Meet Our Senior Fellows
Our Senior Fellows help PPAF to promote our work.
Michael Ambrozek
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George A. Garland
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Ruth DeFord |
David Forbes-Watkins
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John L. German |
--Diane E. Heck
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--Carlos A. Lithgow
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--Cara Webb Mullen
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Padmini Murthy |
John E. Stillman |
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Michael Ambrozek
Michael Ambrozek has worked in Information Technology throughout his career, across numerous industries and service organizations. Most recently he was project manager in information technology focused on financial services with Western Union. He previously worked with various consulting companies in Australia.
With PPAF Ambrozek has supported our work in computer distribution and in marketing and public relations. He currently volunteers as a docent at the Keepers House at the Old Croton Aqueduct in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and is a member of the Planning Board of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
Ambrozek studied chemical engineering as an undergraduate at MIT and graduated with a B.S. in Information Technology from the University of Technology – Sydney, Australia (formerly New South Wales Institute of Technology). Michael has lived in Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Switzerland and Australia and has traveled widely. He speaks fluent French and Spanish.
With PPAF Ambrozek has supported our work in computer distribution and in marketing and public relations. He currently volunteers as a docent at the Keepers House at the Old Croton Aqueduct in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and is a member of the Planning Board of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
Ambrozek studied chemical engineering as an undergraduate at MIT and graduated with a B.S. in Information Technology from the University of Technology – Sydney, Australia (formerly New South Wales Institute of Technology). Michael has lived in Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Switzerland and Australia and has traveled widely. He speaks fluent French and Spanish.
George A. Garland, DBA
Dr. George Garland is an independent consultant who formerly was Executive Director of World Energy Forum. Garland's 34 year career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency included development and implementation of financial responsibility regulations for hazardous waste management. From 1988 to 1992, he worked with India, Indonesia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as Chief Technical Advisor for Toxic Chemicals and Pollutants in WHO's Regional Office for South East Asia. His international work also includes assignments in South Korea, and Oman. Garland worked with the World Bank in the Russian Federation to establish a national hazardous waste management system and with USAID in Russia to improve the water supply system of Nizhni Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast. He has several articles in Biocycle magazine on organics management (compost).
Garland serves as the President of the UN Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Southern New York State Division and as Director of its Energy Project. He previously was Executive Director for National Membership at UNA-USA. He also served as Executive Director of the UNA of the National Capital Area. He has served as Executive Director of UNA-USA's Members Day at the United Nations in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and as moderator of the 2011 panel on energy and climate change.
Dr. Garland has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Masters Degrees in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon and in Public Health from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from George Washington University.
Garland serves as the President of the UN Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Southern New York State Division and as Director of its Energy Project. He previously was Executive Director for National Membership at UNA-USA. He also served as Executive Director of the UNA of the National Capital Area. He has served as Executive Director of UNA-USA's Members Day at the United Nations in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and as moderator of the 2011 panel on energy and climate change.
Dr. Garland has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Masters Degrees in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon and in Public Health from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from George Washington University.
Ruth DeFord, PhD
Dr. Ruth DeFord (Kotecha), was Treasurer of PPAF from February 2013 to December 2015. She is Professor Emerita at Hunter College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She taught music history and literature in the Music Department from 1977 to 2012 and served as Music Department Chair at Hunter College from 2006-2012. She is the author of numerous published scholarly papers, book reviews, and conference presentations. She is also the author of critical editions of music. DeFord also has worked parttime since 1999 with the Structured Credit International Corporation in an administrative capacity.
In addition to board membership and volunteer activities with numerous music organizations, Ruth serves as a board member with the Rivertowns League of Women Voters and the Hudson River Audubon Society. She has also served on the board of the Fund to Preserve Hillside Woods and as a docent with Friends of the Zoo, Bronx Zoo. Her greatest interests are environmental protection, women's rights and economic development.
DeFord's educational background includes a B.A. from Oberlin College, B.Mus., Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a PhD (musicology) from Harvard University. Her languages include German, French, Italian, and Latin.
In addition to board membership and volunteer activities with numerous music organizations, Ruth serves as a board member with the Rivertowns League of Women Voters and the Hudson River Audubon Society. She has also served on the board of the Fund to Preserve Hillside Woods and as a docent with Friends of the Zoo, Bronx Zoo. Her greatest interests are environmental protection, women's rights and economic development.
DeFord's educational background includes a B.A. from Oberlin College, B.Mus., Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a PhD (musicology) from Harvard University. Her languages include German, French, Italian, and Latin.
David Forbes-Watkins, MPA
David Forbes-Watkins served as Senior Financial Consultant with PPAF. He has extensive experience in finance and administration. He served as Director of Finance at My Sisters’ Place, a non-profit in Westchester County, New York; Director of Finance and Administration at Planned Parenthood of Hudson-Peconic; and Finance Manager of the International Center for Integrative Studies - The Door.
He also was Associate Director for Management and Operations at the American Council for Nationalities Service (now Immigration and Refugee Services of America), and held that position also with the international Project of the Association for Voluntary Sterilization (now EnGender Health). Earlier he was Director, Management Planning and Systems at Lehman College and Chief of the Administrative Branch, Health and Safety Laboratory of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Forbes-Watkins is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and volunteers with Meals on Wheels.
Forbes-Watkins has a Masters of Public Administration from the Harvard University Graduate School of Public Administration (now Kennedy School of Public Policy) and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.
He also was Associate Director for Management and Operations at the American Council for Nationalities Service (now Immigration and Refugee Services of America), and held that position also with the international Project of the Association for Voluntary Sterilization (now EnGender Health). Earlier he was Director, Management Planning and Systems at Lehman College and Chief of the Administrative Branch, Health and Safety Laboratory of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Forbes-Watkins is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and volunteers with Meals on Wheels.
Forbes-Watkins has a Masters of Public Administration from the Harvard University Graduate School of Public Administration (now Kennedy School of Public Policy) and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.
John L. German, MBA
At the United Nations, John L. German represents People to People International (founded by President Eisenhower) and other civil-society organizations, and serves as the NGO (non-governmental organization) representative to the Technical Subgroup of the Working Group on Informatics of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and as Senior Advisor to the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development.
German is the Director of Non-Profit Computing, Inc., a nonprofit all-volunteer organization he founded in 1984. NPC arranges computer donations, procurement, and logistics worldwide and advises and assists international organizations on strategy, institutional partnerships, and technology. NPC is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. For The Rotary Club of New York, German serves as Co-Chair of its International Service Division.
His paid-job career, after living and working briefly in South Africa, was in international banking, first with a major Brazilian banking group, in Brazil, and then with Citibank, in Brazil and then in the USA. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from Pennsylvania State University.
German is the Director of Non-Profit Computing, Inc., a nonprofit all-volunteer organization he founded in 1984. NPC arranges computer donations, procurement, and logistics worldwide and advises and assists international organizations on strategy, institutional partnerships, and technology. NPC is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. For The Rotary Club of New York, German serves as Co-Chair of its International Service Division.
His paid-job career, after living and working briefly in South Africa, was in international banking, first with a major Brazilian banking group, in Brazil, and then with Citibank, in Brazil and then in the USA. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from Pennsylvania State University.
Diane E. Heck, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Department of Environmental Health Science
School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York
Dr. Heck's laboratory aims to understand the complex interactions of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors that underlie the development of human diseases, including cancer and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Her research focuses on mechanisms of inflammation and toxicity mediating chemical-induced injury, wound healing and carcinogenesis.
Dr. Heck's interests include analyzing and understanding the effects of environmental contaminants on sensitive populations; she has participated as an ad hoc member of numerous panels addressing these issues including the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and US Environmental Protection Agency. She also maintains an active interest in children's environmental health and remains a member and advisor to the Children's Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley.
Dr. Heck has numerous publications and patents, has received numerous awards for innovative academic research, and has served as a member and an officer and advisor to societies focused on scientific research. She has presented her findings at numerous colloquia and institutions worldwide and is recognized as an expert in the fields of chemical biology and toxicology.
Dr. Heck received her BA from Douglass College, New Brunswick NJ and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Rutgers University. She completed her postdoctoral training at Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy of Rutgers University. She served on the faculty of Rutgers University and the University of Illinois before joining the faculty of NYMC in 2007.
Department of Environmental Health Science
School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York
Dr. Heck's laboratory aims to understand the complex interactions of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors that underlie the development of human diseases, including cancer and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Her research focuses on mechanisms of inflammation and toxicity mediating chemical-induced injury, wound healing and carcinogenesis.
Dr. Heck's interests include analyzing and understanding the effects of environmental contaminants on sensitive populations; she has participated as an ad hoc member of numerous panels addressing these issues including the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and US Environmental Protection Agency. She also maintains an active interest in children's environmental health and remains a member and advisor to the Children's Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley.
Dr. Heck has numerous publications and patents, has received numerous awards for innovative academic research, and has served as a member and an officer and advisor to societies focused on scientific research. She has presented her findings at numerous colloquia and institutions worldwide and is recognized as an expert in the fields of chemical biology and toxicology.
Dr. Heck received her BA from Douglass College, New Brunswick NJ and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Rutgers University. She completed her postdoctoral training at Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy of Rutgers University. She served on the faculty of Rutgers University and the University of Illinois before joining the faculty of NYMC in 2007.
