BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman of the Board:
John Coonrod, Vice President of The Hunger Project
Has been instrumental in the formulation and management of the Africa Prize since 1986, the development of Strategic Planning-in-Action (SPIA) beginning in 1989 when he became Director of Programmes, and has been responsible for the communications of the organisation since 1991. The board elected him Vice President in October 1997.
“Human dignity is the foundation of all progress, and in too many communities that dignity has been brutally denied. Artistic expression is a powerful way that people can reclaim their dignity and take important steps towards regaining control over their own lives and destiny. Artfully AWARE mobilises the talents of a remarkable team of young global citizens who are passionately committed to bringing this opportunity to those who need it.”
Board Member:
Shari Gruber, Director of Policy and Procedure for Child Care and Head Start for New York City’s Children’s Services.
Serves as National Vice President for the United States Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM/USA), where she oversees strategic planning and has lead initiatives to increase membership among young professionals.
Member of the Board of Directors of the Townsend Harris Alumni Association
“I am excited to be part of Artfully AWARE. This innovative initiative addresses an often neglected but vital humanitarian service with the ability to empower and create much needed global awareness, while bringing together unique opportunities for collaboration throughout the NGO and development sectors.”
Board Member:
Hilary Wallis, Executive Director of Artfully AWARE
Please click here to read her full biography.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Terry Dornbush
Director of the Aspen Cancer Conference
Director of the Foundation for Translational Cancer Research
at Free University Medical Centre in Amsterdam
Serves on the Board of the Council of American Ambassadors.
Serves on Advisory Board of Winship Cancer Clinic at Emory University. Communicates with cancer professionals to motivate more research in nutritional approaches to the disease.
Provides exclusive representation in The Netherlands of Taurus Investment Holdings, a global real estate developer headquartered in Boston.
Served as the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1994-1998.
Professor at the Dutch business school, Nijenrode Business Universiteit from 1999-2000, which included a study of schism between developing and developed countries, the World Trade Organisation and trade conflicts between US and EU.
Delegate for Al Gore from Democrats Abroad to the Democratic National Convention in 2000.
Served on the Supervisory Board of Rodamco Europe 1999-2007, a publicly traded real estate fund headquartered in Rotterdam, and the Boards of the Schroder Hedge Funds.
"Five years ago I went to an exhibition of paintings from the Middle East portraying that culture in a positive way. I was introduced to the artist and was astounded to meet a young, vivacious American female who had moved to Amsterdam after spending quality time in Turkey, Jordan and Egypt on her own to experience and depict her feelings about life there. I have followed Hilary Wallis' subsequent journey as she kept a talented hand in her art work, but moved ever more toward direct expression of her caring spirit. Now she and her gifted and dedicated colleagues have developed a unique concept to exploit their talents and experience for the benefit of many in need. Serious consideration of Artfully AWARE and confidence in its CEO convince me that much good will come from the dedication and energy of this team. I am happy to support this endeavour."
John Grazel, JD, PhD
Research Professor and Holder of the Baha'i Chair for World Peace Center for International Development and Conflict Management at University of Maryland
The combined study, planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of effective development assistance - building on over 30 years of deep experience across a wide gamut of countries, fields and methodologies - with a special emphasis on policy and programme development and on the scale-up, institutionalisation and sustainability of successful programmes and projects. Concern with the recognition of the importance of addressing the ”moral”, “spiritual” and “values aspects,” as well as the social and material dimensions, of development and with maximizing the achievement of secondary benefits, particularly group unity and the promotion of cultures of peace.
