What If? Foundation Board of Directors

Bryan Sirchio, Founding Board Member 2000 – Present,  Board President – June 2010
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 St. Clare Church 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 St. Clare, and What If’s wonderful Board comprise a powerful team effort. I feel deeply blessed to be a part of it.”

Carolyn Betz, Board Member 2002 – Present
Science Writer, University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI

“In 2002 I was able to visit rural China where I saw children living in poverty, going to school with no plumbing, no books and no pencils or paper. I pledged to myself that I would get involved in an international organization that serves children. Shortly after, Margaret approached me and asked me to serve on the What If? Board, and I knew this was my calling. I take my commitment to the What If? Foundation very seriously because I truly believe that our directed efforts are making a huge difference in the lives of thousands in Haiti.”

Sara Buscher, Board Member 2009 – Present
Attorney & Certified Public Accountant (retired)
Appleton, WI

“The What If? Foundation appeals to my soft spot for Haiti and my desire to contribute to charities that feed the hungry and offer collaborative support.  I was deeply moved when I read On That Day, Everybody Ate and wanted to not only help with donations but also to offer my services on the Board.  Having founded a nonprofit charity and having grown it to a self-sustaining level, I am hopeful my experience will be of assistance to the What If? Foundation.  I am honored and grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization.”

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 this year 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.”

Bonnie Paulson, Founding Board Member 2000 – Present
Certified Public Accountant
Sedalia, MO

“I started on the Board when Margaret first began the What If? Foundation to help feed children in Haiti. I feel fortunate to be on the Board where we not only are helping feed hungry children but are providing scholarships so that they can attend school. That they might be able to change the course of their lives is a gift to me. The What If? Foundation truly uses its funds wisely with little going to administration and being an accountant that is so important to me.”

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.”

Frederick Trost, Founding Board Member 2000 – Present
Pastor (retired)
Elkhart Lake, WI

“Having served a parish in the inner city of Chicago for nineteen years, I became aware very early of the struggles faced by many of our neighbors just to “get along” from one day to the next. My sense of this deepened as a member of human rights delegations in Central America in the 1980s and 1990s. The What If? Foundation is a beautiful embodiment of what it means to love one’s neighbors. And that, I have learned, is always a ‘two way street.’”

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 St. Clare’s 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 St. Clare’s community – is very beautiful and inspiring. Piti piti na rive! Little by little we will arrive.”

What If? Foundation Berkeley Office

Margaret Trost, Founder and Executive Director

Caitlin Szymanski, Program and Operations Director

Pamela Keenan, Resource Development Coordinator

Andrea Wolf, Database support