Our Board Members are amazing, and we’d like you to meet one of our newest board members, Mary Ann Frishman!
For more than a decade, the Gazelle Foundation’s board of directors has committed whole-heartedly to providing access to clean water for the people of Burundi. We want you to get to know the people behind the scenes who make the mission possible.
The Gazelle Foundation Welcomes Mary Ann Frishman to the Board
Mary Ann Frishman is the president of Frishco, Ltd., an editorial development house she founded in 1995. Frishco, Ltd., develops Pre-K through twelfth-grade assessments, textbooks, ancillary materials, and marketing support documentation.
“It is a great niche industry for me,” she says. “It has enabled me to not only hire others, including mothers like myself, to develop good content but also given me the flexibility to give of my time to efforts that are important to me and my family.”
In remembrance of the tragic events of 1993, and to celebrate the strength and resilience of Gilbert’s 30th anniversary Mary Ann Frishman presented Gilbert with a special certificate of congratulations signed by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. The anniversary walk brings awareness to the water problem in Burundi, its solution, and the profound impact our supporters have in providing clean water to those who need it most.
How did you get connected to the Gazelle Foundation?
“I first connected with the Gazelle Foundation when my son started running for Gilbert Tuhabonye at St. Andrew’s. Both of my children ran cross country and track for Gilbert, and we connected with the Foundation during those years,” she says.
Natalie Brown, who is also on the board, and Mary Ann were “team moms” for years at St. Andrews, supporting the track and cross country teams and hosting the St. Andrew’s meets. “Gilbert is such a great coach...and he made a huge difference in my son’s life,” she says.
She says that one of the things Gilbert is particularly good at is creating a collaborative community of very different types of kids—from those who had never run before to those who are consummate athletes.
When remembering advice Gilbert would give at track meets, Mary Ann shares, “He invited the kids to leave everything—worries, school, and stress—at the door. Be present and enjoy running. Run with joy and everything else will follow. He modeled that and the kids embraced it.” He is a master at instilling confidence in everyone.
What motivated you to join the Board?
It’s clear that joining the board is an extension of sharing more good in the world. Mary Ann explains, “When Gilbert asked me to consider joining, I said yes, which began the process to become a board member. I am inspired by Gilbert’s love for his country and his dedication to transforming lives there. His story of forgiveness is remarkable and inspirational.”
In addition to her community work with the Gazelle Foundation, Mary Ann serves as Chair of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Outreach Ministry and serves as a member of the Helping Hand Home Foundation Board. She has served on Greater Austin Reading Coalition of the United Way, as a member of the Good Shepherd Vestry, and was a founding board member of Hillside Early Childhood Center (HECC). The church identified that kindergarten readiness was not where it needed to be, which led to the multi-year effort to establish an Early Childhood Center accessible to families of every socioeconomic status to close that gap. HECC opened in 2018 to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round care for children ages six weeks to four years in Southeast Austin.
How does your unique background and perspective help move the mission forward?
“I’m not sure my background and perspective are unique, but I have had the opportunity to work with other organizations to move their missions forward,” she remarks. “I think the board is an amazing group of dedicated people, and I look forward to finding ways to help them and the foundation in any way that I can.”
Most recently, Mary Ann presented a special certificate of congratulations signed by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson on October 21, 2023, in remembrance of the tragic events of 1993 in Burundi and to celebrate the strength and resilience of Gilbert’s 30th anniversary Walk to Forgiveness.
Gilbert’s anniversary walk from Lady Bird Lake to the Texas Capitol brings awareness to the water problem in Burundi, its solution, and the profound impact the Gazelle Foundation’s supporters have in providing clean water to those who need it most.
“I think the Gazelle’s focus on one issue—clean water— is key to its success. Bringing clean water to people in Burundi is foundational to the health and welfare of the people there.”
What do you like to do in your (limited!) spare time?
“My favorite activities include reading, walking my dog, biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, taking photographs, and painting,” Mary Ann says.
What book is on your nightstand currently? And recent favorite movies, music, or podcasts?
Right now, I’m reading Erasure by Percival Everett, Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling, and The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland. I recently finished Kristin Hannah’s The Women and would definitely recommend it. I also listen to The Wall Street Journal’s What’s News podcast regularly.”