As we approach our 40th anniversary in 2027, we are excited to share that the Roth Foundation has been growing a lot, in terms of both our programs and our board. We thought it might be interesting for you to “meet” the board members who make it all happen. So, welcome to the third edition of our Board Member Spotlight series!
Years ago, Roth Foundation support for my studies helped pave the way for a significant part of my career. After graduating from college, I won a Fulbright Scholarship to go research comparative family support systems in Sweden. I was also selected for one of the Roth Foundation’s first Project Support grants (1991), which enabled me to travel and expand my research on child support and social welfare policy. Upon my return, I met the foundation’s founder, Dick Arndt, who became a lifelong mentor and friend. I am so appreciative of him and his many kindnesses over the years. I’m honored to serve on the board that reflects his two great loves: cultural diplomacy and his wife, Lois.
After law school and several years at the Justice Department, I spent 13 years at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the Office of the General Counsel. I focused on issues arising under federal anti-poverty programs, including Head Start, foster care, child and elder abuse and neglect, refugee assistance, and public assistance for low-income families. International aspects of my work included participating in State Department delegations to negotiate bilateral child support agreements with El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
These tied quite directly to the value of mutual understanding and the role of culture in understanding what is and is not likely or possible when negotiating with other countries. My trajectory, from Fulbright to international negotiator, illustrates how a small seed can grow into important work and underlines the importance of increasing mutual understanding across borders. By supporting young researchers and other initiatives, we’re helping to build bridges to and foster better understanding of other cultures. I also find it incredibly rewarding to play a part in the intellectual and personal development of our awardees, who often become leaders in their fields.
Current challenges to federal funding for Fulbright and other programs create both challenges and opportunities for the philanthropic sector. We have been exploring new ways of promoting our objectives in light of the current political environment. Because there is a real need to support cross-cultural research and scholarship. For me, being on the Board brings me full circle while enabling me to work for things I value and believe in. I look forward to continuing my work with the Roth Foundation to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of others’ traditions, values, and perspectives.
