Team
Legacy’s staff is a group of highly dedicated individuals, many of whom were integral to the founding of the organization and its continued growth. Our combined experience in cross-cultural training, conflict resolution, community development and exchange programs gives us the ability to meet the needs of those experiencing great changes. Our staff team brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds. Among our staff are individuals fluent in Amharic, Arabic, English, Farsi, French, and Spanish; conversant in Russian; and with basic skills in Bahasa Indonesia and Croatian. We have a wide network of colleagues who join us for specific projects and contribute their expertise.
PRINCIPLE STAFF
J.E. Rash, President and Founder
Mr. Rash’s career includes studies in law, cross-cultural commu- nication, and comparative religion; work in advertising and media; and the design of training programs and curricula for educators, parents, and youths. He has traveled extensively throughout the US and to Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, Syria, and Turkey to lecture on education, conflict prevention and resolution, dialogue, democracy and civic education, and inter-religious understand
ing. His most recent book, Islam and Democracy, has been distributed in English, Russian, and Kazakh.
Shanti Thompson, Vice President: Director of Training
Ms. Thompson is involved in the design, funding, and program and financial administration of Legacy’s projects. She has over 30 years’ experience directing initiatives, developing training programs and curricula in leadership, pluralism, conflict prevention and resolution, cross-cultural communication, and civic education. Ms. Thompson has authored three published curricula and has directed projects in the U.S., Spain, Russia, and Ukraine. She has visited 23 different nations, and worked closely with adults and teens from Israel and Palestine, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia and Ukraine.
Mary Helmig, Vice President: Development
Ms. Helmig directs many of the organizations’ international leadership training programs. She is fluent in French and conversant in Bahasa Indonesia, and has traveled to Indonesia and the Middle East many times to direct various Legacy projects involving adult and/or youth audiences focused on leadership development and on inter-religious dialogue. As Director of the Global Youth Village, she has 18 years experience managing international, multi-cultural staff teams, mounting annual training programs, and providing leadership development experiences to people ages 15 – 40.
Marlene Ginsberg, Vice President: Professional Programs
Ms. Ginsberg has 30 years non-profit experience, including 15 years directing professional development programs for citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Topics included NGO development, religion and society, business development, women’s issues, and civic education and engagement. With activities both in the US and in the counterpart country, she has wide travel experience and is fluent in Spanish, conversant in Russian and French. In addition, she has produced two documentaries that have aired on the Discovery Channel.
Leila Baz, Program Coordination and Human Resources
Ms. Baz has been working in the non-profit sector for over 20 years. As Program Coordinator for various Legacy adult professional exchange programs, she has designed and delivered numerous project for citizens from Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Focuses have included NGO development, education reform, youth advocacy, conflict resolution, public health, and civic education & citizen engagement. As Staff Director for Legacy’s annual Global Youth Village, she oversees seasonal staff hiring, and coordinates the day to day operations and risk management for this residential program. She also spear- heads all outreach and screening for both temporary and permanent staff for Legacy.
Lila Winder, Financial Management
PROGRAM SPECIALISTS
Innocentia Afa, Host Family Outreach and Video Documentation
Susan Brock, Administrative Officer
Khaled Hassouna, Program Coordination and Administration
Matt Lakenbach, Program Coordination and Logistics
Atefeh Leavitt, Program Coordination and Training
Mitra Nafissian Rash, Program Coordination and Training
Suhad Rasoul, Global Youth Village Outreach Coordinator
Nancy Socarras, Program Coordination and Logistics