We bring you a world of experience

Supporters of CAFAmerica benefit from the extensive and specialized expertise and experience of its staff and Board.

Meet the staff
The CAFAmerica team has more than 40 years of combined experience in international grant making, program design and financial services. We welcome the chance to discuss your international philanthropic goals and are always available to take your call. We take special care to explain and clarify our cost structure since there are higher levels of due diligence required for global philanthropy from the US.

Engage in a conversation with us

	Susan Saxon-Harrold, PhD, Chief Executive Officer Susan has served as Chief Executive Officer of CAFAmerica since 2002. She is dedicated to working with a vast array of American donors to engage them in international philanthropy, and assists foreign nonprofits in understanding how they can build more effective relationships with US donors. Susan is also a member of the Board of Directors of The CAF American Donor Fund. Prior to joining CAFAmerica, Susan held positions as Vice President of Research, INDEPENDENT SECTOR in Washington, D.C., Head of Research at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), and as a Research Fellow at Volunteering England, London, where she was engaged in building a base of research knowledge about the nonprofit sector in the United States and Europe. In between research appointments, she created a UK grant making foundation (NEP International Trust) and ran a family company. Susan holds a B.A. (Hons) in Public Administration and Social Policy and an M.Phil and Doctorate in Business Studies from the University of Bradford (UK). “I am privileged to work at CAFAmerica and connect Americans with nonprofits and causes they care about. It is thrilling to share my knowledge of international philanthropy with donors, and visit charities around the world who are working in such inspiring ways.”
	Sheila Dawes, Grants Officer   Sheila works with the grant making team to manage donor funds and grant making. Prior to joining CAFAmerica in 2007, she worked for an international education nonprofit in Washington, D.C. and served as a research assistant at the Woodrow Wilson’s Kennan Institute. Sheila holds B.A.s in Political Science and Russian from the University of Notre Dame.
	Samantha Dutill, Grants and Donor Relations Manager Samantha manages donor funds and grant making. Before joining CAFAmerica in 2004, she worked as an office manager for a women’s wellness institute in Pennsylvania. She holds B.A.s in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Richmond. “When I read thank you letters from our grantees about orphanages and children who were given a chance to go to school, valuable medical research we’ve funded or suffering animals we’ve saved, I realize the positive difference CAFAmerica makes in people’s lives.”
	Jessica Necheles, Grants Assistant   Jessica joined CAFAmerica in December 2007.  Her responsibilities include assisting the grant-making team and responding to applicant and donor inquiries.  Jessica holds a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Wesleyan University.
	Denise Simpson, Director of Donor Advised Giving Denise has more than 12 years of experience in the philanthropic and corporate arenas. For the last four years, Denise was Business Planning and Development Manager for CAF in the UK. Prior to that, she worked in Product Management for Fidelity’s Charitable Gift Fund. Denise holds an MBA from Babson College and B.A.s in International Regional Studies and German Language and Culture from the University of the Pacific. “I like working for an entrepreneurial organization that truly cares about its donors and grantees. We connect individuals with the causes that matter most to them. We lift the burden of administration, freeing up our donors to focus on the fun bit — the giving!”
	Katherine A Tanham, Program Officer Katherine joined CAFAmerica as Program Officer in January 1998. She has experience in international grantmaking program management, the administration of various types of client accounts, and membership and fund development. Katherine has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Guilford College. “I enjoy knowing that I have a part in helping charitable organizations around the world receive much-needed funding. Even the smallest gift can make such a difference.”

Meet the board

	Janet C. Boyd, ESQ., President For more than 18 years, Janet has provided legal counsel to a number of tax-exempt organizations. She has served as a CAFAmerica board member since 1999, and as president of CAFAmerica since 2002. Janet currently works for the Dow Chemical Company in Washington, D.C., providing legal and policy advice on tax, corporate governance, and employee benefits issues. Before joining Dow, she was a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, L.L.P. Janet received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas-Austin and a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center. She is a member of the Bar in the District of Columbia and a member of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section. She also serves on the board of the Tax Council.
	Sarah Allan A CAFAmerica board member since 2000, Sarah Allan volunteers for several Washington, D.C. area nonprofit organizations, including the National Museum of American History. Sarah worked in finance for the IBM Corporation from 1979 to 1999 in managerial and program management positions. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
	Mara-Michelle Batlin Mara is a consultant and trainer in strategic planning, communications, and fundraising for US and international policy research institutes and non-governmental organizations. She was the Director of Development and the Associate Director of Strategic Training for the International Center for Economic Growth, a global network of policy research institutes. She is co-founder and president of NGOAlliance, whose mission is to create the tools and incentives for transparency and accountability of international NGOs. She received her B.A. in Economics from Mills College and her Masters in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
	Jeff Doyon Jeff Doyon joined CAFAmerica as Treasurer of the Board in March 2008. His responsibilities include financial management and compliance. He brings to CAFAmerica more than 20 years experience that includes leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit organizations, and experience in public accounting. Jeff holds a B.A. degree in Economics from the College of William & Mary, an M.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
	John Low Prior to joining CAF as the Chief Executive in 2007, John Low was Chief Executive with RNID. He is Chairman of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). After completing a PhD in Bio-Medical Physics specialising in speech and auditory feedback, he pursued a 20 year career in the technological industry, serving both western and developing markets, before moving to the voluntary sector. He is a Chartered Engineer, Companion of the Institute of Management and a fellow of the RSA.
	Russell Prior Russell joined CAF in the autumn of 2005. He is the Executive Director, Enterprise and Philanthropy Development, and responsible for Give As You Earn, CAF Company Account and Company Trusts. Two decades with Barclays furnished Russell with a wealth of knowledge and experience of the banking sector. At Barclays his roles included General Manager of Offshore Corporate Banking, Marketing Director of Premier Banking, and Strategy and Transformation Director of Premier Banking.