Leadership.

Rob has held the position of Chief Executive Officer for Gift of Life International since February 2008. He graduated from Hobart College in 1984 with a BS in Political Science. Directly out of college Rob went to work for United States Senator Alphonse D’Amato (R-New York) from 1984 to 1986. He worked for Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) from January1987 until 1999, where he held the position of Vice President. From 1999 to 2007 Rob managed his own political consulting business. As Chief Executive Officer of Gift of Life International, he has focused on the creation of sustainable pediatric cardiac surgery programs in developing countries. Presently he is working to develop programs in Bolivia, Panama, The Philippines, Romania, Jamaica and The Dominican Republic. Rob resides in Germantown, New York.

Robbie Donno was born in Manhasset, NY.  He is a graduate of La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, Long Island and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.  He met his wife, Barbara, at Duquesne and they were married in 1969.  Barbara has been the Mayor of the Village of Plandome Manor, in Manhasset for the past 13 years.  They have two children, Jacqueline and Matthew and two grandchildren, Emma and James.

He joined Manhasset Rotary in 1971 and became its President in 1975.  That was the year that changed his life.  There was a plea for help from the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda on behalf of 5-year old Grace Agwaru who was suffering from a congenital heart defect.  Grace was brought to St. Francis Hospital where she received her lifesaving surgery and the Gift of Life Program had its start.

In 2003, Gift of Life International was formed and Robbie was elected its first Chairman.  Over 37,000 children from 80 countries have received corrective heart surgery through Gift of Life chapters throughout the world.  His leadership in the Gift of Life was noted in the book, “Leadership by Example – The Ten Key Principles of All Great Leaders” written by Dr. Sanjiv Chopra and published in May 2012.  Gift of Life received prominent recognition in the book “Lady in Red” by Sheila Tate, referring to Mrs. Nancy Reagan’s involvement with 2 Korean children and the Gift of Life as her greatest diplomatic achievement.

Reflecting on Rotary and the Gift of Life, Donno says; “I have been a part of Gift of Life for 45 years and have seen the heart-felt involvement of thousands of people around the world.  Rotary is the platform that has allowed us to make a difference.  This experience has confirmed my belief that I am always surrounded by good people, unsung heroes who improve the lives of people that they don’t know, for no other reason than their need.  I am blessed to be in their company.”

Robbie was a principal of Donno Company, Inc, from 1970 to 1997.  He was Vice President of Eastern Waste of New York from 1997-1999 and is now a principal at Lemcor, Inc. of Newark, NJ.  He has been a leader in the solid waste industry for 50 years.  He has received many awards for his leadership in the industry and for his philanthropic endeavors.

James’ career in the fine art world started as a young man as he was inspired by his family which was made up of artists and musicians. James graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BFA. While exhibiting his work in both New York and Long Island, he was the Gallery Director for the Amber Palette which was located on Madison Avenue in Manhattan for 5 years. At the age of 26 he decided to open LaMantia Gallery in Northport where he has been for the past 28 years.

Over the years, he has been invited to sit on panel discussions at numerous art conventions around the country. He has had articles published, has been regularly quoted in trade magazines and was proud when the gallery was voted “The #1 Gallery in the Nation for Retail Excellence” by Décor Magazine in 2005.

While successful in business, James is also involved in many community projects and is most proud of being the Chair for the Gift of Life Long Island since September 2017. He has been on the board of directors for Gift of Life Long Island since 2007. James has also been President of the Northport Rotary Club, twice. In addition to his Rotary experience, James has sat on the board of SCOPE in Northport Village in the early 90’s, as well as sitting on the Architectural and Historical Review Board for Northport Village.
James is most passionate for the Gift of Life stemming from an incident from his childhood which has led him to a life of protecting and caring for those in need.

James is best known as someone who can energize a group. He is a high energy individual, communicative and thinks creatively. From running and promoting fundraisers, to climbing Mt. Marcy, the tallest peak in New York which raised over $11,000 for Gift of Life, James gets things done!

Suzanne Freaney, Past-President of Gift of Life International (GOLI), first became involved with Gift of Life New Jersey Inc. in 1998 and continues to serve on their Board of Trustees. She was introduced to GOLI in 2003, elected to the Board of Directors in 2007, became Secretary to their Board in 2010, and was elected to serve her first of two terms as President in 2013, completing her second term in 2017.
Suzanne and her husband, Ray, reside in Berkeley Hts., NJ. They have one daughter, Caitlin.
Suzanne is ARFF & Customs Administrator for DM AIRPORTS, LTD., operators of Morristown Municipal Airport, where she has been employed for the last eighteen years.

