Laura Gallagher, President
Laura Gallagher is a Florida native who has been boating to The Bahamas since she was a teenager. Her first visit to the Elbow Reef Lighthouse was at age 15 and it has held a special place in her heart ever since. Never found far from the water, Laura has a degree in Biology from Florida State University and has worked extensively with marine mammals. She and her husband Steve and daughter Morgan have owned property in The Bahamas for more than twenty years. Currently they have a home on Scotland Cay.
In 2018, Laura and her family sailed their 44’ Catamaran, Wiwoka, safely across the Atlantic to Europe. Unfortunately, this trip of a lifetime was cut short by Hurricane Dorian. The unbelievable damage in Abaco and their sense of community brought the Gallaghers back to The Bahamas, returning to help fulltime with the rebuilding. They spent many a dark night in 2019 and 2020 when the lume of the lighthouse was the one bright light that helped them focus more positively on the work ahead. Becoming a member of the Elbow Reef Foundation’s board is Laura’s way of giving back.
Laura was instrumental in the development of Ed Rocks. She was in the trenches at the conceptual stages in 2008 and facilitated the growth to become the Ed Rocks that we see presently. The family continues to support their mission to this day. A real estate agent in Delray Beach since 1997, Laura spends as much of her free time as possible with her family at their home on Scotland Cay.
James W. Tivy, Treasurer
James was born in The Bahamas and lived most of his life between The Bahamas and the U.S.A. with some years spent in the UK while attending boarding school. James works full-time as the CFO for The LGL Group. Having fond memories of Abaco and the Historic Elbow Reef Lighthouse, James volunteers his valuable personal time to help the ERLS receive financial support via incoming donations to the Foundation.
Heather Forde-Prosa, Secretary and Founding Member
Heather brings expertise in marketing, communications, and project management. She currently serves as a Real Estate Agent with H.G. Christie and Property Manager of Big Hill, a 35-acre estate on Elbow Cay. She was President of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society from 2020-2024 and a long-serving volunteer from 2013-2019.
A dual citizen of The Bahamas and Canada, she also lived and worked in the USA as the Brand Communications Director for Atlantis, Paradise Island's Corporate Marketing Department before relocating to Hope Town, Elbow Cay, in 2006. In 2016 and again in 2020, the UP Books she produced with the children of Hope Town Primary School were featured in the Project Read Bahamas Campaign.
Awards: Rotary’s Paul Harris Award for community service in 2016.
Letitia McKibbon
Letitia is our enthusiastic fundraising arm who possesses extensive knowledge about Abaco's communities, the organizations, and the individuals behind the scenes who manage them. With an intimate understanding of the islands' nonprofit landscape, she serves as a vital bridge between need and opportunity.
Letitia's expertise extends beyond traditional fundraising—she cultivates meaningful relationships with the individuals and organizations driving positive change throughout Abaco. Her comprehensive knowledge of each organization's unique mission, challenges, and aspirations enables her to connect donors with causes that resonate deeply with their values.
In her role as a founder of the McKibbon Family Foundation, Letitia has been instrumental in Guana Cay’s disaster relief efforts. Whether connecting philanthropists with grassroots initiatives or ensuring that community organizations have the support they need to thrive, Letitia's commitment to Abaco's people and their collective future remains unwavering.
Mari B. Chambers
As the new Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society, (ERLS) liaison and ERLS Board President, Mari Chambers is committed to preserving and promoting the cultural and historical significance of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse. Mari is excited to work alongside fellow board members who share this dedication. She is deeply passionate about the people, the environment, and the rich history of the Bahamas. She looks forward to contributing to the ongoing maintenance and promotion of the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse for future generations.
An avid boater and restoration enthusiast, Mari also has a professional background in marketing and public relations
How We Began:
The need for a dedicated 501(c)(3) organization became apparent after Hurricane Dorian; it was extremely difficult to fund the restoration of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse without an online donation platform facilitating a tax-deductible purpose for U.S. citizens.
Our Founders:
In 2020, Heather Forde-Prosa, along with Kent LeBoutillier and Annie Potts, worked to create the foundation with the assistance of the Kannico Agency in Delray FL, and a grant from Abaco Strong. The Elbow Reef Foundation (ERF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization was established in 2020 and is registered with the IRS under EIN 85-0976407. Its stated purpose is to support and fund community spaces, historical preservation, and cultural heritage projects for Elbow Cay, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
To date, the Foundation’s work has focused on funding the restoration and preservation through Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society (ERLS), the Bahamian registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which maintains local control of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse. In this regard, ERF applied for and was granted almost half a million dollars by the U.S. Embassy’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). With this multi-year grant for the substantial restoration and preservation now completed, ERF anticipates extending fundraising support to other historical, cultural, and community-based initiatives on Elbow Cay for the benefit of its residents and in line with its stated mission.
“Your calls for help are needed and well placed.
People genuinely care about this cause, it’s something tangible we can do in the pain and destruction. Be bold, it’s a worthy cause, bless you and the team for the work you are doing. We will send more when we can!"
~Laurence Coppedge