OUR TEAM
DOUG KULUNGU
Executive Director
Doug Kulungu is a relentless advocate, passionate Congolese representative, and active Congressman of the Congo. He has been featured in an assortment of articles and media outlets such as, Lemoore Advance, Pacific Magazine, Christian Leader, Sentinel, Fresno Bee, Radio Kyno Station, and Tim Thiesen’s television show.
Doug took his first breath in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Born to Pascal Kulungu and Therese Saki Kulungu, he is the second oldest of six children. The Kulungu household believed education and faith to be fundamental. Therese a nurse and Pascal a Congolese advocate, who possessed a Master of Arts in Peacemaking from Fresno Pacific University, were living examples of this belief. Raised with the spirit of service and sacrifice, Doug began to model their behavior. It was from his parents that he learned of Christ’s love for people of all nations and the importance of being his brothers’ keeper.
With the help of longtime family friends, who would later become his American parents, Doug came to the United States in 2005 to pursue a college education. Like his father before him, Doug attended Fresno Pacific University, where he spent two years studying English before starting his undergraduate studies in 2007. In 2010, in academic regalia he walked across the stage and was handed his diploma earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.
Doug is forever indebted to his American parents for providing him with the means to receive an exemplary education.
“My story and success in America were improbable. They have changed my story, giving me a new song to sing and cherish.” Doug shared, “Like my own parents have done, my American parents loved me, cared for me and made sure that I had what I needed. They have inspired me to be a better person. My American father makes me want to be a better man, and my American mother moved me the day she embraced a young man from Congo, welcomed him into her family and called him ‘Son.’ That’s true love! Their humility and spirit of service are my motivation to do the same.”
With a continued passion for serving others, and now a higher education, Doug started the nonprofit organization Kulungu for Congo (KFC) in 2014. KFC was created to continue the legacy and work of Doug’s father, Pascal Kulungu. Like his father, Doug believes everybody has potential, some just need to be given an opportunity in order to succeed. Doug was given that opportunity with the combined support of his Congolese and American parents, and his life was changed as a result of the confidence and knowledge that came with his education. It is Doug’s desire to give this hope of a better life and higher education to the youth of Congo.
It is due to the great love he has received from his Congolese and American families that Doug believes he has a moral obligation to give back to his community.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. I have learned that life is about giving to others. Both families have lived that life, and I am going to continue their tradition of giving by building a stronger legacy for the glory of God.”
In 2015, Doug married his longtime friend, Patience Kusangila. Together they have two sons, Jason and Eric. Their greatest desire is for others to join the KFC mission in building a better Congo. “My American parents invested in me, so now I too will live a life of service for others. The impact of one person has the ability to have a ripple effect on so many others.”
In 2019, Doug assumed the position of Congressman of Congo, filling his father, Honorable Pascal Kulungu’s role after he passed away. In July of 2020, Doug was elected Vice President of the Network of Young Parliamentarians.
Today, his mission remains the same, to build a better Congo one person, one family, and one region at the time for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BRITTANY FITZGERALD
Brittany grew up in the Central Valley and graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.S. Degree in Child Development. She has a passion for working with children and in ministry. Two years of living in Haiti, as an ESL teacher, has given her much insight regarding cultural differences and how great the needs are in third world countries. Brittany met Doug Kulungu in 2015, before she left for a mission trip to Swaziland, Africa. They reconnected 5 years later, and she now serves on the KFC team. Brittany looks forward to seeing hope brought to Congo.
Executive Assistant | Visual Content Manager
OUR BOARD
Rodger
Glaspey
CHAIRMAN
Barbara
Koontz
Kevin
Shehadey
VICE CHAIRMAN
Seya Lumeya is married to Cady Sita Lumeya and is currently serving as the Community Justice Center Mediation Juvenile Court Director in Fresno. Seya has known Doug Kulungu for a long time and has witnessed the growth in his desire for a better Congo. The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo can seem like an unsolvable crisis with no hope or solution. However, history tells us that great leaders have emancipated from crisis such as this to challenge the status quo of the time. Doug Kulungu has passion, leadership and the desire to challenge the status quo in Congo. He has raised awareness and growth of the movement by engaging friends, family, and faith groups for a better Congo.
Seya
Lumeya
Leighton
Tong
TREASURER
Pace
Johnson
Pace Johnson was born and raised in Fresno, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley where he played golf and studied Business. While in college, on a mission trip, Pace became a follower of Jesus. In 2015, he traveled to Congo and was able to see the purpose and motivation behind KFC. Throughout the years, Doug has become a great friend of his. He admires Doug's drive to serve his country with so much passion and faith, which is the main reason why he wanted to be a part of what God is doing through this ministry. Pace has been married to his wife for almost three years and has a baby on the way! He looks forward to one day taking his family to the DRC.
Joel
Ratto
Gary
Sells
Gary Sells and his wife Pam have been married for over 30 years and have two adult daughters. He has been engaged in public education for 40 years as a teacher, administrator, executive coach, and school board member. Gary has enjoyed serving on boards, including the elder board, deacon board, school board, local Christian Business Mens’ Connection and the regional board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Gary and Pam are members of First Presbyterian Church, Fresno and have continued attending and serving since their wedding conducted there in 1982.
