Board Members
Our distinguished Board Members bring expertise from medicine, arts, engineering, and community development to guide the mission of Rifka's House.
Dr. Mina Fisher, MD
Board Member
Child Psychiatrist & Clinical Instructor, Stanford Medical School
Dr. Fisher is a specialist in child psychiatry and a clinical educator at Stanford. As a daughter caring for a mother with dementia and a mother of four herself, she embodies our intergenerational mission.
A Korean American dedicated to social advocacy and community development, Mina brings a deep understanding of the family unit and clinical needs. A member of the Fisher family and renowned for leadership at Fisher Investments, she is rooted in a legacy of humanitarian impact.
Key Highlights
- Stanford Medical School Clinical Instructor
- Child Psychiatry Specialist
- Intergenerational caregiver
- Social advocacy leader
Sonja Kostich
Board Member
Executive Director, Houston Ballet
A former professional dancer recruited by Mikhail Baryshnikov at age 17, Sonja has led a distinguished career in the arts and finance, including roles at Goldman Sachs.
As a Korean American adoptee, she brings a vital perspective on the adoptee experience. Her devotion to community development and global humanitarian aid reflects her parents, Dr. Nick and Carol Kostich, who adopted children from diverse nations and championed international support.
Key Highlights
- Executive Director, Houston Ballet
- Recruited by Mikhail Baryshnikov at 17
- Former Goldman Sachs executive
- Korean American adoptee perspective
- Global humanitarian advocate
Elsa Girma
Board Member
Civil Engineer
Based in Oakland, California, Elsa is an accomplished civil engineer with extensive experience overseeing large-scale building projects in Ethiopia and across the globe.
Her technical expertise is the cornerstone of our physical infrastructure, ensuring our projects are safe, sustainable, and designed to support long-term community development.
Key Highlights
- Civil Engineering Expert
- Large-scale project oversight
- International construction experience
- Infrastructure specialist
- Sustainable design focus
Dr. Amani Mikhail, PharmD
Board Member
Local Operations Director
Amani is a cornerstone of our Egyptian operations, with a decades-long history of managing medical care for orphanages in Egypt. Based in Cairo, she currently cares for her 85-year-old mother.
Amani leads a medical sub-committee consisting of Dr. George Attalla (General Surgeon), Dr. Mark Attalla (Orthopedic Surgeon), Dr. Mohab Attalla (Plastic Surgeon), and Dr. Mariam Attalla (Pediatrician).
Key Highlights
- Local Operations Director, Cairo
- Decades of care facility medical management
- Leads medical sub-committee
- Intergenerational caregiver