Who We Are
Meet Our Staff
Elise Becker Burdette is the Executive Director of the Marshall Legacy Institute, where she works to develop strategy, adhere to and promote the organization’s mission, and to direct and sustain the organization and its staff. She previously served as the Vice President for Operations and Program Manager at MLI. Prior to joining MLI, Elise was the James Madison University Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellow at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. Elise holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a BA in International Affairs from James Madison University. She has also completed courses in Grants Monitoring.
As Program Director, Indre oversees MLI's Mine Detection Dog Partnership Programs and social impact programs. Indre maintains MLI's partnerships, works to identify new opportunities, and conducts monitoring and evaluation for MLI's women and youth program in Iraq.
Prior to joining MLI in 2015, Indre managed development projects and taught English in Morocco and Cambodia, and worked as a consultant for the public and private sectors in Lithuania.
Tanya is the Finance and Administration Manager for MLI and has worked for over 14 years specializing in nonprofit finance and accounting. She also holds a BS degree in International Business and is a CPA candidate. Since 2010, Tanya has been overseeing all the financial and accounting aspects of private and federal funding for MLI. She helped MLI develop financial policies and procedures to comply with Code of Federal Regulations. She develops and balances organizational operational budget, oversees A-133 audits, negotiates Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior and performs budget to actual analysis for various MLI programs.
Anne joined the MLI team after serving as a teacher/principal for more than 30 years. She holds a B.S. in Music Education, a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Master’s Certificate in Independent School Administration. Anne’s relationship with MLI began in 1998 when her school sponsored their first of six mine detection dogs and she embraced the CHAMPS program with her students. In 2017, Anne worked with MLI to create the Peacemakers and Problem Solvers Program. Anne oversees educational programs through curriculum development, teacher mentoring, and global connections. Since joining the MLI Team, Anne has received certifications for completing two e-learning courses through GICHD including Introduction to Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) Essentials and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Advanced Course.
Luz Angela, a Colombian native, serves as the Legal Representative and Country Manager in Colombia. She supervises the effective execution of programs in Colombia, fostering key partnerships, leading program development, and designing initiatives for youth development. Furthermore, she provides strategic assistance in managing the day-to-day operations of monitoring and evaluation activities for projects in Iraq. Luz Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Foreign Trade, along with postgraduate qualifications in Finance and in International Cooperation and Project Management for Development. She holds multiple certifications, including those in nonprofit finance management, nonprofit leadership, and explosive ordnance risk education.
As Senior Manager of Development and Communications, Lindsay leads the Marshall Legacy Institute's fundraising, donor engagement, and external communications strategies.
Bano Ahmed serves as MLI’s Project Specialist in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Bano oversees MLI’s monitoring and evaluation activities for our Iraq-based projects. Bano holds a degree in Civil Engineering and has extensive experience managing complex projects.
During her free time, Bano enjoys road trips, swimming, and exploring the world.
As the Program and Development Specialist, Madelyn supports international peacebuilding, youth leadership, and development initiatives by managing program operations and advancing fundraising and communications efforts. She has a background in humanitarian assistance and gender. Prior to joining the team, Madelyn has managed federal grants and consulted on Youth Peace and Security policy regarding global youth civic movements.
Use this space to introduce yourself and share your professional history.
As Senior Manager of Development and Communications, Lindsay leads the Marshall Legacy Institute's fundraising, donor engagement, and external communications strategies.
Tamara Klingsheim is the Manager of MLI’s Children’s Programs & Victims’ Assistance. She works with school children around the US and in mine-affected countries promoting global citizenship and cultural exchange – developing leadership among today’s youth! Tamara also oversees Victims’ Assistance Programs and advises International Managers.
Board of Directors
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MG (Ret.) Robert M. Dyess, Jr., Chairman
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Perry F. Baltimore III, Vice-Chairman
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John Baylouny, Treasurer
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Dr. W. Travis Morris, Secretary
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Paul Arcangeli
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Elise Becker Burdette
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Nancy Colleton
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Ambassador (Ret.) Greta C. Holtz
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Richard G. Kidd IV
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LTG (Ret.) Stephen Lanza
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The Honorable Joe R. Reeder
International Advisory Committee
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Adnan Hadrovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Countess Beatrice de Lannoy, Belgium
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The Honorable Tomaz Lovrenčič, International Trust Fund
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Dr. Frank Miskena, Iraq
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The Honorable Devinda Subasinghe, Sri Lanka
Our Partners
MLI couldn't be more grateful to our partners we have worked with, past and present. MLI works through indigenous organizations within our partner countries to remove landmines and promote stability. To view all dog sponsors and donors, visit the Meet our Dogs page.
U.S. Partners
The United States Department of State and the Department of Defense have provided crucial funding for MLI's programs since 1999.
International Partners
Afghanistan:
Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC)
French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan (DAFA)
Mine Clearing Planning Agency (MCPA)
Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR)
Angola:
National Demining Institute (INAD)
Armenia:
Armenian Center for Humanitarian Demining & Expertise (ACHDE)
Azerbaijan:
Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Mine Detection Dog Center (MDDC)
Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
Republika Srpska Office of Civil Protection (OCP RS)
Bosnia-Herzegovina Demining
Eko Demining
OCP Federation – Office of Civil Protection
ProVita
STOP Mines
Pazi Mines
Mine Clearance Association (UEM)
Iraq:
Iraq Mine and UXO Clearance Organization (IMCO)
Ministry of Peshmerga
Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
The Global Jothoor Foundation
Lebanon:
Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC)
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lankan Army's Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU)
Yemen:
Yemeni Association for Landmine Survivors (YALS)
The Hadhramout Foundation
Remembering MLI's Founder
General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan
General Sullivan dedicated his life to serving our great nation and to helping make the world a better and safer place. Through his service as 32nd Chief of Staff of the United States Army, President of the Association of the U.S. Army, distinguished alumnus and Chairman of Norwich University, his work with the CNA Military Advisory Board, and most personally, in his role as an American soldier, General Sullivan positively influenced lives both at home and abroad.
As our Founder, General Sullivan remained fundamental to MLI for 26 years. It is thanks to his foresight and leadership that our non-profit organization has continued our work to improve conditions in war-torn countries around the world. For 26 years, we have carried out General Sullivan’s vision to promote hope, growth, and stability globally: providing hero K9s to sniff out landmines and save lives in pursuit of a landmine-free world, delivering education to help prevent landmine injuries, and supporting landmine survivors injured by these hidden killers.
We are honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside General Sullivan in his role as our Founder and as long-serving Chairman of the MLI Board of Directors, stepping down from his post just at the end of 2022. It is with great sadness, and gratitude, that we move forward, resolved to carry out General Sullivan’s vision to help make this world a better place.