Board of Directors
Dr. Donna Hicks
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Donna Hicks is an Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. She was the Deputy Director of the Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the Weatherhead Center. Dr. Hicks facilitated dialogues in numerous unofficial diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Libya and Syria. She was a consultant to the BBC in Northern Ireland where she co-facilitated a television series, Facing the Truth, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She has taught courses in conflict resolution at Harvard and Columbia Universities and conducts seminars in the US and abroad on dignity leadership training and on the role dignity plays in resolving conflict. She consults to governments, corporations, schools, churches, and non-governmental organizations. Her book, Dignity: It’s Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, was published by Yale University Press in 2011. Her second book, Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People, was published by Yale University Press in August 2018.
Monica Meehan McNamara
Founder, Executive Director, Mental Health Services
Monica Meehan McNamara is the Founder, Executive Director and Director of Mental Health Services of Dignity Beyond Borders. She is the Director of Curriculum for Dignity in Action and is a facilitator for Women’s World Peace. Monica previously served as Curriculum Director for Project Common Bond for over 15 years. She facilitated retreats for military widows in the US and internationally. She recruits and trains the Facilitation staff, as well as facilitating a Participant Group, and Staff Groups. In addition, Monica is a Family Therapist in private practice in Boston, MA. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Monica has been a consultant for the Course on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. Monica holds a BA from Tufts University and an MA from New York University. She has postgraduate certificates in Movement Analysis, from the Laban Institute, NY; in Family Therapy from Family Institute of Cambridge, in Massachusetts; and in Trauma Work from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center in Brookline, MA.
Terry Grace Sears
Founder, Executive Director, CEO
Terry Grace Sears is the Founder, Executive Director and CEO of Dignity Beyond Borders. For over two decades, Terry was the Executive Director of Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit that served individuals and communities whose lives have been forever changed by terrorism, war, and mass violence. Terry was pivotal in Tuesday’s Children’s evolution from a 9/11-focused organization to a nationally focused nonprofit serving military families of the fallen and communities around the world impacted by violence related to terrorism. Under Terry’s leadership, Tuesday's Children grew from a post-9/11 startup to a 4 Star Charity Navigator nonprofit with a $3.5M annual budget, serving 55,000 individuals domestically and internationally. As a spokesperson, Terry was a guest on CNN, MSNBC, CBS News as well as many other news outlets across the nation. Terry has also been invited on multiple occasions to advocate for Victims’ rights at the United Nations. A graduate of Fordham University, Terry serves on the Board of Citizens Against Government Waste and the Sarita Kenedy East Foundation. She is a former board member of the Grace Institute in Manhattan, NY, Our Lady of Grace Montessori School and the Schools of St. Mary in Manhasset, Long Island.
Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong is Director of Penn State Outreach and Online Education’s Office of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity. She is a clinically trained multicultural, LGBTQA+, disability, and special populations counselor with extensive experience in higher education programming and professional development for faculty, staff, and students. She has experience working with higher education leaders to help implement and expand inclusion, equity, and diversity throughout campus organizational structures, policies, strategic plans, and programs. Armstrong is a graduate of Hofstra University with a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Bridgeport. At Penn State, she co-chairs the Commission for Women, assisted in establishing a university-wide, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional development program, and partnered in the development of a comprehensive university-wide DEI portfolio on behalf of the president and presented to the Board of Trustees. Armstrong is a doctoral candidate at the University of Colorado Denver in the higher education leadership program, earning a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education.
Michael Brown
The events of September 11th changed Michael Brown’s life twice. In 1985, it was the date of his father’s death following a terrorist attack two days earlier by ETA separatists in Madrid, Spain. And in 2001, it was a date that sparked his professional journey to prevent future acts of terrorism. Since 2007, Michael has held various leadership and advisory roles within the federal government, managing cross-functional initiatives to advance policy, strategy, research, and programs. In headquarters and field positions, domestically and abroad, he has built and strengthened relationships with industry, community, academic, international, interagency, intelligence, and law enforcement representatives. Previously, Michael worked in government consulting, as well as state and city government, and began his career as a financial management officer for a large bank. Michael is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security Master’s Program, and also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University-Newark and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University. A native of Delran, New Jersey, Michael lives in California with his wife and three daughters, and is a passionate fan of Philadelphia sports teams.
Deirdre Dolan
Deirdre Dolan has spent the last decade working in the humanitarian sector, focused on fundraising, project management, and community engagement. She currently serves as a Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer at the American Red Cross, and recently worked within the organization’s International Services Department (ISD) as the Program Manager, Global Partnerships and Resource Mobilization. In this role, she managed monitoring, reporting, and strategic planning for ISD’s largest donor. Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Deirdre worked as the Program Manager of Project Common Bond for several years. She enjoys building strong relationships across sectors, and has consistently delivered high-quality programs to best meet the evolving needs of individuals and communities. Deirdre holds a BA in History and Peace and Conflict Studies from the College of the Holy Cross, and an MPA in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.
