Team – Padoc Area Scholars Society

Our Team

Board of Directors

JB Favour

Executive Director, PASS USA

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JB Favour is the Executive Director of the Padoc Area Scholars Society, USA (PASS), where she leads a growing movement to help South Sudanese youth especially young women—break the cycle of poverty through education, access, and opportunity.

A passionate advocate for equity and empowerment, JB brings years of experience as a fundraising strategist, grant writer, and nonprofit leader. Her work has spanned youth empowerment, women’s initiatives, and community development, supporting mission-driven organizations across the U.S. and beyond to secure vital funding and build sustainable donor relationships. Beyond PASS, JB also contributes her expertise in fundraising and development at RUOVA helping small and mid-sized nonprofits strengthen their capacity to create impact.

Rooted in her belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for transformation, JB’s leadership at PASS continues to open doors for hundreds of young South Sudanese scholars to learn, lead, and rebuild their communities from within.

Fran Roby

Treasurer & Co-Founder | Chair, PASS USA Scholarship Selection Committee

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Fran Roby is a retired Guidance and College Counselor with over 33 years of experience helping students in Minnesota navigate the path to higher education. A lifelong advocate for youth empowerment and global education, he has also spent years volunteering with refugee and immigrant communities across Minnesota.

As Treasurer and Co-Founder of the Padoc Area Scholars Society, USA (PASS), Fran provides strategic financial oversight and ensures transparency and accountability in the organization’s operations. He also chairs the U.S. branch of the PASS Scholarship Selection Committee, where he applies his deep expertise in college readiness and student development to guide the selection of PASS Scholars.

Fran’s steadfast commitment to education, equity, and service continues to shape PASS’s mission of expanding access and opportunity for South Sudanese youth.

Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai

Co-Founder, PASS | Chair, PASS South Sudan Scholarship Selection Committee

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Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai is the Co-Founder of the Padoc Area Scholars Society, (PASS)South Sudan and Chair of the South Sudan Scholarship Selection Committee. A former Sudanese Lost Boy who resettled in the United States in 2001, Augustino’s life journey reflects the resilience and determination that shape PASS’s mission.

He previously served as the Director of Research at the Sudd Institute, South Sudan’s leading policy think tank, where his work focused on governance, development, and social transformation. Augustino holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and, in January 2024, was appointed to a Cabinet-level position in the South Sudanese national government.

Through his leadership and deep understanding of South Sudan’s educational and policy landscape, Augustino continues to guide PASS’s vision of empowering the next generation of South Sudanese scholars and leaders.

Dixie Gedstad

Secretary & Board Member, PASS

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Dixie Gedstad is an Early Childhood Special Education professional with a distinguished career at the Hopkins School District 270 in Minnesota. Throughout her years of service, she created inclusive and culturally responsive classrooms that supported both young children with special needs and their typically developing peers—fostering environments of equity, understanding, and growth.

Dixie holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education from Mankato State University. As Secretary and Board Member of the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS), she contributes her expertise in education, inclusion, and organizational governance to advance PASS’s mission of expanding access to education for South Sudanese youth.

Bol Deng Akech

Co-Founder & Coordinator, Harvesting Hope Agricultural Program (South Sudan)

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Bol Deng Akech is the Co-Founder of the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS) and serves as Coordinator of the Harvesting Hope Agricultural Program in South Sudan. A graduate of the University of Juba, Bol holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering, where his studies emphasized practical innovation—prioritizing function over form and sustainability over showmanship.

The first in his family to graduate from high school and attend university, Bol’s journey reflects the transformative power of education that PASS seeks to expand for South Sudanese youth. In addition to his work with PASS, he contributes to national development through his role at Schlumberger, where he operates and manages specialized equipment and machinery.

Through his leadership, Bol continues to advance PASS’s vision of linking education with local development and agricultural sustainability in South Sudan.

Professor Kim Korinek

Board Member, PASS

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Professor Kim Korinek is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Utah, where her research explores international migration and the population and health consequences of armed conflict. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Washington.

Beyond her academic work, Professor Korinek is deeply committed to advancing access to education and promoting opportunities for historically underrepresented and diverse populations. As a Board Member of the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS), she brings her expertise in research, education, and social equity to support PASS’s mission of empowering South Sudanese youth through higher education and opportunity.

PASS Team

Danielle Enblom

Digital Media and Online Application Coordinator

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Danielle is an educator, researcher, and performing artist dedicated to empowering people of all ages through education and community building. With degrees in Urban Studies, Sustainability Studies and Ethnochoreology, plus her work in regenerative agriculture and Waldorf teaching, she brings diverse expertise to our mission. Danielle has partnered with grassroots groups and community leaders to tackle environmental challenges and support youth development. She is honored to help PASS unlock college opportunities and sustainable futures for South Sudanese students and families.

