OUR BOARDS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wayne Andersen
Chair
Board Chair Wayne Andersen and his former wife, Sheila O’Brien, with their three daughters, Mary, Maureen, and Noreen, were an original host family for Hands of Peace. Wayne is a retired Federal and State judge and is now handling commercial arbitrations and mediations through JAMS, the premier commercial arbitration/mediation service.
Debby Fosdick
Vice Chair
Debby is a retired human resources professional whose H.R. career was in the Fortune 100 high tech industry. Debby has been involved with Hands of Peace almost from the beginning – as a volunteer, host family, Board member, and Board Chair.
Reem Ghunaim
Secretary
Reem is the Executive Director of the Rotary Action Group for Peace based in Portland, Oregon. She is a Positive Peace Activator and a Global Peace Index Ambassador for the Institute for Economics and Peace. Reem is also an internationally acclaimed public speaker, well known for her expertise in human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Michele Arnison
Treasurer
Robert Gelb
Board Member
Rob has treated orthopaedic injuries and disorders, particularly those of the hand and upper extremity, for over 20 years. A resident of North County San Diego, Rob is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners as a licensed Medical Examiner.
Gretchen Grad
Founder
Gretchen has served many roles at Hands of Peace, focusing on leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising as the organization has grown. Gretchen holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Hamilton College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. From 1985-1997, Gretchen worked for First Chicago Capital Markets as an economist and securities trader.
Adam Heffez
Board Member
Adam Heffez is a Hands of Peace alumnus 2006 -2007, and staff member 2008-2010. Adam’s passion for conflict resolution led him to work for the U.S. government, then a think tank, where he wrote for Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, and The Jerusalem Post. After receiving his MBA at Stanford, Adam entered the business world in management consulting and international business development.
Rich Katz
Board Member
Rich Katz and his wife, Heidi, have been a part of the Hands of Peace community for many years, hosting participants and facilitators from 2009 through 2018 and chairing several Chicago Benefits and Farewell Celebrations. Rich has long had a keen interest in peacebuilding in the Middle East and has traveled extensively through Palestine and Israel on several trips to the region.
Kim Lande
Board Member
Kim’s two daughters, Sophie and Rebecca, are Hands of Peace alumnae and together they have hosted five young women from Israel, Palestine, and Brooklyn. Kim chaired the San Diego Benefit for two years and now serves as co-chair of the Reimagining process. As a marketing strategist and consultant, Kim has supported Hands of Peace with her creative talent, most recently producing the “What’s Possible” video.
Margaret "Peg" Lee
Board Member
Bonnie Lucas
Board Member
Bonnie’s career in academic computing and data spanned 40 years, and she is now retired and Vice President Emerita at Oakton Community College. Bonnie, and her husband, Stuart, engage in annual mission trips to El Salvador with Eye Care International, where Stuart performs surgery and Bonnie supports the computer software systems.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
CHICAGO
Debbie Berg
Barbara Breakstone
Jami Brenner
Larry Feder
Vera Ginburg
Gene Hara
Lori Kaskowitz Kenward
Rich Katz
Bev Shurman Lavitt
Bonnie Lucas
Chuck Mize
Julie Orr
Tina Plunkett
Marily Schonthal
Spike Schonthal
Irene Smith
Gail Tatsuda