Management & Leadership
A Connected Planet Foundation is guided by a team of experienced professionals united by a shared commitment to our founder's vision — that access to information is a fundamental human right.
Dr. Sheila Hearne
Founder
In memoriam
Dr. Sheila Hearne co-founded A Connected Planet in 2012 with the conviction that access to information is a fundamental human right. A visionary leader in international development and educational technology, she built ACP from the ground up — establishing its dual-sector model, its partnerships in Haiti and Appalachia, and its culture of mission-first service.
Sheila passed away suddenly in 2023 due to surgical complications. She is deeply missed. Her belief that technology should serve the many, not the few, remains the foundation of everything ACP does. We are honored to carry her work forward.
Board & Staff
Our leadership team brings together expertise in international development, government consulting, educational technology, and nonprofit operations.
Greg Hearne
Chief Executive Officer & President, Board of Directors
Greg Hearne co-founded A Connected Planet with his wife Dr. Sheila Hearne in 2012. He brings over 40 years of technical management experience around the globe in support of both government and humanitarian missions. Greg holds a BS in Computer Science and an MS Certificate in Project Management. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma certified, and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
- BS, Computer Science
- MS Certificate, Project Management
- PMP · Six Sigma · CISSP
Dr. Joshua Hearne
Chief Financial Officer & Secretary, Board of Directors
Dr. Joshua Hearne advises on all phases of ACP operations and is a specialist in setting up and managing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) components of programs. He has a background in both the government and private sectors, specifically in social science research and human capital. He has led complex portfolios, synchronized cross-functional stakeholders, advised senior leaders, and helped establish and reinforce functions that enable high-visibility government organizations to achieve strategic and operational objectives across various federal agencies, including DOW, DHS (CISA/FEMA), VA, NIH, and OPM.
- BA, Psychology
- BA, Spanish
- MS, Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Doctorate in Business Administration
- PMP
Mercedes Ferraro
Program Director, Appalachia Advancement Aid (AAA) Micro-Grants Program
Mercedes Ferraro leads ACP's Appalachia Advancement Aid (AAA) Micro-Grants Program, bringing firsthand knowledge of the region and its educators. She grew up in Virginia, earned her teaching degree and certifications at Radford University in the heart of Appalachia, and spent many years living and teaching there before relocating to Florida. She currently serves as a middle school special education teacher in the Sarasota, FL school district. Her deep roots in Appalachian education give her a unique understanding of both the challenges teachers face and the transformative impact a well-placed micro-grant can have.
- Teaching Degree & Certifications, Radford University
- Middle School Special Education Teacher, Sarasota FL
- Appalachian education specialist
Edwin Maldonado Vazquez
Director of Foreign Partner Engagement
Edwin Maldonado Vazquez brings a wealth of global experience to ACP as Director of Foreign Partner Engagement. A retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer, Edwin has operated across the globe and is a trusted face among ACP's U.S. CENTCOM foreign partners. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, he bridges cultures and builds relationships with ease. Edwin holds a degree in Computer Science and has accumulated more certifications than we have room to list — and yes, he cleans up very well.
- BS, Computer Science
- Retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer
- Fluent: English, Spanish, Italian
- Extensive global field experience
Volunteers
ACP's work is enriched by dedicated volunteers who contribute their professional expertise to our humanitarian programs.
Meggan Edwards
Educational Language Specialist (Volunteer)
Meggan Edwards is a speech-language pathologist with a private practice in Oakmont, PA who volunteers her time with ACP. She assists in the educational components of language for use in ACP's educational applications, bringing extensive knowledge in early language development and literacy skills.
- BS, Communication Sciences & Disorders
- BS, Psychology
- MS, Speech-Language Pathology
- Private Practice, Oakmont PA
Dr. Stephen Edwards
Educational Subject Matter Expert (Volunteer)
Dr. Stephen Edwards volunteers as ACP's Educational Subject Matter Expert, assisting in designing, developing, and integrating technology into Haitian schools. A certified reading specialist with a background in language arts, Stephen strives to use technology to promote literacy development for children. He is the Director of Student Achievement and Instructional Verification for the Fox Chapel Area School District in Pennsylvania.
- BS, Elementary Education
- MEd, Reading Education
- Doctorate of Education (EdD)
- Director of Student Achievement & Instructional Verification, Fox Chapel Area School District PA
Benjamin Boggess
Former Haiti Country Lead (Volunteer)
Benjamin Boggess served ACP for many years as Haiti Country Lead, managing all aspects of ACP's implementation projects in Haiti and serving as the primary point of contact for the foundation's partnerships in the country. He brought extensive field experience and fluency in English, French, and Haitian Creole to the role. Ben is now off on a new adventure — he and his wife Sabrina, along with their two sons, have rented their home in Washington, D.C. and are relocating to Kathmandu, Nepal. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service and wish the whole family well on this exciting chapter.
- BS, International Business & Economic Development
- Master's in Development Management
- Fluent: English, French, Haitian Creole
Get in Touch
Questions about our leadership, governance, or how to partner with ACP? We'd love to hear from you.