Colleen Brennan is a nurse and humanitarian who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of women and children in developing countries. She is the co-founder and CEO of XO World Project Foundation, which provides free medical care, training, and infrastructure support to underserved communities around the world.

Brennan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Peters University and worked as a pediatric oncology and ICU nurse for 15 years. In 2008, she became President and Director of Operation International-Kids, a nonprofit medical outreach that provides free healthcare for women and children in developing countries. Brennan earned her Master's degree in Public Health and Global Health certification from New York Medical College. She then developed and implemented programs to provide free medical care, train local medical professionals, and improve hospital infrastructure.

In 2023, Brennan co-founded XO World Project Foundation with Dr. Stephanie Cohen. The foundation's programs now include providing clean drinking water, increasing food security, and empowering women through education and commerce.
Brennan is passionate about using her skills to make a difference in the world, and she is committed to creating a more equitable and just future for all.

Dr. Stephanie M. Cohen did her undergraduate work at Brandeis University in Boston and earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cohen went on to complete her General Surgery training at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City and was certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Cohen then went on to complete plastic surgery training at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Dr. Stephanie is the co-founder of XO World Project Foundation, which provides free medical care, training, and infrastructure support to underserved communities around the world.

While there, Dr. Cohen developed a special interest and skill in the area of reconstructive surgery, especially concentrated on the breast. Dr. Cohen became the Divisional Head of Breast Reconstruction at Hackensack University Medical Center in 2008. Her dedication to breast reconstruction has continued for more than 25 years and has developed in several directions.

She enjoys providing comprehensive breast cancer reconstruction to patients in a supportive environment that also strives to solve the most complex problems with the least complex solutions. Her skill with revisional surgery for breast reconstruction has become a particular interest attracting patients from all over the country. In fact, her craft has earned her the nickname of “breast whisperer” from her fellow colleagues and patients.

A long-time dream of Dr. Cohen’s was to travel to developing countries and provide expert surgical care to those who have no other possible access to medical care. This became a reality in 2008 when she became a founding member, Chief Surgeon, and Vice President of Operation International Kids. Op Kids is a surgical mission dedicated to the treatment of pediatric surgical and medical disorders. Through yearly missions to places such as Kenya, Egypt, Peru, Ghana, and others, Dr. Cohen has operated on more than 350 children with disorders ranging from cleft lip and palate to debilitating burns. Currently in development is the expansion of this mission to help develop improvements for overall health in the communities to which she travels.

hristopher Akanbobnaab is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience as a Hospital Administrator in Ghana. He has made significant contributions at all levels of the healthcare system, including Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary care. Currently serving as the Director of International Affairs for Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction, leadership, and governance of a Secondary Level Hospital with a staff strength of 1,100 employees, ensuring the delivery of high-quality medical services.

Mr. Akanbobnaab's expertise extends to corporate-wide resource allocation, encompassing staffing and materials, to facilitate the provision of top-notch healthcare services. He has demonstrated a knack for developing staff, organizational structures, and systems that foster innovation and sustain the delivery of quality health services. Moreover, he has spearheaded the creation of a performance review framework aimed at identifying growth opportunities for staff and guiding them towards realizing their full potential. Additionally, he has actively contributed to policy development to address the evolving healthcare landscape.

Among his remarkable achievements, Mr. Akanbobnaab played a pivotal role in Holy Family Hospital's remarkable growth and development, leading to its upgrade to Secondary Level Hospital Status by HEFRA in 2018 and NHIA in 2020. Furthermore, he successfully developed and built the teaching and training capacity of Holy Family Hospital, earning recognition and accreditation from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to train Members and Fellows, effective March 2023. His ability to attract and manage major international partnerships from the USA and Germany has significantly benefited the investment in quality service delivery.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Akanbobnaab was honored with the 2008 overall best worker award at KATH (Kumasi Teaching Hospital) during the 2009 awards ceremony.