Carlos A. Lithgow, Jr. , MA (Finance)
Carlos A. Lithgow, Jr. is a Senior Consultant at Commerce Coverage Group-EAC Brokerage Inc in New York City, specializing in Property & Casualty Insurance and benefits for small and large businesses. Having worked with major investment companies throughout his career, he has also consulted with US and International Institutions on terms of risk and portfolio management.
He has also advised High Net Worth individuals and Family offices in the United States, Europe and Latin America on asset management and domestic and offshore estate planning. He served an instrumental role in opening up a new Financial Center for Dreyfus Service Corporation in Coral Gables, Florida where his group built a client base into one of the top performing offices in the country.
Lithgow has a Masters Degree in Finance from Florida International University and is a board member and spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s NYC patient services group.
He has also advised High Net Worth individuals and Family offices in the United States, Europe and Latin America on asset management and domestic and offshore estate planning. He served an instrumental role in opening up a new Financial Center for Dreyfus Service Corporation in Coral Gables, Florida where his group built a client base into one of the top performing offices in the country.
Lithgow has a Masters Degree in Finance from Florida International University and is a board member and spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s NYC patient services group.
Cara Webb Mullen, MPH
Cara Webb Mullen is a Scientific Advisor with Sustainable Technology Systems, Inc (STS). A biologist and clinical laboratory specialist in cytogenetics with a Masters in Public Health, she analyzes and provides recommendations on various feedstocks for potential ethanol production, offers laboratory training and academic instruction, provides technical support on biomass processing, and advises on chemical and enzyme processing as well as wastewater and product infection management. She has experience with large-scale US-based ethanol companies, where she has given technical support for their process and laboratory and engaged in presentations, training, infection control, microbiology, wastewater analysis, fermentation analysis, and sales of antibiotics and yeast.
She and others from STS began association with the Public-Private Alliance Foundation for work in Haiti. Mullen earned an MPH and a B.S. in Biology with a minor in genetics and American History from Indiana University.
She and others from STS began association with the Public-Private Alliance Foundation for work in Haiti. Mullen earned an MPH and a B.S. in Biology with a minor in genetics and American History from Indiana University.
Padmini Murthy, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., CHES
Padmini (Mini) Murthy is a physician and an activist who did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has practiced medicine and public health for the past 28 years in various countries. She has been working in various arenas of the health care industry. She has a Master's in Public Health and a Masters in Management from New York University (NYU). Murthy has been on the Dean's list at NYU Steinhart School of Education and named Public service scholar at the Robert F Wagner Graduate School at New York University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Murthy is the NGO Alt Representative of Medical Women International Association to the United Nations. She has served as a consultant to the United Nations and is on faculty at New York Medical College as Director of Global Health; currently Murthy also serves as the communications/ correspondence secretary the Executive Council of the NGO CSW Committee of NY at the United Nations.
Murthy is the NGO Alt Representative of Medical Women International Association to the United Nations. She has served as a consultant to the United Nations and is on faculty at New York Medical College as Director of Global Health; currently Murthy also serves as the communications/ correspondence secretary the Executive Council of the NGO CSW Committee of NY at the United Nations.
John E. Stillman, MPH, MS
John E. Stillman is currently Director of Quality Systems for Bunker Hill Consultation Center. He is an industrial hygienist whose career began in 1972 at the NC Department of Human Resources- Health Services as Supervisor of the Occupational Health Laboratory. From 1979 to 2000, he worked with Exxon Corporation, Exxon Biomedical Sciences, Inc., and then ExxonMobil Corporation. At Exxon, he was a Section Head of the worldwide Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, Head of EMBSI Quality Services Support Section, and worked as Director of EM Worldwide Refining and Lubricants Laboratory Quality Systems Development and Evaluation Program. He spent a decade in Laboratory Quality System training and assessments throughout Exxon. He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene- Chemical Aspects (retired 2004) and a Certified Quality Auditor, certified by the American Society for Quality (retired 2003).
In addition to various publications and peer-reviewed presentations, Stillman co-authored the Exxon Laboratory Quality Assurance Standard- the Quality Practices and Guidelines for Exxon Laboratories, which was based on ISO 9000 and EN45001 international standards.
Stillman obtained his BS in Forest Biochemistry at SUNY College of Forestry at Syracuse University and his Master's degrees at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health (MSPH- Environmental Sciences) and NC State University (MAB- Biochemistry).
In addition to various publications and peer-reviewed presentations, Stillman co-authored the Exxon Laboratory Quality Assurance Standard- the Quality Practices and Guidelines for Exxon Laboratories, which was based on ISO 9000 and EN45001 international standards.
Stillman obtained his BS in Forest Biochemistry at SUNY College of Forestry at Syracuse University and his Master's degrees at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health (MSPH- Environmental Sciences) and NC State University (MAB- Biochemistry).
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