate advocate for youth and women, Siah has dedicated much of her life to service. She serves as the Youth Choir Coordinator at North Davidson United Methodist Church, mentoring and guiding young people to embrace both faith and purpose. As a mother, one of her proudest roles is raising her son, a daily source of joy, motivation, and accomplishment.

Beyond her professional and personal commitments, Siah is a cultural ambassador. As Publicity Chair for the Liberian Association of Greater Charlotte (LIBAC), she has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of Liberians in the diaspora, spotlighting Liberia’s rich legacy of food, music, fashion, and heritage. Through her leadership and media presence, she continues to celebrate and uplift Liberian identity both locally and globally.