Board of Directors
Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess, PhD
Founder and President
Dr. Oliver-Burgess is a senior humanitarian and development expert with more than 30 years of professional and international experience working in complex emergencies and post-conflict contexts, including regions of Middle East, Central Asia, West and East Africa, Eastern Europe and Central America. She has successfully managed and implemented large-scale humanitarian and development programs in the areas of community development, psycho-social rehabilitation, conflict mitigation, crisis response, post conflict recovery, gender based violence, youth development, and women’s leadership and development. She remains a life long advocate for the rights of the child, human rights and social justice. She has a diverse range of professional experience working with international organizations, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Organization of Migration (IOM), Banyan Global, AECOM International Development, World Conference of Religions for Peace, CHF International (Global Communities), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
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Dr. Oliver-Burgess is an Adjunct Faculty in the International Psychology Department at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She teaches courses in Humantarian Affairs and Mental Health Care Delivery. In addition, she serves as a Dissertation Affiliate. Her research expertise is in the areas of violence against women and girls and child protection.
Dr. Oliver-Burgess holds a PhD in International Psychology at The Chicago School for Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois. She has a Master’s Degree in International Management from the School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York.
Angela had the greatest honor in being married to Paul. She is forever blessed to live in his presence. His love for humanity and passion for life provides her the strength to carry forward his legacy. Paul stood with courage- walking the talk always with a smile and living life to its fullest for the love of family and friends. He taught us how to be a kinder human being and to have faith in humanity. He inspired us to work together for a better life full of peace, hope and harmony.
Cheryl Edwards
Treasurer
Cheryl Edwards has 30 years of professional experience working with the Federal and Maryland State government. During her career she held various administrative, financial and management positions. In her last 10 years of employment, she worked as an Accountant and Financial Manager and has a vast level of experience in overseeing financial records and tracking of accounts. Ms. Edwards is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a Certificate of Paralegal Studies. After retirement, she traveled extensively and lived in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. While living in Afghanistan, she founded and operated a successful logistics company, winning a major contract with the United States Armed Forces to supply office supplies and equipment. Now living in Florida, Cheryl enjoys volunteering in her community in service to
others at local food banks and soup kitchens. She serves as a member on the Board of Directors in her Homeowner's Association.
Cheryl met Paul "Budgie" Burgess in 2010 while working in Afghanistan. His spirit and commitment to improve the lives of the people and communities around him was inspirational.
He was proof that one person with a desire to help others can make a significant impact on
the world around him. He challenged his friends and colleagues to become involved in simple acts of kindness and made us realize that the power of one multiplied by many could be a
strong force for goodness and change. It is with his spirit in her heart, that Cheryl gratefully serves on the Board of SMILE for Budgie to honor and carry forward his legacy of giving.
Z. Melinda Witter
Secretary
Z. Melinda Witter has over 30 years professional experience in international program management: proposal and program design, educational development, workshop facilitation
and training, stabilization programs focusing on community development, conflict mitigation,
civil society, and socio-psychological trauma. Her experience consists of assignments with U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. State Department, World Bank, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and ACDI VOCA. She is currently serving with Mercy Corps in Iraq as the Conflict Management Sector Manager. Her background includes an Executive Master’s in International Service focusing on Iraq studies and conflict mitigation.
Ms. Witter is a Certified Transpersonal Mentor, Creative Development, Meditation Teacher, Discovering Your Mission in Life (Life Coach), an Artist, Writer and Speaker. She is the Creator
of AshkiArt, which uses art for creative expression in trauma healing as well as Ashti Drums,
using music and drums for trauma healing and peace building, especially with youth and women.
She serves as a consultant in International Development, Program Management and Stabilization, Conflict Management and Peace Building, and is a Professional Instructional Design and Trainer.
Through Angela, Melinda met Paul at their home in Florida. Their bond grew upon seeing his drums in the alcove, which was followed by a lively conversation of using drums for both peacebuilding and trauma healing. His enthusiasm and concern for people, especially youth,
is the motivation for Smile for Budgie.
Andrew Halassy
Director of Communications
Andrew Halassy has worked in humanitarian assistance as a Senior Program Manager for over 16 years, which has taken him to many countries, including the Former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Georgia Republic, Haiti, Ethiopia and Afghanistan. His experience as a Program Manager has taken him from peace building with youth groups in Kosovo to emergency assistance and relief work in Haiti to assistance for civilians affected by war in Afghanistan. Andrew began his career as a Peace Corp Volunteer in India and has never looked back.
Following a few years of English teaching in Japan in the early 90's, Andrew entered and completed his Masters Degree in International Intercultural Management in 1998. His focus
was in Sustainable Development at the School for International Training in Vermont, USA.
Andrew is a drummer and was in a band in Kabul, Afghanistan performing at NGOs and Embassies during his time living in the capital between 2011 and 2015. Andrew first met Paul in Kabul working for the same organization and began a friendship with drumming and Afghanistan as their common denominator. Their friendship endured through the years despite Paul moving to South Sudan by visits to each other’s homes in Florida and Canada. In memory of Paul, Andrew has joined the Board of Directors of Smile for Budgie as the Communications Director and continues to drum in his memory.
Ben Bowden
Director of Program Development
Ben Bowden has worked with children and young people since graduating from University. He started as a Youth and Project Worker, working with vulnerable young people in a range of settings: running surf lessons, music workshops, sports coaching and life-skills sessions. Ben became a primary school teacher 11 years ago. He teaches subjects across the curriculum but particularly enjoys the pastoral side of teaching. He is an advocate for children’s rights and the right for every child in
the world to receive inclusive comprehensive education.
Ben studied A levels in Sociology, Psychology and Politics at York Sixth Form College (UK).
He received a BA/Honors degree in Sociology at the University of Exeter (UK). He completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the City of Birmingham University (UK).
Paul and Ben were childhood friends, companions and "brothers". They had the deepest connection from childhood. They played in numerous bands together, travelled on many adventures, surfed and experienced the world in unison at key times in their lives. "We may not be related by blood - but our bond is, and always will be, thicker than water. Brother forever."
Sarah Greenblatt
Director of Program Design and Support
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Sarah B. Greenblatt is the Founder/Manager of SBGreenblatt Consulting, LLC, providing strategic consulting with public and non-profit organizations to improve outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities. As a consultant with the Center for the Study of Social Policy Youth Thrive™ Initiative, Sarah met Angela while serving as a site liaison with the Brevard Family Partnership’s Youth Thrive™ initiative in Melbourne, Florida. She provided consultation with the Brevard Youth Leadership Academy and supported the development of the Youth Leadership Council. Sarah is delighted to join the Smile for Budget Team to continue her support for youth driven child welfare policy and practice change in the state of Florida. In working with Angela, Sarah learned so much about Paul’s legacy that she feels like she knew him. She is honored to join the Smile for Budgie Team.
For over forty years Sarah has worked with and on behalf of children and families, with expertise in social policy and planning as well as early childhood education. She has served as the founding Director of the Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice at Casey Family Services/Annie E. Casey Foundation, where she provided national and international consultation on post-adoption mental health services. She also served as the Director of the National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning at the Hunter College School of Social Work – working with states across the country to implement trauma-informed policies and practices. Sarah holds a master’s degree from the Columbia School of Social Work; a master’s degree in educational administration from Leslie University; and a bachelor’s degree in child development and family relations from the University of Connecticut. She resides in New Haven, CT.