Director - USAID Office of Education, AID/Washington
US Representative to UNESCO Education for All (EFA)
US Representative to the Donor/World Bank Fast Track Initiative for Education (FTI)
Director - USAID Office of Policy Development and Coordination
USAID Mission Director - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chief Office of Governance and Participation USAID/Philippines, with Responsibilities for Democracy Programs in Mongolia
Chief - Office of Natural Resources, and Rural Development, USAID/Philippines, with responsibilities for environmental programmes in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Cooks Islands
Director - Office of Technology Development and Enterprise USAID/India
Director - Natural Resource Management Office, USAID/ India
Chief - Regional and Resource Development Division, AID Bureau for Science and Technology
Visiting Associate Professor Anthropology and Research Fellow - African Studies Center, Boston University (Reverse Joint Career Corps Assignment), Rural Development Officer (Near East Bureau AID/W)
Rural Development Officer - USAID Near East Bureau, backstopping over $400 million of activities, mainly in Egypt, but also in Tunisia and Morocco
Deputy General Development Officer/Behavioral Science Advisor - USAID Mauritania
Graduate of Columbia University, Stanford Law School and the University of Oregon, with a specialisation in psychiatric law and anthropology.
“Our world is in the throngs of a major transformation with a new generation emerging to take the lead in an effort that calls for a new spirit of global cooperation and mutual aid. Key to its success will be its ability to give voice to those who are at the vortex of change and who, through their experiences, have the most to tell but are often the least heard. Artfully AWARE personifies this spirit of hope for humankind's successful march towards a new global good life for all. It seeks to unite the energy of artists across the globe while using common efforts to heal the wounds of past injustices and bring to life positive alternatives that will sustainably empower all people to do right for themselves and their communities. From this, it gives us all an opportunity to become part of this marvellous endeavour through the support of its activities.”
Paul Saltzman
Published Author, Photographer, Filmaker
Two-time Emmy Award winning Toronto-based film and television producer-director known for over 300 productions. He began his film and television career in 1965 at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a researcher, interviewer and on-air host, and then moved to the National Film Board of Canada.
Produced and directed the first corporate image film for The Canadian International Development Agency.
Early in 1968 he learned meditation at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in India, an experience that changed his life. While there, he photographed the Beatles, Mia Farrow, Donovan and Mike Love.
In 1968-69 he assisted in the birth of a new film format as second-unit director and production manager of the first IMAX film, produced for the Osaka 1970 World's Fair.
In the summer of 1969, he attended the original Woodstock Music Festival; and in the early ‘70s he produced a Leonard Cohen live concert tour. In 1972 he produced and directed his first film, a half-hour documentary on Bo Diddley.
In 1973, Paul founded Sunrise Films Limited. He produced and directed documentaries for the next decade, including the acclaimed series Spread Your Wings, HBO's Family Playhouse and the family action-adventure television series Danger Bay.
He co-produced the feature film Map of the Human Heart and executive produced Martha, Ruth & Edie as well as Sam & Me, which received an Honorable Mention in competition for the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2000, Paul released his first book, The Beatles in Rishikesh,
In early 2006 he self-published his second book, a deluxe Limited Edition Box-Set, The Beatles in India
Directed and co-produced the 2008 HBO Documentary film, Prom Night in Mississippi and worked with Morgan Freeman
“It is a high calling to encourage and assist others in their personal healing, and, therein, the potential healing of their families and the growth of their communities. Artfully AWARE, through the creative arts, helps children, women and men access their individual, joyful and infinite creativity. This is an elegant and powerful contribution to the greater healing of our species, and ultimately, our planet.”
Robert S. Fingerman
Managing Partner of Fingerman & Macke CPA, PC
President of Independent Films Production Consultants, Inc.
Chairman of Entertainment & Sports Committee of the NY State
Society of CPA
Provides accounting and tax services to entrepreneurial, high net worth companies and individuals, primarily in real estate and the arts. Clients of the firm include artists, actors, film producers, directors, writers, agents, publishers, distributors, recording stars, music producers, fashion designers, modelling and talent agents, photographers and real estate developers and builders.
Member of American Film Institute
Executive Producer member of the GenArt Film Foundation of New York, Carbon, The Actors Fund of America, IFP – New York, Forbes Advisory Panel, The AICPA, the New York Society of CPA,
Vice Chairman of the Industry Oversight Committee, NYSSCPA.
