Along the way, he’s gained valuable experience in crisis management, operations, strategic partnerships, staff development and cross-cultural team building, as well as skills in six foreign languages.

Alex currently serves as a member of the elite American Red Cross International Disaster Response Team. He trained in 2010 in Haiti following the devastating earthquake and is on call for response to large-scale disasters around the world.

As Director of Preparedness and Co-Director of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Alex led the 24/7 Emergency Services operation with an annual budget over $2MM and managed 6,000 staff and volunteers to deliver a full range of Red Cross disaster services to the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond. The Emergency Services Department responds to an average of 800 disasters a year in Southeastern Pennsylvania and provides thousands of people each year with emergency post-disaster assistance.

Under Alex’s leadership, the award-winning Red Cross disaster preparedness program reached more than one million people per year with life-saving information while earning the American Red Cross regional, national and international recognition for its groundbreaking work. His efforts developing the regional Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) program quadrupled the number of disaster volunteers and partner agencies and led to national Innovative Program of the Year honors in 2009.

Before joining the American Red Cross, Alex served as Vice President of International Programs for Building with Books, a global non-profit that builds schools and establishes adult literacy classes in developing countries around the world. He was responsible for all overseas operations in eight countries (Haiti, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Mali, Malawi, Nepal, India and the United States) on four continents, building 100 schools and impacting the lives of more than 60,000 children.

Alex transitioned from a career in broadcast journalism to the non-profit sector by serving as a full-time international volunteer for two years. Working with a group of inspired youth in Nairobi, Alex helped to found the first bilingual newspaper of the sprawling shantytowns surrounding the Kenyan capital. He later worked side by side with communities in Mali and Bolivia to build the first bricks-and-mortar schools in three remote villages.

Along the way, Alex has acquired skills in six foreign languages: Italian, Spanish, French, Bambara, Swahili and Haitian Creole.

Alex holds a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree cum laude in Political Science from Yale University.

He is a summa cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College and received his Juris Doctoris degree from Yale Law School.

Foley has spent more than a decade as the CEO of the American Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania (2004-2010) and as President of the United Way of Pennsylvania (2000-2004). He also served in both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, as legislative aide and counsel to Congressman James M. Shannon and then-Senator Joseph R. Biden.

Foley is the author of over 75 articles, op-ed and journal pieces on a variety of topics, including issues related to work, job training, community service and public security.

We are very excited to bring him on board and know he will be a wonderful advocate for our many causes!

In his third year at Drexel, Lawrence co-founded a company by the name of OnStreets.com. OnStreets.com designed and implemented web based business portals aimed at providing small businesses a web presence that would drive economic traffic to businesses in specific communities.After graduating from Drexel and running OnStreets.com for four years, Lawrence exited OnStreet.com and co-founded a consulting company by the name of Connexus Technology with his good friend and colleague Chris Holland. They were both interested in finding additional markets and opportunities to implement web based portal technologies and to develop information systems for organizations in need of custom information management tools not available off the shelf.

Over the eight years of Connexus’s existence Connexus’s clients have included TD Bank, DOW Chemical, Independence Blue Cross, Geisinger Health Systems and Morton Salt to name a few. Lawrence has garnered awards from the Small Business Administration of America for 2007 “Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, and the Excellence Award from the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce for 2007 “Innovative Business of the year”.

Today, leading a company of eight employees and a network of contract talent, Lawrence is President/CEO of Connexus Technology and is responsible for the strategic direction and business development effort of the firm. Connexus Technology is a Systems Integrator implementing data management technology that helps organizations turn their information into a strategic asset. Although the software tools Connexus develops are applicable to most large organizations that depend on the proper management of large amounts of data. Connexus Technology is currently focused on providing Data access, visibility, and governance solutions to the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries.

Lawrence also spearheaded a Connexus Technology initiative called PrayerConnexus (www.prayerconnexus.com), a website designed to unite the globe in prayer by connecting people in need of prayer with churches and faith-based organizations that have missions to pray for others in need. Lawrence currently serves on Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Small business board as well as the Philadelphia Chamber’s Executive committee and the Local legislative tax committee.Lawrence also serves as a strategic advisor on the advisory board for FOCAL POINT GLOBAL.

After hearing Shonta speak about ESF, the conditions in Haiti and the need for more mental health outreach, I knew opportunity was knocking. With every meeting and mission I become more passionate about ESF’s goals and objectives, the people we serve, and the lasting bond we are establishing amongst passionate, self-less, and dedicated humanitarians!”Country of Origin: United StatesPlaces I have lived: Kansas, Georgia, Pennsylvania

Places Interested in working or visiting: Africa, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and East Asia

Education:

Chestnut Hill College, Aug 2007-Present
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Psy.D. Student-Anticipated Graduation: May 2013

Major: Clinical psychology
Masters of Science, May 2009
Major: Clinical Psychology

Temple University, Aug 2002-May 2006
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts, May 2006
Major: Psychology
Bachelor of Fine Arts, May 2006
Major: Dance

Professional Goals: I am currently pursing my doctorate in clinical psychology at Chestnut Hill College. Upon graduation I plan to obtain my license as a psychologist conducting therapy and psychological assessments for individuals from diverse and underserved populations both domestically and globally. I also plan to become involved with mental health advocacy in both state and federal government. In addition, I would like to enhance my Spanish language skills and learn the Haitian Creole language.

Extracurricular Interest and Volunteer activities: In addition to my involvement in ESF, I currently hold the position of vice-president on the board of directors for a not-for-profit organization here in Philadelphia called, College-bound Home for Girls. I am also a very active member of the Delaware Valley Association of Black Psychologists (DVABPsi) and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Last, but never least, dance was my first love and continues as one of my passions! I currently dance and perform locally on a part-time basis with a small company based here in Philadelphia.

So many students want to contribute towards global humanitarian groups, but don’t know where to begin and/or don’t have the financial means to accomplish their goals. ESF turns local students into global leaders while helping communities worldwide, and is the perfect bridge between serving the global community and my own in Philadelphia. “Country of origin:United StatesPlaces I have lived: France and USA

Places interested in working or visiting: I have a strong interest in countries in the continents of Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Israel, and most of the Middle East-pretty much everywhere!

Education: BA in International Affairs with concentration in Conflict and Security, minors in French Language & Literature and Political Science.

Professional goals: I plan to pursue a M.A./M.S. in International Development & Public Health. I also want to further my French and one hopefully work with War Child, an organization like the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, or WHO.

I would like to share my vast knowledge, both personal and professional to benefit those I serve. Through ESF I intend to continue to educate anywhere in the world were my services are needed. As a great photographer once told me “My job is never done, until there are no nursing education needs anywhere.” Life is like golf. If you hit a ball with all your might and close your eyes and don’t watch where it goes, then how do you know you’re in the right direction? Keeping your eyes open, following the direction of your swing, watching your prize and make sure it’s going where it needs to go. Just remember ”Live, Love, and Laugh”.Country of Origin:United StatesPlaces I Have Lived or Visited: Jamaica, Mozambique, Malawi, Mexico, England and many other places

Education: I have trained in the US Air Corp, Temple University, CCP, and LaSalle University. I have worked as an EMT on a Neuro Unit, am Critical Care trained as a Cardiac Nurse, other units including PCU, ICU, Med Surge, PACU, ER, and Long Term.