About Us
At Global Heartcare Foundation, our work is primarily done by volunteers. The Board of Directors provides guidance and ensures the organization works towards its mission.
About · Board & Leadership
Board of Directors
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Wendy Bennett is Co-Founder and President of the Foundation for Cardiovascular Care in Africa, an early-stage NGO supporting the development of cardiac training centers, and advocacy for children and young adults with rheumatic and congenital heart disease. Wendy is a retired philanthropy consultant, assisting corporate and family foundations in strategy development. She currently serves as a Trustee with Partners in Health (PIH), and with The Nature Conservancy’s Africa Council. Wendy has a BA from Harvard College, and a master’s degree in music from the University of Minnesota.
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Al Hanser founded The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company in 2001. His 50+ years of experience in the investment and banking industries has helped to guide our firm’s vision and growth for the benefit of our clients, shareholders, employees and communities. Al has previously served as Chairman and CEO of Resource Bank and Trust Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was also Senior Executive at Dain Rausher, an investment banking firm (now RBC Wealth Management). He was Chairman, CEO, and board member of Merchant Bank as well as Chairman of Hanrow Financial Group, Ltd. Other business interests include his family’s ownership interest in the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team for over 50 years. Al is Chairman Emeritus of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, member of LHS Planning Committee and Director of Lee Health Children’s Hospital. He is a former director of The Schoolhouse Theater, CROW, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis, Lee Health System Foundation, and past Chairman of both Cleveland Clinic Florida and University of Minnesota Hospital, as well as a number of other corporate, civic and philanthropic boards.
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Dr. Vibhu R. Kshettry is a board certified cardiovascular and transplant surgeon and has held leadership positions in busy clinical and academic practices at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and the University of MN for over 30 years. He is a member and fellow of many prestigious national and international professional societies. He has been consistently listed in Top Doctors and Top Surgeons in national and international rankings. He has served on many scientific advisory boards of medical device companies, as well as other boards. A keen researcher, he has over 100 publications in prominent peer reviewed journals. In spite of his busy medical practices, he is passionate about improving cardiac care in developing countries.
For over 25 years, he has been the founder of nonprofit organizations, including ICORE: International Cardiac Outreach, Research and Education program, Friends of Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia and Global Outreach Program at MInneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. To expand his philanthropic efforts, he launched the Global HeartCare Foundation.
“This has been a personal calling for me since childhood. Give life to others, care for others, care for your family. More importantly, care for strangers. To the world you may be one person, to the one person, you may be the world.”
– Dr. Vibhu R. Kshettry
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Debra has a Bachelors of Business Administration degree and over 30 years of management experience in both the non-profit and for-profit organizations. She began her volunteer work in global healthcare in Haiti in 2009 and currently serves on the board of directors for Real Hope For Haiti. In 2014 she was introduced to Dr. Vibhu Kshettry and has supported the work of cardiac care in East Africa.
Consultants
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Consultant / Medical Advisor
Dr. Kshettry has over 35 years of professional experience in women’s healthcare. As an obstetrician and gynecologist, she has cared for women in all stages of their life. Her passion in philanthropic work for women’s healthcare extends beyond borders.
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Consultant/Scientific Advisor
A dedicated leader in cardiovascular health, currently serving as Program Director at the Heart Rhythm Science Center, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Having over a decade of experience in various roles, including Senior Scientist and Scientific Advisor she is committed to advancing research that addresses cardiovascular health disparities globally, particularly focusing on congenital heart disease and women's heart health.