Board Members

Tyler Cinnamon is a American programmer and entrepreneur. He started TechLit Africa with Nelly Cheboi in 2018 to disrupt poverty with used IT devices.

Founder & COO

TechLit Africa has a small and focused board of directors who oversee the direction of the nonprofit and advise operations.

Who Oversees TechLit Africa | Board Chair Jane Bahls | Nonprofit Board Members | Directing Social Impact in Rural Africa

Board of Directors of TechLit Africa

Our Board of Directors

Jane Bahls

I met Nelly in 2011 when she started at Augustana College, because our church,&nbsp;Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, was sponsoring her. She soon became a member of our family,&nbsp;and we’ve offered support as needed and cheered each accomplishment.In our living room one Thanksgiving she and Tyler began sharing their vision for an&nbsp;organization that could help overcome the digital divide in Africa, and they named it&nbsp;that evening. I was honored to serve as the first member of the board, which I now chair.&nbsp;I’ve been able to offer my observations and experience serving on various nonprofit boards&nbsp;in my community as to how a board functions and some principles of fundraising.My 20-year career as a magazine freelancer gives me some skill as an editor of TechLit materials.&nbsp;It’s exciting to be part of this energetic organization as board chair and financial backer,&nbsp;knowing that what all these children are learning will open the world for them and help lift&nbsp;all their families out of poverty.

Who Leads TechLit's Board? Board Chair of TechLit Africa | Experienced Nonprofit Leader and Avid Supporter | Magazine Freelancer | Trinity Lutheran Church Moline

Jane Bahls has known Nelly since she started at Augustana College, in 2011. From the beginning, she has been an avid supporter and led our board of directors.

Meet Jane Bahls | Board Chair of TechLit Africa 

Chair of the Board

Jack O'Donnell

Five plus years ago, I met Tyler and Nelly when they appeared at a volunteer event&nbsp;for the World Computer Exchange. I could tell from day one that they&nbsp;had a passion for reaching children with technology.Soon after that meeting I learned of their plans for TechLit Africa. As I became more&nbsp;involved in their work I began to understand that TechLit Africa’s mission was to&nbsp;not just support and train children in using technology but also provide examples of what&nbsp;was possible in their lives.Prior to my involvement with TechLit Africa I spent 16yrs as the Chicago Coordinator for the World&nbsp;Computer Exchange which shipped refurbished computer to overseas classrooms. Before that I taught&nbsp;high school in the US and worked a a tech/curriculum specialist. That experience is what I hope&nbsp;to bring as a Board member to TechLit Africa. I am committed to helping this great adventure&nbsp;in broadening the choices for kids in Africa.

Board Member | Logistics - Volunteer Coordinator - Tech Refurbisher | Retired High-School Tech Curriculum Specialist

Jack serves on our board and coordinates volunteers and logistics in Chicago. He served for 16 years as the Chicago Coordinator for World Computer Exchange after retiring from his career in education.

Meet Jack O'Donnell | Board of TechLit Africa

Board Member

Matt Pelton

I met Nelly in Chicago in 2019 at the introduction of Steve Bahls, Jane's husband and&nbsp;the President of Augustana College, from where both he (2010) and Nelly (2016) graduated.Similar to Nelly, I had left a corporate job years prior to help build organizations&nbsp;and support entrepreneurs throughout Africa. While working with leaders and entrepreneurs through the African Leadership Group, I became inspired by the role of&nbsp;entrepreneurship in addressing social issues and driving economic change in emerging markets. I also was excited by the opportunity&nbsp;for technology-enabled businesses to leapfrog legacy models and stages of development.Nelly and Tyler invited me to join TechLit's board in 2020.&nbsp;I am very grateful to support an 'Augie' alum and her partner as they scale their vision and bring technology and skill development&nbsp;programs to youth and schools across Africa.

MBA and Financial Consultant | Heart for Africa | Driving Change For Entrepreneurs in Africa | Advisor and Board Member

Matt Pelton is a financial consultant with a heart for Africa. He has helped build organizations&nbsp;and support entrepreneurs throughout Africa. Now, he also serves as a TechLit board member.