Hope For Madagascar, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was born from the shared vision of Fanja Rakotonirina and Georges Fils Andriamanjato Raelisaona. Driven by a deep connection to their roots, they sought a meaningful way to empower underserved women and uplift schoolchildren across their native country.
Their efforts were later amplified by the late Joan Russell and her husband, Chuck McElwain—a dedicated American couple who championed the cause and believed deeply in the organization's mission.
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
BOARD MEMBER EMIRITUS (In Memoriam)
The late Joan Russell (2005 -2026) joined the Board of Directors for Hope For Madagascar in 2005, serving as the organization's Vice President. As the former Director of the Community School Program for the Boulder Valley School District, Joan skillfully leveraged her background to lead fundraising campaigns and manage complex projects. She traveled to Madagascar several times, where she worked directly on the ground to coordinate meaningful educational and enrichment activities for the children.