Three photos of Board Director Ray. On the left he is standing outside holding a Golden Retriever puppy. In the middle he's standing in water, with sunglasses on and a smile and on the right he dons a blue jacket as he smiles at the camera.

Meet the Team: Ray Kirk

July 4, 2026 | by Hannah Smith

Get to know Ray, Founding Member and Board Director

Ray serves on the SafeHavens Board, where he focuses on strengthening the organization’s financial and operational foundations to ensure it can continue growing sustainably. Alongside supporting fundraising efforts, he works closely with the Board, CEO, and management team to help guide SafeHavens with strong governance and a clear vision for the future. He says one of the greatest joys of his role is working alongside such passionate and dedicated people who share a deep commitment to children and families.

What inspires Ray most is seeing how even small acts of generosity can transform the lives of children facing significant challenges. He is especially moved by the impact SafeHavens has on deaf and vulnerable children in Nepal, helping them access education, language, and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

One moment that has stayed with him took place during a visit to RHERI, where he watched two deaf girls enthusiastically chatting in Nepali Sign Language before bursting into laughter together. Although he couldn’t understand their conversation, he knew that without access to language and Deaf-inclusive education, that joyful moment may never have happened. “It was more than enough for me to hear their laughter,” he recalls.

Looking ahead, Ray hopes to see SafeHavens build a strong and sustainable base of support that allows the organization to expand its partnerships, grow its programs, and give even more people the opportunity to witness the life-changing impact of its work firsthand.

Ray grew up across several New England states before building a long career in child welfare, public service, and social work. Today, he and his wife live on an island in Lake Champlain in Vermont.

Many people are surprised to learn that alongside his career in child protection, Ray also pursued a lifelong passion for aviation. He is a commercially rated pilot and flight instructor and spent many years volunteering with Children’s Flight of Hope, flying children with serious medical conditions to specialist treatment centres free of charge.

A man stands outside the door of a plane labelled 'Children's Flight of Hope'. Next to him is a young child wearing a red cap, sitting in a pram/wheelchair device. There is also a dog next to the child.

In his own words:

“Among the things I find most inspiring is the realization that even small initiatives can have a tremendous impact on the lives of very disadvantaged children and their families. Bringing services and hope to such children and witnessing their amazing growth and potential goes beyond inspiration.”