BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chair
AMANDA-LEIGH PLAYER HALL
Amanda-Leigh Player Hall serves as President and Executive Director of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation in the United States. As the daughter of Gary and Vivienne Player, she is honored to continue the legacy of love and service her parents began—helping vulnerable children access the education, healthcare, and support they need to thrive.
With a deep belief in the power of compassion and community, Amanda-Leigh is committed to building lasting partnerships that make a meaningful difference. She brings sincerity, faith, and a heartfelt sense of purpose to everything she does--always striving to honor her parents’ vision while growing the foundation’s mission in impactful ways.
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 management 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 began her career in retail management 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.
CRAIG KIRBY
Craig Kirby has more than 25 years of broad experience in government management, including 15 years of senior management with a strong background in communications and marketing and extensive involvement at the local, state and federal political/campaign levels. Craig has the ability to create and maintain relationships across industry, government and corporate boundaries to facilitate client goals and outcomes.
From the board room to the campaign trail, the university lecture hall and more, Craig Kirby has taken the lead in a multitude of situations. With a powerful background in communications and organization he is able to assess the facts and dole out comprehensive strategies for success. His project Connected Conversations takes us inside his world and shows the importance of listening and finding the points that resonate.
SIMONI LAWRENCE
Simoni Lawrence is the Brand & Community Ambassador for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and one of the most celebrated defensive players in CFL history. After an 11-year career with the Tiger-Cats, he retired as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler, ranked 10th all-time in CFL history, and set the world record for tackles in a Canadian football game.
Today, Simoni uses his leadership, energy, and communication skills to elevate the Tiger-Cats brand across the community, media, and corporate partnerships. Guided by his IGSD philosophy — Inspire, Grow, Serve, Dominate — he is committed to making a positive impact everywhere he goes.
Simoni is known for his authenticity, his passion, and his empathy for others. Simoni serves on the Board of Trustees for Food 4 Kids Hamilton and the Player Academy of Excellence.
Today, Simoni uses his leadership, energy, and communication skills to elevate the Tiger-Cats brand across the community, media, and corporate partnerships. Guided by his IGSD philosophy — Inspire, Grow, Serve, Dominate — he is committed to making a positive impact everywhere he goes.
Simoni is known for his authenticity, his passion, and his empathy for others. Simoni serves on the Board of Trustees for Food 4 Kids Hamilton and the Player Academy of Excellence.
JONATHAN BROWN
Jonathan Brown (“JB”) is a business leader with a diverse background spanning Fortune 500 procurement, medical device commercialization, private equity, and real estate development. After earning degrees in Marketing, Sales, Purchasing, and Procurement from Bowling Green State University, he built a career helping companies grow — from global operations to supporting small businesses.
JB ultimately found his passion in real estate, where he launched both a development firm and a strategy consulting company. His broad experience and people‑focused leadership bring valuable insight and energy to the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation, where he proudly serves as an Ambassador.
A lifelong community‑minded leader, JB is committed to making a positive impact. He lives in Florida, enjoys time with family and friends, leads a faith‑based life, stays active, and loves to travel and play sports.
KRISTEN KAUFMAN
Bio coming soon
ROBERT AIRD
Robert Aird is an entrepreneur and business builder whose career spans fintech, real estate development, assisted living, construction management, high‑end custom home building, consumer financing, hospitality, motorcycle dealerships, fundraising, and consulting. After graduating with honors from BYU in Finance and Spanish, Robert helped grow a Los Angeles–based fintech startup (EWT, MTT, MTE, MTAP, Virtu) from its earliest stages all the way through IPO, gaining more than 12 years of hands‑on experience in scaling companies, leading teams, and navigating rapid growth.
Today, Robert manages a diverse portfolio of companies and continues to expand into new industries. Known for his curiosity, discipline, and ability to add value wherever he goes, he thrives on learning, building, and having fun along the way. If there’s an opportunity to grow, contribute, or elevate his abilities, Robert is always ready to jump in.
Today, Robert manages a diverse portfolio of companies and continues to expand into new industries. Known for his curiosity, discipline, and ability to add value wherever he goes, he thrives on learning, building, and having fun along the way. If there’s an opportunity to grow, contribute, or elevate his abilities, Robert is always ready to jump in.
MELANIE NIELSEN
Melanie brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare administration, educational advocacy, and philanthropy.
Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles, spearheading initiatives that improved patient outcomes and streamlined care delivery. Her dedication to education is reflected in her service on multiple health policy programs, where she mentors students pursuing careers in the medical field. Passionate about expanding access to education for children, Melanie remains deeply committed to helping young people reach their full potential.
Outside of her professional work, Melanie enjoys traveling with her husband and is the proud mother of four grown children and grandmother to three granddaughters. She also serves as an area communications director for her church.
Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles, spearheading initiatives that improved patient outcomes and streamlined care delivery. Her dedication to education is reflected in her service on multiple health policy programs, where she mentors students pursuing careers in the medical field. Passionate about expanding access to education for children, Melanie remains deeply committed to helping young people reach their full potential.
Outside of her professional work, Melanie enjoys traveling with her husband and is the proud mother of four grown children and grandmother to three granddaughters. She also serves as an area communications director for her church.
STUART SINGER
Stuart Singer is the Managing Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where he has led the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office for more than two decades. With over 30 years of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer, he has handled major litigation across the United States and built a reputation as one of the nation’s most respected legal strategists.
Before joining Boies Schiller Flexner, Stuart served as a Partner at K&L Gates and Greenberg Traurig, and began his career as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Law Review, and holds both a B.S. and M.A. in Communications from Northwestern University, where he was a National College Debate Champion.
Stuart continues to be recognized for his leadership, legal expertise, and commitment to excellence in high‑stakes litigation.
Before joining Boies Schiller Flexner, Stuart served as a Partner at K&L Gates and Greenberg Traurig, and began his career as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Law Review, and holds both a B.S. and M.A. in Communications from Northwestern University, where he was a National College Debate Champion.
Stuart continues to be recognized for his leadership, legal expertise, and commitment to excellence in high‑stakes litigation.
Dr. ANH NGUYEN
Bio coming soon
Dr. MICHAEL HASLIP
Bio coming soon.