Fanapi Foundation is led by an all-volunteer Advisory Board comprising of leaders who understand the needs and realities in Micronesia in the areas of education, health, poverty elimination, and community development.
Margarita Cholymay, Ph.D.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI
Dr. Cholymay is a veteran educator in Chuuk State, FSM. She has held numerous positions in public schools in Chuuk, the Department of Education, and College of Micronesia, and the local community. She completed her doctorate at University of Hawaii at Manoa in education. Her dissertation entitled, “Way finding: Envisioning a Culturally Responsive Educational System for Chuuk State, FSM – Drawing Upon the Knowledge and Wisdom of Chuukese Indigenous People” will fit perfectly into the goals and aspirations of the Northwest Unified Schools to develop an educational system befitting their traditional cultures. She will focus her workshop on helping the educators and community leaders in formulating culturally responsive approaches to school improvement.
Barbara Colyar
Director, Alumni Office (International Programs)
Santa Clara University
Barbara has been a mentor for Vid Raatior and countless others in the field of international education. Mrs. Colyar received her Bachelor’s and Masters degrees from Santa Clara University. She is a recognized national leader in international education and a strong advocate for global understanding and women’s rights. Her experience includes serving as Director of International Student Services and Director of Study Abroad, thus spanning both dimensions of global education. At Santa Clara Barbara has been instrumental in expanding pre-departure and re-entry classes along with a dynamic peer education programs for study abroad students. Her work has been supported by grants from the James Irvine foundation. Barbara has served on the national boards of several international educational programs and in 2003 was honored with the Service in International Education Award from the Western Region of NAFSA. She joined the Alumni Office as Director of Alumni Relations focusing on study abroad and international alumni engagement.
Chad Ellis, DDS
Dentist, Hammond & Ellis
Provo, Utah
Dr. Chad Ellis practices dentistry in Utah where he is recognized for his talents in all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry. Prior to his successful career in dentistry, the young Chad served an LDS mission in Chuuk, Micronesia. He has participated in humanitarian dental projects in Peru, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. He is also an annual volunteer of the Smiles for Life Foundation, the children’s charity organization of the Crown Council. Dr Ellis is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Crown Council, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, Utah Dental Association, Idaho State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, and the Academy of LDS Dentists. He served five years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force as a civil environmental engineer in California and Texas. He graduated from Utah State University where he received Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. While at UT, Dr. Ellis was a recipient of the General Dentistry Certificate of Honor and was selected as a delegate for the Japanese dental exchange program at Meikai University.
Scott Kelley, Ph.D.
Vice President for Vincentian Scholarship, Office of Mission & Values
DePaul University
Dr. Scott Kelley is Assistant Vice-President for Vincentian Scholarship in the Office of Mission and Values at DePaul University. Previously, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Religious Studies Department and Research Fellow at the Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. He received a Doctorate in Theological Ethics from Loyola University Chicago in 2006. Prior to graduate work, he taught Theology at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, English in Tokyo, Japan and was a volunteer in Pohnpei, Micronesia with Jesuit Volunteer International. His particular teaching and research interests include for-profit contributions to the alleviation of global poverty, Catholic social teaching, Vincentian heritage, sustainability, and moral discernment. He recently co-authored a book entitled, “Alleviate Poverty through Profitable Partnerships: Globalization, Markets, and Economic Well-being.”
Arthur Leger, SJ, Ph.D.
Director, East Asian Pastoral Institute
Ateneo de Manila University
Fr. Arthur Leger is the Director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. A citizen of Fiji, Fr. Leger joined the Jesuits in Micronesia in 1994. He has a long career as an educator, both before joining the Society and afterwards including as Director and Principal of Xavier High School in Micronesia. He has completed Master’s degrees in Educational Administration, Christianity and Culture, and in Divinity. He received his Ph.D. in leadership development from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Fr Leger is especially alert to educational reform issues having been the lead consultant on the review of the Chuuk Educational Reform Plan.
Dr. Barry Staley, DDS (ret)
Board Member,
Santa Cruz, CA
Barry is the founder of the Micronesia Dental Support Project. After completing studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, Northwestern University Dental School, and Boston University Graduate School of Dentistry, Dr. Staley ran a successful practice for over 20 years before retiring in the 80’s. While in practice he served as President of the Monterey Bay Dental Society and the Western Society of Periodontology. After retiring from his private practice he served in various leadership roles in nonprofit organizations including; program director of the Children’s School Based Dental Clinic at Dientes, Director of the Dental Program at the California Health Trust, and co-director of the Veterinary Dental Institute. He oversees all recruitment and preparation of the dental team.
Asterio Takesy
FSM Ambassador to the United States
FSM Embassy, Washington DC
Mr. Asterio Takesy is the Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United States. An experienced diplomat, Mr. Takesy has served his country and the Northwest region in a variety of high level posts dating back to the 70’s when he served as Administrative Assistant in the Chuuk District Education Department, Chief Clerk in the Congress of Micronesian House of Representatives, assistant secretary of the Micronesia Constitutional Convention, Executive Director of the Commission on Future Political Association with the United States, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of Resources and Development, and Executive Director for the Joint Committee on Compact Economic Negotiations which eventually led to the current treaty between the US and the FSM called Compact of Free Association. Before his current appointment to the Ambassadorship, Asterio was the first Micronesian to serve as the Executive Director of the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program serving two terms. He graduated from University of Guam and University of New Mexico.