Paul Sutherland
Founder and Chairman

Paul H. Sutherland is a father and author. He has founded multiple successful businesses over the course of his lifetime, including Utopia Foundation and Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute, and has a special interest in the complex interplay of environment, love, communication skills, literacy & language mastery, character development, virtue, values, mindfulness, curiosity, emotional, co-operative and relationship intelligence as they relate to happiness, success and building sustainable, healthy communities.

Zaharah Namanda
Executive Director
zaharahnamanda@utopiafound.org

Zaharah is an economist, an educator and a researcher. She is the current Director of Utopia Foundation and she works with the board to administer Utopia Foundation’s programs including Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute (STEPi) which accelerates early childhood literacy for children in underserved communities. Zaharah has vast experience in leading Non Profit Organizations and in program planning, designing and practice. She holds an MSc in Education, Public Policy & Equity at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and a B.A in Economics at Makerere University.

Alison Arnold
Utopia Foundation Board President

Alison Arnold’s professional experience cuts across education, business, and philanthropy. She has led innovative community engagement initiatives, grants, and partnerships to fuel new programs and support learning for P-12 and higher education institutions. Currently, Alison cultivates educational linkages and outreach, and has managed communications, marketing, and developed strategic grants and partnerships for corporate and nonprofit organizations. Throughout her personal and professional journey, Alison has continually discovered the interesting threads that weave people together – affirming and inspiring her to help strengthen and create educational tapestries for future generations.

Sara Harding
Utopia Foundation Treasurer

Sara Harding has been leading dynamic and various organizations for over 20 years. During her tenure, Sara has led the media company Spirituality & Health Media, Yen Yoga & Fitness, FIM Group, Utopia Foundation, as well as curate and organize TEDx Traverse City. Currently, Sara is working with various organizations in a consulting role, helping them achieve start-up success and sustainability.

Lisa New
Board Member

Lisa New is the President & CEO of Zoo Knoxville since May, 2013. With a graduate degree in ethology (animal behavior) focusing on great apes, Lisa has long been fascinated by the natural world and sustainable solutions for the future of wildlife, especially conservation strategies that engage local communities to support and peacefully cohabitate with wildlife through education and economic opportunities. Her strategies for the zoo have increased attention and attendance, building a destination experience that serves as a catalyst for the city’s growth and is an anchor attraction for the community; her passion is inspiring people to care about wildlife and wild places.

Karla Cordero
Board Member

Karla Cordero has spent 10 years working in international education, gaining global leadership skills with nonprofit organizations focusing on early childhood development, sustainable community advancement, and life skills-building. Currently, Karla works with the organization Path To College, nourishing relationships and outreach to support the future successes of low-income, high-achieving high school students on their paths to top-tier universities. With an undergraduate degree in Sociocultural Anthropology and International Relations and a Master's in Nonprofit Management, she is a passionate advocate for human development, and a big believer in sharing across cultures.

Nomvula Buthelezi
Board Member

From Johannesburg, South Africa, Nomvula Buthelezi responds to many titles, but her favorite is being called mom. She is passionate about the development of people and subscribes to positive value systems that bring people closer together. “When we are connected, we are intentional and deliberate towards progressive collaboration. We explore life more creatively, with humility and humanity.”

Akasha Sutherland
Board Member

Akasha Sutherland is an intrepid explorer, diver, photographer, and conservationist who strives at connecting communities, businesses, and institutions with their ever-changing environments. In late 2019, Sutherland joined innovative AI startup Synthetaic as Director of Conservation Projects, intent on using the power of machine learning to solve some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.