FIRELIGHT FOUND ATION

In this report, we also celebrate the outstanding Africa-based experts—such as our colleague, Mulugeta Gebru (profiled on
pages 98-99)—who serve to guide Firelight as members of our Advisory Board. And we are grateful to our donors (including
those whose work is highlighted on pages 88-93), who have stood with us over the years and shown through their actions their
commitment to supporting the rights and needs of vulnerable children.
Friends of Firelight Foundation will know that we ended an era in 2007 with the departure of Jennifer Astone, the Foundation’s
long-time executive director (see Jennifer’s farewell remarks on the next page). Under Jennifer’s leadership and with the
support of a dedicated staff, generous donors, and a widening circle of partnerships and alliances, the Foundation has grown
beyond all of our expectations. This growth is evident in the increasing reach of our grantmaking and other program activities,
as well as in the respect that Firelight has earned from many quarters. We are very grateful to Jennifer for her seven years
of service to Firelight, and also extend our deepest thanks to Joanne Csete, Firelight’s director of programs, for so capably
stepping into the role of interim executive director. We look forward to the leadership of Peter Laugharn, who will begin his
work as Firelight’s new executive director in July 2008.
I hope that readers of this report will be inspired to join us—together with our many partners—as we continue to support
efforts to build a safe and healthy world for children, their families, and their communities.
In appreciation,
Kerry Olson