Council of Friends

Our ambassadors, advocates, and international experts.

The Council of Friends was established to convene a diverse group of individuals who share our dedication to health and education in South Africa. They have volunteered to serve as ambassadors and advocates on behalf of the organization and the cause of improving health, transforming lives and promoting social justice and equity. They support us in broadening our reach and contribute to our future growth and success. The Council brings together a broad range of expertise from across the globe — members are business and foundation leaders, philanthropists, high-ranking education and public health officials, academic leaders and practitioners.

Nana Carmen Ashhurst
Senior Director, Leadership Gifts, Children’s Health Fund; Minister

Douglas Brooks
Senior Director, Community Engagement
Gilead Sciences

Margaret Burnham, Esq.
Professor of Law and African American Studies,
Northeastern University School of Law

Jackie Jenkins-Scott, M.S.W.
President Emeritus,
Wheelock College

Rachel Knight, M.Ed.
Doctoral Student at Teachers College/Columbia University

Jeanette Kruger, M.S.W.
Social Worker

Senator Jason Lewis
Legislator, Commonwealth of MA

Lynn Meltzer, Ph.D.
President, Research Institute for Learning and Development (ResearchILD)

Susan Cook Merrill, Ph.D., O.T.R./L, F.A.O.T.A.
Associate Professor Occupational Therapy, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator School of Health Sciences, MCPHS University

Colette Phillips
President and CEO, Colette Phillips Communications

Marita Rivero
Executive Director, Museum of African American History

Gail Pettiford Willett
Consultant

Marti Wilson-Taylor
Executive Consultant, Wilson Taylor Associates
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Hyams Foundation

Linda Kaplan
Tufts Primary Care
Tufts Medical Center