Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Creating pathways for students to advance their lives
Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO
Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO
Jacob Idra
Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond. ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.
Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond. ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.
Founder - SO Elite Director
Founder - SO Elite Director
Majak Wenyin
Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball and ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment. Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development.
Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball and ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment. Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Flora Mondi
Flora Mondi is the Chief Operating Officer at ROSS Leaders, responsible for guiding the organization’s vision, culture, and long-term strategy to empower youth and communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is dedicated to equity, leadership development, and systems change, combining empathy with effective organizational structure. Flora joined ROSS Leaders in 2023 as Executive Assistant, later served as Interim Executive Director, and now serves as Chief Operating Officer. She has strengthened operations, expanded partnerships, and contributed to fundraising and grant strategies that drive organizational growth. As Chief Operating Officer, Flora is continually strengthening our organization's foundation with every student's future in mind.
Flora Mondi is the Chief Operating Officer at ROSS Leaders, responsible for guiding the organization’s vision, culture, and long-term strategy to empower youth and communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is dedicated to equity, leadership development, and systems change, combining empathy with effective organizational structure. Flora joined ROSS Leaders in 2023 as Executive Assistant, later served as Interim Executive Director, and now serves as Chief Operating Officer. She has strengthened operations, expanded partnerships, and contributed to fundraising and grant strategies that drive organizational growth. As Chief Operating Officer, Flora is continually strengthening our organization's foundation with every student's future in mind.
Chief Program Officer
Chief Program Officer
Elezabith Rorei
Elezabith Rorei serves as Chief Program Officer, leading the design, implementation, and growth of programs that inspire ROSS students to excel academically, personally, and professionally. With experience in college planning and youth development, she builds programs that help students gain confidence, access opportunities, and reach their goals. Elezabith is known for her thoughtfulness and creativity, holding high standards while ensuring every student feels seen, challenged, and supported. As a first-generation college graduate with a background in Sociology from the University of Nebraska Omaha, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her leadership. Her commitment to youth empowerment drives her work to remove barriers and create pathways for every young person to succeed.
Elezabith Rorei serves as Chief Program Officer, leading the design, implementation, and growth of programs that inspire ROSS students to excel academically, personally, and professionally. With experience in college planning and youth development, she builds programs that help students gain confidence, access opportunities, and reach their goals. Elezabith is known for her thoughtfulness and creativity, holding high standards while ensuring every student feels seen, challenged, and supported. As a first-generation college graduate with a background in Sociology from the University of Nebraska Omaha, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her leadership. Her commitment to youth empowerment drives her work to remove barriers and create pathways for every young person to succeed.
SO Elite & ROSS Leaders Ambassador
SO Elite & ROSS Leaders Ambassador
Wenyen Gabriel
Wenyen Gabriel is an NBA veteran, Olympian, and South Sudanese national team standout whose journey has inspired a new generation of South Sudanese and African athletes around the world. Over the course of his NBA career, Gabriel has competed at the highest level with the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers. Now competing internationally with FC Bayern Basketball, Gabriel continues to bring elite insight, professionalism, and lived experience to student-athletes in our program. Beyond basketball, Wenyen has been deeply committed to philanthropy, mentorship, and long-term investment in the future of South Sudan through SO Elite and ROSS Leaders.
Wenyen Gabriel is an NBA veteran, Olympian, and South Sudanese national team standout whose journey has inspired a new generation of South Sudanese and African athletes around the world. Over the course of his NBA career, Gabriel has competed at the highest level with the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers. Now competing internationally with FC Bayern Basketball, Gabriel continues to bring elite insight, professionalism, and lived experience to student-athletes in our program. Beyond basketball, Wenyen has been deeply committed to philanthropy, mentorship, and long-term investment in the future of South Sudan through SO Elite and ROSS Leaders.
Anger Dok
Operations Specialist
Anger Dok
Operations Specialist
Buom Dobuol
Community Engagement Director
Buom Dobuol
Community Engagement Director
Kent Christenson
Finance Director
Kent Christenson
Finance Director
Juena Laa
Chapter Director (Omaha, NE)
Juena Laa
Chapter Director (Omaha, NE)
Nyadoth Dol
Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Nyadoth Dol
Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Breyan Surrat
Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Breyan Surrat
Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Samuel Idra
SO Elite Director & Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Samuel Idra
SO Elite Director & Program Assistant (Omaha, NE)
Beny Tut
Honorary Volunteer (Omaha, NE)
Beny Tut
Honorary Volunteer (Omaha, NE)
Mackenzye Swan
Operations Support
Mackenzye Swan
Operations Support
Acheil Tac
SO Elite Women's Director (Dallas,Texas)
Acheil Tac
SO Elite Women's Director (Dallas,Texas)
Awal Ajak
SO Elite Women's Director (Des Moines, Iowa)
Awal Ajak
SO Elite Women's Director (Des Moines, Iowa)
Nyaduoth Lok
SO Elite Women's Director (Australia)
Nyaduoth Lok
SO Elite Women's Director (Australia)
Henry Giant
SO Elite Operations Director (National)
Henry Giant
SO Elite Operations Director (National)
Monytung Maker
SO Elite Director (Manchester, NH)
Monytung Maker
SO Elite Director (Manchester, NH)
JJ Dobuol
SO Elite Director (St. Cloud, MN)
JJ Dobuol
SO Elite Director (St. Cloud, MN)
Kuok Chuol
SO Elite (St. Cloud, MN)
Kuok Chuol
SO Elite (St. Cloud, MN)
Oumaru Kante
ROSS Leaders / SO Elite (Phx, AZ)
Oumaru Kante
ROSS Leaders / SO Elite (Phx, AZ)
Give Hope Today.
Invest in a Future Leader Today.
Your gift directly supports our four pillars—Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.
Give Hope Today.
Invest in a Future Leader Today.
Your gift directly supports our four pillars—Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.