Executive Team

The Executive Team is responsible for day-to-day operations. They ensure that the Board’s vision is turned into reality by overseeing FEIH programs, fundraising, and marketing initiatives.

Debbie Kakanas - Secretary

Debbie Kakanas a Supervisory Paralegal at Selendy & Gay, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. Prior to Selendy Debbie worked in the General Litigation department of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and is a seasoned trial paralegal. Debbie assisted the team in setting up FEIH’s 501(c)(3) status, and supports many charitable organizations.

Ali Krukowski - Director of Fundraising & Events

Ali Krukowski has served as the Director of Fundraising & Events for FEIH since June 2019. She is a Business Development Specialist at Kirkland & Ellis for the Restructuring, Real Estate and Tax practice groups.

Prior to Kirkland, Ali served as a Senior Coordinator for Fundraising & Sponsorship at Odell, Simms & Lynch, a boutique consulting firm in the Washington D.C. Metro area. In this role she worked with corporations, foundations and high-net-worth individuals to raise major funds for a number of large scale non-profits.

Susie Metscher - Co-Pen Pal Director

Susie Metscher began her career teaching in Thailand and then taught for the New York City Department of Education in the Bronx for seven years. Three years ago, she began teaching at Monroe College in the Bronx preparing pre-service teachers for a career in urban education. She holds her Master’s degree in Literacy and School Building Leadership and is currently working on her doctorate in Special Education.

Tim Mosher - CO-Pen Pal Director

Tim Mosher has taught for the last thirteen years in multiple locations including a private bilingual school in Thailand and a charter school in Harlem. He currently works as a Dual Language teacher in White Plains City School District teaching fourth grade students. The Dual Language program supports students in becoming biliterate and bilingual in both English and Spanish. He holds a Master’s degree in Literacy and is currently working towards a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification.