Chief Executive Officer

Gerald is the Chief Executive Officer of LEAD Monrovia Football Academy, where he leads the Academy’s strategic direction, long-term sustainability, and the integration of academic excellence, leadership development, and elite football training. He brings over a decade of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, digital innovation, and partnership building across Liberia and the region.

He holds a Master’s in Development Management, grounding his leadership in strong development practice, and systems thinking. A 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, Global Shaper (WEF), and 2025 Byron Fellow, Gerald is currently guiding LEAD MFA into its next strategic phase, MFA 2.0 focused on academic excellence, football development, student well-being, and long-term institutional impact.

Finance & HR Manager

Jestina is the Finance and HR Manager at LEAD MFA, bringing over a decade of financial management experience across international development, audit, and nonprofit operations. With an MBA in Finance and active ACCA and ACFE affiliations, she has built a reputation for accuracy, compliance, and ethical financial stewardship. Most recently, as Accountant for the USAID-funded FSNR project at RTI International, she managed complex budgeting, regulatory compliance, QuickBooks systems, cash flow, payroll, and vendor payments. Previously, as a Senior Associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers Liberia, she conducted audits, financial reviews, and internal control assessments for major clients including UNICEF, UNDP, and IRC. Earlier roles, including Finance Officer for the Skills Training and Empowerment Program, provided full-cycle accounting and policy implementation experience.

At LEAD MFA, she delivers disciplined financial oversight, accurate reporting, and strategic support to ensure sustainable and responsible growth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.