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Mindi
Davis
mindi@orphansbrightstar.org
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President
I am the mother of four beautiful children, 2 of
whom were adopted from the Svalyava Baby Orphanage in Ukraine. Ever
since returning from our first adoption trip I have been haunted
by the images in my mind of those we left behind in our daughters’
orphanage, and their many, many needs. I made a promise to myself
that I would find a way to provide for them upon my return home,
and I have worked hard to keep that promise since 2002. The formation
of An Orphan’s Bright Star has been a dream come true, enabling
my own outreach to combine with those of other like-minded individuals
throughout the world - making positive changes for the children
not only in Svalyava, but in orphanages throughout Ukraine. In addition
to my charity work, I am employed by Barrios Technology as a Senior
Systems Analyst programming for NASA/International Space Station.
I graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a
B.S. in Computer Science, ’89.
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Elizabeth
Galligan
elizabeth@orphansbrightstar.org
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Vice
President
I am the proud mother of Peter, adopted from Romania, and David,
adopted from Ukraine. Our adoption in Ukraine was extremely difficult,
requiring travel to 4 different orphanages before finding our son.
Each stop on our path to adoption afforded me the opportunity to
see firsthand the widespread needs of orphaned children throughout
the country. I am very excited to participate in the leadership
of an organization so dedicated to drama-free collaboration as the
means by which to provide for Ukrainian orphans. I graduated from
Northwestern University - GO WILDCATS!
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Amanda
Cole
amanda@orphansbrightstar.org
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Director
I was in introduced to the needs of the children
in Ukrainian orphanages through the adoption of my cousins. Seeing
their development from very frail little girls in desperate need
of medical care to the robust & healthy children they are today
made me aware there were many ways to assist children with a similar
plight in life. Serving on the Board and volunteering with An Orphan’s
Bright Star is the perfect way to fulfill my need to give back to
the global community, and has enabled me to become more familiar
with Ukrainian culture in my home town. I am currently a full-time
student at the University of Houston pursuing a Masters in Accountancy.
I have been involved in several organizations including the Hispanic
Business Student Association, Bauer Ambassadors, UNICEF, Masters
Network, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Scholars Community.
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Cristin
Andrews
cristin@orphansbrightstar.org
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Secretary
Cristin Andrews is mom to 8 yr old Gavin and 5 yr
old Ukraine adopted Anya. Ever since traveling to Ukraine to adopt
in 2004, she has been driven to help the children left behind. Cristin
has been on the Board of An Orphan’s Bright Star since it was
founded in 2006. She is particularly interested in projects that
provide medicine, books, clean water and food. She is the OBS representative
for the Zhitomir region and currently resides in Houston, TX.
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Jill
Skobel
jill@orphansbrightstar.org
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Director
For many years I was a busy working mother of 2 children.
I enjoyed watching my bright and healthy kids participate in all
the local activities. Then my friend adopted a child from Ukraine.
It wasn't until I met her sweet little girl that I realized how
lucky my kids really were. This newly-adopted sweetheart was so
small. She faced so many medical procedures and had so much to overcome.
And she was the lucky one because she had a family to help her.
Her progress was so amazing. Now I really enjoy watching An Orphan’s
Bright Star make miracles happen for the children of Ukraine. I
graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Computer
Science.
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Natalie
D.
natalie@orphansbrightstar.org
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Advisory
Group Member
Four of my husband’s and my grandchildren were adopted in Ukraine
in 2001. The children are all healthy and happy in their new families.
Having traveled along on the trip to Ukraine and personally having
witnessed conditions there, I feel a deep responsibility to advocate
for these orphans in state care. It makes me very happy to work
on the children’s behalf! I enjoy the friendships with many
people we’ve met in Ukraine, and since. We, who have so much
in life, can share and care for these children in our individual
ways, hoping to bring warmth to their days and light to their futures.
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