In 1986 shortly after they were married Arnie & Rose moved to Ronkonkoma and joined St. Joseph’s Parish where he is still active today as a Eucharistic Minister. He quickly got involved in the community joining the St. Regis Knights of Columbus that same year. In 1987 Arnie & Rose started their family and now have three wonderful children. Today, Arnie & Rose’s family is grown and is very much involved in Rotary. Rose joined rotary in 2011, is the STEP Chair, RFE Co- Chair and Club Secretary. His son Justin is a Past RC President and Rotaract Chair. His daughter Chelsea attended International RYLA in Canada and started the first Interact Club in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn. His daughter Taylor participated on a Short-Term Youth Exchange and attended International RYLA in Australia.

In 1983 Arnold founded his first company, Watermatic Irrigation, over the next decade he grew the company & changed the name to TLC Lawn Sprinklers. After building the company to one of Long Island’s largest Sprinkler Companies Arnold sold it to begin a new business. In 1993 Arnold purchased a Commercial Cleaning account and started a small office cleaning business with 3 part time employees. Over the next 20 years this company evolved into Ronkonkoma Experts, with its main office located in Ronkonkoma. He holds top restoration credentials and is considered to be a Master Restorer Fire, Smoke & Water Damage. The company employs 25 people and is recognized as one of the top restoration Contractors in the North Eastern United States.

Being the son of a Deacon, the importance of faith and service were impressed upon him from a young age. Arnold has been a long time usher, and for the past 15 years a Eucharistic Minister. He was a soccer coach at St. Joseph’s CYO, he was also involved in Scouting for ten years spending for as the Chairman of St.Joseph’s Boy Scout Troop 272. He has been a member of the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce 20 years and during his tenure as President he started the Ronkonkoma Street Fair.

In 2000 Arnie was invited to join the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club and he served as Governor for District 7260 (Suffolk County) 2010 -2011. Arnie and his wife Rose have taken multiple trips to India to administer polio vaccinations and oversee a grant that equipped a medical clinic. Arnie has also gone on 12 humanitarian missions to Haiti to provide much needed water wells, medical equipment, satellite communications and solar panels in 4 different villages.

After his son’s girlfriend, Andrea Giattino, was killed by a drunk driver while on her way home from a Rotary Event, Arnold and his family founded The Simple Hope Foundation to combat drunk driving & substance abuse deaths. Arnold & the Foundation work to make our roads safer by funding research, creating awareness and helping to “make drink driving matter”.

Arnie’s passion of giving back to the community, locally as well as internationally, with his whole heart, his time, his talent, his leadership and his family is an inspirational source to everyone!!

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

 I have contributed to various organizations for many years during my life, and I will focus on recent activities.

• Rotary – I have been an active Rotarian in Sarasota for 12 years. I have been a current member of the Sarasota Southside Rotary Club for the last 10 years. I have been appointed to serve on their Board of Directors. I have attended many District and International Conferences.
• Rotary Gift of Life of Florida – This organization is associated with Rotary and focuses on bringing lifesaving heart surgery to children in developing countries. I have been a board member since 1994 and currently serve as Secretary.
• Gift of Life International – This is a world-wide organization with many programs throughout the world. I was elected to the Board in July 2014 and served as Secretary for four years and as a Director for two years. I currently attend fundraisers and special events. The International organization focuses on the development of sustainable pediatric cardiac programs in developing countries.
• Faces of Accomplishment – I currently mentor a high school student at Riverview High School. This is a program that matches at-risk students with adult mentors.
• Mira Lago Community – I was elected to the Board of Directors of the HOA in 2014 and was Vice President for one year and then served three years as President. I spearheaded many changes and capital improvements. I also chaired the committee for the Pool Renovation and additionally chaired the Lakes Committee. I applied and received a grant for the implementation of floating islands in the lakes.
• Palmer Ranch Master Association – I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019 and served a two-year term as Treasurer. I am currently a Director and a member of the Advisory Committee. Recommended an alternative strategy for employee health insurance, resulting in the Association saving over $10,000 in annual premiums. Currently developing an option for a 13-acre tract of land to be enhanced with a nature preserve. The Master Association oversees 14,000 homes. Prior to this position, I served as a community representative to the Master Association.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

I have spent my entire career in Sales and Sales Management in the Healthcare industry across a broad spectrum of settings.

