Faith Pedowitz

Board Chair

Faith Pedowitz has been the Board Chair of Crossing Thresholds since June 2021. Faith received her B.S. from Cornell University in 1982, and her MBA in Finance from New York University in 1987. After working at Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Stanley, Faith turned her attention to the non-profit world. While serving on several boards of local organizations, Faith has been active in Crossing Thresholds since its inception. She created the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) and has been committed to the young women’s empowerment effort and dance programs. Faith is the Executive Producer of Light Within the Cracks, a 2019 documentary about Crossing Thresholds. In her free time Faith is an accomplished Equestrian, animal lover, and is committed to philanthropy. She lives in Mount Kisco, NY with her husband David and has three adult children.

Tim Kenefick

Treasurer

Dr. Tim Kenefick is a pediatrician with more than 30 years’ experience treating infants, children, adolescents and young adults. He provides comprehensive and compassionate care from birth though college age with an emphasis on preventative care to foster optimal growth and development. Tim is a longtime member of Communities 4 Action, a collaboration of parents, providers, educators, clergy and law enforcement dedicated to promoting mental wellness and establishing initiatives to reduce high-risk behaviors such as substance misuse and gambling. He has served as Board Member of Crossing Thresholds for several years and also serves the role of Medical Advisor to Darien’s public schools.

Emily Fawcett

​​Emily Fawcett grew up in Darien, CT and now lives and works in Manhattan as a Registered Nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital. Emily studied Nursing and African Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been involved with Crossing Thresholds since 2014 and is the community medical clinic coordinator for our schools in Kibera. Emily joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

Joseph French

Joseph C. French, Jr. received a BA in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and a degree from New York University in Real Estate. Joe has over 30 years of development, asset & property management, leasing & investment sales experience, has been published in Shopping Centers Today, GlobeSt.com, Retail Traffic, CCIM Magazine, National Real Estate Investor, and has been a featured speaker at numerous industry conferences. Joe serves on several Boards, including the Afro American Real Estate Professionals, Habitat for Humanity, Real Estate Associate Program, the Muscarelle Museum of Art at The College of William and Mary, and is a long-time Board member of Crossing Thresholds.  ​

Ken Kaplan

​Ken Kaplan is a recently retired Special Educator. Ken has been actively involved with Crossing Thresholds for over four years, directing the Technology and Educational Development of our schools in Kibera, as well as creating the Kibera Knights Chess Club. Ken joined the Crossing Thresholds Board of Directors last year. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife Lisa and his dog Otis.

Rob Kraus

Rob Kraus has followed in the footsteps of his entrepreneurial father and mentor, George Kraus when he founded Nurses RX in 1990 after he graduated from Tulane University with a BS. Rob acquired a significant ownership interest in Global Financing (now Omni Medical) which incubated PayTomorrow. He continues to advance this business as well as other brands and companies. Having met Carter Via in 1998 on a mission trip to Nicaragua with his father, Rob has been a supporter of Crossing Thresholds from its inception and has gone on several trips to Kibera. He joined the Board of Directors in 2022. Rob resides in Charlotte, NC and Telluride, CO and has three sons, ages 18, 21 and 25. He is a licensed ski instructor and is passionate about golf, tennis, mountain biking and charitable giving. ​

Warren Licht

Dr. Warren Licht has been a mainstay in the New York City metropolitan area medical community for almost three decades. Warren is an accomplished healthcare administrator with vast experience in physician practice management, operations and acquisition, clinical quality, medical education and clinical information systems. In his free time, Warren enjoys spending time with his partner on his farm in central Pennsylvania, cycling, traveling and experiencing a wide range of cultures and culinary tastes.

Mary Mackintosh

Mary Mackintosh completed her MSW degree in 2014 from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University after many years as a corporate and education law attorney. Mary obtained her LMSW and LCSW certifications and currently works as Director of Missional Engagement at The Reformed Church of Bronxville. She completed post-Master's Certificate Programs at NYU in Spirituality and Social Work and in Palliative Care. She has extensive experience as an attorney and advocate working on behalf of children and families and is also a certified trainer in Restorative Justice. Mary is active in the not-for-profit sector and has acted as advocate, volunteer and board member to numerous organizations for over 30 years. Currently, Mary serves on the Boards of the East Harlem Tutorial Program, Maxwell Institute of St. Vincent's Hospital and Crossing Thresholds, where she frequently volunteers in their schools in the Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya on issues related to childhood poverty and trauma, and social and restorative justice.

Gary Morello

Reverend Gary Morello has been the Designated Pastor of Youth, Young Families and Community at Noroton Presbyterian Church since 2018, and also preaches and helps lead Bible Studies, Mission Trips and Recovery Groups. Gary received a B.S. in Business Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and received his Master of Divinity at New York Theological Seminary. Gary has served on the Board of Directors of Crossing Thresholds for several years. Gary’s first and greatest love is Jesus Christ. Gary has a deep passion to help people transform and find purpose through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He and his wife Erica have three young children and live in Darien, CT.

Rachel Mwakitawa

Rachel Mwakitawa was born and raised in Kenya and moved to the United States for college. She holds a BA in Psychology and Early Education and a Masters in the Science of Education. Rachel is a First Grade teacher and DEI Coordinator at the Hackley School in Westchester, NY. She has served on the Crossing Thresholds Board since 2020. Her first involvement was partnering and leading a trip to Kenya with a group of highschoolers from Hackley in 2012. Upon returning, the students presented to their Upper School peers using the title The Joy of Philanthropy. Rachel’s teaching practices have been enriched by her trips to Kibera, as she experiences the generosity, joy, and commitment to building community from the people there. She is grateful for this opportunity and for the connection to her homeland. 

Marina O'Malley

Marina O’Malley has a BA from Hamilton college and a Masters in Education from Lesley College, and worked as an elementary school teacher in New York City. Marina has raised 6 children, with the youngest about to head off to college. She has served on the Crossing Thresholds Board of Directors since 2012 and started the Mentorship Program. Marina lives in Ridgefield, CT with her husband, Martin. She loves doing art projects and crafts with the kids in Kibera.

Peter Skaperdas

Peter Skaperdas is Senior Vice President for Investments at UBS Financial Services. Prior to joining the Wealth Management Group, Peter was the Chief U.S. Economist for UBS. Peter joined the Crossing Thresholds Board of Directors in 2022. He is currently on the Board of Trustees of Connecticut College, and he is an emeritus Board member of the New Canaan YMCA. 

David Squier

Dave Squier is a mostly retired aerospace executive, now working part time in private equity.  He is proud to be a member of the Crossing Thresholds Board of Directors, serving as the most recent Board Chair. He and his family have made many trips to Kibera to connect with and support Crossing Thresholds’ schools there. Dave and Sue’s children and eight grandchildren live nearby them in New Canaan, CT and are a highlight of their lives. When not on grandparent duty, Dave is either fishing, biking, hiking, playing golf or tennis.