WHO WE ARE
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors contribute to the Waitt Institute's overarching vision and strategy to create and implement sustainable ocean plans in partnership with committed governments, local stakeholders and communities.
Ted Waitt
Founder & Board Chairman
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Ted Waitt, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Gateway, Inc., helped revolutionize how people use technology to live, work, and play through pioneering the direct marketing of personal computers. Labeled a maverick by national business publications, he has since gone on to form multiple enterprises: Avalon Capital Group, Inc., Avalon Pictures, Waitt Foundation, Waitt Institute, and the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention. Ted oversees all Waitt Foundation and Waitt Institute efforts and is actively engaged in each project from conception to completion.
John D. Heubusch
Vice Chairman
John Heubusch’s career has spanned politics, public service, philanthropy, and the Fortune 500.
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He served for 14 years as the executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, the nonprofit organization that operates the Reagan Library in California and the Reagan Institute in Washington, D.C. Before this role, he served as the President of Avalon Capital Group and the President of the Waitt Foundation from 2000-2007. Prior to these roles, he was the Chief Administrative Officer of Gateway, Inc., the Fortune 500 computer icon co-founded by Ted Waitt. Before his role at Gateway, he was the Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Under his leadership, three more seats were added to the Republican column in the U.S. Senate, bringing the number to a historic high of 55. Mr. Heubusch also served Elizabeth Dole as the Vice President of Communications for the American Red Cross, and was her Chief of Staff as Secretary of Labor in the George H.W. Bush Administration.
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He is the best-selling author of two thrillers, The Shroud Conspiracy and The Second Coming (Simon & Schuster).
Shane Hartnett
Board Member
Joining Avalon Capital Group, Inc. in 2007, Shane is currently the firm’s President responsible for investment and operational oversight. Avalon Capital Group, Inc. is a wholly-owned private investment company owned by Ted Waitt, co-founder and former chairman of Gateway, Inc. Shane also serves on the Waitt Foundation Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Avalon Capital Group, Shane was a vice president at Gateway, Inc., holding numerous positions in operations and supply chain management during his 20-year tenure. Notably, he developed, launched and operated Gateway’s manufacturing facilities across Asia and North America.
Emily Waitt
Board Member
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Emily is a Marriage and Family Therapist working with adolescents, young adults, and families impacted by chronic stress, multigenerational trauma, and dysfunctional family dynamics. She earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and holds a master's in clinical psychology from Pepperdine. Emily completed her clinical training at the esteemed Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, CA, where she worked with adolescents and families from a psychodynamic perspective.
Beyond this, her experience in the field includes positions at the Center for Professional Counseling, Beverly Hills High School, and PCH treatment center. Emily's therapeutic approach is individually tailored to address each client's unique needs, employing an array of therapeutic modalities to help them gain insight, process their experiences, and learn to regulate their nervous system. To further her knowledge, she is currently obtaining a doctoral degree in Psychodynamic Child Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Sophia Waitt
Board Member
Sophia Waitt is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a passionate advocate for mental health and environmental stewardship. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Sophia serves on the board of Waitt Institute as she is committed to ocean conservation, where she brings a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of mental health and environmental well-being. She believes that cultivating resilience in both people and ecosystems is essential to creating a sustainable and thriving future.