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 Wellington, FL 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.

Anne Aakre
Secretary

Anne Aakre is an alum of St. Olaf College and the State University of New York, Albany. Anne has dedicated her career and her engagement as a life-long volunteer to health and education access and matters related to housing, food, and clean water insecurity. She has been an active volunteer with Crossing Thresholds since 2012 and joined the Board in 2022. She is known as a successful leader, skilled communicator, contract negotiator, and strategic manager who builds relationships, spurs growth, and achieves excellence in both the public and private sectors. 

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 at hedge funds 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 exploring.

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.  ​

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 and a daughter. 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.

Alex Seals

Alex Seals is a criminal justice and anti-poverty reform advocate, researcher, and author. She holds a Doctoral degree, an MSW, and an MBA. Alexandra has overseen and consulted on advocacy efforts, ranging from systemic change and social justice issues nationally and globally, and has worked as a consultant for numerous nonprofit startups and organizations for over 20 years. Currently, she is a researcher and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University  School of Social Work. Her research extends to the patterns and causes of intergenerational poverty and crime within the United States as well as the increasing criminalization of immigrants and mothers. Alexandra spearheaded a program at the Westchester County Jail to provide incarcerated youth with pre-release training and coordinated planning to support their transition into the community. She served on a Westchester Anti-Recidivism Task Force, which launched the “Ban the Box” movement in Westchester County. She is featured in a documentary released by the New York State Council on Community Re-Entry and  Reintegration. In 2021 Alexandra was a recipient of the National Association of Social Work  Diamond Award for her outstanding contribution and service in the fields of mass incarceration and re-entry. And in 2024, has been awarded the prestigious President's Volunteer Service  Award by the Office of the President of the United States. Alexandra and her husband ,William split their time between their NYC apartment and their happy ”blue space” on Long Beach  Island.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.