Members of our Board of Directors hail from the United States, Canada and New Zealand. They bring experience in non-profit management, health,  education and job skills training, sustainable development, and the ways of Cambodia and its culture. Meeting once a month by teleconference, and once a year in person, the Board plays a key role in establishing and monitoring Trailblazer's strategic direction, programmatic focus, and budgets. 

Our Board

Tom Skeele, President (USA)

Tom Skeele, President (USA)

 In 2010, Tom started what is the third and final act of his professional career, by shifting his focus to an international context, and by shifting his advocacy work from conserving natural communities in the U.S. Northern Rockies to sustaining human communities in developing countries throughout the world.


Tom’s first two professional acts included being an educator and mentor to young adults (including economically disadvantaged and at-risk youths), and a nonprofit executive for regional environmental conservation organizations. Both focused on his desire to serve as an agent of social change.


During the past six years, Tom has served as the Executive Director of International League of Conservation Photographers, and Chief Operating Officer for PCI Media Impact. Tom also served as a fundraising and communications consultant to nonprofits and social enterprises in the areas of economic development, poverty alleviation, livelihoods, education, environmental conservation, health, human rights, renewable energy, sustainable community development, and women’s empowerment.

Don Kushner, Vice-President (Canada)

Don Kushner, Vice-President (Canada)

Don brings more than thirty years of experience in non-profit operations across the U.S. and Canada, and regularly consults with several 501(c)(3) organizations. Don's professional background is in the arts, with extensive experience in theatre, music, dance, television, and arts production management. He and his wife, Lizzie, currently live in Canada, where Don works in British Columbia's thriving film Industry. 


Don's travels have taken him off the beaten path world-wide, where he finds the best of humanity living far from the politics and pavement of larger cities. One such place is Cambodia, whose people have found a warm place in Don's heart. Thus, he is quite excited to contribute in any way he can to their survival and well being.


Don was honored to join Trailblazer's Board in 2011, after years of cheerleading from the sidelines. More than anything else, Don was inspired to accept a Board position because of the integrity of the co-founders (Chris and Scott Coats), and the important work Trailblazer Foundation does. 

Jamie Reilly, Treasurer (USA)

Jamie Reilly, Treasurer (USA)

Jamie is a Bostonian who, after 

college, realized there was much to explore outside of Route 128. In 2001, Jamie got his first exposure to the rest of the world, during six months of travel that took him to Spain, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. 


​Upon returning to the United States, Jamie settled in the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming. There, he gained his appreciation for the local natural and human communities. Jamie spent his time hiking, backpacking, biking, and snowboarding, as well as developing his love for the stage (where he was very active in the local theatre, and helped create an improv comedy troupe - "Out of Thin Air").


Later, Jamie traveled to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, including visiting Trailblazer's program in Cambodia. He has since returned to the Jackson Hole area, has worked with several international development organizations, and served on an advisory board for Coaches Across Continents. Jamie joined Trailblazer's Board in May 2016.

Liz Keating, Board Member

Liz Keating, Board Member

After 20 years of teaching and consulting with nonprofits, Liz has returned to the field, becoming the Finance Manager at Campus Child Care Inc., the recent merger of the six Harvard-affiliated childcare centers.   She actively consults and conducts research on nonprofit organizations.  Liz has taught accounting and finance courses for twenty-five years at Boston College, BU, Harvard, Northwestern, and NYU.  She is an active board member of several nonprofits, including Microfinance Opportunities, Carry Me Home, Cambridge Cambodia School Project, Cambodian Living Arts, and Friends of Tilonia.  She has two teenagers, Andrew and William.

Justine Auton, Board Member

Justine lives in Wellington, New Zealand and works in a senior management role in a government agency. She has a Masters degree in Public Management from Victoria University, Wellington and is committed to life long learning.


Justine became interested in Cambodia through wider travel experiences in Asia. An experience with bad water in Siem Reap had her resolve to try to do something positive to help. This lead to Justine volunteering at Trailblazer for the first time in 2017, and she’s doing it again in October this year.


In addition to enjoying the voluntary work itself, Justine is interested in learning more about community development in Cambodia, and how organisations like Trailblazers are making a practical and positive difference. 


Justine sees the opportunity to join the Board of Trailblazers is a fantastic opportunity to learn more and it provides the in-country challenge of spreading the word about Trailblazer in New Zealand.


Justine has an adult son who currently lives in Australia. She loves fitness activities, travel, DIY projects and movies.