About Gift of Life

Arnie has been a board member of Gift of Life International since 2019, Executive Secretary during FY 2021/22 and 2022/23, Vice President during FY 2024/25, recently appointed as President, a board member of Gift of Life Long Island since 2009, and has been on multiple medical missions abroad with Gift of Life. Arnie resides in Long Island, NY, where he owns and operates a fire and water restoration business, Restoration Experts of NY, alongside his son Justin. He is a 22-year member of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club, serving as District Governor in 2010-11, and has participated in over 15 humanitarian missions in Haiti and India. Arnie’s wife Rose, and his three children are also Rotarians, all sharing a passion for serving others.

Kathy was raised in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. She began a career in banking in 1980 and retired in 2021after almost 40 years. Kathy became a member of the Rotary Club of Moorestown in December 1988. She has been actively involved in Rotary, serving as Club President from 2004/2005. She became District Governor in 2009/2010. She is a member of the Paul Harris Society, the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society and a Major Donor. Kathy serves on the Board of the Rotary District 7505 Gift of Life Foundation and the Gift of Life International Board. Kathy is also involved in other non profits in her community. Kathy resides in Harbeson, Delaware with her husband Harry, where enjoys cooking and spending time on the beach at her home.

Katie is a registered dietitian nutritionist with over a decade of experience driving innovation in virtual health start‑ups, clinical operations, and dietetics. She earned her Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Columbia University and completed her RD training at Teachers College before launching her own practice. Katie has contributed to numerous research publications, books, and articles alongside Dr. Nicole Avena, a leading neuroscientist and pioneer in the study of food addiction.
Throughout her career, Katie has helped emerging health companies reimagine care delivery and improve patient outcomes. She is deeply committed to preventative medicine and advocates tirelessly for equal access to high‑quality healthcare.
Today, Katie serves on the board of Gift of Life International, where she channels her passion for global health into helping save lives around the world. She looks forward to continuing to shape the future of healthcare and empowering communities to thrive.

Robbie Donno was born in Manhasset, NY. He is a graduate of La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, Long Island, and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He met his wife, Barbara, at Duquesne and they were married in 1969. They have two children and two grandchildren. In 1971, Robbie joined Manhasset Rotary and became its President in 1975. That was the year that changed his life. There was a plea for help from the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda on behalf of 5-year-old Grace Agwaru, who was suffering from a congenital heart defect. Grace was brought to St. Francis Hospital where she received her life saving surgery, and the Gift of Life Program had its start. In 2003, Gift of Life International was formed and Robbie was elected its first Chairman. Robbie has been a leader in the solid waste industry for 50 years, and has received many awards for his leadership in the industry and for his philanthropic endeavors.

Larry retired as President of the global non-profit FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a robotics community that inspires young people to become science and technology leaders and innovators. Prior to FIRST, Larry was a technology and transformation leader in Financial Services for more than thirty years, including thirteen years at AllianceBernstein (AB) as Global Head of Operations and Technology and Chief Technology Officer. Larry received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International for his commitment to helping others by volunteering his time and talent. He was President of the Rotary Club of New York, and served Rotary District 7230 as District Rotaract Chair. Larry was Board Chair of Bridges to Prosperity, an organization that provides isolated communities with access to essential healthcare, education, and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers.

Albana was born in Prishtina, Kosova. She was fortunate to arrive in the US in 1995. Albana received a B.S. in Business Administration/Management with a minor in Finance from Mercy College, NY. She currently works in the PRM group for Ambac Assurance Corp in NYC. Through her volunteer work, Albana began to focus her efforts and donate her time to work with the Gift of Life International. Inspired by the organization’s goals, she raised funds to help implement the first screening visit to Prishtina, Kosova in May 2012. Since then, Gift of Life International has conducted yearly screening/medical visits in Kosova. As of November 2022, Albana’s efforts have helped screen over 1500 children and raised funds to help support sponsoring over 320 lifesaving heart surgeries for Kosovar children. In 2020, Albana received the Rotary Paul Harris award and in 2021 a presidential award “Saint Theresa” from the Kosovar President for helping Kosovar children.

