Directors
Awad Abdelgadir, Founding Member
Awad A. Abdelgadir, who grew up in Az-Zawrat village in the Northern Province, Sudan, died on March 7, 2023. As the son of Mother Maryam, he dedicated humanitarian projects to his mother’s memory and to all mothers. He ran Nile Valley Herbs, Inc., which produced and marketed hibiscus tea and supported humanitarian activity. He taught at The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward’s University and was a member of the South Austin Rotary Club. See Awad’s obituary
Stephanie Savage, Chair
Stephanie Savage is a non-practicing attorney who has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years. A graduate of Emory University and The University of Georgia School of Law, she practiced law for 10 years before moving to Austin in 1998. Stephanie most recently has worked as the Grants Manager for Explore Austin. She and her husband, David, have an adult son who lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Keith Smith, Co-Chair
Prior to the formation of Mother Maryam Foundation, Keith Smith assisted in securing grants and raising money for the water project in the village. He is Past President of both South Austin Rotary Club and Austin-Westlake Rotary Club, and past Treasurer and Trustee of The Girls School of Austin. Keith is retired after a 42 year banking career.
Steven R. Hake, Treasurer
Steven R. Hake is an attorney engaged in the practice of business law in Austin, Texas. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, Washington, and Texas and has been in private practice since 1978. Steve was a member of the Rotary Club of Austin. After working many years to assist projects in the village, he and his wife visited Az-Zawrat and attended a welcoming celebration at the Kolomiseed Health Clinic.
Linda Boxberger, Secretary
Linda Boxberger has a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern History from The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Yemen. She is a past Board Member and Secretary of the American Institute for Yemeni Studies. She is now a member and Sergeant-at-Arms of the South Austin Rotary Club. She has conducted historical and ethnographic research in Yemen and Oman and documented village life in northern Sudan since 1988, including the Mother Maryam Foundation’s development projects.
Ahmed Hemeida
Ahmed Hemeida was born and raised in Tripoli, Libya. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and has lived in the US all his adult life. Ahmed has traveled to over 50 countries for his business and personal interests. He was a small business owner in Austin for over 30 years and is now semi-retired and active in community affairs.
Leah Goetzel
Leah Goetzel is a photographer from Austin, Texas. Leah graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a double major in History and French. She has been working with the Mother Maryam Foundation since third grade, organizing school supply drives and raising money to build a middle and elementary school. She currently owns and operates a wedding photography business in Denver, Colorado where she lives with her husband.
Samie Abdelaziz
Samie Abdelaziz grew up in both the US and Sudan. He has served the Mother Maryam Foundation as an advisor, helped by his contacts in the agricultural and health sectors in the Northern Province of Sudan. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and currently runs a trucking company and a business, Simsim Trade and Investment. He currently lives in Sugarland, Texas, with his wife, Sana, and three sons.
Amna Osman
Amna Osman has a strong academic background in Agricultural Economics with extensive professional experience supporting agricultural development projects. She is committed to advancing food security and social equity in rural communities and is involved in various service projects advancing these goals. She is President of the Dongola Girls’ High School (Soraya School) Graduate Association. She is based in both Sudan and the US.