Staff & Trustees
Executive Director
Elke Buckland began her career in not for profit management in 2013 holding executive roles in both Development and Operations. Prior to her work in non profit she worked in manufacturing and supply chain management for 16 years. Elke has extensive knowledge in setting the strategy and implementing initiatives for organizational growth. Her ability to cultivate longstanding relationships, both professionally and personally, is a not only a strength but a passion. In her leadership roles Elke has managed, mentored, and collaborated with board, volunteers, and staff to help foster positive influence in the community.
While she did not know Fred Saigh personally Elke is pleased to have learned about the extraordinary impact he made in the lives of those he helped and of those who knew him, as told through stories and memories shared by Joann and Mary.
Natives to St. Louis, Elke and her husband Keith, are both proud to raise their two kids in the same neighborhoods where they grew up. The family are also active members of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church.
Julie Hantman
Assistant Director
Julie is a native of St. Louis. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in Organizational Communications. Early in her career, Julie had the opportunity to meet Mr. Saigh. In later years, she had the pleasure of working with JoAnn Hejna and Mary Kemp through various organizations benefitting from the generosity of The Saigh Foundation.
(left to right) The Saigh Foundation Co-Trustees: Mike Hejna, Heidi Veron, and Franklin F. Wallis, Esq
Mike Hejna
Co-Trustee
Mike Hejna is President & Chief Executive Officer of Gundaker Commercial Group, Inc. (GCG). With a background in real estate financing and development, his responsibilities include overseeing the functions of GCG as a company, with a primary focus on organization and capital formation of developments and joint ventures. He manages the affiliates of GCG, comprising 40 separate business entities that engage GCG’s Asset Management, Brokerage, and Development Divisions. Mr. Hejna is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Business, receiving a BS in Business and Public Administration.
Mike is actively engaged in his community. His professional and community leadership roles include the following: CBC High School – Board of Directors, Retired; Centrue Bank – Holding Company Board of Directors, Loan Committee, Retired; Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce – Chairman, City Committee; Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors, 2006 Chairman, Retired; Chesterfield Valley Coalition – Board of Directors, President; University of Missouri -Business/ Finance Advisory Board & Davenport Society; Webster University Business Advisory Board; Better Together, Board of Directors.
Heidi Veron
Co-Trustee
Heidi Veron has more than twenty years experience managing diverse public and private projects, from complex implementations involving multiple suppliers; to management, development and implementation of specific business programs and processes. Heidi has extensive experience managing Government projects — including business re-engineering and privatization efforts.
Heidi was born in St. Louis. After studying Marketing Communications at the University of Missouri, she went on to director positions at GTECH Corporation, Transactive Corporation, and Lockheed Martin before beginning her own consulting firm. Heidi’s success is grounded in her ability to effectively determine customer needs and conceptualize, design, build and improve processes to deliver timely and cost-effective products that meet those customer needs. Heidi’s work has touched millions of people and helped state governments save millions of dollars. She is active in the community and has served on various boards of directors including most recently the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.
Heidi has been a trustee of The Saigh Foundation since 2005.
Franklin F. Wallis, Esq.
Co-Trustee
Frank Wallis is an attorney specializing in wealth management legal issues, primarily estate planning, charitable giving, business constitution planning, trust company representation, international trust and tax matters, estate and trust planning and administration, transfer tax issues, and institutional fiduciary advice. An active participant in community activities, Mr. Wallis has served on the boards of directors of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, The Arts and Education Council of St. Louis, KETC Channel Nine and Dance St. Louis, the St. Louis Community Foundation, the St. Louis Art Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park, the Duke University Estate Planning Council, and other charitable organizations. Mr. Wallis holds a special certificate from the Hague Academy of International Law, and holds degrees from Central Methodist University, Duke University and the University of London.
After serving as Fred Saigh’s trust lawyer for many years, Mr. Saigh named Frank as co-trustee of The Saigh Foundation. Mr. Wallis was not only Fred Saigh’s lawyer, but also a trusted friend.
(left to right) Fiduciary Trust Company International: Jeffrey MacDonald, Ken Siegel, Mary Anne Davey, Hank Murphy, and Natalia Lazar-Galoiu (not pictured)