Our Story
GSEF started through a partnership with Richard, a local soapstone artist and community leader in Kisii. Richard has been active with St. Joseph’s Secondary School for Boys and St. Mary’s Secondary School for Girls, both in Kisii. In partnership with the schools, we select students whose families have no way to pay the school fees required to attend secondary school. We strive to send an equal number of boys and girls.
Major Milestones
August 2021
Raised $7,395 and sent 15 kids to school in Kenya
April 2022
Raised $6,295 and sent 19 kids to school in Kenya
January 2023
Raised $6,960 and sent 21 kids to school in Kenya
January 7, 2024
Raised $11,251.50 and sent 26 kids to secondary school in Kenya
August 17, 2024
Joe meets Tafadzwa Dzinovera at the Iowa State Fair, learning about her work with Broken Wings in Zimbabwe.
October 6, 2024
GSEF is organized with its first board of directors.
January 2025
GSEF raised over $22,000 and sent 24 students in Kisii and 21 students in Chiredzi and Chipinge, Zimbabwe, to secondary school.
June 2025
GSEF Board agrees to a partnership with St. Joseph Family to send five primary school graduates from Lekole Sen Trinite, its school in Jacmel, Haiti, to secondary school.
Our Team
Joe Nolte
Joe Nolte is President of the GSEF board. For two decades, he had a business and personal relationship with a friend in Kisii. One day in 2021, Joe saw his friend post on Facebook that 11 boys had been sent home from school because their families could not pay school fees. Joe approached his church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, and they raised the funds to send those boys back. This was the birth of GSEF.Joe has 30 years of professional experience in the non-profit sector. As a volunteer, he has served on numerous local, state, national, and international boards, including the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a home for people with disabilities in Haiti, and the Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission. He holds a BA from Mount Mercy University, a MBL (masters of business leadership) from William Penn University, and a MA in Global Affairs with a focus on economic development from the University of Oklahoma. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife Joanne and son Edward. Joe travels internationally extensively for work and pleasure, including a visit to Kisii in 2025.
Kate Sharma
Katherine is a dedicated public service professional with a strong background in strategic communication. She has experience managing social media for professional organizations across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, event management for conferences and fundraisers, and strengthening communities both in-person and online.
Ricki King
Ricki King has a B.A. in history from Drake University and is the founder and historian at Roots to Branches Genealogy. Ricki has been published twice in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly Journal and is a presenter in the Iowa History 101 Series. She helped Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines become recognized by the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Ricki is leading an effort to bring the legacy of Iowa's Black history and places to light. She serves as Chair of the Iowa Historical Foundation, a Board Trustee of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.
Joanne Nolte
Joanne is a native of Iowa and has lived in Des Moines for the last 17 years. She has spent the last 30 years in the insurance industry, mostly in compliance and contract development.She is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Des Moines where she has been active it volunteering and educational ministries. In addition she is a Junior League of Des Moines sustainer and a former board member of several local organizations and an organization in Haiti. She was an active parent volunteer at her son’s schools and served on the Des Moines Public School Foundation board for several years including as their president.Joanne and her husband, Joe, have one grown son, Edward. They also have a dog, Winston, and two cats, Willow and Wrigley. In her free time she enjoys traveling, volunteering and reading.
Tushar Sharma
Tushar Sharma plays an active role in managing Global SEF's technology and website. He holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Iowa State University and brings over six years of professional experience in data analysis and business intelligence. With a passion for using technology to solve real-world problems, Tushar is always eager to lend his skills to causes that create positive impact. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new technologies, working on websites, and staying involved in community initiatives. His unique blend of technical expertise and collaborative spirit makes him a valuable part of the Global SEF team.
Paula Kyburz
As a graduate of Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, Paula worked as a Registered Nurse at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines, IA, in critical care and as a nursing supervisor for over 25 years. A career change led her to the field of nursing informatics and implementation of electronic health records (EMRs) in hospitals and clinics for over an additional 25 years. Paula traveled throughout the United States as a Senior Consulting and Project Director for Health Systems Informatics (HSi), Bainbridge Island, WA. In addition to numerous roles directing large EMR software implementations at client sites, she has also managed and guided consultant teams within HSi. As a retiree, Paula continues to travel, enjoys camping and hiking, volunteering for various church activities, including singing in the choir, and maintaining her family’s century farm (cared for the land for 100 years).
Kathy Arnold
Kathy Arnold has Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Accounting and Management from Mount Mercy College. Kathy also holds a CPA (inactive) certification and is a Notary Public. Formerly a small business owner, Kathy now works as an Accounting Team Leader for a regional wholesaler of pipe, valves and fittings (PVF). She also serves as a Treasurer and founding Board Member of Noah’s Olive Branch. As part of her work with Noah’s Olive Branch, Kathy is Certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Kelly Simmons
Kelly Simmons is a public servant and currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission and serves on the Southeast Polk School Board. Kelly is an Ames native and a graduate of Iowa State University. Kelly has a BA in Psychology and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. Kelly is currently a doctoral student at Louisiana Baptist University and working on a PhD in Leadership Studies. Kelly is a lifelong public servant, serving in the US Navy and has had a long career in public service in local, state, and federal employment. Kelly currently works as a Project Officer with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management where she works with local communities and governments on mitigating and responding to community hazards, both natural disasters and other threats. In her free time, Kelly is a regular volunteer with the Iowa International Center, hosting delegates from all around the world and has a passion for international relations and leadership.
Winston
Winston was born February 14, 2023 in Northern Iowa and came to live with his mom and dad while he was still a puppy. He understands the importance of education as he is a graduate of puppy obedience school. He loves meeting international visitors and attending GSEF Board meetings.