BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cara Lawler
Cara Lawler is the founder and CEO of Someone A World Away. She graduated from Chapman University in 2011 with two Bachelors of Arts degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting. She was the recipient of the 2014 IVHQ Volunteer of the Year Award ($5,000) and the 2015 Albert Schweitzer Rising Star Award from Chapman University ($5,000). Cara is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Organizational Development at USIU in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mary Lawler
Mary Lawler assists Cara in the day to day operations of SAWA. She is proud to have been a part of this amazing work since the very beginning. Through the years she has held various positions in Marketing and Retail. Most recently she worked in the Performing/Visual Arts Departments at Smoky Hill High School until 2014, when she left to devote her time to SAWA.
Tim Lawler
Tim has worked in the food service industry his entire career and is currently employed by Sodexo North America. As a seasoned leader and team builder, Tim has helped hundreds of clients all over the country to improve the quality of food and service to their customers. Tim has taken an active role in SAWA since its inception and is very proud of Cara and all she has accomplished.
Pamela Rainey Lawler
Pamela is the founder of Philabundance – the leading organization in the Philadelphia region dedicated to eliminating hunger and food insecurity. Founded in 1984 with a $1,500 investment, Philabundance serves more than 65,000 men, women, and children every week with a budget of more than $15 million. It was one of the first in the nation to successfully collect and distribute surplus perishable foods safely and efficiently. For more than two decades, she has helped organizations in various sectors achieve goals through fundraising and resource development, effective public/private partnerships, public relations and marketing, and issues advocacy. Pamela is thrilled to be involved with Cara’s international venture.
Ellie Morgan
Ellie Morgan met Cara while they were both volunteering at El Shadai in 2013. Ellie has been a graphic designer for over 15 years and was very excited to be asked to continue helping El Shadai (through the SAWA organization). She lives in Austin, Texas, with her son and is an advocate for adoption and foster care. Ellie recently published a children's book about the feeling of belonging, after adoption (Where I Belong: A Story About Family). Ellie hopes to assist Cara, and SAWA, in creating successful fundraising campaigns and meet the goals of the organization.
Raj Reddy
Raj Reddy is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Omirown. He founded Omirown in his Colorado bedroom at the age of 16. Since then, business leaders around Colorado and the United States have recognized Raj's entrepreneurial prowess. In 2013, Raj Reddy closed an investment deal with OtterBox Inc., becoming the youngest entrepreneur that renowned entrepreneur Curt Richardson has ever invested in. Raj has always been passionate about creating and building new ideas, and helps oversee SAWA's business and fundraising goals for the organization.
Board of Advisors
Tom Lisi
Tom Lisi and his wife Vicky Lisi have lived and raised their family in the Denver area for 30 years. He currently works for the City of Denver at Denver International Airport as the Manager of Continuous Improvement. He's previously had a long career with United Airlines in Denver, Chicago and New York. Tom and Vicky have supported SAWA and the work being done for the children of El Shadai for the past few years. We believe this is a unique opportunity to share our life with these young people and are blessed to know SAWA is having such a great impact a world away.
Vicky Lisi
Vicky Lisi and her husband moved to Colorado over 30 years ago from New York and raised their family in the Denver area. She currently works as a Manager for Cherry Creek Schools, and serves as the Homeless Liaison for the school district. Vicky has known Cara for 18 years and supports all of her efforts with SAWA and the work being done for the children of El Shadai.
OTHER VOLUNTEERS
Wendy Elliston
Wendy Elliston is a graphic designer for sailing/boating magazines over four titles in Australia, including Multihull World. Cara and Wendy met volunteering in Kenya in 2013. Although they only worked at El Shadai together for a single day, Wendy has continued to be an invaluable asset to SAWA and its operations. She has provided all of her services free of charge, including the SAWA logo, and numerous graphics. She has always had an unending dedication to the kids of El Shadai and we are so grateful for her help.
Richard Fassione
A long time neighbor and family friend, Richard offered his professional services to build and host our original SAWA website in 2014, and continues to support us with hosting services to this day. Our website is a crucial tool for us, as we have supporters and volunteers from all over the world. We would not have made it through our first few years without his help.