• Pharmaceutical Wholesale Industry – For fifteen years, I worked in the selling of pharmaceuticals, over the

counter products, advertising programs, merchandising programs, POS ordering systems, etc. to retail pharmacies, hospitals, and infusion companies. I was Sales Manager for the New York-Long Island area with a regional company and later worked for a national company serving as Sales Manager for the Northeast, covering seven states.

• Sarasota Blood Bank – Upon relocating to Sarasota in 1992, I worked for six years in marketing and public relations with the blood bank. I was responsible for the collection of approximately one fourth of the center’s blood supply. Increased donor participation 500% at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
• Pharmaceutical Industry – I returned to the industry in a different capacity, detailing pharmaceuticals to physicians for six years. I was responsible for a broad spectrum of pharmaceuticals, detailing products to pediatricians, primary care physicians, gynocologists, cardiologists, urologists, rheumatologists, otolaryngologists, and oncologists.
• Health Insurance Industry – For the next seven years, I worked in direct sales for a national company. I handled various products, including life insurance, disability insurance, long term care insurance, all Medicare products, and individual health insurance for the under age 65 marketplace, including the introduction of Obamacare. I am also licensed for property and casualty products.

In April 2014, I retired from active employment. However, I maintain a consultant’s license for both disciplines.

Carl Campagna is in the wholesale food distribution business in New York. Carl is involved in a number of charitable and civic organizations in New York helping children. He is a board member for The Kings County Youth Organization, HeartShare and HeartShare Wellness which provide a wide range of services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, families in crisis, and people with HIV/AIDS. He is a member and past president of The Rotary Club of Verrazano Brooklyn, New York and a member of the Chairman’s Council of Gift of Life International.
Carl Campagna became involved with Gift of Life International in 2008 when a 10 year old boy from the Philippines had a heart operation at NYU Hospital in NYC and passed away, the surgery was sponsored by the Campagna Family in memory of their father who was a charter member of The Rotary Club of Verrazano. It was at that point when Carl decided to get involved with Gift of Life International making friends with the late Aldo Frustaci, Francesco DiMarco and the Gift of Life Family.
As a member of Gift of Life International Carl has seen first hand the work that goes into help saving a child in need of heart surgery whether home or abroad. Through Gift of Life International Carl has met many wonderful people whose goal is Healing little hearts around the world

Larry recently retired as President of the global nonprofit FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) a robotics community inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders and innovators. Prior to FIRST, Larry was a technology and transformation leader in Financial Services for more than thirty years including thirteen years at AllianceBernstein (AB) as Partner, Global Head of Operations and Technology and previously Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. 

Larry was highly engaged in AB’s Corporate Responsibility efforts, and he established a workforce development partnership with Year Up to provide career opportunities and training for young adults in the local community.  He also championed a STEM education partnership with FIRST to sponsor and mentor high school robotics teams. The relationship with Year Up led to AB’s recognition as an Outstanding Employer by the New York City Employment and Training Coalition.  

Larry received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International for his commitment to helping others by volunteering his time and talent. He was President of the Rotary Club of New York during its 110th year, and he served Rotary District 7230 as District Rotaract Chair.  He was a panelist at Rotary Day at the United Nations speaking about Business Inspiring Youth and Empowering the Next Generation, and he has been a speaker and panelist on Technology Innovation in Financial Services, Workforce Diversity, and the Power of Mentorship.

Larry was Chair of the Board of Directors of Bridges to Prosperity, an organization that provides isolated communities with access to essential healthcare, education, and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers. He helped build footbridges in Africa and Latin America, and his first Rotary meeting was in Nicaragua while on a bridge building trip.  He is also a mentor at Columbia University for the Executive Master of Science in Technology Management.

Janet has been a Member of the Pleasantville Rotary Club in Westchester County, NY for 29 years. She has served as Club President and served on every committee in the club.

Janet was introduced to GOL in 1995 when PDG Gilda Chirifisi introduced it to District 7230. She has attended every fundraiser that District 7230 has had for the program. Her club is a supporter of GOL and she continues to encourage other clubs to be involved in the program. She served on the Board of Directors of GOL Metro New York.

Janet has been the DRFC in District 7230 and has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to GOL through DDF and Global Grants. She has been raising money for GOL for a number of years through other districts and clubs. Janet has a number of contacts around the world that she reaches out to obtain funding for GOL.

