Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess is a senior humanitarian and development expert with more than 35 years of international experience working in complex emergencies and post-conflict settings across the Middle East, Central Asia, West and East Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America. She has led and implemented large-scale humanitarian and development programs in community development, psychosocial rehabilitation, conflict mitigation, crisis response, post-conflict recovery, gender-based violence, youth development, and women’s leadership. She remains a lifelong advocate for the rights of children, human rights, and social justice. Her professional experience spans a wide range of international organizations, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Organization for 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). Dr. Oliver-Burgess serves as Adjunct Faculty in the International Psychology Department at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she has taught courses in Humanitarian Affairs and Mental Health Care Delivery. She also serves as a Dissertation Affiliate. Her research focuses on violence against women and girls and child protection. She holds a PhD in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois, a Master’s degree in International Management from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Angela considers it one of the greatest honors of her life to have been married to Paul “Budgie” Burgess. His love for humanity and passion for life continue to inspire and guide her. Through his example—living with courage, kindness, and joy—he showed what it means to lead with heart and to believe in the goodness of humanity. His legacy remains a source of strength as she carries forward this work, committed to building a world rooted in peace, hope, and harmony.

Andrew Halassy has more than 16 years of experience in humanitarian assistance, serving as a Senior Program Manager across diverse global contexts, including the Former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan. His work has spanned peacebuilding initiatives with youth in Kosovo, emergency response and relief efforts in Haiti, and support for civilians affected by conflict in Afghanistan. Andrew began his humanitarian journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer in India, a path that has shaped his lifelong commitment to service. Following several years teaching English in Japan in the early 1990s, Andrew pursued and completed a Master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management in 1998, with a focus on Sustainable Development at the School for International Training in Vermont, USA. Andrew is also a drummer and performed in a band in Kabul, Afghanistan, playing at NGOs and embassies during his time living there from 2011 to 2015. It was in Kabul that Andrew first met Paul “Budgie” Burgess while working for the same organization. Their shared love of drumming and humanitarian work formed the foundation of a lasting friendship. Even after Paul relocated to South Sudan, they remained closely connected through visits to each other’s homes in Florida and Canada. In honor of Paul’s life and legacy, Andrew joined the Board of Directors. He continues to carry that legacy forward—both through his work and through music, drumming in Paul’s memory.

Sarah B. Greenblatt is a retired social worker and nationally respected consultant who has spent more than 50 years advancing outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities. Throughout her career, she has partnered with public agencies and nonprofit organizations to strengthen systems, influence policy, and support sustainable change in child welfare and family services. Sarah met Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess while serving as a consulting site liaison for the Brevard Family Partnership’s Youth Thrive™ initiative in Melbourne, Florida. In that role, she provided strategic consultation to the Brevard Youth Leadership Academy and supported the development of the Youth Leadership Council, helping elevate youth voice and leadership within child welfare practice. She is honored to join the Smile Forward movement and continue her lifelong commitment to youth-driven policy and practice transformation in Florida. Through her work alongside Angela, Sarah developed a deep appreciation for the legacy of Paul “Budgie” Burgess and feels personally connected to his life, values, and impact. She is grateful for the opportunity to help carry that spirit forward through her contributions to the organization’s mission and vision. Sarah’s distinguished career includes serving as the founding Director of the Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice at Casey Family Services, part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where she provided national and international consultation focused on post-adoption mental health services. She also served as Director of the National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning at the Hunter College School of Social Work, supporting states across the country in implementing trauma-informed policies and practices for children and families. Her expertise spans social policy, systems change, permanency planning, youth engagement, and early childhood education. Sarah holds a Master of Social Work from the Columbia University 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. Sarah resides in New Haven, Connecticut, where she remains actively engaged as a neighborhood change leader and advocate for community well-being.

Ben Bowden has dedicated his career to working with children and young people since graduating from university. He began as a Youth and Project Worker, supporting vulnerable youth across a range of settings—leading surf lessons, music workshops, sports coaching, and life skills programs. For the past 11 years, Ben has served as a primary school teacher, teaching across the curriculum while especially valuing the pastoral care and relational aspects of his role. He is a strong advocate for children’s rights and believes deeply in every child’s right to inclusive, comprehensive education. Ben studied A-levels in Sociology, Psychology, and Politics at York Sixth Form College in the United Kingdom. He earned a BA (Honors) degree in Sociology from the University of Exeter and completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Birmingham City University. Paul “Budgie” Burgess and Ben shared a lifelong bond as childhood friends—more like brothers than companions. From an early age, they played in bands together, traveled on countless adventures, surfed, and experienced life side by side during some of its most formative moments. Their connection was rooted in deep friendship, shared passions, and unwavering loyalty. As Ben reflects, “We may not be related by blood, but our bond is—and always will be—thicker than water. Brother forever.”

Tatiana Dwyer is a senior international development and nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience in executive management, governance, and program oversight across global humanitarian, development, and advocacy organizations. She brings deep expertise in women’s rights and empowerment, peacebuilding, sustainable development, and international grantmaking, and has led multi-country programs and global consultations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Tatiana currently provides strategic leadership and oversight for United Women in Faith’s international programs, working closely with local women leaders to design and implement initiatives that deliver meaningful and measurable impact. Previously, she coordinated global advocacy and United Nations–related engagement and has extensive field experience in Kosovo, Bosnia, Serbia, and other post-conflict and development settings. Her earlier roles include senior leadership positions with Church World Service, World Vision International, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the UN World Food Programme, and Caritas Denmark. Throughout her career, Tatiana has provided strategic, financial, and operational leadership; strengthened partnerships with grassroots organizations, donors, and UN agencies; and represented nonprofits in high-level international policy and advocacy forums. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from Tbilisi State University of Foreign Languages. Through her connection with Dr. Angela Oliver-Burgess, Tatiana met Paul “Budgie” Burgess and was deeply moved by their shared commitment to service and the power of transforming lives. Paul’s compassion and dedication to others left a lasting impression, inspiring Tatiana to join the board in honor of his legacy and to help carry this work forward.

Faith Hartsock earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Florida State University and currently serves as a Youth Program Coordinator with Smile Forward. Drawing from her lived experience with homelessness, foster care, substance misuse, and mental health, she brings compassion, authenticity, and deep understanding to the individuals and communities she serves. Faith also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Florida State College / University of Central Florida. In addition to her work in youth services, Faith serves on the Advisory Council for the Brevard Homeless Coalition and is Chair of its Lived Experience Committee, where she advocates for community-centered solutions. Faith is also currently connecting with agencies to provide individual therapy as a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern through her practice, Seeking Faith Counseling & Wellness. In her free time, Faith enjoys spending time with her family and reading a good book.