2005 Board of Directors

Kerry Olson, President and CEO
Co-founder Kerry Olson serves as President of Firelight Foundation. Prior to starting Firelight, Kerry worked for more than 20 years in education, early childhood development, and social science research. As CEO she takes an active role in fundraising, advocacy, program development, and other operations of Firelight.

David Katz, Vice President and Treasurer
Dave Katz, a senior software engineer at a Silicon Valley Internet infrastructure company, founded Firelight Foundation with his wife, Kerry Olson. In addition to overseeing the financial management of the Foundation, Dave has set up and now manages the Foundation’s computer and networking systems.

Debra Evans, Secretary
Debra Evans has explored issues related to women’s health and spirituality since 1974. Working as a writer, educator, and consultant, she has published 21 books and many articles on these topics. Debra, who is Kerry Olson’s sister, also serves on a wide variety of public and private boards at community, state, and national levels.

Jim Hayes, Member
Software engineer, documentary filmmaker, and photographer Jim Hayes joined the Board of Directors in 2004. A long-time supporter of the foundation, Jim uses his cameras and technical expertise to help Firelight and its grantee-partners document and share their successes.

Nancy Shallow, Member
Nancy Shallow is a senior consultant specializing in employment practices risk management for a global human resources consulting firm. Like her sister, Kerry Olson, Nancy is a strong advocate for children’s human rights.

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2005 Advisory Board

Geoff Foster, Mutare, Zimbabwe (since 2002)
Pediatrician Geoff Foster, an internationally recognized expert on health care and other forms of support for children affected by HIV/AIDS, founded one of the first AIDS service organizations in Africa, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT). The success of FACT’s approach to community-based care for orphaned children has been internationally recognized. Geoff consults with many organizations serving vulnerable children.

Stefan Germann, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and Singapore (since 2003)
Stefan Germann is a leading innovator of programs benefiting children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS throughout southern Africa. Stefan founded Masiye Camp and helped to launch the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPPSI), both of which work to enhance the psychosocial support services available to vulnerable children. He works as an orphans and vulnerable children specialist for World Vision.

Tim Jackson, London, United Kingdom (from 2003 – 2005)
Tim Jackson is a journalist and writer based in London who has also started a successful technology company and managed a venture capital fund. As founder of the Argentarius Foundation, a private charity, Tim was introduced to the issues facing orphans and vulnerable children. His research into funding community-based projects led him to the Firelight Foundation.

Natasha Martin, Half Moon Bay, California, United States (since 2000)
Natasha Martin brings 20 years of experience in immunology research and project management of HIV/AIDS clinical studies to Firelight Foundation. As the co-Founder and President of Grassroots Alliance for Community Education (GRACE), Natasha helps African community organizations implement sustainable initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS.

Linda Richter, Durban, South Africa (since 2005)
Professor Linda Richter teaches psychology at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and leads the Child, Youth, Family, and Social Development program at the Human Sciences Research Council. Linda, who also serves on World Health Organization committees and a number of other international bodies, has published extensively on the health and development of children and their families.

Cati Vawda, Durban, South Africa (since 2005)
Cati Vawda, Director of the Children’s Rights Centre (CRC) works to make children aware of their rights. CRC strives to build a child-friendly society, ensuring access to quality education and safe play spaces while promoting child participation in decision-making. Under Cati’s leadership, the organization has also built and supported networks, linking groups within a broader movement for children.

Phillip Motlhaolwa, Visiting Scholar (September 2005), Bloemfontein, South Africa
Phillip Motlhaolwa manages Diketso Eseng Dipuo Community Development Trust (DEDI). DEDI helps families in informal and rural communities find creative ways to meet their young children’s needs.

Brenda Yamba, Visiting Scholar (March 2005), Lilongwe, Malawi
Brenda Yamba has extensive experience with programs supporting vulnerable children in Zambia and Malawi and serves as a Senior HIV/AIDS Program Manager with Save the Children in Malawi.

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2005 Staff

Jennifer Astone, Executive Director
Jennifer Astone’s training in applied anthropology informs her long-time focus on human rights and community development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to joining Firelight Foundation, she worked for the Global Fund for Women and the African Development Foundation.

Jennifer Anderson-Bähr, Senior Program Officer and Grants Coordinator
(Interim Executive Director from November 2004 to March 2005)
Jennifer Anderson-Bähr has worked to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa since 1988. She lived in Lesotho and South Africa for nine years, supporting community organizations undertaking HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

Lynn Brisson, Accountant
Lynn Brisson has 10 years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations in the Santa Cruz area.

Caitlin Brune, Program Officer
Caitlin Brune’s extensive experience in community-based health care for mothers and children includes work in Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

Josh Dankoff, Program Assistant
Josh Dankoff’s commitment to HIV prevention among youth previously led him to Nigeria. He has also studied in Cameroon.

Britt Ehrhardt, Fellow
Britt Ehrhardt, a Tom Ford Fellow in Philanthropy, brings her passion for peer health education to her work at Firelight Foundation. She has studied in Kenya.

Sara Keene, Grantmaking/Administrative Assistant
Sara Keene’s interest in vulnerable children brought her to Firelight as a volunteer. She was subsequently hired as a Grantmaking/Administrative Assistant.

Osha Maloney, Office Assistant
Osha Maloney’s experience volunteering in HIV testing facilities inspired her to join Firelight. She has traveled to South Africa.

Joop Rubens, Communications and Development Officer
Joop Rubens has worked with community-based organizations in eight African countries focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention and counseling, and youth empowerment.

Cheryl Talley-Moon, Office Manager
Cheryl Talley-Moon has experience in alternative medicine and nutrition. Her passion for health care brought her to Firelight where she started as the first employee in 2000.

Please note that this was the Firelight staff during Fiscal Year 2005. As of the date of this publication, our staff has grown and changed. For the most updated information, please click here.

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Volunteers

Karen Ande
Cathy Aronson
Judy Astone
Patrick Bujold
Claire Dankoff
Juli Furtado
Rebecca Hall
Jim Hayes
Jenny Larken
Heidi Lidtke
Madeleine Linares
Laura Marcus
Bob Moon
Ryannon Moon
Don Patten
Angela Eisenstark
Jennifer Smith
Marty Vaden
Dave Wittbrodt

In addition to the volunteers listed, Firelight would like to acknowledge and warmly thank the many individuals who have volunteered their time and insight by providing assessments, references, and referrals as part of our application and due diligence process.