Gabe E. Owens, M.D., Ph.D. has dedicated his career to caring for the most vulnerable hearts. A Professor of Pediatric Cardiology at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, Dr. Owens is a leader in the Division and the Pediatric Cardiothoracic ICU, where he has led the care of infants, children, and young adults facing complex heart conditions.
Beyond the bedside, Dr. Owens is committed to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. His research explores groundbreaking therapies — from using ultrasound to treat congenital heart disease and deep vein thrombosis, to developing artificial placenta technology for premature infants, and improving heart preservation for transplants. He also leads efforts (Performance Rounds and pre-op patient reviews) to better understand and improve outcomes for children undergoing heart surgery.
Dr. Owens’s work extends far beyond Ann Arbor. Through his partnership with Gift of Life International, he helps build sustainable pediatric cardiac programs in countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Bolivia, offering hope and healing to children around the world.
Whether advancing research, mentoring the next generation, or delivering critical care, Dr. Owens remains devoted to one mission: ensuring that every child with heart disease has the chance to live a fuller, healthier life.

Hesham Shawky, M.D. a renowned Consultant of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, with a special interest in mitral valve repairs and with over 40 years of substantial contribution to the world of pediatric surgery, performing thousands of operations in Egypt and elsewhere.
A passionate Rotarian since 2008, Hesham’s Rotary Club champions the Gift of Life Program in Egypt. Dr. Shawky has provided cardiac surgeries to more than 200 underprivileged children, both in Egypt and Kenya through the Egypt Gift of Life program.
Hesham is a proud father of one son, who is a high honors Master’s student of Engineering at the University of Berlin.

Kavi Misri is the Founder and CEO of Hibiscus Health, an innovative digital health company transforming cardiometabolic care through cutting-edge, AI-powered facial biometric screening. Under his leadership, Hibiscus is redefining early detection and prevention of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension for employers and population health providers.
A serial entrepreneur, Kavi previously founded Rose Health, a nationally recognized digital mental health platform that leveraged deep tech for early detection of depression and mood disorders, culminating in a successful acquisition in 2022.
With over 15 years of experience as an M&A investment banker, corporate strategist, and healthcare operator, Kavi has held leadership roles at Northwell Health and worked in healthcare investment banking at both J.P. Morgan and Truist. He brings deep expertise in M&A, corporate development, and building impactful partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem.
Passionate about early detection and health equity, Kavi is a recognized leader in digital health innovation and employer wellness. He frequently speaks on the future of preventive care, metabolic disease, and the intersection of AI and population health.
Kavi holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Finance from Fordham University, where he also serves on the Board of the Fordham Foundry, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation across the university.

Bill has been a member of Rotary for 23 years.
Bill is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He resides in Middletown, NJ. He has been married to Susan for 42 years, has four children and twelve grandchildren.
Bill earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Loyola University of Maryland.
Bill is the principal of Bac2Profit, LLC (B2P). The firm provides fractional COO and CFO services that deliver operational and financial leadership. B2P expertise is in turnaround and restructuring consulting and coaching.
He is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch. Past District 7505 Governor 2018-2019.
Currently a faculty member and facilitator trainer at The Rotary Leadership Institute. Was the recipient of Rotary Leadership Institute (NEA) Faculty Member of the Year – 2017. Served in various capacities in Mid Atlantic President Elect Training Seminar (MAPETS) since 2014 and is currently serving as Treasurer. Served as District 7505 Treasurer 2026 and a member of the merger committee for new District 7590.
He served on the board of trustees of the Rotary District 7505 Gift of Life Foundation from 2014 – 2025 and has traveled to the Philippines and El Salvador in support of the Gift of Life missions. He is the 2024 recipient of the District 7505 Gift of Life’s Michael’s Heart Award for his service to the board and its mission of a healthy heart for every child.

Anthony Core, Esq., has been in the waste and recycling industry for nearly half a decade, continuing in his family’s business and serving as a beacon to both his family’s legacy and to the local Long Island community. He has been credited with the invention of the first glass, bottle and can residential recycling collection program, and developed unique equipment to accomplish the separation and marketing of these materials to avoid landfilling in the mid-1980s. Combined with his experience as a practicing litigation and commercial attorney for nearly four decades, he has established himself as an invaluable asset to those across Long Island who benefit from his work. Anthony is described as a family man and cares deeply about Gift of Life’s core mission to help children in need. He is in the Girls and Boys Club Hall of Fame. He has three children and one beautiful baby grandson.

Bio Pending

Bio Pending

Rob is a life-long resident of New York State. He graduated Hobart College in 1984 with a BS in Political Science. Over the years, he worked for US Senator Alfonse D’Amato and held the position of Vice President for Browning-Ferris Industries (at the time, the second largest international solid waste company in the world).

