Meet our team

Our boards

“After experiencing first-hand the terrible plight of some of the world’s most at risk children, I felt compelled to make a difference”. – Founder, Geoff Hucker

Geoff Hucker

Founder

In 2007, Geoff’s professional career as an international pilot dovetailed into his vocational calling – founding and directing Beyond The Orphanage (BTO).

After taking a chance trip to Ethiopia, and experiencing first-hand the extreme hardships facing the country’s orphaned children, Geoff felt emotionally compelled to create change.

Under Geoff’s leadership over the past decade BTO has taken over 1,000 children off the street, and provided them with the support and skills necessary to become independent young adults. His continuing commitment and dedication to the growth of BTO is reflected by the expansion of the program to Nepal in 2015.

Dr Raymond Kirk

Chairperson of the Board, USA

Dr. Kirk is president of RS Kirk and Associates, consultants in human services management, research, program evaluation, and training, focusing on evidence-based practice in human services.

Formerly a Professor of Social Work at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, he has held teaching, professional and administrative positions in academe and in government.

His present work involves evaluations of human service delivery systems and consultation with national resource centers in the Children’s Bureau and the Administration for Community Living.

Kate Fewings

Director, Australia and USA

Kate has more than 25 years’ experience as a lawyer and currently works as in-house legal counsel for one of the world’s largest financial services companies.

Outside of volunteering her time to various charitable institutions, she has participated in a number of not for profit projects including school renovation in Nepal, the establishment of a global travel company intended to return money to local communities and housing/building projects for women and girls in crisis across Asia.

Peter Banki

Director, Australia and USA

Peter is a lawyer and mediator specialising in intellectual property and entertainment and media law. He is an experienced disputes advisor and has represented clients at all levels of Australian Courts and Tribunals. He was a founding partner of the law firm Banki Haddock Fiora and is a consultant to the firm.

Peter has been chairman of the Australian Copyright Council and NSW Entertainment Industry Interim Council and a member of the board of Copyright Agency Limited. He has also been a member of committees advising the Australian government on copyright and communications law. He is a member of various Australian professional bodies in the field of intellectual property.

Alexandra Loftus

Director, Australia

Alex’s mission is to help important movements increase their impact with effective and creative content and engagement campaigns. She thrives when helping causes and communities tackle complex social and environmental issues through creative communication and storytelling strategies.

Alex currently leads communications and engagement for the redevelopment of the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Previously, she’s worked at The Bravery – one of Australia’s most prominent businesses within the purpose-communications sector.

Dr Natalie Conner

Director, USA

Natalie graduated from Charlotte Country Day School and went on to receive her BA in English Literature from UNC Chapel Hill. She was awarded her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, and her Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work.

In addition to being a researcher, Natalie also holds her clinical license, having worked as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with adolescents for nearly 20 years.

Natalie has volunteered with BTO since 2008.

Yasenia Pascual-Buendia

Director, USA

Yasenia has a degree in Science majoring in Non-profit Leadership and Management. She has worked in donor management and with a food bank coordinating with partners and community groups. Yasenia has been on a Board for the LGBTQIA+ community and is a long-term volunteer for a children’s program in Arizona.

She is passionate about working with disadvantaged youth and believes it is important to be part of the solution when it comes to children’s rights and development.