Retired U.S. Ambassador and LIU Brooklyn Dean Join CFH Board of Directors
Please join us in welcoming our two newest members of the Board of Directors.
Harry K. Thomas began his diplomatic career in 2003, when he was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh. Over the course of his nearly 15-year career, he would also serve as Ambassador to the Philippines and Zimbabwe.
In between ambassador roles, Thomas also served as Director General of the Foreign Service and as Executive Secretary and Special Assistant to Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
On his new role with CFH, Thomas commented, โI joined the Board because I believe that ‘we the peopleโ can and must, solve the challenges that homelessness presents. I know that the world’s wealthiest nation can improve our homeless sisters and brothers lives. CFH is the leading organization that is working to overcome this obstacle in NYC, my hometown. I will work with the Board Members to broaden the depth and breadth of CFH’s reach and outcomes.โ
Joining Thomas is the Dean of LIU Brooklynโs School of Health Professions and Nursing, Dr. Stacy Jaffee Gropack. Prior to her appointment as Dean in 2018, Dr. Gropack served LIU as the Associate Dean at the School of Health Professions and as the Director of Physical Therapy. She also continues to teach as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Gropack has been with LIU Brooklyn for almost 30 years and is one of the Universityโs longest serving and most distinguished administrators.
Dr. Gropack commented, โAs a clinician and academician, I think there are many misconceptions about the homeless community and population. It is my mission to better educate our students about how they may serve the homeless as they are considered a vulnerable group who need competent, well informed health care and advocacy.โ
She continued, โGiven my academic position, I believe that I can strongly influence our students and faculty to be better informed and capable of providing care at all levels. I also believe that as a representative of Long Island University, we can develop many strong partnerships between CFH and LIU which can provide opportunities for educational programming, funding, and clinical internships.โ