Gary is supportive of Kulungu For Congo and the positive potential yet to be realized in the lives of young men and women currently living in Congo. KFC is dedicated to raising up young leaders for Congo’s future. Through pervasive, high quality and accessible preparatory and collegiate education, it is the intention of Kulungu For Congo to build leadership strengths and skills in the youth so that they might advance the quality of life of Congo and lead it to assume its rightful position among the most productive nations in the World.
ADVISORY BOARD
Tom
Sommmers
Tom Sommers is the Area Director for Christian Business Men's Connection (CBMC)- Fresno. Throughout the years, Doug and Sommers have become very close friends; building one another up with God's word.
Sommers was given the privilege to meet the driving force behind KFC, Doug's parents.
He supports Doug for who he is and what he wants to accomplish in Congo, carrying on the great legacy of his Father. It is clear that Doug loves the Congo and is passionate about the Congolese people.
Dr. Eric & Darlene Hanson
Dr. Eric Hanson is an Orthopedic Surgeon in Fresno, California. He is employed at Sierra Pacific Orthopedic and Spine Center and is a founding member of the group. He and his wife became interested in the work in DRC when Doug’s mother and father Pascal were here in Fresno. Pascal was a student at FPU obtaining his Masters in the peacemaking field. When Doug came to FPU as a student, we became his “American” parents. As we watched Doug grow and develop from a student to a young man we could see right away a passion to help the people of the DRC and knew that one day he would be working for his people. KFC is the realization of that passion and his dreams to better the plight of his people and eventually all of Congo. Eric was raised in a missionary family in Northern Thailand and has had a lifelong passion for missions, specifically in the area of sustainable development including clean water, agriculture and education. His wife Darlene shares that passion. Eric and Darlene travel to Northern Thailand each year to work with the Hill Tribes doing water and agricultural projects. KFC is an organization that both are happy to support and be involved in. It has been such a blessing to see Doug’s dreams come to fruition.
Tim
Goetz
After a career as a licensed CPA, Tim found himself in the nonprofit world as a Pastor for a growing church (The Well Community) and a board member for several non-profit organizations. Eventually, he recognized a need for accounting software that meets the specific needs of nonprofits and founded Aplos Software. After meeting Doug, Tim recognized in Doug a drive, work ethic, and passion that he had to support. Tim admires Doug’s passion for the Congo and is honored to support Doug’s endeavors as a member of the Kulungu For Congo Board of Directors. Tim boasts that his most notable accomplishment is marrying his wife, Andi, the most fun, creative, and compassionate woman he’s ever met. Tim is also the proud father of daughters, Emma and Casey Jo, who keep Tim laughing and learning.
Robert
Poythress
Robert Poythress currently serves as Vice President and Manager of the Madera Office of Citizens Business Bank. He is also serving a four year term (2012 to 2016) as Mayor of Madera, as well as a board member and commissioner on various government and non-profit entities. When he is not fulfilling his duties as a banker or Mayor, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and working out (primarily running, swimming, and lifting weights). His interest serving on the board of Kulungu For Congo stems from several trips to Africa (Kenya and Guinea-Bissau) and gaining firsthand knowledge how the people of Africa desire to live in nations where corrupt governments are replaced by leaders who embrace integrity and honor and put others first. He believes that Kulungu For Congo will play a role in not only creating better leadership for the people but through spreading the gospel message that brings eternal life.
Dan
Kimball
Dan Kimball worked in professional non-profit fundraising for over 20 years. He has a passion for people, the community and helping organizations improve the lives of others. He worked for Kings View Mental Health Systems, Children’s Hospital Central California, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and currently is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Fresno State. Along with his professional responsibilities, he remains active by serving on numerous local boards, coaching youth sports and volunteering for church-related functions and activities. He has served as a keynote speaker for youth and adults and consulting for several boards and community-based organizations.
Dan and his wife Suzanne have been married for 22 years, and they have three children, one in college and two in high school. Along with spending time with family and friends, he also enjoys cooking for friends and groups, cycling, golf and traveling with his wife. He believes that ‘we are each put on this earth to be in relationship with people and to help make the world a better place’; for this reason, he supports and believes in the work of Doug Kulungu and his love for the Congo.
Artie
Padilla
Artie Padilla has been serving in the nonprofit sector for 23 years in the area of youth and
community development. He currently serves locally with Every Neighborhood
Partnership as its Executive Director. He has also been a part of global mission
trips over the years. His heart grew for Africa while leading a trip to South
Africa in 2008. His connection with Doug Kulungu has grown this love for the
Congo, and he is excited to be a part of the vision to build healthy leadership
and onramps for the Congo to thrive.
Mike
Seashols
Mike’s résumé speaks for itself! He has been the CEO of several companies including Versant, Documentum, and Evolve after a career as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Oracle and 11 years with IBM. During his career, Mike has worked with some of the largest public organizations in the Silicon Valley in addition to emerging high-growth businesses and various start-up companies. All in all, he has played a role in starting 20 companies and businesses, both private and public, and has managed or mentored over 30 CEOs during their careers. Kulungu For Congo is indebted to Mike for continuing to share his business and nonprofit experience.
Paul
Gojkovich
