| P e a c e a n d U n d e r s t a n d i n g |
US Servas Board of Directors |
Tim Sullivan 2023-2026 
Chair Tim and his spouse Charlotte have had the great opportunity to meet and stay with some amazing SERVAS hosts over the years. They are both deeply involved in justice work and Tim really appreciates SERVAS's peace building mission. Tim and Charlotte live in a beautiful spot in Western Iowa and they are looking for more travelers! | Deirdre Araujo 2024-2027  Vice Chair Volunteer service is a personal passion and a professional practice for Deirdre Araujo. A native New Yorker who left Rome, Italy, in 1989 to volunteer in Santa Cruz County, CA, in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake, Deirdre soon met her Brazilian partner. She settled in the Bay Area, where they've hosted countless young travelers, and raised an adventurous daughter currently studying at Oxford. In addition to helping in her local library and animal shelter, she’s served on various boards, including Phi Beta Kappa of Northern California, two terms as president of the American Association of University Women in San Francisco, and as chair of the young members’ caucus for Graduate Women International. After supporting SERVAS in ancillary ways since 1996, she formally registered as a traveler in 2022. As the head of volunteer engagement at San Francisco's Exploratorium for nearly 30 years, Deirdre serves on the national boards of the American Association for Museum Volunteerism and the National Association of Volunteer Program Leaders in Government, in the latter role as the liaison to the National Association of Counties. One happy SERVAS memory is of a recent trip to Taipei, where she spent time with lovely day hosts, exploring the city, and even volunteering at a local senior center. Deirdre looks forward to engaging members throughout their SERVAS experience, whether they're actively traveling or at home. | Leena Desai
Treasurer I am originally from India and moved to US in 1970s. My family has lived in 15 states and have travelled extensively. I love hiking, gardening, cooking and most of all, I am a fearless traveler, love connecting with people and experiencing different cultures. The best part is meeting and sharing my world with others, locals, fellow travelers and just about anyone. I want us to have a warm feeling in our heart and mind, feel positive about the world we live in and feel togetherness, peace and erase those boundaries between us. My goal is to expand and strengthen Servas for future generations. |
Eileen (Lee) Rowley 2023-2025  Over the past 25 years, Servas has provided me with some of my most memorable experiences. A few of the most significant relationships in my were made as a traveler and a host. Servas provides the opportunity to hear other’s stories, and to share our story, thus promoting cultural understanding and peace. By serving on the Servas board I hope to be a conduit to our members. I bring decades of experience in conflict resolution and mediation; managing volunteers, and serving on the NYS Dispute Resolution Assn. for 6 years. I enjoy empowering people and helping them to discover their full potential. | Tys Sniffen 2023-2025
For me, making friends while traveling is the best part. My lucky life has been full of friends and influences from other cultures, and I believe it's important to bring that to as many people as possible, especially Americans. | Rick Wolfe 2025-2027
Rick and his late wife Coleen first joined Servas in 1989. They traveled around the world in 1990 and stayed with 7 Servas hosts. Since then they have opened their home to over 60 families. I truly embrace the philosophy that meeting and sharing lives with people in different cultures changes world view. Also, some of my best experiences in travels has been with Servas. I also love to take guests to places that are not in travel brochures, what joy! I have also been to many peace walks locally and walk with like minded neighbors in them. I am originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan and received my accounting degree from Eastern Michigan University. I currently live in San Luis Obispo, California. I am a retired accountant specializing in non profits. I have a passion for travelling and cycling, most travels involves two wheels. I also host a small home church. As a board member, I hope to help make an impact in our world. |
Allison McCann 2025-2026 | Effie Trihas 2025-2026 | Steven Starr 2025 |
Karen Morian  US Peace Secretary I have been a Servas member for over twenty years, both as a traveler and as a host. I have been the beneficiary of my hosts’ diverse lives and interests: I have wrangled bees in the Alps, ridden scooters in Hanoi, and given a university lecture on Gandhi’s influence on the American civil rights movement in India- all thanks to Servas. As a host, I’ve tried to give travelers a different view of America. I took one to the local historically Black American Beach, one to Election Day events to see American democracy in action, and even took one to a racial justice rally when she came to stay (at her insistence). From my personal experiences, I know how valuable our organization is in bringing people together and sharing experiences. Now that experts are supporting the idea that shared experiences are more valuable in terms of breaking down prejudice and cultural barriers, I relish the opportunity as Peace Secretary to broaden Servas’ mission to “help build world peace, goodwill and understanding.” | Richard Weaver Past Chair
Ex Officio, Chair I was first introduced to Servas in the Spring of 1971. As a young activist, I resonated with Servas which was promoting its mission as building world peace one friendship at a time. That resonated for me and still does. I have been a Servas traveler and have hosted individuals, couples, and families from around the world. I have supported peace and justice organizations my whole adult life. I am a retired college professor living in San Diego, CA. I travel as often as I can, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. | Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh
Ex Officio, Board Secretary I was raised in the Nebraska Sandhills on a ranch that has been in family operation since 1909. Experiences living in Washington & London and spending 6 weeks hitchhiking from Switzerland to Morocco and places in between vastly broadened my horizons. As a public librarian I served people from all walks of life. I learned about Servas from Dean Jacobs, a Nebraskan who did a program about his around the world trip. “Servas? What’s that?” I asked. My husband Rick and I joined in 2009 as hosts, then I as a traveler in 2013. And nothing has been the same! Image: North Loup River, Brewster Nebraska |
