Brightening our Board of Directors: Welcome Heather & Maggi

As a nonprofit organization, the success of Unite to Light’s mission relies heavily on the dedicated and passionate individuals who serve on our board of directors. We are thrilled to welcome two phenomenal women who bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and perspective to our board: Heather Bennett and Maggi Alexander.

​Members of the board play a critical role in shaping the direction of Unite to Light and ensuring that we continue to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. We hope you'll join us in extending a warm welcome to Heather and Maggi and in celebrating the important work our board does on behalf of Unite to Light.

Heather Bennett 
Chief of Staff, Direct Relief
Heather Bennett is responsible for the coordination, alignment, and ability to execute effective decision-making, project management, and strategic initiatives across Direct Relief. Prior to serving in that role, Heather led strategic communication with philanthropic partners and led the acquisition of charitable private resources from individuals, corporations, and foundations.  Under her leadership, charitable contributions to Direct Relief grew substantially, resulting in increased humanitarian activities to help people in more than 100 countries gain access to needed medicines.

Heather in the Direct Relief Warehouse

Prior to joining Direct Relief, Heather worked at the Council of Community Clinics in San Diego, CA where she raised funds and developed programs to increase access to affordable and quality healthcare for low-income and uninsured people.  Heather has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and History from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Heather is excited to join the Unite to Light board because Direct Relief and Unite to Light already work closely to mobilize and deliver solar lights to people around the world affected by emergencies. She looks forward to strengthening that bond; the mission of Unite to Light resonates with her deeply as a humanitarian whose career has focused on changing lives for the better.

Maggi delivering Luke Lights in Kenya

Maggi Alexander 
Senior Partner, The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI)
Maggi Alexander directs TPI’s Center for Global Philanthropy. In this role she supports donors of all sizes to increase the impact of their giving through strategic planning, facilitation, social issues research, and design and evaluation of philanthropic strategies and initiatives.

In 1991, Maggi joined the International Youth Foundation (IYF) shortly after it was established, playing numerous key leadership roles as the organization grew, including direct program and organizational leadership of a fast-growing network of partner foundations across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Today, IYF is among the world’s leading public foundations focused on investing in young people, with operations in more than 100 countries.

​Over her career, Maggi has held several other senior leadership positions with national and international organizations, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, UNICEF, the Fetzer Institute, ImagineNations Group, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Maggi is currently a Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at Babson College and, in addition to Unite to Light, a board member for the Network for Engaged International Donors (NEID-Global). She has a master’s degree from John’s Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies.

Maggi is excited to join the Board of Unite to Light because she has seen firsthand the impact our powerful Luke Lights have for a child, a family, a school, a clinic, or after a disaster. Families living on less than $2 a day have told her how they can redeploy the money they save by not having to buy kerosene for dangerous lanterns. Children can complete their schoolwork and walk safely at night. These little Luke Lights make a big difference.

Mothers hugging over Luke Lights

We are thrilled to welcome Maggi and Heather! We are confident their skills and passion will contribute to Unite to Light’s growth — making a positive impact around the world. We are committed to supporting our board members and are grateful for their dedication to our success. With the guidance of our new members, we are excited to make the world even brighter!

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