It is with the work of many knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers that FAUSA is able to provide so much for our members. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us to explore available opportunities.
FAUSA’s Board of Directors
2025-2027 Term
President: Brenda Brinkley (2nd Term)
I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as FAUSA President this past term. After taking time to grow into the role, I now feel confident and would be honored to serve a second term. I am eager to continue work on initiatives like creating philanthropic guidelines, launching a buddy program for annual meetings, and finalizing a Getaway planning manual. Previously, I served as newsletter editor (2019–2021) and 1st VP Communications (2021–2023). A native Texan, I have also lived in Arizona, Virginia, and Switzerland. While in Switzerland, I was president of the Bern chapter of FAWCO. My husband Tripp and I have been married for 40 years and have two wonderful children in Virginia and Maryland. We often retreat to our summer home in the Allegheny Mountains to beat the Texas heat and spend time with them. FAUSA’s mission and future mean a great deal to me, and I am honored to continue serving.
1st VP Communications: Jennifer Padfield (2nd Term)
I’ve been a proud member of FAUSA since repatriating from Germany in 2019, where I was an active member of AWC Berlin. I’m honored to continue serving on the Board as First Vice President for a second term. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations and have loved connecting with fellow members through the FAWCO U40 group.
During my four years with AWC Berlin, I served on the Board as Treasurer (2016–2017) and as the Under-40 Club Coordinator. Originally from New Jersey, I’ve also lived in Rhode Island, Virginia, and now call Florida home. My professional and volunteer background includes work with the Refugee Assistance Alliance, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Democrats Abroad, and Malteser (German Red Cross).
I hold an MBA with a focus on Corporate Social Responsibility and Non-Profit Management. When I’m not volunteering or working with FAUSA, you can usually find me baking or exploring the world with my husband.
2nd VP Membership: Linda Harvan (2nd Term)
I have genuinely enjoyed serving on the FAUSA board over the past two years and am excited to continue in my role as 2nd VP Membership for another term. I am currently working on creating a comprehensive master list of all past and present members and exploring options for a more user-friendly membership database to better support our growing community. As a FAUSA member, I have served on the Events Team, helping to plan Getaways, and as the Mids Fits Coordinator. While in Brussels, I volunteered in the library, gift shop, and café. I was the FAWCO Rep and later the Director of Communications for AWEP and co-chaired the FAUSA Health Team from 2017 to 2020. My husband Tom and I grew up in Pennsylvania and have lived in five states as well as Belgium and Saudi Arabia. Our two daughters and their families live in Virginia and Washington state, so for now we are happy to stay in Dubuque, Iowa and explore the Midwest.
3rd VP Philanthropy: Kathy Limbaugh (1st Term)
I have been honored to be your Treasurer for the last four years and see what an impact FAUSA is making on women and children through grants and enrichment programs. With the membership's support, I believe I can continue the strong work that has been started in expanding our grant offerings and engaging with our charitable designees more deeply. I am passionate about making the world a better place through everyday acts of service and giving back. I was born in Brazil, and with my family, I have been fortunate to travel to incredible corners of the world. I was a member of AWC Shanghai (2012-2013) and a member/treasurer of AWC Dublin (2006-2010). Professionally, I was a supply chain consultant and now continue to dabble in the retail and adventure outfitting business. In my spare time, I like to be outdoors, play golf and tennis, and spend time with my husband, two girls, and a cat. Driven by curiosity, I am someone who believes life is richest when shared, whether it is FAUSA wine time, the road trip, book club, or cooking together. Through FAUSA, each person I have met has added to my appreciation for culture, connection, and purpose.
Treasurer: Cathy Farnan (1st Term)
Kathy was born in Brazil and raised in Germany and England before moving to the U.S. for college. Kathy’s professional life was in I.T. and then in supply chain management specializing in global procurement and logistics often I love racing sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay, baking decadent desserts, exploring new places and volunteering! I earned a BS in Accounting from the College of William and Mary, and worked as a Certified Public Accountant while raising three daughters. After multiple moves in the USA and experiencing life as an expat both in Tokyo and in Paris, my husband, Don, and I have now retired and are enjoying life in my hometown of Annapolis, MD. Upon joining AWG Paris in 2016, I served as VP Finance/Treasurer, VP Activities, and as President. From 2021 through 2025, I was honored to be elected as Treasurer on the FAWCO Board, where I transitioned the financial records to Quickbooks Online, established a banking relationship with SDFCU and managed the FAWCO finances, including the annual conferences. The culmination of my role on the FAWCO Board was participating in the organization of the 2025 FAWCO Biennial Conference in Annapolis, MD where I worked passionately with current and past FAUSA Board members to create an awesome and unique FAWCO conference experience in the USA. As the incoming FAUSA Treasurer, I am looking forward to becoming more involved with FAUSA and experiencing the many opportunities available to our FAUSA members!
Secretary: Aurora Silvestri (1st Term)
Being given a second opportunity to become FAUSA Secretary is wonderful. After living over 20 years in Chicagoland, then in Munich for 3.5 years, Shawn and I now call Del Mar, CA home. We raised our two children in Lake Bluff, IL. Maria lives in LA and Anthony in Minneapolis. While living in Munich, I was a member of the Munich International Women’s Club. I assisted in Newcomers Coffee and was part of the Welcoming Committee. I was also the FAWCO rep for MIWC. Along with Caroline Pekarek and Cecily Garver, I was part of organizing and hosting the Region 5 Meeting in Munich in 2017. I look forward to this second opportunity as secretary in the FAUSA organization.
