Elese Sizemore, Secretary, Bokamoso Youth Foundation

Elese Sizemore is a founding member of the Bokamoso Youth Foundation and has served as Secretary of the Board for two years. She serves on the Fundraising and Marketing Committees and mentors Bokamoso youth when they visit the United States on their January trip.

Ms. Sizemore has been a long-time supporter of Bokamoso, based on visits to the Bokamoso Youth Centre in Winterveldt, South Africa. Inspired by the spirit and heart of the youth there, she has worked on making the U.S. Bokamoso Breakfast the biggest fund-raising event of the year and on introducing the group to potential supporters in the U.S.

For more than 30 years, Ms. Sizemore worked at American Express as a corporate manager. During that time she was involved with several cause-related marketing programs launched by the company and sponsored submission of performing arts grants to the Philanthropic Division.

Also, she has a long record of volunteering with organizations concerned with literacy and housing for inner city youth, including For Love of Children and Hope & a Home. She served for a time on the Shakespeare Theatre Marketing Committee in Washington, DC. Her background in literature and the performing arts integrates her love of the music and stories that Bokamoso brings to the outside world with an understanding of the program, its needs and its potential.