Gideon Ukpai
Gideon Ukpai is a Mechanical Engineer with a PhD from UC Berkeley and a passion for giving back to his community. Born in Nigeria, he has a lifelong love of learning, soccer, and problem-solving, which he carries into both his professional and volunteer work. At GVU, Gideon’s positive attitude, dedication, and can-do spirit make him an invaluable member of the team.
Board Member
Gideon Ukpai was born in Oron, in southeastern Nigeria, the second of four children. He began school early to keep up with his older brother and quickly excelled, later attending boarding school, where he fondly remembers playing soccer—sometimes with a real ball, sometimes with one made from paper and rubber bands.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Gideon studied Mechanical Engineering at a Nigerian university. When a university strike interrupted his studies, he moved to the USA to continue at Louisiana Tech, arriving in March and experiencing daylight savings time for the first time—a peculiar adjustment for him! After working in New Orleans, he relocated to California and earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley. He now works at FormFactor and enjoys soccer and car racing in his free time.
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During the height of the pandemic, Gideon met Grace Mukakigyeri, Suzan Rickett’s sister, and joined GVU. Inspired by his parents’ volunteer work in Nigeria, Gideon wanted to give back to others. He and Grace were married in 2024. Known for his warm smile, can-do attitude, and responsible approach, Gideon is a vital part of Greater Vision's heartbeat and a joy to work alongside.