Director, Activities and Events: Yolanda Henry (2nd Term)
I spent ten years living the expat life with my husband, Mike, in England and Singapore. Upon his retirement, I joined FAUSA and quickly proved that I don’t just unpack boxes—I jump in with both feet. I served as VP Membership from 2009 to 2011, VP Communications from 2011 to 2013, edited the newsletter from 2017 to 2019, and returned as 2nd VP Membership from 2019 to 2023. Not one to let a global pandemic ruin the fun, I dreamed up and hosted a slew of online activities to keep the FAUSA spirit alive.
Since 2023, I’ve taken on the role of Director of Activities and Events. These days, Mike and I split our time between picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (when the sun is shining), and sunny Florida (when it’s not). We’re both enthusiastic golfers. With five lively grandchildren in the mix, our new part-time gig is running “Camp Grandma & Grandpa” on both sides of the Atlantic. We’ve also been regulars at FAUSA Getaways and continue to check destinations off our ever-growing travel bucket list.
FAWCO Liaison: Carol-Lyn McKelvey
Returning as the FAWCO liaison, I caught FAWCO Fever while living in Cologne, Germany, from 2013 to 2017. An educator for over 30 years in multiple states, I left my life as a special education teacher and middle school principal and pivoted to the expat life with the help of the AIWC Cologne and the amazing women therein. While in Cologne, I was co-chair of the AIWCC Social Committee, assumed the role of FAWCO Education Team co-chair, and became involved with The FAWCO Foundation via the Silent Auction in Frankfurt. With my husband Steve, I repatriated to the US (Michigan) in 2017 and am happy to be closer to my two daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter. I have coordinated the FAWCO Foundation Silent Auction since 2018 and am the features coordinator for FAWCO's Inspiring Women. I look forward to continuing to keep FAUSA members connected to all things FAWCO, keeping FAWCO members up-to-date on all things FAUSA and always seeking pathways to build relationships between the two.
Parliamentarian: Caroline Pekarek (appointed, non-voting)
Serving as Parliamentarian for FAUSA is truly an honor. I have so much respect for not only the mission of our organization, but for the women that truly shoulder it! My husband, Dave and I repatriated to the US in 2020 following three years in Munich (Munich IWC) and two in Switzerland, just outside of Bern (Bern IWC). Initially landing in Annapolis, we relocated to Detroit Lakes, MN in 2022, to help both of our moms in their later years. While in Munich I was fortunate to be welcomed into the Munich IWC, where I participated on the Programs & Welcoming Teams and served as FAWCO co-rep. In 2018 my husband and I moved to Switzerland, and I became a member of the AWC Bern. As a true believer in the power of education and the sharing of our individual gifts and knowledge, I was excited to assume the role of FAWCO Workshops Coordinator. It was great fun working with the many talented women that represent each individual club. While my education and work experience are primarily in finance and accounting, I have volunteered with the American Red Cross, Make a Wish and US Fish & Wildlife. Raising our children in Dripping Springs, TX I served as a school board trustee for 9 years. For now, we are happy to call Minnesota home, but log a lot of travel miles visiting our daughter in Texas and son, daughter-in-law and three grand babies in Georgia.
Key Volunteers and Teams
Counselor Liaison: Liz Janson (appointed, non-voting)
After returning to the U.S. in 2017, I immediately became involved with FAUSA, holding the following roles: FAWCO Liaison (2018 to 2019),VP Communications (2019 to 2021), President (2021 to 2023).
My connection to the FAWCO community runs deep: Munich International Women’s Club (2009-2017), FAWCO Foundation board member (2015 to 2017), co-chair for the FAWCO Conference in Annapolis, 2025. The strong sense of sisterhood and the friendships I’ve made through these organizations hold a special place in my heart, and I am thrilled to have been asked to serve as FAUSA’s Counselor Liaison.
My husband, Eric, and I lived overseas for a total of 15 years in the USSR, the UK, China, and Germany. We are now happily ensconced in Boulder, CO, with two Covid kitties, four rooftop beehives, one of three sons and two of four grandchildren.
Archivist
Historian
Nancy Thornley - Editor of the Red Book, FAWCO History, new edition for the FAWCO Biennial Conference, 2016 to 2020.
Newsletter
Nicole Grillo - Born in New Zealand, Nicole began her expat career at the age of seven moving to Singapore with her family. After three years she returned to New Zealand to attend high school and college and started her career in advertising and the automotive industry. In 1993 she moved to California and then Connecticut. She moved to Frankfurt, Germany in 2014 where she joined the AIWC Frankfurt and held the positions of treasurer for two years, advisor for two years and is their current newsletter editor. She now lives in Southern California with her two cats. Nicole has 4 children and twin two-year-old grandsons. Her passions are travel, cooking reading and volunteering.
Nominating and Board Development
Janet Darrow
Social Media
Jennifer Padfield - Jenn Padfield is currently living in Florida by way of Berlin, Germany and originally from New Jersey. She was an active member of AWC Berlin, serving as Treasurer and Under 40 group coordinator. Jennifer recently graduated from with her MBA in Non Profit Management and Corporate Social Responsibility from University Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in Bonn, Germany. In her free time she enjoys baking and going on adventures with her husband and Golden Retriever Max. She is looking forward to getting to know more of the women of FAUSA in her role of Social Media.
Webmaster
Debbie Hastings - Debbie has served as FAUSA's webmaster since 2008. She was an active member of the Chilterns AWC in Buckinghamshire, UK as the Membership Chairwoman, FAWCO Rep, and Webmaster. She also worked closely with FAWCO and the Foundation as Webhost Coordinator for many years. Debbie is originally from Maine and returned home (via Texas) after repatriation. She now splits her time between Maine and Arizona.
Sunshine
Jean Setser