Janet is currently the Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 32.

Janet is a PDG 2000-01, Major Donor, Bequest Society Member, and a member of the Paul Harris Society. This year she is serving a second term as DG. The person who was to be DG had to resign the position and as the Vice Governor it came to me to serve out her term.

Janet has received the Rotary Service Above Self Award as well as RI Foundation Meritorious Service Award.

Kathy was raised in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.  She began a career in banking in 1980 and after almost 20 years changed her career focus to Human Services.  She worked 10 years in the non-profit sector and while in that field she held the position of Executive Director for a non-profit agency in Moorestown, New Jersey that provided support to families that had lost loved ones due to a traumatic death.   She returned to her career roots in banking and currently is the Senior Vice President of Branch Administration and Business Development  for Liberty Bell Bank in Marlton, New Jersey. 

Kathy became a member of the Rotary Club of Moorestown in December 1988.  She has been actively involved in the club at many levels.  She was the President of her club during Rotary’s Centennial year, 2004-2005.  Kathy served as an Assistant Governor in District 7500 for three years and also held the position of District Secretary during 2007/2008.  She is a member of the Paul Harris Society, the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society and a Major Donor.  She served as District Governor for District 7500 in 2009/2010.  She was the District 7500 Foundation Chair 2013-2015 and completed her term in June as the Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 32. She now will serve in the position of District Foundation Chair for the new District 7505.    Kathy serves as the Board Chair for the Rotary District 7500 Gift of Life Foundation that supports missions to provide corrective pediatric heart surgery for children in developing countries.  Kathy also serves as President of the Board for Contact of Burlington County which is the designated agency to provide Sexual Assault services to the residents of Burlington County.  She is also involved in her community serving on many Boards with many organizations.

Kathy resides in Swedesboro, New Jersey, with her husband Harry, who is a Hospice Administrator.  She has two grown children, Scott and Nicole.  She also has a beautiful granddaughter, Elise Marie that she truly enjoys.  Kathy’s hobbies include cooking and spending time on the beach at her home at the Delaware shore.

After graduating from Frederick Polytechnic University located in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1991 with a Higher Diploma in Graphic and Advertising Design, Ruba Karadsheh started working at a worldwide company called Publicis Graphic as a graphic designer. However, life took her to another turn as an interior designer where she joined her husband, Na’el Musharbash, in expanding his business in residential and commercial projects between Jordan, Egypt, and Canada.

Ruba has been involved with Gift of Life for 6 years, where it all started through the collaborative efforts of mothers in her children’s school to fundraise money and sponsor 2 children for heart surgery with Gift of Life Amman – GOLA during its early years. The heart-warming results opened her eyes to charity work where her and her husband, who was elected as the president of GOLA in 2016, saw the need to expand the project due to Jordan’s refugee crisis, with the help of GOLI and the Rotary Clubs. Due to her constant leadership and remarkable efforts in the expansion of the project, Ruba was recognized by GOLI, where she received the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2020 and was appointed as the Ambassador of GOLI in Jordan.

Her passion to serving others and giving back to the community expands to her other involvements as a member of the board of director at the YWCA in Jordan, a steering committee member for the Life in Abundance (LiA) initiative launched by The Global Challenges Forum Foundation, and a member in the Inner Wheel Club of Amman Philadelphia.

Ruba currently resides in Jordan with her husband, Na’el. She has 2 grown children, Farah and Noor. Ruba’s hobbies including reading, traveling, listening to music, horse-riding, and spending time with her extended family.

Albana Krasniqi was born and raised in Prishtina, Kosova. Growing up in Kosova, Albana saw firsthand the struggles of an oppressed nation headed for the war. That experience was the foundation for her deep-seeded drive to volunteer and help families and children at risk. 

Albana was fortunate to arrive in the United States in 1995 to pursue her education before the war began in 1998. After she arrived in the United States, she continued to assist families in Kosova whenever given the opportunity. Albana received a B.S. in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Finance from Mercy College, NY while working full time for the Albanian American Newspaper – Illyria.

She currently works as a financial analyst (Portfolio Risk Management) for Ambac Assurance Corp, a Financial Guaranty Insurer, headquartered in NYC.  Her responsibilities include managing and analyzing the financial risk of several types of transactions within the insured portfolio (ie., municipalities, military housing, and structured products).

Even as her career flourished in the U.S., she maintained close ties to Kosova through family and friends within the Albanian community both in the United States and in Kosova. In May 2007, Albana received “The American Dream” award from the International Institute of New Jersey for her volunteer work within the community.

