Margot Calder,
President
My father’s humanitarianism anchors my life. He was a country doctor in a coal mining village in the north of England. Over the years, Dad empowered three bright boys by paying for grammar school and university. One boy became a nuclear scientist. Early in life I recognized that working with the under-privileged was not just “if” but “when”.
After forming a partnership with humanitarian Nanko van Buuren and his organization IBISS, my husband Richard and I officially incorporated BRAYCE in 2005. We provided enriching, educational opportunities to marginalized youngsters from Favela communities. Later we offered opportunities to American college-age kids to perform public service in Brazil.
Today, we continue, stronger than before, to provide life-changing opportunities for young people.
Mary Devins,
Vice President
Mary Devins has a master’s in Italian from the University of Connecticut. Mary recently retired from Connecticut College where she was the Associate Director of the The Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts. In this position she helped place more than 800 students in international internships around the globe. Mary has been a close friend of the Calder family since their children were young and is a strong believer and proponent of the mission and importance of an NGO such as BRAYCE.
Fenna Calder,
Secretary
A long-standing champion of BRAYCE’s mission, Richard and Margot’s youngest daughter, Fenna, officially joined the board in 2012 after ten years living abroad. With a background in marketing, Fenna has been able to combine her professional passion in communications with a personal belief in the power of strong communities and the impact young people can have when just given the opportunity to thrive. She is extremely proud to be a part of the BRAYCE organization by helping tell and share the stories of our remarkable BRAYCE recruits.
Richard Nicholson,
Treasurer
It was an honor to be asked to join the BRAYCE board. In the beginning, I had limited knowledge of its mission and how that was put into action. I was quickly very much impressed with the management of BRAYCE by Margot and others. I am now immersed in finances and fundraising and thoroughly enjoy being part of this great program.
Diana Nijboer,
BRAYCE Brazil
“I have had the honor of being involved with BRAYCE since 2016. I got to know their incredible program for giving marginalized kids from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro an opportunity to take part in the camp and leadership training at their fabulous Camp Hazen YMCA. It is a life changing, positive experience for these kids who will help to make their world for their families, communities, and themselves a better place. I personally got to know Margot in 2017 and her unwavering energy, dedication and passion are infectious and inspirational.” Diana is the founder and director of EduMais. EduMais helps young people develop their social and emotional, academic, and 21st century skills.
Caitlin Calder
Caitlin was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has been involved with BRAYCE since its inception. She is thrilled to be back with the organization as a board member to help enrich the educational and leadership opportunities for Brazilian youth. Caitlin works as an Assistant Attorney General for the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office. She lives in Chester with her husband, two young kids, 2 dogs and 15 chickens.
Robert Gay
Robert Gay, a long-time supporter, and friend of BRAYCE has been a Professor of Sociology with Connecticut College for the past thirty-five years. His connection to Brazil began as a teenager when his family relocated to São Paulo, Brazil. He is an ethnographer who has spent almost four decades conducting field research in the favela neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. He has written three books which examine democracy, civil society, and more recently, drug trafficking, violence, and organized crime in Brazil. Robert Gay resides in Old Lyme and enjoys playing tennis and golf.
Joe Hewitt
BRAYCE upskill young leaders dedicated to their communities, offering unique opportunities to drive positive change and ensure a brighter future for all Favela youth. It’s the very best of cultural exchange.
Joe Hewitt has been committed to community development through soccer for over twenty years and specializes in fostering enduring World Cup legacies. He leads a non-profit called The Sports Creative and is a Consultant to love.fútbol. Joe lived in Rio de Janeiro from 2013 to 2016 and co-founded the favela football program, SCUB Rio.
Angela Nucci
Hi, I am Angela Nucci. I am from Brazil, and 8 years ago I met Margot and learned about BRAYCE. Since then, I became a Hostess Family, volunteer, and now a board member.
Because I grew up in Brazil, I know first-hand how hard it is to find someone who believes in you and gives you a chance to change your life. That is exactly what BRAYCE does. BRAYCE gives the kids a chance to change their lives and teach them that they can do better. BRAYCE is an amazing organization and I am very proud of being part of it.
Holly Ridgway
I have had the pleasure and honor of being involved with BRAYCE since its’ inception. Richard and Margot have shared their infectious passion for giving marginalized kids an opportunity to take part in leadership training at our fabulous local Camp Hazen YMCA. It is a life changing, positive experience for these kids who will help to make the world a better place. I salute BRAYCE and its mission and continue to assist with “fund and friend raising“ events.
Brittany Silvestrini
Brittany Silvestrini is an advocate for education, community development, and environmental sustainability. With a background in both education and nonprofit work, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in nutrition.
Having traversed various parts of the globe, including Brazil, Brittany brings a global perspective to her endeavors. Currently residing in Chester, CT, she first became involved with BRAYCE through her local community engagement efforts. Brittany actively contributes to BRAYCE’s mission by assisting with fundraising initiatives and supporting the organization’s homestay program.
Karen Gano,
Consultant
*Our co-founder and former President, Richard H. Calder, sadly passed away in April 2015.
David Hess
David Hess began his fascination with and love of the world’s cultures, history, and languages growing up in the Washington, D.C. area. David entered the U.S. Foreign Service branch of the U.S. Agency for International Development in 1980. In his 27-year career, he served in seven countries across three continents. After retirement from USAID, David worked as Senior Vice President for Conservation International managing their investments in conservation and natural resource management in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia. He had one more long-term assignment living and working in Tanzania from 2015 to 2017.