Beyond his professional roles, Christopher Akanbobnaab is actively engaged in various boards and professional bodies, including:

Chair/Leader, Management of Holy Family Hospital, Techiman (2010-Present)

Member, Techiman Diocesan Health Service Employees Provident Fund Board of Trustees (2020 – Present)

Member, Board of Directors of Ruma Specialist Hospital, Kumasi (2019- Present)

Member, Advisory Board of Kristo Buase Monastery, Techiman (2020 – Present)

Member, Advisory Board for Medical Mission Sisters Integrated Health Project in Kulmasa, Savanna Region

Member, Board of Directors for Techiman- BACCSOD Credit Union (2016 – 2020)

Secretary, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Board of Directors (July 2005 to September 2010)

Member, Association of Health Services Administrators Ghana (2003- present)

Through his extensive experience and leadership roles, Christopher Akanbobnaab has made significant contributions to the healthcare sector in Ghana and continues to play a vital role in shaping its future.

Artist Statement: “An old friend gave me a Polaroid camera. I started shooting my model friends and taking portraits during my travels as a model. One of the images ended up in an Upper East Side gallery. I continued showing in galleries and started selling my art to private collectors. What started as snapping Polaroids of friends quickly evolved into a second career shooting portraits for magazines and taking me to the far reaches of the world such as Morocco and Peru to shoot medical missions for children.”

Specialties: Portraits, Humanitarian and Fine Art Photography. Originally from San Antonio, Texas. Currently lives and works as a photographer in New York City. Private commissions available upon request.

Recent work: Margot Magazine, Manhattan Vintage Show, Urban Zen, Delaware Contemporary, Women's Prison Association, XO World Project, New York Historical Society Museum & Library, The International Leica Society, Leica Camera, P.INK (Personal Ink) Project/Saved Tattoo, Belmond Hotels, 100cameras.org, Save The Children, SAGE, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“With her new organization, Two by Two Media, photographer Gigi Stoll has the opportunity to be of service to female artists over 70. Two By Two Media provides artists with free technical, marketing and consulting support—and the critical inspiration and personal attention they need to thrive and remain visible in their artistic careers. Later this year, Stoll and her nine artists, aged 70-90 years, will celebrate a major milestone with Two By Two’s first group show in New York at the Carter Burden Gallery. opening on 10/12/2023." - Margot Magazine

Dr. Kathleen P. O'Hara did her undergraduate work at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington D.C., where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Society. Dr. O'Hara went on to complete her General Surgery training at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts and was certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. O'Hara then went on to complete a Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the R Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center of the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. O'Hara has dedicated her career to caring for the sick and injured, as well as teaching others to do so. It was during her experiences in medical school and residency training that she felt it very important to give back to the medical community by volunteering to care for those who had no access to medical care. In 2008 she became one of the founding members and Director of Operations of Operation International Kids, helping to provide both medical and surgical care to children. In addition, the group has donated and furnished several operating rooms, has supported orphanages, and has educated and trained many of the nurses, technicians, and physicians in the many countries that we have visited.

Terri McKeever has been a bookkeeper for the past 12 years and is currently the bookkeeper for River Vale Board of Education. She is responsible for all aspects of accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, and bank reconciliations with an annual budget of $24 million. She works closely with the business administrator to ensure that the accounting conforms to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The district has received no change audits.

Prior to working in the school district, she worked for 15 years at Pearson Education in the credit department and was responsible for establishing credit and reconciling accounts payable for some of their largest vendors.

In addition to her work experience, she has volunteered in her community as a Soccer, Basketball, and Softball coach, Girl Scout leader, PTO chairperson, and bookkeeper for CYO, and committed volunteer with Operation International-Kids

Terri’s fundraising skills and support of Operation International-Kids has been essential, Terri will continue her volunteer efforts as acting treasurer for XO World Project Foundation.

Since 2019, she has served as the Vice President for the Northvale Public Library Board of Trustees. She is the mother of two adult children and resides in Northvale with her husband, Jim, of 33 years.