Faith Pedowitz
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Tim Kenefick
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Anne Aakre
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Austin Brooks
Austin Brooks co-founded a real estate holding company that invests in projects throughout the United States. Prior to that, Austin spent several years working in the hedge fund space as an investment professional. He has made several trips to Kibera throughout the years and is passionate about the work Crossing Thresholds is doing to improve the lives of children. When not working, Austin spends most of his time surfing, skiing and exloring.
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Emily FawcettEmily 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.
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Joseph FrenchJoseph 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.
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Ken KaplanKen 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.
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Rob KrausRob 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.
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Warren LichtDr. 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.
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Mary MackintoshMary 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.
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Gary MorelloReverend 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.
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Rachel MwakitawaRachel 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.
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