Blog | Hand in Hand Ministries

Hand in Hand is moving forward

February 17, 2012

Filed under: Uncategorized, leadership — Tags: leadership, Libbey Smith, Marla Cautilli, Wayne Fowler — hhministries @ 9:37 am

Editor’s note: We are fortunate to have a committed staff at Hand in Hand that is dedicated to the cause of serving others. As Co-Founder Wayne Fowler continues to focus on his health (as we posted about previously), two others have stepped forward in our organization to take on leadership roles. We wanted to introduce you to them here.

Libbey Smith, left, in Belize

The Board of Directors of Hand in Hand would like to welcome Marla Cautilli and Libbey Smith in their new roles within our organization.

Marla, who served as our Development Director for the past three years has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Libbey, who has served as Associate Director for ten years, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

Marla Cautilli, right, on a trip to Belize

They both share a tremendous passion for the work of Hand in Hand and welcome the opportunity to move our organization forward. It is with the utmost confidence and excitement that these appointments have been made. Marla and Libbey have excelled in their roles at Hand in Hand. Their dedication to our mission, along with their ability to inspire others, is well established. We are so very fortunate to have such capable, compassionate and enthusiastic people at the helm as we continue to grow as an effective, powerful organization.

Fully supporting this transition and looking forward to continued growth for Hand in Hand, founder Wayne Fowler will continue to be an important resource. We all wish Wayne and his family much love, support and encouragement as he focuses on the health issues he is now facing.

Thank you for your interest and continued support in Hand in Hand.

Board Co-Chairs
Harry Borders
Fr. Joe Fowler

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A message from Co-Founder Wayne Fowler

February 9, 2012

Filed under: leadership — Tags: leadership, Wayne Fowler — hhministries @ 11:42 am

Editor’s note: In January, we sent this letter to our donors, friends and trip participants to explain the shift in daily leadership of Hand in Hand. We post this letter with our most sincere wishes for Wayne to get well, and fast. We know he has big dreams for Hand in Hand, and we hope that he is around to see them all come to fruition.

Wayne Fowler

In September of last year, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 renal cell cancer. Some of you may remember that in July of 2010, I had my right kidney and adrenal gland removed, both of which were
malignant.

I thought I had dodged a bullet, but on September 1, I was told that a 3 cm mass had reoccurred where my adrenal gland had been. After the mass was removed, I was subsequently found to have a second mass and several nodules in my lungs.

I am currently in a clinical study that is being conducted by the M. D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas. Every two months, I return to Houston for tests and treatment. In between, I am being treated locally. I feel confident in those who are helping me, and I’ve been told that my prognosis is good. However, my illness has precipitated a change in my ability to work.

I have turned the daily responsibilities for running Hand in Hand over to my longtime assistant Libbey Smith and our development director, Marla Cautilli. I will still be intimately involved in the workings of HHM but at a more strategic level. Hand in Hand has been my life for the past 14 years, and I cannot imagine living without my work and my passion for service.While I am not happy about my circumstances, I have the utmost confidence in Libbey and Marla, and we will continue to be the Hand in Hand that you have known and supported with your generosity.

One thing that will definitely not change is our need for your financial support.We are coming to the end of a three-year grant that helps support our HIV/AIDS work in Belize. In order to maintain the same level of service, we need to make up $55,000 of that grant in 2012 and the same amount in 2013.We are raising money in Belize, but that money will only cover a small part of the amount needed.We need your help in sustaining our services not only in Belize, but in Nicaragua and Appalachia also.

With your support, I am confident that Hand in Hand will continue to thrive.

Peace,

Wayne Fowler

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