Our Board of Trustees

AMANDA-LEIGH PLAYER HALL
PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BAS (UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN), MAS (BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY)

Amanda-Leigh has worked in the architecture field, and as a freelance artist, but her passion lies in helping others.

She served as a Spanish-speaking missionary in the US and coached college level tennis as a certified professional. Her most treasured role is that of wife and mother.
Amanda-Leigh worked for several years with The Gary Player Foundation as an art director – and for various other notable nonprofits. She is immensely grateful for the opportunity to lead The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation, honoring her parents’ legacy to love and lift children in need, and ensure they have a better life.

MICHAEL R. WHETSTONE, M.D

Dr. Whetstone graduated from medical school in 1983. In 1989, after many years training in reconstructive and plastic surgery, he opened his medical practice in the Las Colinas area of Dallas, Texas.

His work led him to the Philippines with a team of international surgeons to perform reconstructive surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates. He also participated in trips to Guerrero, Mexico with the Crystal Foundation to lead a team to serve the community in an area where medical care was unavailable.

Following retirement in 2019, Dr. Whetstone resides in Irving, Texas with his wife, Teri.
Together they are the parents of three children and four grandchildren.

REON BARNARD

Certified Director with the Institute of Directors in South Africa, a Certified Ethics Officer with The Ethics Institute.

Reon joined the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School board in early 2018 with the encouragement of Gary and Vivienne Player and the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation (Formerly known as the Gary Player Foundation). He holds a Tsinghua INSEAD Executive MBA, and B.Com in Finance from Stellenbosch University.
Reon has more than a decade’s experience as an executive director of BCR Holdings Pty Ltd and is the Chairman of the board of Sekta Group.

Reon uses his innovative thinking, drive for good governance, and broad network to serve as the President of the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation in South Africa and its beneficiary, the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School. Reon runs several businesses, and enjoys family time, travel, golf, and reading extensively when he is not changing the world.

PATRICIA D KAUFMAN

Patricia D. Kaufman has dedicated her life to living out these words: “Of those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.”

Patricia began her career in retail manag–ement and went on to specialize in Interior Design. Her most cherished work is the interior of the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center which she and her husband Scot founded in BelAir, Maryland in 2013.

Patricia currently sits on the foundation boards of two hospitals and is the vice-president of her family’s own charitable foundation. She is also the liaison for the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry on the Missions Committee of the church she attends. Serving those in need is her greatest passion.  
Patricia and Scot retired to Marco Island, Florida where they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  They have two children and two grandsons of whom they are very proud.

HAMISH HUME

Hamish Hume is a senior partner and member of the Executive Committee at the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP.

His practice focuses on high stakes litigation, with particular emphasis on cases against the government and antitrust cases. He has won numerous notable cases with billions of dollars at stake, and has been the first chair trial lawyer for many Fortune 500 companies. He lives in Washington D.C.

Patty Fischer

Patty Fischer has dedicated her entire career to endeavors which enhance the educational environment for children.

After graduating from Western Ontario University with Honours in Urban Geography, Patty initially worked for an Architectural firm, with a focus on children's playground planning.

She chose to further enhance her knowledge through the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, as a Primary School and High School Specialist. Patty later served in various roles in education, including teaching and Head of School.

For the past 30 years, Patty has dedicated her time as a volunteer in the field of charity work, frequently on boards, and in fund raising positions involving health and children. She joined the Gary and Vivienne Foundation as a Trustee in April 2023).

Tom thoman

Tom Thoman holds a master’s degree in Business Administration through the Executive MBA Program at The Katz Business School at the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

He has spent most of his career with Airgas, rising through the ranks as he turned around businesses through collaboration and building strategy. Tom enjoys free time with friends and family, making the most of the great outdoors by boating, hiking, fishing, exploring and golfing.

Gwen Maditse, J.D.

Gwen Maditse holds a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University Law School and a Bachelor's Degree from Clark Atlanta University.

Gwen has worked in finance and legal, both domestically and internationally.  She also has experience in Corporate Governance, having worked as the Head of Retail Compliance for a major bank.  Having spent extensive time living and traveling in Africa,
Gwen has returned home to the U.S., and currently works as a Managing Director for a U.S. Government contractor. She enjoys coaching young people on life and career matters,  reading, traveling, and being outdoors. She is inspired by the words of Vince Lombardi: "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

Lucy Gray

Lucy Gray is our newest Board Member. Bio coming soon.