Our Mission:
To support families in the Republic of Georgia affected by the August 2008 Russia-Georgia War by providing scholarships and other valuable educational opportunities to students and youth from the Gori Region.
Governance Board
Kelly Uphoff, Founder & Director
Kelly is a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked and lived in Gori, Georgia from June 2007 until August 2008. As a volunteer, she worked extensively with Gori University students and leadership on a variety of projects. Inspired by the University’s leadership and motivation to improve its community, Kelly decided to stay in Georgia after the recent conflict to develop this fund with her Georgian friends and colleagues.
Jeremy Bauman, Assistant Director
Jeremy served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Gori from June 2007 until August 2008. In addition to his work as a business development advisor, Jeremy enjoyed collaborating with Gori University staff and students. Convinced of the importance of the University to the region, Jeremy sees GREF as a great way to help his friends and community recover from the South Ossetia conflict.
Johanna Holtan, Board MemberKelly Uphoff, Founder & Director
Kelly is a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked and lived in Gori, Georgia from June 2007 until August 2008. As a volunteer, she worked extensively with Gori University students and leadership on a variety of projects. Inspired by the University’s leadership and motivation to improve its community, Kelly decided to stay in Georgia after the recent conflict to develop this fund with her Georgian friends and colleagues.
Jeremy Bauman, Assistant Director
Jeremy served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Gori from June 2007 until August 2008. In addition to his work as a business development advisor, Jeremy enjoyed collaborating with Gori University staff and students. Convinced of the importance of the University to the region, Jeremy sees GREF as a great way to help his friends and community recover from the South Ossetia conflict.
Johanna is a former Peace Corps Volunteer and has worked with non-governmental organizations that focus on women's issues for the past six years. Her public relations, development and project management skills have given her the opportunity to work with women's NGOs throughout the United States, Jamaica, England, Mexico, and Georgia. Johanna is currently based in Kutaisi, Georgia, and works with USAID's Healthy Women in Georgia Program on reproductive health advocacy initiatives, including the Women Race for the Cure Georgia.
Executive Committee
Kakha Gordadze, Chairman & Chief Officer
Kakha is a 2007 graduate of Gori University and is currently pursuing his MBA at the University. Born and raised in Gori, Kakha has worked in various local NGOs including the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association, Gori Branch and has worked on a variety of issues including those relating to refugees and street children. Kakha is dedicated to helping his community and his University. As project coordinator for the Gori Regional Educational Fund, Kakha serves as the liaison between the fund and the University.
Nana Berdzenishvili, Operations Manager
Kakha is a 2007 graduate of Gori University and is currently pursuing his MBA at the University. Born and raised in Gori, Kakha has worked in various local NGOs including the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association, Gori Branch and has worked on a variety of issues including those relating to refugees and street children. Kakha is dedicated to helping his community and his University. As project coordinator for the Gori Regional Educational Fund, Kakha serves as the liaison between the fund and the University.
Nana Berdzenishvili, Operations Manager
Nana currently works for World Vision International as a Support Manager for the Area Developement Program (Caucasus). Previously, she was the Regional Coordinator for CHF International (Georgia) as well as a Program Coordinator for the Humanitarian Center "Abkhazeti." Nana also works as a consultant for various organizations including Gori University. As GREF Operations Manager, Nana supports programming, trainings and leads operational planning.
Davit Makhviladze, Lawyer
Dato is a 2006 graduate of Tbilisi State University's law faculty and a current graduate student at Gori University. He has served as the chief lawyer for Gori University. In the past, Dato worked as the chief lawyer for Tskhinvali State University and interned with the Ministry of Education and Science. As GREF's lawyer, Dato gives advice on issues relating to Georgian law.
Dato is a 2006 graduate of Tbilisi State University's law faculty and a current graduate student at Gori University. He has served as the chief lawyer for Gori University. In the past, Dato worked as the chief lawyer for Tskhinvali State University and interned with the Ministry of Education and Science. As GREF's lawyer, Dato gives advice on issues relating to Georgian law.
Dali Muzashvili, Scholarship Coordinator
Staff Members
Sophio Nonikashvili, Finance Assistant
Sophio is a Gori University graduate and is currently pursuing a master's degree in finanical accounting.
Mariam Zarkhozashvili, Student Coordinator
Mariam is a 2006 graduate of Gori University with a degree in English Language and Literature. She is currently studying for a Master's degree in English Philology (linguistics). Mari is also a founding member of the "Kartli" Regional Education Association in Gori and serves as its office manager. Mari volunteers as the student coordinator at Gori University for GREF.
Mariam is a 2006 graduate of Gori University with a degree in English Language and Literature. She is currently studying for a Master's degree in English Philology (linguistics). Mari is also a founding member of the "Kartli" Regional Education Association in Gori and serves as its office manager. Mari volunteers as the student coordinator at Gori University for GREF.
Lela Khubuluri, Student Relations Assistant
Lela graduated from Ilia Chavchavadze Institute of Foreign Languages in 1988. She then worked as an English teacher for students from Gori regional villages as part of the "Young Students" afterschool program. In 1990 Lela took a position as a professor of English at Gori University, where she continues to teach. She is currently pursuing her PhD in English Linguistics at the University of Georgia in Tbilisi. She is also head of the Department of International and Language Programs for the "Kartli" Regional Education Association.
Lela graduated from Ilia Chavchavadze Institute of Foreign Languages in 1988. She then worked as an English teacher for students from Gori regional villages as part of the "Young Students" afterschool program. In 1990 Lela took a position as a professor of English at Gori University, where she continues to teach. She is currently pursuing her PhD in English Linguistics at the University of Georgia in Tbilisi. She is also head of the Department of International and Language Programs for the "Kartli" Regional Education Association.
