Our Story
"Children DO come home"
When a child is reunited with a parent, it can be an incredibly emotional and heartwarming experience. A child's return home marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and healing.
As we saw more reunifications take place, there proved to be an immediate need for a network of youth abduction survivors. A space where they could feel safe sharing their experiences was a necessity. We understood that this community was incredibly unique and providing support quickly proved to be a priority.
Meet the Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
President
Rysa Lee
Rysa is the older sister of Maayimuna “Muna” N'Diaye, who was abducted by her father in 2012 and taken to Mali, West Africa. After years of relentless work spearheaded by her mother, Dr. Noelle Hunter, she was reunited with her sister in 2014. Rysa is former President of the non-profit organization iStand Parent Network, which was founded in 2014 by her mother and sunset in 2023. She currently lives in Huntsville, AL where in addition to her work with iStand Survivor Network, she is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies and Political Science and is employed as a Universal Banker. "I have witnessed first hand that children do come home and a little bit of hope can go a very long way."
Vice President
Roxie Hipps
Roxie has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a double minor in International Political Studies & Security and Emergency Management from the University of North Alabama. She is currently working towards getting her Master's degree in Public Affairs and Policy from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Roxie has been working with the issue of abduction since 2021 and has met incredible and strong individuals during her time. "It inspires me to keep advocating for the end of parental abduction on a national and international scale. I am so excited and grateful to be a part of this organization and contribute to the amazing work that will come from it."
Treasurer
Anne McCarthy
Anne has a Bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communication with an emphasis in Health and Human Services and a Minor in Fine Arts from Ohio University. She also earned her Master's degree in Conservation Biology from Miami University through a partnership with The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's Project Dragonfly program. Anne works full-time as a Wound Care Liaison at St. Elizabeth Healthcare and lives in the Cincinnati, Ohio area with her husband of 30 years, Billy. They have two children, Will and Dillon. Anne joined the iStand Survivor Network because she saw first-hand the detriments of parental child abduction on the entire family and the challenges and obstacles her friend faced while fighting the battle to get her daughter returned to her. She was the Activities Director at the 2023 Survivor Camp and "loved the impact it had on not only the children, but the parents and camp staff as well."
Secretary
Alexia Neal
Alexia has been involved in the fight against parental child abduction since 2020. She aided in several conferences fighting against International Parental Child Abduction and simply couldn’t leave the fight afterwards. "Meeting with seeking parents and returned survivors had left me with a desire to help and do all that I could."
Youth Ambassador
Nafeesah Ismail
Nafeesah is a current college student studying general science. She was retained in Egypt by her father and returned to the states in 2021. "My reason to join iStand Survivor Network is due to my passion to help other survivors like me. Helping others grow, heal and being able to relate to others at any level can go a long way!"
Youth Ambassador
Maayimuna N'Diaye
Maayimuna is a highschool junior who was abducted by her father to Mali, West Africa in 2012. She was reunited with her mother and sister in July of 2014. She decided to continue in her role as Youth Ambassador as not only does she wish to be a source of comfort and a friend for kids and adults who have had similar experiences, but to also learn alongside those who are involved with the Survivor Network. "Although I have my own personal troubles, I wish to be a person who is able to inspire others around me and encourage them to do what they know is best for themselves and their health."