Our Board
Hanifa Nakiryowa is the CERESAV President
Hanifa Nakiryowa is originally from Uganda and now lives in the USA She is a very passionate social activist and an advocate for women’s and children’s rights. She represents women’s voices on different platforms both locally and internationally.
Hanifa is the founder of the Center for Rehabilitation of Survivors of Acid and burns Violence (CERESAV). A mother of two daughters, Hanifa survived an
Her experience navigating the complex medical care for acid burns in Uganda and the psychological challenges of living with a maimed face inspired her to start CERESAV in 2012 to support acid attack survivors by providing psychosocial support, medical support, economic empowerment, community reintegration, sensitization and awareness raising to stop such kinds of attacks. In 2019, she established an Education Fund to support the children of survivors of acid attack violence to have a decent education as a key to prevent all forms of exploitation. She says that she finds beauty in her scars and is on a mission to work with scarred people whether visible or invisible to find beauty in their own scars and use them as a springboard to rise up and influence change.
Tim Abbot is the CERESAV Board Chairman
Tim Abbot was the managing director of a charity called The Aldingbourne Trust for 12 years which provided residential and work experience for people with learning disabilities. He has been a Lay advisor on the Lord Lieutenants Sub Committee for
Hampshire in the UK. This work involved appointing and disciplining magistrates. He is the owner of a holiday company called Cornish Seaview Cottages which manages holiday cottages in Cornwall in the UK. He also owns some other companies which have properties which provide social housing and accommodation for rental. He is trustee of a charity called Ukraine Christian Partnership which provides support for people living in the Ukraine who have been coping with living in poverty and more recently with the devastating consequences of war.
David J Dunworth
David J Dunworth, a Strategic Philanthropist, and the Managing Trustee of Trinity International Ministries FBO has served Fortune 50, as well as SMB clients for over 41 years. He knows firsthand what unique challenges and demands NGOs, nonprofits and entrepreneurs face daily while balancing their practice and personal lives.
After spending 26 years in elite private clubs here and abroad, he retired with the knowledge and forethought of cultures from living in thirteen different countries on five continents. Knowing the paths of professionals as well as the poverty-stricken masses from all walks of life, David is equipped to advise diverse stakeholders.
With first-hand experience supporting other nonprofits, such as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fairlane Community Mental Health Centre in Dearborn, Michigan, Board position for the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Cleveland Restaurant Association, Michigan Bach Festival, Michigan Leukemia Society, and the Michigan Cancer Foundation.
Dr. Jessi Hanson-DeFusco
Dr. Jessi Hanson-DeFusco is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Lawrence Technological University, holding a PhD in international development and public policy from the University of Pittsburgh. With experience in international development, Jessi has worked in Latin America, West Africa, and North America, collaborating with various NGOs and government agencies. They focus on improving policy for marginalized communities facing extreme poverty, health crises, and limited public services. Their research areas include global health policy, neocolonialism, and inclusive policymaking. Jessi advocates for diversity, equity, and collaboration with impacted communities to drive sustainable change.
Susan Paff
Susan Paff is founder and lead strategist of Ideality Communications, a boutique branding and marketing agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Leveraging the agency’s brand discovery process which defines an organization’s values, attributes and culture and infuses them into goal-focused strategies, she’s helped a wide range of small businesses and nonprofits build, protect and promote their brands. She is also a founding member and advisory board member of Inspired Women, a philanthropic giving circle marching toward a collective giving goal of $1M dollars donated to women’s nonprofits both locally and globally.
Beth Seaman
Beth Seaman is a seasoned leader in product design and user experience with over 20 years of expertise spanning industries from fintech to entertainment. Most recently, Beth served as Vice President of Global Product Experience at a prominent provider of entertainment payroll software, where she led a team in delivering innovative product solutions.
She joined the Ceresav board as a member in 2021, bringing with her a comprehensive understanding of digital media, website development best practice and content creation and strategy. As a passionate contributor, Beth also acts as a liaison for Los Angeles
bound survivors of acid attack embarking on their medical journey’s through reconstruction and healing.
Beth holds a Master’s degree in Information Management & Systems from UC Berkeley, where she specialized in Human-Computer Interaction. She is currently an advisor for two emerging AI technology companies, one focusing on health & wellness, and the other specializing in dynamic pricing models for CPG product portfolios.
Christopher Temple
Christopher Temple is an experienced IT professional with over 15 years of expertise in managing and optimizing enterprise technology systems. He has a strong background in leadership, technical architecture, and project management, with achievements in cloud migrations, technology governance, and data integration. Christopher’s work spans various industries, focusing on innovation, operational efficiency, and aligning technology solutions with business objectives.