What If? Foundation Board of Directors

Margaret Trost, What If? Foundation Founder and Board Member (2000 – Present)
Berkeley, CA

“Raising awareness and resources for the children in Haiti has become my life’s passion. Being in partnership with Fr. Jean-Juste and the Ti Plas Kazo community is one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life. The care, heart, and devotion that goes into making the food and education programs in Port-au-Prince possible – both in the states through the What If? Foundation board, staff, and donors and in Haiti through the members of the Ti Plas Kazo community – is very beautiful and inspiring. Piti piti na rive! Little by little we will arrive.”

Bryan Sirchio, Founding Board Member 2000 – Present,  Board Chair  (June 2010 – Present)
Singer/songwriter and Director of Crosswind Music Ministries
Madison, WI

“I was privileged to actually be present in Haiti when Margaret Trost and Fr. Jean-Juste first met each other, and to be a part of the initial conversation during which Fr. Jean-Juste shared his dream of beginning a feeding program in his parish. It has been a great joy to watch this partnership between Margaret, What If? and the people of the Ti Plas Kazo community evolve and flourish and grow to a point at which thousands of people are now fed each week. The combined passion, gifts and skills of Margaret, Fr. Jean-Juste, the people of Ti Plas Kazo, and What If’s wonderful board comprise a powerful team effort. I feel deeply blessed to be a part of it.”

Helen Walka Dake, Board Member (2012 – Present)
Developmental Psychologist
St. Helena, CA

“My belief that supporting children’s development is one of the best ways to invest in the future of any country led me to work for many years as a program evaluator and applied researcher in early childhood cognitive interventions. It is also what drew me to support the work of the What If Foundation. When I traveled to Haiti with Margaret, I was incredibly impressed with all the Haitians I met who support the children through the food and education programs, with such dedication and caring. And I will never forget the children; they are so beautiful! After going to Haiti, I am more committed than ever to supporting the work of the What If? Foundation.”

Robert Ferguson, Board Member (2008 – Present)
Shaklee Business Entrepreneur; Advisor to Management, Envision Solar; The Pacific Institute, Project Director
Fairfield, IA

“Having known of Margaret’s great work in Haiti both as a friend and contributor, I was honored to be asked to serve the What If? Foundation directly as a board member. This foundation has brilliantly supported a population in great need in a way that is entirely directed by the community it serves, enhancing the power and dignity of that community.”

Patricia Stevens, Board Member (2007 – Present)
Administrative Analyst, University of California – Berkeley
Walnut Creek, CA

“Ever since I visited Haiti in 1987, I’ve longed for a way to respond to the needs of its people. What a wonderful blessing it’s been, therefore, to be involved with the What If? Foundation, which responds to the most fundamental of needs – food and education. In a spirit of humble service, the Foundation offers me – and all its donors – the wonderful opportunity to bring nourishment of mind, body and spirit to the children of Haiti.”neighbors. And that, I have learned, is always a ‘two way street.’”

What If? Foundation Berkeley Office

Caitlin Szymanski, Executive Director

Stasha Vlasuk, Communications and Donor Relations Coordinator

Andrea Wolf, Database Support