Board of Directors and Staff Members
John and Sue Dewan. John is the treasurer, board member and former president of MHI. He and Sue are both members of the Advisory Group. John began his work with Fr. Emil in 1976, when he volunteered in Gualaco, Honduras for three months. John is a licensed actuary and the co-publisher of ACTA Publications, a publisher of books on religion, sports, and community organizing (www.actapublications.com). John and Sue own Baseball Info Solutions, a baseball information company, and were founders of STATS, Inc., a world-wide sports data provider. They also started the Dewan Foundation, which funds projects that help people get out of poverty, and Camp Dewan, a camp for city youth, boy scouts and girl scouts and other family-oriented activities. They have two children and belong to St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Chicago.
Dave Dionisi, Board Member. Dave is married, the father of three boys, and an author of two books. He is a former Fortune 500 senior executive and has started several successful businesses. Dave is the President of the Teach Peace Foundation which works to help people with projects including delivering emergency life-saving aid and teaching children kindness. Dave's business, military, and ongoing not-for-profit service in Africa and Central America is beneficial to MHI as an organization caring for children in these same locations.
Bob and Kathy O’Dwyer. Bob is acting president and a board member. He and Kathy are both members of the Advisory Group. Bob and Kathy met as members of the Third Order of St. Francis. They have been married for 32 years and have 3 sons. They were introduced to Fr. Emil’s work more than 30 years ago through the Franciscans. Bob is a Computer Network Engineer and Kathy teaches 7th grade Social Studies. Both have been and are still active in the Boy Scouts in numerous leadership roles. They are also active at St. Terrence parish in Alsip, Illinois where Bob taught CCD for 10 years and Kathy sings in the choir. Bob traveled to Honduras for the first time in 2003 and was deeply affected by the pervasive poverty he saw there. He has created several of the videos that Fr. Cook has used on his fundraising trips to the U.S. Bob is currently volunteering as the President of MHI.
Joan Fabiano, Board Member. Joan brings a breath of experience in education, social work, and ministry. After earning her BA in History and Teaching and teaching social studies at Lourdes Catholic H.S., Joan earned a Masters in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago. An LCSW and ACSW, she worked with the Chicago Department of Human Services as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a District Manager. A long-time supporter of the missions, Joan has traveled to Honduras, Dominican Republic and Liberia, West Africa numerous times, including four trips to Liberia Mission. In addition to being an avid world traveler, Joan has been active in parish ministry throughout her life.
Jerome Cabeen and Clarisa Chavarria-Lara, Directors of Liberia Mission. Jerome is a former high school basketball coach turned missionary. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, he attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and earned a BA in Fine Arts and Education. Jerome arrived in Honduras in September 2004 where he worked with the poor of Honduras and served as the volunteer center’s house director in el Conejo. Clarisa and Jerome met in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, where Clarisa worked and Jerome often picked up volunteer groups. Married in June 2008, Jerome and Clarisa moved to Liberia, Africa and are currently serving as the Directors of Liberia Mission, Inc. Jerome loves music, going to concerts and working with children and the poor. Clarisa brings her gentle compassion and deep faith to the children of the mission as a teacher and mentor.
Monica Desmond Looby, Communications, Operations and Development Director. Monica and her husband Todd served in Honduras for seven months this past year. During that time, they worked closely with both the children and mothers of APUFRAM and with North American volunteer groups. The memories of the smiles, love and also hardship they witnessed will be with them forever. Monica's experience includes direct social service work, research, nonprofit communications, community organizing and public policy advocacy. She holds an MA from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration. Prior to volunteering in Honduras, Monica was the Director of Public Policy for the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness and co-chair of the St. Alphonsus Peace and Justice Committee. Monica and Todd now live in Chicago and are working on a feature documentary film entitled "Solo Madres".
Harris Mulbah - House Father, Liberia Mission
Helena Gonyon - House Mother, Liberia Mission
Augustine Nufea - House Father, Liberia Mission
Olivia Glama - House Mother, Liberia Mission
Benjamin Wollor- Spiritual Director and Big Brother to the children of Liberia Mission
