Our Story
Tirop’s Angels is an organization committed to eradicating gender-based violence through education, community empowerment, survivor support, and advocacy.
We serve women, girls, men, youth, and athletes recognizing that GBV is not only a women’s issue but a community issue that requires collective responsibility.
Our Team
Viola Cheptoo
Viola Cheptoo is a Kenyan Olympian, professional long-distance runner, and advocate for women’s empowerment and the prevention of gender-based violence. She represented Kenya at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and has built an accomplished international running career defined by perseverance, excellence, and leadership.
Among her notable athletic achievements, Viola finished second at the 2021 New York City Marathon and has recorded personal bests of 2:19:05 in the marathon and 1:06:47 in the half marathon. As an Adidas-sponsored athlete, she continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport and serve as a role model for aspiring athletes around the world.
Viola is a graduate of Florida State University and the founder and chairperson of Tirop’s Angels Foundation. Inspired by her own experiences and by the tragic loss of her close friend and fellow Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop, she has dedicated herself to advocating against gender-based violence and creating opportunities for women and girls to thrive.
Through Tirop’s Angels Foundation, Viola works to provide safe spaces, mentorship, education, and empowerment programs that help young women realize their potential and build brighter futures. She brings lived experience, athletic excellence, resilience, and visionary leadership to advancing the Foundation’s mission and driving meaningful social change.
Founder
Robert Ashmun
Robert Ashmun is a co-founder of West Point Partners, an institutional real estate investment firm based in the United States. West Point Partners invests alongside and advises large global investors, including sovereign wealth funds. Prior to forming West Point Partners, Mr. Ashmun was a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers, where he started an investment business within the Global Real Estate Group and invested more than $50 billion in real estate globally. Mr. Ashmun holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from New York University, and he is a CPA. He also teaches a graduate course in real estate finance.
Mr. Ashmun brings extensive nonprofit, investment, and philanthropic experience to the organization. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and investment committees and is a trustee for the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Trust Fund. A passionate advocate for the global running community and for creating safer opportunities for women and girls, Mr. Ashmun is an avid runner who has completed more than 80 marathons and earned the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal for completing all six major marathons. His commitment to running and service aligns closely with Tirop’s Angels Foundation’s mission to combat gender-based violence and support women and girls through sport.
Director
Frances Crofts
Director
Frances Crofts is an Alliance Manager for Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company, with expertise in research and development and in leading strategic partnerships. Dr. Crofts also has experience on nonprofit and for-profit boards. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Grinnell College and a Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences from New York University, and she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology.
Dr. Crofts brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to Tirop’s Angels Foundation as an advocate against gender-based violence. Outside of her work with Tirop’s Angels, she can be found on the road or trail with her local running club. Fran has completed more than 45 marathons, including earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal, and is working toward completing a marathon in all 50 U.S. states.
Vincent Tirop
Vincent Tirop is the father of the late Agnes Tirop, whose tragic death due to gender-based violence inspired the establishment of the Foundation. Motivated by his family’s experience, he has dedicated himself to advocating for the prevention of violence against women and girls while promoting peaceful conflict resolution within families and communities.
Drawing from the profound perspective of a father who has lost a daughter to gender-based violence, Vincent brings compassion, wisdom, and lived experience to the Foundation’s mission. He works closely with men, boys, and young people, encouraging healthy communication, mutual respect, and non-violent approaches to resolving disagreements. His message emphasizes the importance of strong family support, positive mentorship, and creating safe environments where young people feel heard, valued, and protected.
As Honorary Chairperson, Vincent serves as a respected advisor to the Foundation’s leadership, helping shape community outreach initiatives and engaging parents, elders, and community leaders in conversations about preventing gender-based violence. His personal journey has made him a powerful advocate for strengthening families, fostering understanding, and ensuring that no family endures the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence.
Through his leadership and unwavering commitment, Vincent continues to honor Agnes Tirop’s legacy by inspiring communities to build a future founded on peace, dignity, and respect for all.
Honorary Chairperson
Lydia Saina
Lydia Saina is a Kenyan entrepreneur based in Switzerland, with extensive experience in printing, supply chain management, and business operations. She has built a successful career by combining strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a commitment to driving business growth across diverse industries.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lydia serves as the Treasurer of Tirop’s Angels Foundation in Kenya, where she is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission of preventing gender-based violence and empowering women and girls. Through her role, she contributes to strengthening the Foundation’s governance, sustainability, and community impact.
Passionate about personal development, travel, and sports, Lydia brings a global perspective, strong business acumen, and a deep commitment to social change. She combines entrepreneurial expertise with a desire to create meaningful opportunities for others, helping to build stronger communities and brighter futures.
Treasurer
Cheryl Cherop
Cheryl Cherop is a practicing Advocate in Kenya. A passionate advocate for justice, women’s rights, and social change, she combines her legal expertise with a deep commitment to empowering women and girls and combating gender-based violence.
Raised in a typical African household, Cheryl experienced firsthand many of the societal challenges faced by women and girls. Motivated by a desire to create meaningful change, she pursued her education with determination and excellence, graduating from secondary school with a mean grade of A-. She later earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Kenyatta University, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to advancing justice and equality.
During her fourth year of law school, Cheryl specialized in Law and Gender Relations, where her academic excellence placed her among the top ten students in the course. This achievement earned her the opportunity to contribute to a scholarly review paper on women’s rights that was presented in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2017, reinforcing her commitment to using the law to protect vulnerable communities and advance gender equality.
After her admission to the Kenyan Bar in 2022, Cheryl began practicing as an advocate while also joining Tirop’s Angels Foundation as a volunteer legal advisor during its formative stages. She played a key role in establishing the legal and governance frameworks that continue to support the Foundation’s growth and impact.
Today, Cheryl provides strategic legal guidance, strengthens organizational governance, and supports initiatives that protect and empower survivors of gender-based violence. Inspired by her own experiences and guided by a profound commitment to justice, she remains dedicated to creating safer communities where women and girls can thrive with dignity, equality, and opportunity.
Cheryl’s leadership reflects the Foundation’s vision of honoring the legacy of Agnes Tirop by advancing gender equality, expanding access to justice, and empowering future generations through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Advocate