Through community-based volunteer work, Albana began to focus her efforts and donate her time to work with the Gift of Life International (GOLI), an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization with the primary objective of diagnosing and providing life-saving heart surgeries for children all over the world. 

Inspired by the organization’s goals, she established a fund raising event to implement the first screening mission in Prishtina, Kosova in May 2012 with the objective of helping 25 children.  Since then, GOLI has conducted yearly screening missions in Kosova. As of April 2021, Albana’s efforts have screened over 600 children and raised funds to support sponsoring of over 180 lifesaving open heart surgeries for Kosovar children.

Albana served as a board member of Gift of Life International from 2014-2020.

In February 2014, Albana received a “Humanitarian Award” from Gift of Life – Rotary District 7230 – Westchester Chapter for helping save the lives of Kosovar children.

In June 2016, Albana served as the “Honorary Marshal” of the Albanian Parade in NYC, organized by the Albanian Roots organization.

In March 2017, Albana received the “Woman of Year” award from Kosova’s General Consulate in NY and represented Kosova at the “The Society of Foreign Consuls” in NY.

Again in March 2017, Albana received the “Woman of the Year” award from the Albanian American Women’s Organization (AAWO) Motrat Qiriazi, for her humanitarian work to facilitate heart surgeries for Kosovar children.

In August 2018 – Albana received FIDES Award for Contribution of Diaspora from Forum for Civic Initiatives Foundation which is given to an individual or a company from Diaspora who has been engaged in philanthropic activities in Kosovo.

In 2020 Albana received the Rotary Service Above Self “Paul Harris” award.

Tarun Mehta currently serves as Managing Director and Group Head of Financial Services Investment Banking at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, a part of Trust Financial one of the largest banks in the US.  Tarun has been with SunTrust for 7 years.  Prior to SunTrust, Tarun was a Managing Director in Deutsche Bank’s Financial Institutions Investment Banking Group. Tarun joined Deutsche Bank from JP Morgan where he spent 10 years in the Bank’s Financial Institutions Investment Banking Group.

Tarun and his wife Nadine are based in New York and are founders of “Gift of Water”, a personal charity they started in 2010 to provide safe drinking water to poor villages in India (www.giftofwater-nt.org).

Tarun earned his Masters degree from Columbia University, New York.  He is also a Chartered Accountant.

Professional and Business Affiliations
Vice President, JARTS Commercial Corp., 1989-1990
Vice President, Antracs International Corp., 1990-1992
Vice President, United Construction Co. Inc., 1995-98
President, Westchester Pawnshop Corp., 1997-current
President, A. Tambunting Pawnshop Corp., 2002- current
Director, Enterprise Capital Bank, 2007-current
Managing Director, Abba Insurance Agency Inc., 2008- current
President, Tiwala sa Padala Inc., 2009-current
President, FORDAYS Japan International, 2017-2018

Rotary Club Service
Member, Rotary Club of Makati West, 2001
Chairman, Most Outstanding Teacher Award, RY 2001-2002
Chairman, RCMW Christmas Bazaar 2003, RY 2003-2004
Chairman, RCMW Christmas Bazaar 2005, RY 2005-2006
President, Rotary Club of Makati West, RY 2006-07
Board Adviser, Rotary Club of Makati West, 2007-2019
Chairman, Foundation of Rotary Makati West, RY 2007-2008

Rotary Service as Club President
-Overlooked GOL heart surgeries to 52 children
-Supervised the Purchase, Importation and Distribution 1,280 wheelchairs all over Philippines
-Lead three Operation Smile Medical Missions providing harelip/cleft palate surgeries to 252 children
-Arranged and Implemented the Rotary GK Pinagsama Village provided 52 Homes to Indigent Families
-Launched five Water for Life Deep Wells which provided Water to thousands
– Lead the implementation of other club projects (Mass Wedding, Likhang Sining, Feeding Program,
Artificial Limbs and Rotaract projects)

