Executive Director

Musa P. Sheriff is the Executive Director at LEAD Monrovia Football Academy. Musa previously served as the Director of Academics and was recently appointed by the Academy's Board of Directors to serve as the Acting Executive Director of the Academy while the Academy searched for a permanent Executive Director through an open application process. Musa arrived at the football school highly recommended by Mr. Sekou Konneh, an accomplished Liberian academic and a Professor of Sociology at the University of Liberia. He was the first teacher of the Academy when it was established in 2015. Before joining the Academy, Sheriff taught biology at several of Monrovia's high schools, held a post as the Vice President of Student Affairs at one of Monrovia's top schools, worked as a consultant for multiple NGOs, and lectured at Liberia's United Methodist University. In 2014, Sheriff received WHO Ebola awareness training and worked as a community outreach officer for Ebola awareness and sanitization.

Sheriff holds an MPH in Epidemiology from Cuttington University in Liberia and a BSc in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Liberia. His ability, work ethic, and commitment to the lives of young Liberians make him the ideal leader to lead the school through this transition period.

Academic Manager

David Allison is the Academic Manager at LEAD Monrovia Football Academy. Allison previously served as a teacher, teaching General Science, Health, Mathematics, and Agricultural Science to 7th and 8th graders. In his current role, Allison manages the recruitment of student-athletes in addition to the academic and life skills programs. Before LEAD MFA, Allison taught Math and Science to secondary school students ages 8-14. He also worked with the Liberian Education Advancement Program (LEAP) and the Street Child of Liberia, where he focused on improving literacy and numeracy for Liberian children.

Allison holds a BSc in General Agriculture from the University of Liberia (2017) and is currently completing his MA (Online) in Education Leadership and Management at Unicaf University in Zambia. He is a staunch believer in early childhood education. At the Academy, Allison uses his immutable passion for teaching to improve students learning.

Leadership and Life Skills Program Officer

Jee-won Mawein Arkoi is the Leadership and Life Skills Program Officer at LEAD Monrovia Football Academy. Jee-won is a passionate youth development professional with expertise in youth training and mentorship. In her current role as the Leadership and Life Skills Officer at the Academy, she teaches leadership classes and manages after-school programs for our student-athletes. Jee-won has previously contributed as a Future Proof Skills Trainer with USAID Youth Advance, empowering college graduates with essential career skills.

Jee-won is a 2022 graduate of Stella Maris Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Social Work (Cum Laude), where she is recognized for her facilitation, communication, and project management abilities. Additionally, Jee-won is a published poet and an alum of prestigious programs, including the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab and the Pan-African Youth Leadership Program sponsored by the United States Department of State.

Teacher

John Mills teaches Social Studies and Language Arts at the Academy. Mills began his teaching career in 2000 and has taught at several primary and secondary schools over the past 17 years. Notably, he taught Phonics, Reading, Writing, and Spelling at J.J. Roberts United Methodist School, one of Liberia’s best schools, from 2006-2011. From 2011-2017, Mills served as a teacher trainer in the southeast of Liberia with IBIS, a Danish education organization. Mills brings experience and expertise to our dynamic teaching staff.

Mills holds a BA in Sociology and Demography from the University of Liberia, as well as teacher training certificates from several international and Liberian institutions.

Teacher

Tom B.N. Soliboah teaches English and Literature at the Academy. Tom is fluent in speaking, writing, and teaching English and has taught at some of the most prestigious schools in Liberia, including AWARE International School and Bethesda Christian Mission School. Tom has also served as an administrator and is one of Liberia's emerging leaders.

Tom holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Public Administration from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University.

Teacher

Promise Weetor teaches Biology and Chemistry at the Academy to 10th graders. Promise also teaches general science in the junior high division. She has a great dedication towards her teaching duties and a positive attitude to improve students learning.

Promise holds a BSc in Biology from the United Methodist University in Liberia.

Finance Manager

Joseph Kerkula is the Finance Manager at the Academy. Joseph has over 14 years of experience in accounting, administration, auditing, and risk analysis across private, local, and international NGO sectors. He has hands-on expertise in working on USDA and USAID financial systems, making him adept at ensuring compliance and efficiency in resource management. He previously worked in many financial roles – he most recently served as a Finance Associate at Population Services International and Regional Finance and as an Administrative Assistant at Save the Children International Liberia.

