Hearts For Russ Board of Directors

Following the passing of his brother Russ, Doug  sought to turn a tragic event into something positive and beneficial in Russ' name.  He worked with family and friends of Russ to form Hearts for Russ in 2014.  Doug is excited about the direction and mission of the organization and the impact it is having on peoples lives. 

Jim Housman is the eldest of the Housman children and has been an essential part of Hearts for Russ since the founding in 2014.  Jim is also the Treasurer of Hearts for Russ and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the organization is well run and  judicious in our funding distributions to worthy non-profits.  

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Beth Riley (nee Housman) is the elder sister of Russ and has been on the Hearts for Russ board of directors since 2017.  Her strong instincts for running a non-profit and direction in terms of the organizations that Hearts for Russ supports have been invaluable.  Beth also serves as board secretary of the organization.

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Jen Benson was the recipient of the 2022 Hearts for Russ Transplant Recipient Award and our board was so impressed with her personal story and her commitment to the transplant community, we asked her to join our board...and she said Yes!  Jen had a successful kidney-pancreas transplant over 7 years ago and then created The Transplant Journey (transplantjourney.org), a non-profit which guides prospective organ recipients through the transplant process.  We are so pleased to have her on our journey.  

John was Russ's best friend, and they grew up together in Garden City, NY.  John helped form Hearts for Russ and is an integral organizer of our charity events.  He also serves as board liaison to LI TRIO, attending and speaking at events and advocating for the causes important to the organization.

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The wife of Russ Housman, Pam has done an amazing job in his absence and has raised two wonderful children, Carollynn and Cydney.  Pam has been devoted to Hearts for Russ since the beginning and works to ensure that all of our charity events are shining examples of who we want to be as an organization.

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Carollynn is Russ' eldest daughter and has been participating in Hearts for Russ events since our founding, when she was only 13 years old. Leveraging her technical, artistic and communication skills, Carollynn ensures that Hearts for Russ stays connected and relevant in the organ transplant community.  We have been continually blessed to have the support and expertise of this fine young woman.