Deirdre Dolan
Deirdre Dolan has spent the last decade working in the humanitarian sector, focused on fundraising, project management, and community engagement. She currently serves as a Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer at the American Red Cross, and recently worked within the organization’s International Services Department (ISD) as the
Kathy Entwistle
Kathy Entwistle is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She leads the True North 360 Group, a highly experienced, multigenerational team of investing, wealth planning, and client service professionals with a presence in both New York City and New Jersey. Combining her team’s talents with the vast global resources of the firm, she helps senior executives, successful entrepreneurs, headlining entertainers and their families address the complex challenges of managing generational wealth. Thanks to the trust her clients have placed in her, Kathy was named to Forbes’ list of Top 200 Women Advisors from 2017 through 2023 as well as the list of Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors from 2017 through 2023.
Kathy prides herself on her ability to build authentic relationships, convey new ideas, and provide guidance based on a genuine concern for her clients’ well-being. She has the knowledge and experience to generate sophisticated solutions to address the most complex challenges, but also possesses the rare ability to clearly communicate how those solutions work and why they are appropriate. Her mission to make advanced wealth management concepts and resources accessible inspired her to begin her advisory career at Morgan Stanley in 2001. It fueled the growth of her practice during her 13 years with UBS Private Wealth Management and continues to be the hallmark of her team today.
Kathy received her B.S. from Providence College and went on to earn an MBA from Fordham University. Committed to constantly improving the quality of advice and range of services she can offer her clients, she went on to earn designations as a Certified Financial Planner® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and she holds the series 7 and 66 licenses. She has also earned an internal designation as a Morgan Stanley Sports and Entertainment Director and is well-versed in the unique challenges of those who make their living in the spotlight. Kathy serves on the Executive Leadership Committee of the American Heart Association. She is an active member of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and Women United in Philanthropy. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and staying active.
Joe Findaro
Joe Findaro is an attorney/consultant based in Miami FL. and Washington, D.C. with over 41 years of experience with a focus on water resources, land development and Indian Tribe-related issues. Positions have included: Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science during the Reagan Administration, Washington Counsel in the Office of the California Governor, Director of Federal Affairs at the Entergy Corporation and private law practice. Joe works regularly with the U.S. Executive Branch, the Congress, and the private sector. He is an instructor of environmental law and policy at the university level, an instructor in the McGeorge School of Law Salzburg summer program, and author of numerous published works. Most recently, Joe has spearheaded the development of a $150 million casino hotel resort in Asuncion, Paraguay, as a co-founder and manager of Vimerica Development LLC. Joe received his B.A. summa cum laude from Tufts University with a double major in Political Science and Psychology from Tufts University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Joe is a member of the Boston Athletic Association and has raised money for organizations serving victims of terrorism, war and mass violence.
Jason M. Kaplan
Jason M. Kaplan is a creative director, copywriter and adjunct professor with over 14 years of experience in the creative-advertising space. He’s currently the Executive Creative Director at Trade Coffee, a direct-to-consumer service that curates the best at-home coffee experiences. Previously, he’s helped reimagine brands like Dunkin’, launching their first-ever app, mobile ordering platform and loyalty program, and Dodge, leading social media creative for an organic audience of over 15-million followers and overseeing an international team of art directors, designers and copywriters in that pursuit. His work has been recognized by some of the most prestigious bodies in the advertising industry—including Cannes, Clio, MMA, The Drum and AdWeek.
Hilary Kramer
Hilary Kramer Coyne is the Wall Street Journal, USA Today & Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of “Game Changer Stocks” (Regnery), “The Little Book of Small Stocks” (Wiley) & “Ahead of the Curve” (Simon & Schuster). She can be seen on Bloomberg, Fox Business News, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC commentating on the global markets as well as the political and economic implications of Washington domestic and foreign policy. She is the Chief Investment Officer of Kramer Capital Research, publishing subscription-based equity, options & private investment newsletter products with over 100,000 subscribers through Salem Media. Hilary won the 2021 Gracie Award Winning Host of "Kramer's Millionaire Maker," the nationally syndicated radio show on the Salem Radio Network. She broadcasts nationally and in the top ten U.S. markets. Hilary founded and ran the first "green cleantech" hedge fund in the Americas and is known as the architect of ESG investing.
Hilary received her BA with honors from Wellesley College and received her MBA from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Hilary has been appointed to the alumni board at Wharton with her position commencing in July of 2025. She is also on the Board of INX Limited, an international fintech company and head of the Audit Committee. Hilary began her career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers, and spent a decade as Chief Investment Officer of a $15 billion private equity fund, Highgate Properties and has sat on the board of four publicly-traded companies and has been in advisory roles for Hughes Electronics/DirecTV International; radio and live entertainment roll-up, SFX; and AOL Latin America. Hilary has been asked to testify on Capitol Hill on topics ranging from the double taxation of the dividend to the investment community's treatment of Aging Americans. Hilary comes from a family that embraces service to the community and is a 9/11 widow having lost her husband, Lt. Timothy Coyne of the NYPD, in August 20021 to his terminal illnesses as a result of 5,000 hours working at Ground Zero. She is raising her two children on her own in New York City.
