Staff
Barbara Heisler, Executive Director
Barbara Heisler joined the Funding Exchange as Executive Director in the fall of 2010. Barbara’s work history is eclectic – tied together with a focus on equity and justice through organizing. Honing her skills through experience, Barbara was the Director of Financial Aid at two universities, served in senior regional and divisional positions at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education; worked to build capacity at local affiliates of a national organization working to alleviate family homelessness; was the founding Executive Director of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, a model integration maintenance organization; and, taking that work to scale, served as Executive Director of Fund for an OPEN Society. Barbara’s passions for social justice and making connections for change unite at Funding Exchange as she works to move the Network to its next level.
Becky Rafter, Director of Stakeholder Engagement
Becky Rafter joined the Funding Exchange staff in August 2011 and brings unique energy and a passion for movement building and creating financial sustainability for grassroots social justice work.
Drew Zimmerman, Office Manager
Drew Zimmerman has worn many hats over the years, working as a freelance graphic designer, production assistant for an independent film company, as well as working for MTV News during the Presidential Campaign of 2008. In college, Drew was involved with Amnesty International and worked with the news department of his local college radio station, WBGU FM at Bowling Green State University. He now oversees day-to-day office operations at Funding Exchange, as well as webmaster and communications activities.
Lucretia John, Program Officer
Lucretia has dedicated her career to fighting all forms of racial, social and economic inequality and oppression through community organizing and resource development. As a community organizer, she has worked with parents to reform the education system of New York City and with service workers in South Jersey to fight for fair funding of education and health care. She has served as New York State Senate liaison to community-based organizations in Central Brooklyn and as public policy writer on topics ranging from the home foreclosure crisis to the high rates of stop-and-frisks on people of color by the New York Police Department. Lucretia’s work in philanthropy began at the Third Wave Foundation, coordinating the Southwest networking tour of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. She volunteers with numerous organizations, including the Venceremos Brigade, RISE Collective: Social Workers for Social Justice, and Public Allies New York Alumni Advisory Board. In addition, she holds a BA in Psychology from Manhattanville College.
Michelle Esposito, Bookkeeper
Michelle has been working in finance for several years and was pleased when the opportunity arose to work for an organization that offered satisfaction both personally and professionally. She feels strongly about providing services to organizations such as Funding Exchange that promote efforts to make the lives and the communities of other individuals better. Outside of her bookkeeping and operations experience, Michelle has worked as a volunteer throughout the years, giving leadership guidance and teaching confidence building tools to disadvantaged children and teens.
Nanda Witharanage, Development Assistant/Grants Administrator
Nanda Witharanage joined the Funding Exchange in 1997 because the the organization perfectly matched what she believes in — progressive politics, social justice and fighting for equality. Nanda is an immigrant who came to this country in 1990. She likes reading and classical music and she lives in Brooklyn.