Our Team

Executive Staff

🇺🇬 EmmaLee Quisenberry
Executive Director and Founder

EmmaLee Quisenberry is the Executive Director and founder of The Gem Foundation. Her journey began with a deep-seated compassion for individuals with special needs, rooted in the impactful relationship she had with her Uncle Mark. This early empathy blossomed into a fervent desire to care for orphans, a calling that led her to Uganda at the age of 13. EmmaLee's connection to Uganda was profound, and at 19, she made the life-changing decision to move there and establish The Gem Foundation.
Alongside her high school sweetheart and husband Josh, together they lead The Gem Foundation, dedicating their lives to the mission of caring for the children they affectionately refer to as "gems." Together, they share their lives with seven remarkable children, finding their greatest joy in living in Uganda and nurturing the lives of those they serve.

🇺🇬 Joshua Quisenberry
Director of Operations

Joshua Quisenberry is the Director of Operations at The Gem Foundation, where he leads efforts to create meaningful change and impact. His journey has been marked by a deep commitment to service and aviation. A private pilot with a passion for missions aviation, Joshua's career has taken him to Uganda, where he has made a profound difference in the lives of many.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Joshua and his wife are devoted parents to seven children, balancing the demands of a large family with their shared mission of caring for orphans. Together, they embody a dedication to both family and service, creating a nurturing environment for their children and those in need.
Joshua’s life and work reflect a commitment to making a difference through compassionate leadership and unwavering support for those less fortunate.

🇺🇸 Dwight Saunders
Executive Director, US Operations

Dwight, the Executive Director of the US side of The Gem Foundation, is a man of diverse experiences. He practiced law for ten years in New York State before dedicating 20 years to pastoral work. In 2011, Dwight made a significant transition, co-founding International Voice of the Orphan and feeding over 2 million meals. His passion for caring for vulnerable and orphaned special needs children is evident in his every action. One of Dwight's favorite things is visiting the Gem, loving on the Gems, and helping train and equip the Gem team.

🇺🇸 Jennifer Pfleging
Director of Advancement

Having first visited The Gem Foundation (TGF) on a mission team in 2021, Jennifer is pleased to assist the ministry as Director of Advancement, finding new opportunities for TGF to grow and bring awareness to the most vulnerable in Uganda. As a business and donor relations professional, she brings decades of experience in finance, consulting, project management, and client relations. Jennifer makes her home in Maine with her husband, Jim. They have eight children from adults down to elementary age. Jennifer travels to Uganda frequently to lead teams to the Gem Village and to visit the staff and Gems she loves so dearly.

USA Board Members 🇺🇸

Dwight Saunders
Board Member

Dwight, the Executive Director of the US side of The Gem Foundation, is a man of diverse experiences. He practiced law for ten years in New York State before dedicating 20 years to pastoral work. In 2011, Dwight made a significant transition, co-founding International Voice of the Orphan and feeding over 2 million meals. His passion for caring for vulnerable and orphaned special needs children is evident in his every action. One of Dwight's favorite things is visiting the Gem, loving on the Gems, and helping train and equip the Gem team.

Joshua Quisenberry
Board Member

Joshua Quisenberry is the Director of Operations at The Gem Foundation, where he leads efforts to create meaningful change and impact. His journey has been marked by a deep commitment to service and aviation. A private pilot with a passion for missions aviation, Joshua's career has taken him to Uganda, where he has made a profound difference in the lives of many.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Joshua and his wife are devoted parents to seven children, balancing the demands of a large family with their shared mission of caring for orphans. Together, they embody a dedication to both family and service, creating a nurturing environment for their children and those in need.
Joshua’s life and work reflect a commitment to making a difference through compassionate leadership and unwavering support for those less fortunate.

EmmaLee Quisenberry
Board Member

EmmaLee Quisenberry is the Executive Director and founder of The Gem Foundation. Her journey began with a deep-seated compassion for individuals with special needs, rooted in the impactful relationship she had with her Uncle Mark. This early empathy blossomed into a fervent desire to care for orphans, a calling that led her to Uganda at the age of 13. EmmaLee's connection to Uganda was profound, and at 19, she made the life-changing decision to move there and establish The Gem Foundation.
Alongside her high school sweetheart and husband Josh, EmmaLee together they lead The Gem Foundation, dedicating their lives to the mission of caring for the children they affectionately refer to as "gems." Together, they share their lives with seven remarkable children, finding their greatest joy in living in Uganda and nurturing the lives of those they serve.

