Princeton's Role

As managing partner of the Mpala Research Centre, Princeton provides leadership and support in the following areas: 

Governance and Staffing: Princeton appoints the majority of trustees for Mpala Research Centre (MRC) and related entities, with key staff dedicating significant time to Mpala operations. The Princeton-Mpala Advisory Council and Princeton-Mpala Faculty Council  advise the university on its various engagements with Mpala.

Financial Support: Increased financial backing for Mpala, including investments in infrastructure and emergency funds during crises, with a commitment to ongoing support for maintenance and development projects. 

Fundraising and Communications: Coordinated efforts to engage donors, with a focus on expanding the donor base beyond Princeton affiliates and enhancing Mpala's online presence.

Legal Support: Access to Kenyan legal advice for Mpala through Princeton, covering a wide range of legal matters.

Technology: Significant contributions from Princeton's Office of Information Technology, including staffing and technical support for Mpala.

Safety and Security: Engagement in safety assessments and recommendations for Mpala, with plans for increased involvement.

Operational Oversight: Management of financial and legal responsibilities for the US-based non-profit entity associated with Mpala. 

Aly Kassam-Remtulla (Board Chair) 

Aly Kassam−Remtulla is Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations, reporting to the Provost. As the University's senior international officer, he provides strategic leadership for the university’s global engagement.  Aly leads a team of 250 professionals that enables and facilitates international activities among faculty and students; supports and advocates for Princeton’s 3,300 international students and scholars; and manages the University’s global footprint, including the 48,000-acre Mpala Research Centre in Kenya.  

Brian Kloeppel

Brian Kloeppel is the inaugural Director of the Mpala Secretariat in the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations. Brian has two primary responsibilities - operationalizing the University’s role as managing partner of Mpala Research Centre in Kenya and leading a dramatic and durable increase in Princeton faculty and student engagement there. Beyond Mpala responsibilities, Brian serves as a general strategic partner and deputy to Vice Provost Aly Kassam-Remtulla. 

Grace Penn

Grace Penn is Associate Director for International Affairs and Operations at Princeton, reporting to the Vice Provost for International Affairs. She is responsible for Princeton’s oversight of Mpala and for advancing the university’s international teaching, research, and service mission. She works closely with Mpala leadership to manage the university’s relationship with the Centre, including fundraising, communications, risk management, board relations, and related operations. She currently serves on the board of Princeton in Africa.

Colleen Stevens Walsh

Colleen provides administrative support for the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations (VPIAO) and the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and their teams.

Aly Kassam-Remtulla (Chair), Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations, Princeton University

Agustin Fuentes, Professor of Anthropology, Princeton University

Paula Looney, Associate Director, Grants and Contracts, Princeton University 

Andres Monroy-Hernández, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Princeton University

Chika Okeke-Agulu, Robert Schirmer Professor of Art and Archaeology and African American Studies, Director of the Africa World Initiative, Princeton University

Carla Staver, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University

Corina Tarnita, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University 

Rayna Truelove, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Inclusion, Princeton University

Runa Alam ’81, Co-Founder and CEO of Development Partners International 

Louisa de Carvalho Brassey '09, Co-Founder, Greenwood Place 

Helen Wanjiru Gichohi, Managing Director, Equity Group Foundation 

Noah Gottdiener ’78 P20, Executive Chairman of Duff & Phelps 

Tracy Higgins ’86 P25, Professor of Law, Fordham University 

Paula Kahumbu '02, CEO, WildlifeDirect

Dennis Keller ’63 P98 g24, Founding Chair and CEO, DeVry University 

Aliya Kanji Nedungadi ’97

Kevin MacMillan ’97, Partner, Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP