Meet Our 2008 Board Members

 

Dan Cwirka, President

Dan has worked in a day care center, a radio station, a razor blade factory, a rural African school and in Google's New York office.  He is a graduate of George Washington University and is now concentrating his efforts into making a meaningful impact in the world with the help of music.

 

 

 

 

Amy Taylor, Vice President

Amy is a graduate student at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University.  She has held a social justice research fellowship in Scotland, lived in rural Africa, and worked in the fields of HIV/AIDS, communications, career development, public policy and secondary education.

 

 

 

Elizabeth Taylor, Secretary

Liz has a master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Education from Boston University.  She is an Ethics and World Cultures teacher at Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City.  Previously, Liz served as a board member and lead consultant for the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Massachusetts. 

 

 

 

Andrea Essner, Treasurer

Andrea recently graduated from George Washington University (GW) with her master's degree in Public Administration, and is currently working as a consultant for Deloitte Consulting’s Federal Practice in Washington D.C.  She has taught English in China, worked for the US State Department in El Salvador, and coordinated several volunteer programs for the GW Office of Community Service.  

 

 

 

Chinedu Agbakwuru

Chinedu is currently enrolled in the M.S. program in International Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University.  He is a physician and has worked in HIV Management, and also served as an Independent Monitor for WHO.  He is passionate about assisting the needy, especially children.

 

 

Joshua Blank

Josh is In-House Counsel to the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, where he focuses on copyright, trademark, contract and general entertainment/music law.  In his free time he is an avid musician who plays the guitar and bass.

 

 

 

Ryan Gavin

Ryan received his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2006.  He currently practices law in New York and serves on the Economics Department Board of Advisors at Boston University.  He has traveled extensively through southeast Asia and India.

 

 

 

Sakib Khan

Sakib currently serves as a team lead for Peace Corps where he visits offices around the world to implement and train on new technologies.  Some of his many achievements and leadership skills include a Masters of Science, Volunteer Service in Northern Namibia, selection to a distinguished Leadership Development Academy for Peace Corps, and senior level management positions in the market place.

 

 

Nickie Msipa-Ndebele

Nickie holds an M.A. in Communication and Media Studies, and is currently enrolled in the M.A. program for Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University.  She was National Director of the Federation of African Media Women in Zimbabwe, and an editor and reporter at the Zimbabwe Mirror.

 

 

 

 

Melissa Stalder

Melissa is counsel for the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.  She received a law degree from Tulane Law School in 2007 and is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.  Previously, she worked as a biologist in pharmacology research.