Jerrod Rogers
Board Member

Jerrod Rogers lives in the San Antonio area. He is a husband of 25 years and father of 4 boys. Jerrod is captain for a major US airline, and head coach of the Gloria Deo Academy Cross Country Team. Jerrod has served on the mission board at his church and served four years as board chair at Gloria Deo Academy. Jerrod became familiar with The Gem Foundation when he and his family moved to Uganda in 2018 while his wife worked with Pepperdine University Global Justice Program. Jerrod began bringing his 4 boys to volunteer weekly at The Gem Foundation and it quickly became the highlight to every week. Since moving back to the States, Jerrod has made regular trips back to Uganda and The Gem Foundation.

Graham Saunders
Board Member

I am a proud husband and dad of three wonderful (and wild) children. When I'm not busy being a dad, you can find me making music, cooking, or exploring the great outdoors through skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking. I work alongside many great organizations as a software engineer in the nonprofit space and am passionate about working with organizations that make a real impact, like The Gem Foundation. I have a special place in my heart for children with disabilities and special needs, inspired by my youngest daughter, Lucy Grove.

Gus Bassani
Board Member

Gus Bassani, Pharm. D. currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer for PCCA, a Houston-based supplier of pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as formulation and drug information consulting services to pharmacies, healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical industry and outsourcing facilities. He has been with PCCA since 2002 and serves as a member of the company’s Strategic Management Team, responsible for leading multiple product development and consulting teams. Gus makes his home in Texas with his wife, Beth, and is a great supporter of the work of The Gem Foundation.

Tiffany Zook
Board Member

Tiffany Zook has served on The Gem Foundation (TGF) board since 2017 after her second trip to Uganda to spend time with the Gems and nannies. She is a High School Family & Consumer Science Teacher in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and also teaches kindergarteners at Grace Community Church of Willow Street. She is married to Daryl Zook, and has two daughters who love to dance and eat Chick-fil-A. When she is not grading papers, she is chasing down the latest food truck or dreaming about tiny houses. Tiffany has helped with TGF fundraising efforts by hosting Mom Proms, organizing epic yard sales, and publishing Goodnight Del Rio, a children’s book.

Uganda Board Members 🇺🇬

George Sekalala
Board Member TGF Uganda

George W. Ssekalala is one of the original and long-time leaders of African Hearts Community Organisation as the Programs and Public Relations Director. African Hearts is a non-profit organization working with vulnerable children for the past 23 years. He is responsible for planning, marketing, coordinating visiting teams, corporate communication, and overseeing the entire organization's programming to realize its vision and mission. George holds a Bachelors' degree in mass communication and several other certificates working with children and has a vast experience with charity work. He is married and has two beautiful daughters.

John Kamanzi
Board Member TGF Uganda

Rev. John Kamanzi, an orphan at 13 after losing his parents to war, became the head of his family and dedicated his life to Jesus at 18. Called to minister to youth, he began his ministry in 1995, focusing on evangelism and later, full-time ministry starting in 2002. Now the National Leader of Hope For New Life Ministries in Kampala, Uganda, John is passionate about restoring childhoods and mentoring orphans. Since 2008, his focus has been on Kinship Projects through Warm Blankets Orphan Care International (now Kinship United). John is married to Pauline, and they have four children: Faith, Douglas, Angel, and Craig.

Joshua Quisenberry
Board Member TGF Uganda

Joshua Quisenberry is the Director of Operations at The Gem Foundation, where he leads efforts to create meaningful change and impact. His journey has been marked by a deep commitment to service and aviation. A private pilot with a passion for missions aviation, Joshua's career has taken him to Uganda, where he has made a profound difference in the lives of many.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Joshua and his wife are devoted parents to seven children, balancing the demands of a large family with their shared mission of caring for orphans. Together, they embody a dedication to both family and service, creating a nurturing environment for their children and those in need.
Joshua’s life and work reflect a commitment to making a difference through compassionate leadership and unwavering support for those less fortunate.

EmmaLee Quisenberry
Board Member TGF Uganda

EmmaLee Quisenberry is the Executive Director and founder of The Gem Foundation. Her journey began with a deep-seated compassion for individuals with special needs, rooted in the impactful relationship she had with her Uncle Mark. This early empathy blossomed into a fervent desire to care for orphans, a calling that led her to Uganda at the age of 13. EmmaLee's connection to Uganda was profound, and at 19, she made the life-changing decision to move there and establish The Gem Foundation.
Alongside her high school sweetheart and husband Josh, EmmaLee together they lead The Gem Foundation, dedicating their lives to the mission of caring for the children they affectionately refer to as "gems." Together, they share their lives with seven remarkable children, finding their greatest joy in living in Uganda and nurturing the lives of those they serve.