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Sando KarnehSando Karneh, is a naturalized US citizen of Liberian descent; a philanthropist, and financial services professional. Sando believes that improving lives, removing socioeconomic barriers, and harnessing opportunities for underprivileged children are the gateway for creating a successful generation. Because of his beliefs, he co-founded H.E.A.L Inc. and serves as the Executive Director.
Sando sees himself in many of the children H.E.A.L Inc. now supports. He was one of these kids. He vividly remembers growing up in Liberia, where he lived in a home without running water or in-door plumbing. He grew up facing similar and identical odds as these kids: no shoes to wear and sometimes just one meal a day. His parents, however, instilled in him perseverance, hard work, and the value of education. His experience as an underprivileged child contributes largely to his level of compassion and desire to help others. As a refugee, he escaped civil-war-torn Liberia and migrated to the United States in 1998. With little resources to his name, he relied on and immediately took advantage of the Job Corps program in North Texas to start learning about and assimilating in to the United States – his adopted country. The support of the Job Corps program provided him the leverage to pursue the next level of education. He later earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Science degree in Management with concentration in organizational leadership from Strayer University. He has worked in the financial services industry for 15 years; and he currently serves as a Consulting Manager with E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services. He is married and lives with his family in Lawrenceville, Georgia. |
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Lindamae McLemoreLindamae McLemore is a Liberian American whose desire is to make an impact on the future generations. As an educator, Ms. McLemore values learning and believes that education is essential to the achievement of any country. She believes that with the support of a community, children have a greater chance to become a positive change within their environment.
Having experienced the beginning of the devastating war in Liberia, Ms. McLemore has seen the horrific impact on the people of Liberia who were left to live through the turmoil their country now faced. Her love and passion to see peoples' lives transform has led her to become a co-founder of H.E.A.L Inc. Ms. McLemore believes that to see positive changes within the many communities throughout Liberia, and the metro Atlanta area, the educational and socioeconomic barriers of the underprivileged must be removed and their basic needs must be met. She believes that H.E.A.L Inc. has become the support to remove the barriers that exist, and NOW is the time! Ms. McLemore currently teaches for the Gwinnett County Public School system and resides in the Lawrenceville, Georgia area with her husband and children. |
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H. Finda ThornesH. Finda Thornes is a Liberian American with a passion to serve humanity. Most of her formative years were in her country of birth. After migrating to the United States she immediately found opportunities to serve in any community where she resided. She worked in many capacities at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and later received a Pre-natal health coach certification from Emory University. Ms. Thornes, a life coach, a motivator, and a loving mother to her son, R. Archie Williams III.
Finda’s devotion to serving humanity is incomparable. She is a founding member of a non-profit organization, THE WOMEN OF F.I.R.E, (Friends Integrated for Remarkable Excellence) serve as service coordinator at her church for many years, volunteers with Hosea Feed the Homeless and many other humanitarian organizations. Ms. Thornes, having experienced the devastating war in Liberia, understands the impact it has on children who were not opportune to migrate to a country of refuge as she fortunately did. Her passion to care for others motivated her to become a co-founder of H.E.A.L Inc. Finda believes that by encouraging the individual growth of children in Liberia, she will foster in them a sense of self-worth, instill the belief in the greater good, and a better society. She works tirelessly to ensure that the underprivileged men, women, and children in both Liberia and Atlanta are provided the support they need. |