Our Leadership

Meet Our Board Members

Dedicated volunteers and professionals from around the world, united by a mission to empower Yazidi students through free English education.

Angela Smits Co-Founder
Angela Smits
Co-Founder & Treasurer

Angela is a hairdresser and has her own salon in Roermond. She is a member of Soroptimist International in the Netherlands, an organisation that improves the lives and status of women and girls in more than 40 countries through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. The Yazidi people stole her heart forever, inspiring her to dedicate her time and energy to helping them.

Margaret Rijkelijkhuizen Co-Founder
Margaret Rijkelijkhuizen
Co-Founder & Director of English Program

Margaret has lived, worked and studied in Switzerland, Germany and mostly in the USA, where she married, raised 5 children and was active as a choir director in her parish and as a volunteer educator for struggling children and refugees. She earned 2 Bachelor Degrees and a triple Masters in L2 teaching. Margaret believes all her experiences prepared her to start Yazidi@School — to connect with the Yazidi community and serve as a bridge connecting people and young students with a better future.

Bob Bragar Chair
Bob Bragar
Chair of the Board

Bob is an American linguist and lawyer based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He brings long experience in international development, migration issues, and NGO corporate governance to his role as Chair of the board.

Hanna Reichelt Board Member
Hanna Reichelt
Board Member

Hanna is a migration professional and psychologist who joined the board in 2024. She also works as an academic mentor with our students. Before joining, she volunteered in a similar capacity with the NGO Paper Airplanes.

Meike Roumen Board Member
Meike Roumen
Board Member

Meike joined in January 2024 after graduating with a focus on international public administration. She has taught language classes to refugees for nearly three years and is passionate about international migration and global development, which she brings to her role on the board.

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