Rotary Service in District 3830
-Membership Coordinator, RY 2007-08
-Vice Chairman, Literacy Committee, RY 2007-08
-Chairman, Gawad Kalinga Partnership, RY 2007-08
-Assistant Governor, RY 2008-09
-District Governor Special Representative (organizing the formation of RC Alabang Lampara), 2008-10
-District Secretary, RY 2010-11
-Deputy Chairman, DISCON 2011
-District Governor Special Representative (organizing the formation of RC Alabang Centrepoint), 2011-13
-Chairman, Membership Recruitment and Retention, RY 2011-12
-Chairman, Venue Committee, DISCON 2012
-Chairman, International Service, RY 2012-2013
-Vice Chairman, District Rotary Foundation Committee, RY 2013-14
-Coordinating Chairman, Service Projects, RY 2014-15
-Chairman, District Grants, RY 2015-17
-Chairman, Annual Giving Committee RY 2017- 2018
-Chairman, Major Donor Committee RY 2018- 2019

Rotary Service Beyond the Disrict
Trustee, Rotary Golf Fellowship Foundation of the Philippines, 2003-06
Trustee, Stepping Stone Foundation, 2003-05
Chairman, Housing Committee, Manila Zone Institute 2009
Chairman, Housing Committee, Manila Zone Institute 2015

Gift of Life Service
-Involved with RCMW GOL program (various capacity) 2005- current
-Deputy Chairman, Gift of Life Conference Manila, 2005
-Organized and Led GOL Mission to Iloilo (12 PDA cases in one day), November 2006
-Chairman, RUN FOR LIFE (a Fun Run for Gift of Life), 2009
-Involved in activating GOL in seven hospitals (MMC, AH, PGH, PHC, MDH, NCH, PCMC)
-Underwriting and Supervision to Five Matching Grants and Global Grants with approximate amount of –
$300,000 (including two active grants; GG1635055- Brotherhood Heart for Children’s Heart and
GG1860701- Providing Lifesaving Cardiac Treatment to Poor Filipino Children in Their
Country of Birth)

Rotary Recognitions
Rotarian of the Year (Rotary Club of Makati West), RY 2003-04
Most Outstanding President, RY 2006-07
Avenue of Service Citation 2015
District Rotary Foundation Service Citation 2014
Paul Harris Fellow (Major Donor)

Educational Attainment
Menlo College, Business Administration, 1990
Asian Institute of Management, Master in Entrepreneurship, 2001
Asian Institute of Management, Finance for Senior Executives, 2002

Personal Information
Spouse: Bambee Bartolome Tambunting
Children: Franco Gabriel (18), Antonia Mariana (14), Alesandro Javier (11) and Sofia Emiliana (9)
Sports Interests: Golf, Running (four-time marathon finisher), Tennis, Badminton, Scuba Diving

Harm Velvis is a pediatric cardiologist in Albany, NY and has been involved with local Gift of Life and Gift of Life International for 25 years including a dozen medical trips abroad.  He was born in the Netherlands.  He lives with his wife just outside Albany and their four adult children are spread out across the United States.  Because his daughter was born with Down syndrome, he has a special affinity for children with Down syndrome both locally and on GOLI trips abroad.  He started and was for many years president of the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center in Albany.  For him, medical trips abroad through GOLI are special because many children with congenital heart disease receive treatment they would otherwise not have received, and the trips are special too because of the cooperation and bonds formed between international and local teams of health care professionals and because of the privilege being exposed to rich cultures all around the world.  

Lou is a second-generation pharmacist, and owned his own pharmacy in New York for 22 years. He worked as the supervising pharmacist for CVS for over 20 years, and is currently semi-retired. Lou is a current member of the Sarasota Southside Rotary Club, the Chairman Emeritus of the Gift of Life of Florida Board of Directors, the District 6960 Secretary, and President of Gift of Life International. Lou co-founded Gift of Life of Florida, Inc. in 1994, and was one of original founders of Gift of Life International in 2003. He has been married to his wife Carol. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Rodrigo Soto, a Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, joined Gift of Life International in May 2019.  Dr. Soto has dedicated his skills and knowledge to help children with congenital heart disease in developing nations for 18 years.  He completed his medical school and general surgery training in Chile.  He then moved to Australia and France to learn pediatric cardiac surgery and returned to Australia in 2000 to work as staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.  In Australia, Dr. Soto joined the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) as a volunteer, transitioning to staff surgeon and then to CEO in 2014.

From 2004 to 2012, Dr. Soto established the pediatric cardiac surgery program and the ECMO program at Clinica Alemana in Santiago, Chile.  With the experience of setting up a pediatric cardiac program, more than a decade of volunteer work, and the work as CEO with ICHF, Dr. Soto made the decision to join Gift of Life International.

Dr. Rodrigo Soto is the Clinical Consultant for Gift of Life International and leads our training visits in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Philippines.