Chair
Lisa Dion is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor for multiple agencies across Colorado.  She is the founder and director of the Play Therapy Institute of Colorado.  In addition to her clinical work, she has also launched multiple for-profit and non-profit businesses and is a business consultant to various organizations worldwide.  Lisa is committed to helping Awaken Africa grow and become an established (and integral) part of the mental health system in South Africa (and Africa), and is thrilled to serve on our board.

Treasurer
Bryant Veazey received an MBA through studies at Columbia University and London Business School.  He has lived and worked in Moscow, St. Petersburg, New York, London and Paris where he has held various financial roles including Controller and Treasurer.  In his current professional role, he works extensively in West Africa.  His travel and professional experience have given him a deep appreciation of the plight of the financially underprivileged, experience that he brings to his role as Treasurer and member of the Board at Awaken Africa.

Fundraising Committee Co-Chair
John Robbins has his MBA from Denver University, is the owner of Pear Commercial Interiors - one of the largest office furniture dealers in Denver since 1984 and is currently an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization. Personally committed to the mission and success of Awaken Africa, he believes that by delivering clinically effective methods to the underserved areas of South Africa, Awaken Africa’s programs will have a long-lasting impact on the families we serve.

Fundraising Committee Co-Chair
Whitney Mackintosh has a Master’s degree in Education/Curriculum Design and International Studies from the University of Denver and has over thirty years experience in both the public and private sectors as an education and training consultant. Her humanitarian work with vulnerable and under-served populations includes Southeast Asian refugees in Thailand and the Philippines; orphans and child-headed households in Zambia; school-age children in Ghana; teen mothers in Denver, Colorado.  She enjoys working collaboratively in the development of culturally appropriate training and services. Whitney is dedicated to the mission of Awaken Africa after visiting the hospital and seeing the need firsthand while in Cape Town, South Africa.

Secretary
Tim Thomas has received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Fordham University in New York, New York and has years of experience within the financial industry. Tim has a particular fondness for Africa demonstrated by his participation in the 2010 bike Tour d’ Afrique from Cairo to Cape Town and his more recent involvement with bringing solar power to extremely remote areas in Africa. Driven by his love for Africa, Tim is committed to using his knowledge of Africa, his resources and experience to help Awaken Africa accomplish its mission.

Mark Lucks
Mark is founder of Mission Aid Consulting, has a BS in Education from Southwest Baptist University and MDI from Christian Life School of Theology. He is the founder of a K-12 Christian school, has served as international director for two mission organizations, has led over 80 short-term humanitarian mission teams, and supervised hundreds of international staff in 22+ countries.  Mark’s compassion for Africa comes from serving in 7 African nations and intimately witnessing the challenges of the African reality. Mark supports the mission and vision of Awaken Africa; he believes in providing therapies that nurture the soul and spirit, which ultimately inspire a quantum shift in the collective.

Social Media Committee Chair
Khaleelah Jones earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and English from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Currently she works as a freelance writer and social media consultant while studying Comparative Literature at King’s College in London. During her junior year of college, Khaleelah studied abroad in Cape Town, where she developed a deep connection with and love for South Africa, which she hopes to cultivate through her involvement with Awaken Africa.

Ethan Raath
Dr. Ethan Raath’s heartfelt commitment to the unique work of Awaken Africa provides him the opportunity to serve the neediest in his home country, South Africa.  He trusts that psychosocial therapies can facilitate emotional healing for traumatized children and benefit them for a lifetime. Ethan is a Presbyterian minister, who has also served as a professor, nonprofit executive, and community development consultant. He holds a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of South Africa and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Jolina Karen
Ms. Karen grew up in South Africa, earning a degree in Psychology and Sociology at UCT. She now lives in Colorado, where she owns a holistic healing practice and co-founded The Quantum Loving Institute. She facilitates personal growth, leadership development and healing with clients in several countries and is thrilled to be able to assist Awaken Africa in bringing creative therapies to its clients in her homeland.

Terra Mackintosh
Terra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Ball State University with an Honors College Diploma and has been working as a professional actor/singer in New York City, Los Angeles, and regionally. She is a dedicated human rights activist, working both internationally and locally. Having experienced first-hand the importance of mental health services and creative therapy, Terra is dedicated to helping Awaken Africa gain the support it deserves.

Cameron Mackintosh is currently completing her honours degree in Anthropology at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Through world travels with her family she was exposed to a wide range of cultures and experiences at a young age. The many trips to Africa, including Cape Town the summer of 2011, has shown her the urgency for a cooperative approach in assisting the people of Africa. She is committed to the work that Awaken Africa is providing and is delighted to be able to help despite the geographical distance.