About Us: Who We Are
Helen Boxwill
Executive Director of h² Empower Inc.
As an educator for the past 30 years, Helen Boxwill has taught kindergarten through high school, been aDirector of Language Arts and then Principal and is currently coordinating a family literacy program. She spent one year as a volunteer in Ethiopia, teaching a Ministry of Education mandated licensing program to college teachers in Hosanna Teacher Training College. While there she not only was able to travel around the country but worked with female students, local teachers and set up a library system through the town of 45,000. Helen won the Teacher of the Year Award from her sponsoring agency, International Foundation for Education and Self Help. Since 2005 she spearheaded a campaign to send books to various schools in Ethiopia and so far 90,000 books have been sent to 5 colleges, 30 primary schools, 25 secondary schools, 4 private schools, two town libraries and a hospital library. She has been training teachers in Ethiopia and making presentations to children and adults, connecting people and institutions to make a difference in people's lives.
Hope McGrath
Secretary and Director of h² Empower Inc.
Hope McGrath has worked in the fashion and art industry producing shows, events and handling public relations. Always wanting to make a difference, she was instrumental in solidifying donors to fund books shipments, get publishing houses to donate children’s books and building relationships with corporate sponsors, along with producing special fundraising events. Her artisitic and business experience has helped move the work forward and further connect people.
Andre Boxwill
President of h² Empower Inc.
As a graduate of the Friend’s World Program of Long Island University, Andre has studied and traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia he worked with college students, local farmers, environmental clubs and local agricultural organizations. Andre specializes in Sustainable Development and Cultural Anthropology. He is very passionate and connected to the developmental needs of the people and works to develop, and implement projects in the United States and in Ethiopia.
BOARD of DIRECTORS
- Andre Boxwill
- Helen Boxwill
- Blanca Duarte Martini
- Rhoda Koenig
- Marilyn Kopp-Hecker
- Anthony Martini
- Hope McGrath
- Katie Russo
- Todd Schlitt
Advisory Board
- Mary Beth Guyther
- Mamo Mengesha
Wolde Amanuel Abiya
