Today Big Hands for Little Hearts Foundation announced its selection for Executive Director of the Foundation here in the U.S. A similar search for a director of the Russian sister foundation continues.

Gennady was born in Kharkov, Ukraine. He received his bachelor’s degree in drama production from the University of Art ( Kharkov,1984) and his master’s degree from the Academy of Art ( Moscow,1986).In 1995 he immigrated to San Francisco. For many years Gennady has worked for various non-profit agencies and organizations. He has vast administrative and executive experience.Gennady received awards for several international theatrical festivals and has been nominated in 2004 for the Charles Bronfman Humanitarian Award. For the last three years Gennady has worked as a Program Director at the San Francisco Hillel.

"Gennady has impressed us as a very personable and immediately likable and knowledgeable fellow" states Andrew Maxwell, one of the founders and Board members. "He is experienced in fund-raising, energetic, full of ideas, and very much connected to the communities of individuals and organizations important to our cause. Specifically, he is well-known and respected in the Bay Area Russian communities, the communities of the arts and media.  He is involved in various aspects of Russian-language newspapers, radio and television here in the community.    He also remains involved with the community of his roots in the Ukraine. In the time that I have spent with him, he has demonstrated leadership qualities of inspiration and large vision.  Likewise, he is able to conduct business with ability to keep meeting focus and organization.  Of interest, he is an accomplished playwright and director with numerous awards for his work as well as a few humanitarian awards for his non-profit work."

We all wish Gennady a warm welcome and commit to helping his carry our torch forward.

Big Hands for Little Hearts is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to finding children around the world with heart disease in need of medical and surgical attention and matching them with medical care and donors. Donations can be made online at www.bh4lh.org.