Deb O'Hara-Rusckowski, RN, BSN, MBA, MTS (Chairperson)
Nurses with a Global Impact, Inc.
Boston, MA/New York, NY

Deb has been a Critical Care nurse for over 30 years. She earned both her BSN and an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston (’82 and ’94 respectively) and held several marketing positions at Hewlett Packard, Agilent and Marquette Electronics. Deb graduated from Boston College in 2014 with her Masters in Theology.

Deb enjoys philanthropic work. She spent 4 years on the Board of the American Heart Association, and 5 years on the Board of Directors for Boston’s Healthcare for the Homeless Program. Deb is a member of the Federal Disaster Medical Team and was deployed to NYC on September 11, 2001. She has been on missions to Bosnia twice and the Dominican Republic several times.

In 2007, Deb initiated a nursing educational program at CRUDEM's Hôpital Sacré Coeur in Milot, Haiti, and continues to be on the Board and to work to improve nursing education. She spent several weeks working in Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake, in Milot, both on the ground and on the USNS Comfort ship for Project HOPE.

Deb currently works for the United Nations on the Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons (CSTIP). She is coordinator of an educational exhibit called a GIFT Box to both Boston/New England and Haiti to raise awareness and empower people in the fight against human trafficking. Deb also sits on several philanthropic Boards including the Jerome Lejeune Foundation, RAD-AID, and the World Youth Alliance (WYA). Deb is a member of the American Association Order of Malta and serves on its Board of Councilors, and she participates in the Order's annual pilgrimage to Lourdes as a member of the medical team. She is also leading a media project for Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, placing radio ads with Catholic messages on secular radio. She is also on a Steering Committee for the Sisters of Life,

Deb is active in her Catholic Church. She was Coordinator/Director for the Respect Life Office for the Archdiocese of Boston from 2000-2007, and implemented a new chastity curriculum for schools and parishes. She also initiated a young adult program called Pure in Heart in Boston, Haiti, Ireland, UK and Kenya, and brought Theology of the Body training and a Natural Family Planning program to Haiti.

Deb was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, grew up mostly in Boston and now resides in New York City with her husband Steve. She wants to continue work where she can combine her love for healthcare, business and her faith.