Agenor C. de Castro

Development Lead, PASS USA

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Agenor C. de Castro, MBA, BBA, is a management consultant with two decades of experience in marketing, communications, and development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He specializes in fundraising strategy, grant writing, community engagement, brand building, and cause amplification, helping nonprofits across the United States and Canada, expand their reach and impact. Earlier in his career, Agenor spent ten years driving Yahoo’s international growth, launching multiple flagship brands in Latin America, the U.S. Hispanic market, and Canada. He now channels this blend of corporate experience and mission-driven passion into advising organizations on securing grants, scaling sustainably, telling stories that inspire action, and championing causes that build stronger, more equitable communities.

Etieno Ntuk

Fundraising Assistant

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Etieno Ntuk serves as a Volunteer Fundraising Assistant with the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS), where she supports donor outreach, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement initiatives. She is passionate about education, empowerment, and social impact, and brings creativity and dedication to her role in helping PASS expand opportunities for South Sudanese youth.

Through her work, Etieno contributes to strengthening PASS’s fundraising capacity and advancing its mission to transform lives through access to education and opportunity.

Student Coordinators

Joseph Lethem Gola

PASS Scholar & Head of Student Coordinators

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Joseph Lethem Gola’s story is one of courage, faith, and transformation.
He is a PASS scholar whose journey embodies the life-changing power of opportunity. Coming from a humble background where no one in his family had ever gone to school, Joseph became the first to break that cycle, carrying the hopes and dreams of generations before him.

As the Head of Student Coordinators, a role entrusted to him by the PASS Board, Joseph leads with humility and purpose—drawing from his own experiences to inspire others. He is a devoted husband and father, blessed with his wife and their son, Liam. Through every challenge, Joseph’s resilience and faith have remained unshaken. His journey stands as a living testament to what’s possible when potential is recognized, opportunity is given, and determination meets grace.

John Garang Akech

PASS Scholar & Student Coordinator, South Sudan

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John Garang Akech is a PASS scholar and Student Coordinator from South Sudan whose journey reflects resilience and hope. Growing up in poverty and losing his father at a young age, he faced immense challenges but remained determined to pursue his education. Since receiving the PASS scholarship in 2022, John has been empowered to continue his studies—striving to become the first graduate in his entire family and clan. As a Student Coordinator, he serves his peers with dedication and leads by example, believing that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming communities.

BAAL NYELO GUZULU

PASS Scholar & Student Coordinator, Uganda

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Baal Nyelo Guzulu is PASS Scholar and Student Coordinator in Uganda. He is a dedicated Law student at Nkumba University, Kampala with a keen interest in legal research, advocacy, and legal theory. His voluntary work wirh PASS contributes to academic coordination and teamwork, upholding the values of integrity, responsibility, and academic excellence. He has served in many associations such South Sudanese Students Association at Nkumba University (NUSSSA) as Secretary General from 2024-2025. He also served in Greater Upper Nile Students Union in Uganda, where he held a position of Interim-Secretary General 2023-2024 as well as Greater Kubal Students Association, serving as Student Advisor, a role he held from 2018-2020. Today, Baal leads and serves his fellow South Sudanese youth in various institutions in Kampala where PASS Scholars attend higher education.

Sunday Stephen

PASS Scholar & Student Coordinator, Kenya

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Sunday Stephen is a PASS Scholar and Student Coordinator in Kenya whose story reflects courage, resilience, and restored hope. Before joining PASS, financial struggles and social barriers nearly ended her dream of education. She once believed leadership and opportunity were reserved for men, but PASS changed that — restoring her dignity, building her confidence, and lighting the path toward her future.

Today, Sunday leads with humility and strength, determined to serve all students with fairness, respect, and unity. In a culture where female leadership is often challenged, she stands as proof of the power and potential of South Sudanese youth. To every donor who makes this possible, Sunday’s message is clear: you are not just funding education, you are healing broken dreams and shaping a new generation of leaders.

Arezet Kolen Nyadung

PASS Scholar & Female Scholars Coordinator

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Arezet Kolen Nyadung serves as the Female Scholars Coordinator for the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS) in South Sudan. She is passionate about leadership, education, and community development, and plays a vital role in mentoring and supporting young women within the PASS Scholarship Program.

Her active involvement in church and community initiatives has strengthened her skills in communication, coordination, and teamwork, allowing her to guide female scholars with empathy and purpose. Deeply committed to personal growth and social impact, Arezet embodies the PASS mission—empowering South Sudanese girls to learn, lead, and create meaningful change in their communities.

Lauryen Oleyo K

PASS Scholar & Education Partnerships Coordinator.

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Lauryen Oleyo N. Korok is a continuing Master’s student at the Ethiopian Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, pursuing a degree in the Department of Africa's Institute of Governance and Development (AIGAD), College of Leadership and Governance. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender and Development Studies from Gambella University, Ethiopia. With a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in governance, policy, and community development, Lauryen is deeply passionate about advancing good governance, social equity, and sustainable development. He strives to contribute to transformative leadership and policy reforms that strengthen institutions and improve lives.

Lauryen currently serves as the Education Partnerships Coordinator at the Padoc Area Scholars Society (PASS), overseeing partnerships and educational initiatives across Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.