Cedar facilitates positive social change in Bulgaria by assisting in the provision of quality, community-based care for disadvantaged children and young persons.

The Cedar Foundation

Български

Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors (BA) is an analyzing, advising and recommending body to The Cedar Foundation.  Members of the BA share their gifts in service to our mission by providing our organization with their professional expertise, their diverse knowledge of service and beneficiary perspectives, their connection to local, national or international resources, colleagues or peers, their philanthropic support, or other forms of needed assistance.  Above all, the BA continually looks to contribute to the development and well-being of the organization, its activities and its target groups.

• Diana Mincheva Dimova
  Executive Director, Samaritans Association
  Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
  With over ten years' experience in the social services NGO sector and as an active player in the field of deinstitutionalization, Diana provides extensive insight into various alternative social services in Bulgaria’s unique climate. 
• Francis Ma, RNMH, DMS, MBA
  Independent Consultant
  Essex, United Kingdom
  A high-caliber professional with over 30 years in health and social care services involved in strategic planning, policies drafting and strategies development.  Has had a successful career at senior management/ board level in both public and private sector organizations.  Francis is very well respected within the learning disabilities services in Hertfordshire, East London, Essex and Anglia areas for his works in the deinstitutionalization, closure of long stay institutions and development of community services.  
• Mary Crane, BSc  Psychology P.G.C.E.  SEN/PMLD
  Special Education Teacher, South Tyneside, United Kingdom
  Mary has over twenty years of teaching experience with children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.  She has led three volunteer trips with colleagues, experts in their field, to the Home in Gorna Koznitsa, and is experienced in delivering training to social services staff in Bulgaria.
• Erin M. Smith
  Special Education Teacher, Behavior Specialist
  Colorado, United States
  Erin has 15 years’ professional experience working with children and young adults with disabilities in the special education sector, as both a teacher and as a behavioral specialist.  She is practiced in the development of comprehensive training materials and in delivering professional training to social services staff in Bulgaria.  Erin has dedicated significant time and effort to working directly with the children and adults in the Gorna Koznitsa Home and is uniquely qualified to advise the Foundation regarding Bulgaria-specific needs in the social services sphere.

Cedar Foundation Board of Advisors JD and Statements - October 2009