meet the team

Sainga is a member of the Datooga tribe in Tanzania and a passionate advocate for education as a pathway to end female genital mutilation and create lasting change within his community. As one of the few college-educated individuals from his tribe and the son of a respected tribal leader, Sainga brings a rare and deeply rooted perspective to Hawega’s mission, bridging tradition with progress from within.

His lived experience and leadership are central to the foundation’s approach. Sainga works directly with families, elders, and local partners to shift cultural norms, championing education as an alternative to harmful practices while preserving the strength and identity of the Datooga people. His commitment is grounded in trust, respect, and long-term community transformation.

As Head of Operations in Tanzania and a founding member of the Hawega Foundation, Sainga leads on-the-ground initiatives, student support, and partnerships with institutions like Silverleaf Academy. His work ensures that every girl in the program is not only given access to education, but the opportunity to define her own future.

Brittany Azzara is an entrepreneur, mother, and co-founder of the Hawega Foundation. She has built a successful global business and mentored thousands of women, helping them step into financial independence and leadership.

Her connection to Hawega began after a life-changing trip to Tanzania in 2021, where she witnessed firsthand the realities facing young girls in the Datooga tribe. Deeply moved by their resilience, Brittany became committed to creating meaningful, lasting change.

Today, she helps lead the foundation’s mission to provide education and protection for girls at risk, supporting philanthropic partnerships, storytelling, and long-term vision. In 2023, she was awarded the Chairman’s Award by her company, along with a $60,000 grant that supported the foundation’s expansion.

Her broader mission is to empower women globally through education and opportunity so they can pursue their fullest potential and create generational impact.

Deniz Kayiket is a creative director, and content strategist whose work centers on storytelling that builds connection and drives impact. With a background in design and narrative storytelling, she has spent years creating content that translates complex ideas into experiences people can feel and understand.

Deniz’s commitment to the Hawega Foundation is rooted in her belief that stories are a powerful tool for awareness and change. Through her role on the creative team, she supports how Hawega’s mission is communicated, shaping narratives that highlight the lived experiences of Datooga girls and the importance of access to education and protection.

As part of the organization, Deniz contributes to amplifying Hawega’s work to end FGM and expand opportunities for girls, ensuring that the message not only reaches people, but resonates with themn goes here

Alexandra (Ali) Insinga is an international criminal lawyer with over a decade of experience dedicated to human rights, accountability, and the protection of survivors. Based in The Hague, her work focuses on the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with a particular emphasis on cases involving sensitive witnesses and complex international investigations.

Ali’s commitment to the Hawega Foundation is deeply rooted in her career-long focus on gender-based violence and child rights. A recognized expert in crimes against and affecting children, she is a Certified Forensic Interviewer and a roster expert with Justice Rapid Response. As a former Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, New York, she led the prosecution of child abuse and sex crimes, building trauma-informed cases alongside multidisciplinary teams.

As a founding board member, Ali supports Hawega’s work to end FGM and expand access to education for Datooga girls, with a focus on child protection and survivor-centered practice.

Brian Azzara is an entrepreneur, investor, and Board Director of the Hawega Foundation. He has built and operated businesses across real estate, hospitality, and consumer brands, bringing a strong foundation in strategy, growth, and operations.

Brian plays an active role in the foundation’s development, supporting fundraising efforts, strategic planning, and long-term expansion. His involvement is deeply personal—after first visiting Tanzania in 2021, he fell in love with the country and its people. During that trip, he met Sainga and was immediately moved by his story, vision, and commitment to creating change within his own community.

That experience sparked a lasting connection to the mission and a deep sense of responsibility to get involved. The trip ultimately changed Brian’s life for the better and solidified his belief in the power of education to create generational transformation.

Through his work with the Hawega Foundation, Brian is committed to helping provide young girls in Tanzania with access to education, opportunity, and a future they may not have otherwise had.

Jennifer Dean is Co-Executive Director of Chicago Votes, where she has spent the past decade leading a nationally recognized youth civic engagement organization focused on expanding access to democracy. Her work centers on increasing civic participation among young people and those impacted by the justice system.

Jennifer’s background in organizing and policy has driven major initiatives, including Voting in Jail legislation—the first in the country to turn a jail into a polling location—as well as efforts to expand ballot access and bring civics education into prisons. She has also contributed to broader reform efforts tied to wage equity, cannabis reform, and parole policy.

She brings deep experience in executive leadership, having overseen multimillion-dollar budgets and built partnerships across government, philanthropy, and community sectors. Jennifer is also the founder of the World Organizing Institute and collaborates globally to advance equity within her Roma community.