Liz Gannon-Graydon, along with her husband Rob, is the co-founder of What BETTER Looks Like, an organization that taps into the creative potential of people to help solve problems in their local communities.

Liz taught middle school Social Studies for 16 years. It was during her years as a middle school teacher that she gained the inspiration and the tools for the What Better Looks Like Campaign.   She spent 5 years working with Hour Children, a NY-based organization that works to support incarcerated women and their families.  As part of her work there, she started a program for the teenage children of incarcerated mothers.   She has facilitated nonviolence programs at  C.W. Post, Pace University, Nassau Community College, SUNY Farmingdale, and through the United Nations Church Center.

Liz is the mother of two young sons, and is committed to the creation of beloved community.

"For me, taking the time to notice the people around you, and treating them with kindness is what BETTER looks like."

Marie Goretti Ukeye, born and raised in Rwanda, now lives in New York with her husband and twin daughters.  She works for Zurich Financial Services.

In 1994, as people all over the world glared at images of the genocide in Rwanda, Marie prayed for her life while she lost some of siblings, other family members, neighbours and friends.  A few years later, Marie's family experienced another tragedy: the HIV/AIDS pandemic that claimed some of her siblings too.

Accepting a new reality, a world where children lost their parents, joy and innocence, Marie discovered how fragile and precious life is.  Searching for answers to the tragedies in a tear-filled, orphaned girl's eyes, Marie acknowledged that she can never replace yesterday with tomorrow, that she can never replace the child’s parents, but that she can share her love and use whatever resources she can to help restore hope in the lives of many orphaned children.  She vowed to be a hand that wipes away their tears.

“To help extend to orphaned children what is offered to me in the USA, the guarantee of life and liberty to pursue happiness, to find joy in children’s laughter and to help them live in a more peaceful world, that’s what BETTER looks like for me.”

Kathleen, who grew up in Western Canada, is the mother of two grown children, is an ordained Interfaith minister, and is an addictions counselor with twenty years experience.  Her emphasis is on the mind-body-spirit connection, particularly body-centered therapies.  She has led women’s spiritual, inner child, and corporate team-building retreats throughout the Tri-state area for the past fifteen years.  

She is a published poet and folk-singer, and in 2006, she completed the Camino, a pilgrimage which began in St. Jean Pied-A-Port, France and ended in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  Kathleen is an intuitive, spontaneous, creative and sensitive healer with a deep commitment to her own process and to working with women.  She has been a creative force in the What Better Looks Like organization, and she has responded to her calling to participate in the trip to Rwanda with great energy and enthusiasm.

"What BETTER looks like to me is balance: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, in myself, in relationships, in my family, in communities, and globally, including a healthy relationship with Mother Earth."

Chris enjoys inspiring others to explore the way they see things and choose to perceive in a more active and positive way.  She has a broad base of leadership and training experience in the educational and health care fields, and an expertise in development of program models. Her career has focused on improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families, through work as a teacher, school administrator, college professor and foster parent. She has volunteered on behalf of children with special needs, and families in crisis, both locally and in developing countries, and supports non-partisan citizen action organizations that promote peace.  She is currently the statewide project director for the quality assurance initiative of the NY State Department of Health Early Intervention Program.

“Connecting with spirit, and inspiring others to remember truth and joy, is what BETTER looks like to me.”

Robin is a licensed clinical social worker who is passionate about social justice issues. She has held positions as program directors in local youth agencies and has been a school social worker since 1999. Robin is dedicated to working for social change and is involved with several organizations that promote peace and justice.  She is devoted to advocating for women’s issues and lobbying for change in economic and political systems. She has done extensive volunteer work.  Robin began her own women’s program that educated groups of women locally about issues involving women nationally and internationally and raised money for these organizations. She is currently pursuing her PhD in social policy concentrating on sustainable development and economic justice. She is married and the mother of two dogs.

“For me, what BETTER looks like is a world in which we all are aware of our inter-connectiveness.   A world in which we all become aware about how the choices we make impact one another, the environment and all living things . We need to use this awareness to make improved decisions.”

Eileen has been a health-care professional, specifically as a Dental Hygienist, for almost twenty years.  She has Life Coach training and is a graduate of the PEER Supervision training, which she completed in 2002.  Eileen has years of commitment to women’s issues and has participated as a co-facilitator of women’s groups and retreats.  She is a dedicated, motivated peace activist and is passionate about volunteering.  She has volunteered with New Yorkers for a Department of Peace, Remote Area Medical and Habitat for Humanity for the Gulf Coast Recovery in Louisiana and Mississippi as well as food rescue with City Harvest in New York City.  She also has commitments of sponsorship to Women for Women International and Kiva.org.  Eileen is committed to empowering others through “The What Better Looks Like” organization which brings people together to share their strengths and grow as a community.  She is the mother of two great kids, Kelly and Eric, and her three lovable cats.

"What BETTER Looks Like to me is helping each other by sharing our abundant gifts."

Norma's interest is in healing the disconnectedness among people.  An avid activist for peace, women and the elderly, her key focus is connecting with others to discover what is most important to them as individuals and honoring them as such.  An essential part of her community-based work, both locally and globally, is meeting in circles as equals to achieve vital connection and inspiration.  Seeking to aid the elderly in alleviating loneliness, fear and confusion is also one of her passions.  

Affected and inspired by the caregiving to her mother, Norma is determined to help as many people as possible.  She is proud to be affiliated with:  New Yorkers for a U.S. Department of Peace, Women for Women International,  and the Lewy Body Dementia Association, for which she is a Board member and New York State support group facilitator.

Norma was the executive assistant to the chief financial officer of The New York Times Company where she worked for over 20 years.  She also served as chairperson of the work/life committee of The New York Times Company’s women’s affinity group.

“What BETTER looks like to me is feeling the joy of a loving voice, hand, hug, or song.  Most importantly, it's about having time available when someone is in need.”