Frequent panel participant and moderator on industry specific topics at the Sundance Film Festival, American Film Market (AFM), The TriBeca Film Festival, the Hampton Film Festival, Film Florida Annual Film Conference, and the NYSSCPA Entertainment and Sports Annual Conference.
“I am thrilled to be associated with Artfully AWARE, and some of the warmest and most energetic art enthusiasts that I have ever met. The vision of using the arts to empower the youth in today’s difficult times is truly enlightening. I look forward to assisting this circle of pilgrims as they spread the energy of the arts into the hearts and minds of the needy and less fortunate.”
Bob Linney, PhD
Founder and Co-ordinator of Health Images (HI)
Published Author, Graphic Artist
A network of UK-based graphic artists who provide training in issues relating to the production and use of interactive, people-centred visual aids for health and development communication.
IH has worked with partners in India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Brazil, Uganda, Laos, Sudan, South Africa, Zambia, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, Liberia, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka.
Studied Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham, UK with a Ph.D in Evolutionary Genetics.
Freelance graphic artist since 1972
Worked for many UK arts (especially music) and community or development (charity) organisations
Exhibition at The British Council in 1981 on his posters that reflected the 'alternative' arts scene in UK during 1970s and travelled to such countries as Brasil, Jordan, Poland, Turkey, Malaysia, Austria, France, Argentina, etc.
Did graphics workshops with Indian artists and art students (Delhi, Calcutta,
Bombay, Mumbai), Baroda, Madras (Chennai) art schools followed by several further trips to India working on health education in urban slums and later did similar work in Africa and Asia.
Wrote several articles published on this kind of work for visual literacy and participatory communication. The book 'Pictures, People and Power' was published by Macmillan in 1995.
Runs art workshops in the UK for various groups and communities including refugees and prison inmates
"I am very happy to support the work of Artfully AWARE. Using the arts to stimulate critical awareness and to initiate processes of empowerment in disadvantaged groups, is certainly a worthwhile endeavour. It is exciting to be associated with this new initiative, and I feel confident that AfA will continue to inspire people around the world to participate in artistic activities which strengthen themselves individually, as well as the communities in which they live."
Nick Tausing
Published Author
Co-Director of Revolver Entertainment
Studied literature and philosophy at the University of Durham.
Holds a Master's in Russian literature from the University of London.
Love and Mayhem was his first novel, published in 2005. His second novel, Don Don, was published in 2007. His third, Gorilla Guerrilla, was published in August 2008.
He has also co-written a feature film, Just Left of Heaven, which is due to star Peter Mullan, Timothy Spall, Sean Harris and John Hurt and executive produced a documentary film, Taking Liberties, which was released in UK cinemas in June 2007.
“Do not suppose that a humanitarian organisation which promotes art in its various forms is not as important as one which provides food and medicine. For the abundance of art within a particular tribe, culture or nation is perhaps the best indicator of its health, its well-being, its happiness. Artistic expression is fundamental to human beings; it is necessary. And thus, any organisation which seeks to encourage this, to stimulate and nurture art, must be wholly supported.”
Sharyn Rosenblum
Senior Director of Media Relations
William Morrow Publishers in New York, NY
An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Holds a BA in Literature from George Washington University
website created and programmed by Hilary Wallis
© Artfully AWARE 501(c)(3) Public Charity in New York, NY Community Interest Company (CIC) in London, England
For any questions or comments, please email us:
GOVERNANCE
HIGHLIGHTING SOCIAL ISSUES WHILE CELEBRATING PEOPLE’S LIVES
Our Board of Directors and Advisory Board consist of well known people in their fields of expertise that endorse Artfully AWARE’s work.
This includes individuals in the development sector, medical and therapeutic fields, artists and business professionals.
✴Board of Directors
✴Board of Advisors