Our Peoples

Guatemala Aid Fund Board Members

Misal Bali

Development
Misal jumped right in with the Guatemala Aid Fund team sharing her tremendous energy and enthusiasm for helping the kids. Misal volunteers at other non-profits as well as working full time, and is always ready with insights and ideas for developing our programs and increasing our outreach. You may have seen her at fundraising tables surrounded by colorful Guatemalan and Indian textiles (shown below)

Bob Noel

Bob Noel at Teen to Teen Event

Board Member
Bob has been leading service trips for more than 15 years. He has grown especially passionate in his desire to help the most needy populations in Guatemala and reached out to the Guatemala Aid Fund, first by visiting the partner programs, and then by initiating service trips and specifically the support of education and early childhood support programs. Bob is Director of Service Leadership at the Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo North Dakota.

Bethany Eisenberg Zeeb

A visit to Guatemala

President and Founder
After returning from Guatemala in 1998 with her first child Bethany felt the need to give back to others less fortunate and began a small effort to assist children in Guatemala. Each time she returns she wishes to do more. With the outpouring of support from friends and family, the Guatemala Aid Fund has grown substantially and now seeks to provide assistance to abandoned and needy children in Guatemala with a specific focus on programs that support education, indigenous cultures and life long health to support productive futures and self sufficiency. Bethany also works as the Director of Stormwater Services at Vannasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Most important in Bethany’s life is her entire family and her friends, a source of joy and fulfillment on a daily basis.

Donna Von Halle

Donna with Christian

Director of Marketing
Donna von Halle donates her special talents as a graphics and marketing professional, as well as her passion and dedication for the kids in Guatemala to the GAF Board. Donna has a deep and personal connection to the children of Guatemala having visiting 15 times over the past six years while waiting for the completion of the adoption of her son Christian. She also twin teenagers, and works as a Communications Consultant. Donna is focused primarily on GAF's outreach and content development.

Eva Barbarics

Board Member
Eva came to one of the GAF Fiesta fundraiser after which she approached Bethany and said "I want to help", and she has! She immediately donated more than 20 pieces of handmade jewelry she designed for the Ebay Auction and has continued to provide tremendous support and hours for the volunteer efforts of the GAF. Eva's daughter Sophia also assists with volunteer efforts at the fundraising events.Even thought Eva has returned to her home country of Guatemala she continues as an active contributing member of the Board. Eva has visited all the GAF programs in Guatemala.

Melinda Eisenberg Paul

Lindy to the right

Treasurer
Lindy Eisenberg Paul, Bethany’s sister, has been involved in the GAF since the beginning and is now the Treasurer. Lindy has always been involved in the betterment of the lives of children and especially devoted to initiatives to provide safe and nurturing programs for the development of adolescents. Lindy works full time as an editor for a Scientific Publishing company and runs the environmental journal and academic book program. She is busy with work and family but hopes to visit the programs the GAF supports and hold some of the beautiful babies.

Martha Eisenberg

Martha has been the graphic designer and media developer for Guatemala Aid Fund since it began. Martha designed the logo for GAF, and is currently editing and designing a childrens book to benefit the GAF. Her design business is located in Arlington Massachusetts.

Former Board Members

Gisela Nilsson

Gisela, Daniel, Chepe & Jonatan

Gisela fell in love with Guatemala during a visit in November 2007 on a servicing trip to a home for boys located just outside Guatemala City. Gisela made many little friends at the Hogar, especially Daniel, Jonathan and Chepe. Gisela set up our website and provided technical guidance and supported all of our sales and events with a beautiful smile, always. Gisela works at an au pair agency in Cambridge, is a guide in Boston, and has a website about Boston.

Karen Buck

Karen furthest to the right

Karen and her family's lives were transformed by a brief encounter visiting Pedro Hermano Hospital while in Guatemala to adopt their two children; Kristina and Luis. They delivered a package to Pedro Hermano Hospital from Bethany and were overwhelmed by their kindness and by their needs. Karen's heart opened by the boundless love, the connection to our Guate sisters and brothers was forever sealed.The Bucks are proud sponsors of an eleven year old boy, Francisco Cifuentes through the Safe Passage Program. The Buck family volunteered at their site at the Guatemala City Dump (where many families dig for income) in summer of 2009.

Kathy Stubbs

Kathy with Jack, Sarah & Nicolas

Kathy was instrumental in the early growth & success of GAF. She started the Amazon Smile program and the Ebay giving works. She is the proud mother of three Guatemalan-born children. Seeing a level of poverty first hand on her last trip to Guatemala with her husband, where people’s basic needs of life are not met, moved her to tears and solidified her desire to help. "Despite the poverty these children live with everyday they were so loving, generous with their hugs and grateful for anything they were offered." Another cause close to Kathy's heart is Gals for Cal.