Board of Directors

NPH USA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. In addition to our national office located in Illinois, we have six regional offices, each of which has its own volunteer Board of Directors. The members of our boards have diverse professional backgrounds and expertise, but each actively works to raise funds for and awareness of NPH USA and our mission.

National Board – Officers

Dr. Jeff Kempf, Chair

Dr. Jeff Kempf has practiced pediatric medicine for over forty years , working for the last thirty in pediatric emergency medicine at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. While working in Akron he established the office of Pediatric Global Health dedicated to providing services to children outside the walls of the hospital, both domestically and internationally. This work included service in Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Belize, and Haiti.

In January 2010, two weeks after the earthquake, he traveled to St. Damien Hospital Haiti to provide relief work. There he fell in love with the Haitian people and the incredible work being done by NPH. After returning home, he founded the St. Damien Pediatric Collaborative, a group of children’s hospitals in the US and Canada, whose mission is to provide clinical, educational, financial aide and equipment to St. Damien Hospital.

During his medical career in Akron, he has served in other leadership roles, including Director of the Pediatric Emergency Department, Director of the Pediatric Residency Program, Medical Staff President, Medical School Clerkship Director, Akron Children’s Hospital Board, and the Board of Gift of Life of NE Ohio. He met his wife, Dr. Ellen Kempf,a practicing pediatrician, in Fort Myers, Fla while working in the Public Health Service Corp providing health care to children of migrant farmers and the indigent poor of SW Florida.

Together they share a passion for work internationally for nearly forty years, and though recently retired in Akron, they continue to volunteer in the Costanza Region of Dominican Republic. They are blessed with three grown children and two grandchildren, all residing in the Akron area.

John Kuehne, Vice Chair

John Kuehne brings over 40 years of financial and consulting experience to NPH USA.  He recently retired from Accenture LLP as Managing Director and North American Aviation Lead, where he led the sales and execution of consulting projects focused on airlines in the US and Canada.

Prior to joining Accenture John was Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer for Seabury Group, an aviation focused consulting / investment banking firm of 300+ people.  He led and negotiated the sale of Seabury’s consulting practice to Accenture in 2017.

John was also President of Cargill Communications, a Minneapolis based broadcasting company, Executive Vice President of the Radio Division of Space Center Inc and Manager of Corporate Finance at Midwest Communications.  He started his career at KPMG Peat Marwick and is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).

John and his wife Teresa, who is a Registered Nurse, live in Sea Girt New Jersey and have three grown children and four grandchildren.  They have a passion for faith-based organizations that provide food, health care and education to poor and disadvantaged people worldwide.  They have been involved with NPH as God Parents since 1985 and have visited the NPH home in Honduras twice as volunteers at the surgery center located at the home.

Mark Kruzel, Treasurer

Mr. Kruzel is a senior vice president based in the New York office and a member of the capital markets team at PIMCO. He focuses on originating investment opportunities and building relationships with PIMCO’s bank counterparties. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2022, Mr. Kruzel led the Americas bank solutions business at Citi, where he was responsible for the origination and structuring of bank capital transactions in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He also held roles in loan portfolio management in New York and franchise governance at Banamex in Mexico City. He has 12 years of investment experience and holds a master’s degree in international relations from American University, where he also earned two undergraduate degrees. He is a CFA Charterholder and speaks Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Katherine Harig, Secretary

Katherine Harig has led two remarkable careers—first spending over two decades with Goldman Sachs on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, immersed in the fast-paced world of global finance. Following the events of 9/11, she shifted her focus toward family and service, inspired by her sister’s volunteer work in Mexico with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH).

Her family’s connection to NPH began in 1996 and has since grown into a lifelong commitment. From hosting children during cultural exchanges to volunteering in NPH homes across Latin America and the Caribbean, Katherine and her family have embraced the mission of Fr. Wasson, supporting vulnerable children through hands-on service and advocacy. Her work has spanned construction projects, special needs care, and godparent relationships, deepening her belief in the power of global community.

• Nonprofit leader with long-term service to NPHI, including board roles and fundraising.
• Volunteer experience with special needs children and women exiting prison.
• Former VP at Goldman Sachs and independent trader at CME.
• Executive Director of Friends of the Orphans, Illinois Region.
• Board member across multiple organizations.
• Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science with a Minor in Urban History from St. Mary’s College and has completed graduate work in Economics and Accounting from Roosevelt University.

National Board – Members

Avriel Burlot

Avriel Burlot began her journey with NPH in 2011 as an international volunteer in the Dominican Republic, where she served for two years before spending an additional year with NPH programs in Haiti. She later joined the NPH International team, where she supported volunteers, family services, and coordinated international events. Over the years, she has had the privilege of visiting or living in all nine NPH homes across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, working alongside dedicated staff and meeting many of the children, youth, and families served by NPH.

