Jeane Ngondo Kasongo was born in Kananga Kasai Occidental (Congo) and is the founder and president of the Shalupe Foundation. She received her bachelors of science degree in political science and business administration with a English certificate in public relations.

Since 1990, Kasongo has offered empowerment and small crafts training and in 2000, due to overwhelming need, widened her mission and formed the Shalupe Foundation, which has been operating in the U.S. since 2005.

Since 1982, Kasongo has worked with a clothing boutique, art gallery, and exotic shop in Paris.
From 1976-1982, she served as an executive secretary and head of public relations for Citibank, Kinshasha.

She is a wife, mother, and grandmother who now lives in Braintree, Mass.