Denise Lifton
Ms. Denise Lifton is Chief of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Section, in the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), where she oversees the Centre’s Global Programme on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, the Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and OCT’s regional presence in Bangkok. Ms. Lifton has over 25 years of experience in international affairs, conflict management, peacebuilding, child protection and human rights. Her responsibilities have included policy development, reporting and monitoring human rights violations, political affairs, capacity building and technical assistance and management. She is the former head of the UNCCT’s Victims of Terrorism Unit and the UNOCT’s Human Rights Unit. Prior to joining the UNCCT, Ms. Lifton worked for over 10 years with the United Nations on human rights and child protection in Khartoum and Darfur, Sudan, where she helped to establish three child protection offices across the region, and was head of the human right unit in Paktya province and Head of Protection of Civilians Unit in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ms. Lifton also worked for several human rights non-governmental organizations both at the international and national level, including with Amnesty International (USA and UK), and Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, a Ugandan NGO. Ms. Lifton has also undertaken numerous consultancies on human rights, including with the EU in Sudan and with various UN and NGO entities. Ms. Lifton holds an MSc. in International Relations from Southampton University and a BSc. in Organization Behaviour from City University, in the United Kingdom.
James G. McCarney, Esq.
Mr. McCarney is a practicing lawyer in Manhattan and founder of McCarney Law P.C. A veteran trial lawyer, he has been a perennial champion of victim’s rights across the globe, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the former Soviet Union, China and Latin America. During the Covid crisis, Mr. McCarney worked tirelessly with victims both of an international child sex trafficking ring and Jeffrey Epstein to obtain justice during the claim revival windows brought about by Child Victim’s Act legislation across the country. A graduate of the University of Viginia and New York University Law School, he has lectured both in the US and abroad on legal issues involving cross-border exploitation. He serves on the Board of Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution dedicated to restoring peace in the tribal lands of Eastern Africa.
April Naturale
Dr. Naturale is a traumatic stress specialist focused on response to disasters and mass violence. She has provided disaster and traumatic stress response training and consultation throughout the U.S. having led the NY mental health response to 9/11/01, the Boston Marathon bombing and responding to 14 of the last mass violence shooting events. Dr. Naturale also helped launch the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Disaster Distress Helpline. Internationally, she has trained Psychologists in the Ukraine Military Service, Humanitarian Aid workers for the European Union and helped launch the European Centre of Expertise for Victims of Terrorism.
Currently, Dr. Naturale is Vibrant Emotional Health’s VP for Disaster Services and was recently appointed by the U.S. Attorney General’s team of subject matter experts to review the law enforcement response to the May 24, 2022, Uvalde, TX, Robb Elementary school shooting.
Jeff Parness
A former corporate finance professional and technology venture capitalist, 9/11 transformed the trajectory of Jeff’s life and purpose and awakened his personal sense of service to others.
In 2003, Jeff founded The New York Says Thank You Foundation, a disaster relief organization which grew into one of the largest volunteer non-profits to emerge from the tragedy of 9/11 by focusing on the compassion, kindness, and volunteer spirit that united the Nation - and the world - on 9/12.
This “pay it forward” effort gave birth to numerous other non-profit and charitable initiatives nationwide including the historic 50-state restoration of The National 9/11 Flag, and the creation of Stars of HOPE, a community-based healing arts program that has positively impacted the mental health and emotional wellbeing of millions of people in over 300 communities in 31 countries recovering from natural disasters and human-caused tragedy.
Since 2018, Jeff has worked closely with the founders of many of the leading Israeli and Palestinian co-existence organizations to help bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict and foster a true sense of dignity, justice, and reconciliation between Arabs and Jews.
Jeff has received numerous awards for his service and was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2011.
David Weild IV
David Weild spent the first fourteen years of his career in senior management positions at Prudential Securities. In the mid-1990s he was head of its global equity transactions. In 1999 he moved from the head of its technology investment banking business to run PrudentialSecurities.com. He then transitioned to running the combined customer-facing internet services businesses of Prudential Financial.
Soon afterwards, Weild became the executive vice-president for corporate clients at NASDAQ., and subsequently its Vice Chairman.
He left the position in July 2003 to become CEO of the National Research Exchange. He later founded Capital Markets Advisory Partners and simultaneously led the Capital Markets Group of Grant Thornton LLP, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Capital Markets Advisory Partners was later renamed Weild & Co. Holdings. He is also a frequent contributor to Bloomberg News.