Meet Our Staff
Elise Becker 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.
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.
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.
Eden is responsible for overseeing grant development, fundraising strategies, and event planning. She works to expand MLI's base through outreach and donor relationships.
Prior to joining the MLI team, Eden worked in local government, serving as a neighborhood coordinator for the City of Knoxville, TN and as a volunteer coordinator for the local county community action committee. She has a B.A. in Communications and International Peace Studies from the University of Missouri and recently completed her Masters of Public Administration at American University.
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.
Hind serves as MLI's Project Assistant in Arlington, VA. She is an Iraqi national, born and raised in Baghdad. Hind has been a career diplomat and foreign service officer since 2006. Prior to her work with MLI, Hind worked in the fields of national security, human rights, cultural exchange, and on US-Iraq political and economic cooperation. Hind holds a Bachelor's degree from Baghdad University and a diploma in Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy from Iraq's Foreign Service Institute.
Hind serves as MLI's Project Assistant in Arlington, VA. She is an Iraqi national, born and raised in Baghdad. Hind has been a career diplomat and foreign service officer since 2006. Prior to her work with MLI, Hind worked in the fields of national security, human rights, cultural exchange, and on US-Iraq political and economic cooperation. Hind holds a Bachelor's degree from Baghdad University and a diploma in Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy from Iraq's Foreign Service Institute.
Sofie is a Political Science major and Public Policy & Administration minor at James Madison University.
She is from the DC area and is participating in James Madison University’s Washington Semester program, where she will be taking classes while completing her internship.
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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William G. Foster, Treasurer
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Dr. W. Travis Morris, Secretary
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Paul Arcangeli
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John Baylouny
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Elise Becker
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Nancy Colleton
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The Honorable Sherri Goodman
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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