​Board of Directors

Warm Heart Worldwide Board of Directors

Dr. Dana Brown ​

PRESIDENT​
Professor Brown holds a BA in Political Science from Rutgers University, an M.Phil. in Russian and East European Studies from Oxford University and a PhD in Political Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Professor Dana Brown is the Dean of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
In addition to experience working in academic institutions,

Dana has also worked in business and with new start-ups, including Amazon.com in its early years. She has helped to establish a number of active learning initiatives for entrepreneurs and has a particular interest in social entrepreneurship and its impact on local economic development.
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Warm Heart is a big part of Dana’s life. She has visited Warm Heart multiple times, is a sponsor and donor, and has worked with Warm Heart on several educational initiatives.

Dr. D. Michael Shafer​

Former President (July 2008 – April, 2020)​
Dr. Shafer (B.A. Yale, Ph.D. Harvard), Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Rutgers University, is published widely in foreign policy and international political economy, and has taught at universities around the world.

Dr. Shafer is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a 21st Century Fellow. With funding from, inter alia, the Department of State and European Union, he has managed higher education reform initiatives in the Baltic states, Central and Eastern Europe, and Lebanon.
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Dr. Shafer is the founder of Global PACT, an international community development and civic engagement training program. With funding from Ford, Open Society Institute, Prudential and the United States Institute of Peace, he ran Global PACT programs in Brazil, Cambodia, Croatia, South Africa and Thailand. Since 2008 he has devoted himself entirely to Warm Heart.

Evelind Schecter​

Treasurer​
Evelind (B.A. Yale, M.B.A. Columbia) left her position as Director of Specialized Business Support Services at Merck and Company, Inc. to become Director of Finance at Warm Heart Thailand.

Born in Japan, and raised in Japan, Hong Kong and the Soviet Union, she has also had a long career in international business and consulting.
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With over twenty-five years of experience with business management, she brings Warm Heart her extensive knowledge of human resources, operations and technology.

  Joan Van der Veen​

Secretary
Educational Background: BFA Bachelor of Fine Arts in Marketing and Advertising Design from the University of Kansas, Lawrence; ASP Accredited Home Staging Professional

Professional Background: Joan has a wide range of experience and capabilities spanning professional activities including real estate, design and creative marketing and art director. Additionally, Joan continues to support a wide range of community service groups including but not limited to West Amwell Township Environmental commission, Planning Board and Fire Company Auxiliary.
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Her personal mission is enhancing lives through caring and consistent service. Finally, Joan has been a positive and steady supporter of Warm Heart throughout the years. Joan receives and manages the US based mail, donations and other critical administrative tasks.
Warm Heart Worldwide Board Members
Tara De Worsop 
Kim Wimbush
Tanvi Savla
Mark Baildon
Robert Hocking​​
Maisha Daniel
Paul Kuehn
Poly Lesova
Louise Donaghy
Kwanpiromtara Suksri
Warm Heart Foundation Board of Directors

Mr. Duangmawong​

Chairman of the Board
Mr. Duangmawong has served on the Warm Heart Board since 2009. He became Chairman of the Board in 2011.

​He has a degree in Education Administration from Sukhothai Thammathirat University and taught in Phrao for 22 years.

After retiring from teaching, Mr. Duangmawong was elected to serve as Board Member of Administration for Maewan Sub-District where Warm Heart’s offices were located from 2008 to 2012.
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Mr. Duangmawong’s background in education and community involvement drew him to Warm Heart.

Prachan “PJ” Jakeo​

Secretary
Prachan “PJ” Jakeo was born in Phrao. At the age of 17, he moved to the U.S. where he completed high school and joined the U.S. military.

​As a member of the United States Air Force, PJ was a logistics specialist, stationed across the United States and several countries overseas.
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After he retired from the USAF, he returned to live in Phrao. He provides the Foundation Board with complete bilingual and bicultural capabilities. He is an extraordinary community liaison.

​Between his mother’s family’s relatives, his father’s political connections, and his deep, personal rapport with the community, PJ opens a remarkable number of doors for Warm Heart.
Dr. D. Michael Shafer
Treasurer
Warm Heart Foundation Board Members

Mr. Intorn Chainurak​
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Ms. Brakeow Jailuek
Mr. Kanwee Phuangsaijai
Ms. Mala Jariyawuttanakun
Mr. Kamon Ruankaew
Ms. Kwanpiromtara “Aom” Suksri
Mr. Taweesak Wongwichai
Mr. Somchai Noonpakdee
Ms. Malee Puntoi
Mr. Sawhing Boonprom