In 2008, Rob created the position of CEO for Gift of Life International. Since then, he was visited 38 countries on 5 continents to build the Gift of Life Global Network of 84 affiliates. During Rob’s tenure with Gift of Life International, 30 affiliates have been created while over 35,000 children have received care for their heart defects.

Rob focuses on strategically building bridges between Gift of Life programs, foreign Governments, Rotary Clubs and Districts, like-minded organizations and hospital administrations in order to address the Global Crisis of congenital heart defects.

Rob is a life-long New Yorker.

Brenda was inspired to help children in need with heart disease after her third child was born with a complex heart defect and underwent successful open-heart surgery in her first year of life. Brenda learned of Gift of Life International in 2006 at which time she established Gift of Life Los Angeles where she held the position of President from 2006 through 2022. Between 2008 and 2012, Brenda volunteered her time to help with Gift of Life International in addition to running Gift of Life Los Angeles. From 2012 to 2022, Brenda held the position of Director of Operations for Gift of Life International. Today, she continues this lifesaving work as Operations Consultant. Brenda also implemented the Nutritional Program in El Salvador in 2008 which has now provided nutritional support to more than 250 children and their families. Brenda has traveled with many of the Gift of Life training teams and witnessed these precious lives being saved.

Dr. Rodrigo Soto, a Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, joined Gift of Life International in May 2019. Dr. Soto has dedicated his skills and knowledge to help children with congenital heart disease in developing nations for 20 years. He completed his medical school and general surgery training in Chile. He then moved to Australia and France to learn pediatric cardiac surgery and returned to Australia in 2000 to work as staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. In Australia, Dr. Soto joined the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) as a volunteer, transitioning to staff surgeon and then to CEO in 2014.
From 2004 to 2012, Dr. Soto established the pediatric cardiac surgery program and the ECMO program at Clinica Alemana in Santiago, Chile. With the experience of setting up a pediatric cardiac program, more than a decade of volunteer work, and the work as CEO with ICHF, Dr. Soto made the decision to join Gift of Life International.
Dr. Rodrigo Soto is the Clinical Consultant for Gift of Life International and leads our training visits in the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Guyana.

Kim graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and received her Masters in Accounting from Long Island University – Post Campus. She has been working in the public accounting field since 2013 dealing with constant deadlines and long hours. Her family has always been connected to Rotary through her father, who taught her to step back from work and be part of something bigger. Thanks to this perspective to help others, she was provided with the opportunity to work for Gift of Life International and be part of their mission to save hearts around the world. Kim has been a part time bookkeeper for Gift of Life International for several years now, Says Kim, “I am happy to be connected to such a fulfilling organization. “

Sloan Fleming joined the Gift of Life International administrative team in June 2019. She received her PharmD degree from the University of South Carolina in 2002, following which she completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. After working for 7 years as a clinical pharmacist in trauma critical care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, her family moved back home to the Carolinas where she worked as a staff clinical pharmacist with Moses Cone Health System.

For the past 4 years, Sloan has served as the Volunteer and Trip Coordinator for Gift of Life International and currently assists with our training visits in the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Bolivia. She lives in Chapel Hill, NC with her husband, Greg, and children, Hannah and David. Her hobbies include reading, watching crime dramas, and traveling.

Before joining Gift of Life International, Joe LeMin had nearly 30 years of experience in the area of analytical chemistry including industrial, environmental, and pharmaceutical. His roles included analysis and quality assurance, where he was responsible for document control and quality metrics. From the time Joe’s wife Arlene (a Gift of Life International nurse volunteer) went on her first surgical mission trip in 2016, Joe has been managing medical supplies donated by Arlene’s hospital. When Gift of Life International had a need for a Logistics Coordinator in 2022, Joe was a natural choice. Joe maintains the Gift of Life International inventory of supplies near his home in Delaware and preps shipments to support Gift of Life International programs across the globe.

Kaitlyn Hales is from Outer Banks, North Carolina. She went to college at the University of North Carolina Wilmington for Communications with a focus on IMC (Integrated Marketing Communication). After college, Kaitlyn travelled for a while and ended up volunteering for Gift of Life International during this time (April 2024). She fell in love with the cause and decided this was something she would want to pursue as the next chapter in her life. Kaitlyn now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been working for Gift of Life International since October 2024!