Joseph is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Chain (CIPS) in the UK. At LEAD MFA, Joseph leverages his expertise to enhance financial processes, ensure compliance, and drive organizational success.

Athletics Manager

Coach Robert N. Lartey Sr. is the Athletics Manager at the Academy. Coach Lartey is an accomplished football professional with over 31 years of coaching experience at both national and international levels. He holds a CAF License A and is a certified CAF Coach Instructor, having received his instructor license in Dakar, Senegal, through the Liberia Football Association. As the Head of Local Coaches Instructors for the Liberia Football Association, Coach Lartey has led multiple coaching courses, including three CAF License C and two CAF License D programs, and has co-facilitated a CAF License B course. His contributions to football development extend beyond instruction, as he also serves as the Head of National Team Coaches within the Coaches Association of Liberia.

Coach Lartey has coached some of Liberia's top football clubs, including BYC, LISCR, Bea Mountain, Monrovia Club Breweries, and Determine Girls FC, achieving numerous championships. On the national stage, he currently oversees the U-17, U-20 (male and female), and senior women’s national teams, while also serving as Deputy Coach of the senior men’s national team. His extensive experience includes participation in prestigious tournaments such as the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, CAF CHAN competition, and WAFU tournaments. Recognized for his excellence, Coach Lartey has earned multiple awards, including five Best Coach honors in Liberia's First Division. As the Athletic Manager at LEAD MFA, he continues to share his expertise, guiding the next generation of football talent.

Assistant Football Coach

Florence Monboe is widely known as the best female footballer in recent Liberian history. As the former captain of the women’s national team and one of four women in Liberia with a FIFA ‘C’ coaching license, Monboe brings a wealth of leadership and expertise to MFA. In addition to participating in sessions with the entire group, she joins Naomi Peters and works closely with a few of MFA’s female student-athletes.

Student Wellbeing Manager

Jonathan K. Suah is the Student Wellbeing Manager at the Academy. Jonathan brings extensive training and experience in social work and counseling to this role. He previously worked in other capacities, including as a social worker, counselor, and a classroom teacher. He taught at the primary, junior and senior high levels of the Liberian school system before joining the Catholic Education Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, where he served as a school counselor for four years. He also interned as a social worker at the SOS Children's Villages Liberia and as a counselor at the E.S. Grant Mental Health Hospital in Paynesville, part of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Liberia.

Jonathan is a clinical social worker driven by his passion to help others, especially young people, overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. He holds a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from the Mother Patern College of Health Sciences (MPCHS), obtained in 2023, and a bachelor’s degree in social work (Magna Cum Laude) from the same institution, earned in 2019.

Dean of Boys' Dormitory

Winston Browne is the Academy’s Dean of Boys' Dormitory. Prior to joining the Academy’s staff in September 2018, Browne was the head of the Academy’s Parent Association. After retiring from careers as a community worker and builder, Browne was reinvigorated to return to work upon seeing the Academy’s impact on his son and daughter, both of whom joined the Academy in September 2016.

Social Welfare Officer

Sametta Thomas is the Social Welfare Officer at the Academy. Sametta brings many years of experience as a social worker to the Academy. She has worked for renowned institutions, including USAID and the Peace Corps Liberia, where she worked as a counselor for staff. In addition to her current work at the Academy, she also serves as the Country Facilitator for the Mental Health Leadership and Advocacy Program (mhLAP) in Liberia.

Sametta holds a BSc in Social Work, and she has a certificate from Harvard Medical School for research training in Mental Health Needs and Assessment.

Director of Catering

Sharon Ajavon prepares LEAD MFA’s lunches. As a young woman, she learned to cook under the tutelage of her mother, who is a renowned chef within the MVTC community in Paynesville. Since then, she has run a catering business and been the head chef at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center's restaurant. Ajavon has a wonderful rapport with the student-athletes, and we are lucky to have her.

Facilities Manager

Samuel Dennis oversees the security and ensures the effective functioning of the Academy’s facilities. Samuel is a trained electrician, and, before joining the Academy, he worked for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for three years as an electrician. In his current role, Samuel supervises the repairs of the Academy’s facilities and helps develop and implement a facility management program that includes preventative and corrective management strategies.