Meet Our Board Members

BOARD CHAIRPERSON

As one of the founders of the Outreach Mission at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Indianapolis, I went on the parish's very first trip to Honduras in 2000. A year later, members from that group and I founded Friends of Honduran Children, Inc. I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Physical Education and Health K-12, with additional credentials through Ball State University in Adapted Physical Education. I taught Physical Education for 12 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and pursued my interest in special needs children with one- or two-year teaching positions at St. Mary’s Child Center, Indiana School for the Deaf, and Noble Preschool. Currently I direct FHC's Education and Scholarship fund.

BOARD MEMBER

I am a professional educator who spent close to 20 years teaching and supporting young people and serving in a variety of local non-profit organizations. While teaching in Indianapolis, I embarked on my first mission trip to Honduras in 2003 with FHC President, Beth Murphy. During that visit, I discovered the beauty of Honduras and the Honduran people, but also saw firsthand the challenges teachers and students face every day. I completed my capstone project for my Master’s program by spending one month at Nuevo Paraiso in Honduras studying the ways in which special education was integrated into the classroom. I’m looking forward to serving on the FHC Board!

BOARD MEMBER

I graduated and was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in 2009. I completed my military service teaching, coaching, and serving as the operations officer with the Indiana University Army ROTC Program. Upon leaving military service in 2021, I moved back to Indianapolis and transitioned into corporate America, accepting a role with Eli Lilly & Company. I currently serve as a senior manager in plant engineering at the Indianapolis Parenteral Manufacturing site. I made my first trip to Honduras in April of 2022 with a small group, inspired to go by my sister, who has made many trips since 2013. I am looking forward to contributing to FHC!

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Scott L. Coven is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant at Indiana University. He was invited by Drs. John Stevens and Tanty Angulo Parker in 2021 to join their efforts in Honduras. Additionally, he has been active in several countries in Africa conducting global health initiatives. While in Honduras, he has partnered with local oncologists to bring attention to comprehensive neuro-oncology care. He is also augmenting programmatic development throughh is research experience to aid the current efforts in cystic fibrosis and rehabilitation medicine.

BOARD MEMBER

Introduced to the Honduras mission early on at IHM School, I jumped at my first chance to join the youth mission trip in 2011. I have made several return visits, each trip deepening my profound admiration for Latin language and culture. These experiences inspired me to pursue a major in Spanish with a minor in Latino studies which I feel strengthened my connection to the Honduran children. I sponsor one child through FHC but for many years have been eager to get more involved. As a member of the board, I hope to contribute to the growth of the Honduran mission so that others can have the opportunity to experience the transformative love, steadfast faith, and rich culture of the Honduran people.

BOARD MEMBER

My first trip to Honduras was in June, 2006 with one of my daughter’s, Liz, who was on a return trip after her first youth trip with Immaculate Heart of Mary in 2005. Not always together, she and I have returned many times since then with either the adult group, Christmas brigade, or as leaders with the youth group. The rest of my family has made at least one trip over the years. We have sponsored Kevin and Senaida Zazo since 2006 and they are both now successful college students in Tegucigalpa majoring in nursing and accounting respectfully. I joined the board in 2015 and assist the treasurer and work with the Education and Scholarship Fund.

BOARD MEMEBER

Inspired by three family members who had gone multiple times in the past 15 years, my first trip to Honduras was in February of 2014 with Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Since that first trip, I have been back multiple times, always drawn to the faith, simplicity, and sense of family that you cannot help but feel in the presence of the Honduran people. I joined the Board in the fall of 2018 to remain involved with Honduras beyond my mission trips and hope to share my experience and passion for Honduras with those in the greater community. I will be working primarily on FHC’s Education and Scholarship fund.

BOARD MEMBER

I became acquainted with FHC several years ago when I attended my first FHC gala. I have attended multiple galas since and am amazed at how far the organization has come and what it has been able to do in Honduras. I have a love for missions. My husband and I have led over 15 trips to Brazil in over 20 years through our church. We know what it is to form relationships, work alongside the people in their country, and help facilitate new ideas. I cannot wait to build this same bond with the people of Honduras!

BOARD MEMBER

Anne participated in two Honduras youth trips in 2013 and 2017. She has attended several FHC Galas, and has served on the gala committee. Her family co-sponsors three FHC children and assists a university student as well. She looks forward to becoming more involved with FHC and using her time and talents where needed. Anne feels she still has much to learn about the in’s and out’s of the organization but is a ready and willing learner. Professionally, Anne is a nurse and has worked at Rush in Chicago, St. Vincent’s Women’s Hospital in Indianapolis, and UpJohn Pharmaceutical Company.

BOARD SECRETARY

I first traveled to Honduras in 2008 with Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Indianapolis, the same year I joined the board of FHC. My family began sponsoring Meri Gabriela Servellón in Nuevo Paraiso and Axel Ariel Sevilla at Pedro Atala (now at Santiago House) after my next trip in 2009. Since then, I’ve been blessed to visit our friends in Honduras about twice a year as a traveler or leader on adult and youth trips. My professional background is in journalism: I was the managing editor of Outside Magazine and Rand McNally publishing and a freelance writer for several travel magazines. I have three children, the youngest of whom is adopted from Guatemala.

BOARD MEMBER

I am a Salvadoran physician currently working in Indianapolis. Since 2019, I have served on several mission trips to Honduras with Dr. John Stevens and have seen first-hand the rewarding job that FHC does. Since the beginning of my career and throughout my years of training in the US, I have worked in global health initiatives. Initially, I worked with Dr. Chuck Dietzen and Timmy Global Health and then with Dr. Stevens in creating education programs for graduate medical providers in El Salvador and Honduras. We have also worked on helping programmatic development in the areas of attention to patients with Cystic Fibrosis, comprehensive neuro oncological care, comprehensive rehabilitation medicine care, and comprehensive burn care in Honduras and El Salvador.

BOARD MEMBER

I started going to Honduras in the summer of 2010 when my older daughter went with our church youth group. I fell in love with the children and people of Honduras, their infectious joy, and inspirational faith. I soon volunteered to help with sponsorship so I could remain connected with the children, and have enjoyed being the Director of Sponsorship for several years now as it has given me the opportunity to get to know each of these beautiful children. My own family's visit in December 2011 to bring sponsor presents to the children for Christmas was the start of an annual Christmas mission trip to bring, purchase and wrap presents for more than 200 children each year. Honduras is now our family's second home!