These experiences allowed her to witness the mission of NPH in real and transformative ways. Upon returning to the U.S., Avriel served on the Northwest Regional Board, most recently as chair. She values the opportunity to remain involved with NPH and to share stories of the impactful work being done in all nine countries. Her desire to serve on the National Board stems from a commitment to strengthening NPH’s impact across the country, connecting more people to its mission, and ensuring that the children, youth, and families of NPH continue to receive the opportunities and support they deserve. She would be honored to contribute her firsthand experience and deep belief in the mission at the national level.

Martha Fogler

Martha Fogler has been involved with NPH for more than 20 years, including ten years serving on the Southwest Regional Board and 6 years on the National Board (2017 – 2022). She has visited many of the NPH homes, including the homes in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Peru. The Fogler family has sponsored many godchildren over the years, whom many they know personally and have visited in their respective homes. She is passionate about the work Father Wasson began and is dedicated to helping transform the lives of children by spreading the word about the mission of NPH.

Martha has volunteered for over twenty-five years and held multiple leadership positions in various organizations. Currently she volunteers at Loyola Academy, a free, Jesuit run, college prep middle school for boys with academic promise, yet without the family resources to afford this educational opportunity. She enjoys working a part time “fun” job at Anthropologie in Phoenix.

Martha lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and is a mother of three grown children and two grandchildren. She and her husband enjoy spending time in Park City, Utah. She is originally from Michigan and still enjoys spending time there with her childhood friends. In her free time, she enjoys travel, hiking, golf, and yoga and spending time with her family.

Chris Heim

Chris Heim is currently the Executive Chairman of HelpSystems, an IT infrastructure software company located in Eden Prairie with over 900 employees. Previous to this position, Chris served as CEO from 2015 to mid 2019. Chris has a strong track record of success serving previous stints as CEO of Axium Software, Amcom Software, and HighJump Software.

During his tenure at HelpSystems, the company grew from $100 million in revenue to $260 million in revenue. The company completed 14 acquisitions during this time period and greatly accelerated organic growth. Prior to HelpSystems, Chris was CEO of Axium Software, a Portland, Oregon based software company that was sold to Deltek to June of 2014. While Chris was CEO only 18 months, the value of the company increased six fold during this period. From 2007 to 2012, Chris was CEO of Amcom Software which grew from $12 million to $52 million in revenue before being sold to Spok Corporation.

Chris began his career at HighJump Software where he held a variety of roles before becoming CEO in 1997. Under his leadership, HighJump Software grew from $8 million in sales in 1997 to a run rate of $80 million in sales in 2006 and became the fastest growing company in their space. In 2003, Heim was selected as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. HighJump was sold to 3M in 2004.

Chris Heim received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and a Masters of Business Administration degree in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. He proudly serves on the board of Ascentis, Aventri, Calabrio, Digi International, Field Nation and HelpSystems. Chris is married with two adult children.

Gail M. Taylor

Gail M. Taylor has played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of NPH USA through her strategic leadership and deep personal commitment. She has provided impactful fundraising and messaging strategies, recruited new board members and donors, and cultivated lasting relationships with existing supporters. As a former board chair and member of the regional leadership committee, Gail has helped guide the organization’s growth and outreach. Her dedication extends beyond boardroom contributions—she has visited NPH homes in Honduras and Mexico, and personally sponsored a godchild in Peru through college graduation. In recognition of her service, Gail was honored by NPH in Spring 2023.

Gail is a seasoned legal professional and dedicated nonprofit leader with a strong background in litigation and community service. She earned her J.D. with honors from the University of San Francisco in 1988 and holds a B.A. in English from the University of Washington (1982). Her commitment to nonprofit excellence is further supported by certifications in Nonprofit Fundraising Management (University of Washington, 2016) and Nonprofit Management Workshops (United Way, 2014–2015).

Gail is a member of the Washington State Bar Association (inactive status). She enjoys gardening, travel, cultural events, Pilates, strength training, and swimming. Married for 40 years, she is a proud mother of two adult sons and grandmother to three. She also serves as a pianist for weekly Masses at St. John Vianney on Vashon Island.

Miguel Venegas

Miguel Venegas joined the NPH family when he was 15 years old along with his two siblings. He graduated from secondary school and then completed his year of service to the NPH family at the home in Miacatlán. He attended the English program in Yarnell, Arizona, mastered the English language, passed his GED, and pursued his college education in the U.S. at the University of Texas at Tyler. Miguel earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in mathematics.

In 1997, he served as the administrator and accountant for the newly opened NPH home in Guatemala. After two years in Guatemala, Miguel returned to Mexico to develop the Finance Department of NPH International (NPHI) where he served as Finance Director for six years.

Miguel is now the Executive Director of NPH International (NPHI) and is based in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He is a member of the NPHI Project Committee, NPHI Consejo Familiar, and chairs the NPHI Finance Committee.