Ruth Abelmann – Board President
University of New Hampshire, Associate Director of Residential Life

Ruth is the Associate Director of Residential Life at UNH and has been involved with On Belay since 2004.  Ruth has been honored to play a role in the expansion of On Belay over the years and currently serves as our Board President. With the founder, Crescentia Healy-True, Ruth helped to create the Volunteer Program for students at UNH, who play a vital role at all On Belay programs.  Ruth lives in Durham NH, teaches yoga in the community, has two kids in college who are volunteers for On Belay, and her partner Michael is the official On Belay photographer.

Cynthia is active in a number of community and church activities, and has been involved with On Belay since 2011 as Treasurer.  Cynthia is very thoughtful, organized and helps to keep On Belay financially prudent. She loves to see the smiles on kids faces after a day of program and works behind the scenes tirelessly to keep On Belay going. She lives in Durham with her husband, and has three children who are all either in college or graduate school.

Bill is a retired Business Systems Consultant and Project Manager.  He has been involved with On Belay since its inception, as the father and advisor to our founder, Crescentia Healy True. He has played a critical role in the operation and development of On Belay ever since. He currently serves as Chair of the Board Resource Committee and is a member of the Crescentia Classic Golf Tournament Committee, which has raised over $60,000 for On Belay over the years. Bill lives in Newmarket, NH with his wife of 52 years, Crescentia Anne, and has 4 living children and 12 grandchildren.

John Belcher is a retired Navy Officer who was born and raised in Durham NH. After retiring from the Navy he returned to Durham and currently runs his own home improvement business. He has been on the Board of Directors for On Belay for the past two years and currently serves as Chair of the Development Committee.  John continues to reside in Durham with his wife Trish and has 2 children.

Maureen has worked in mutual fund operations since 1996, when she had the privilege of working for On Belay’s founder, Crescentia Healy-True at Citizens Funds in Portsmouth, NH. Maureen credits Crescentia as her role model and mentor, and is honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of On Belay by serving on the Board. Maureen joined the Board in 2012 and previously served as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of the Seacoast. She was born and raised in Maine, and has lived in Portsmouth since 1999.

Kristan Bishop joined the On Belay board in March 2012 and serves on the Development Committee.  She was drawn to the program because she realized that there really is nothing else like the On Belay program for kids with a family member with Cancer.  Kristan  is a sales and marketing consultant.  She lives in Durham and  is happily married and has three active boys.  Kristan is in the band Bliss, and teaches yoga.

Trudy Higgins Brown

Trudy is a community volunteer who has lived in Durham, NH, with her husband Peter, for the past 16 years.  Trudy is a member of the Development Committee and serves as the judge for the annual On Belay Gingerbread Construction Day.  Trudy is the mom of two sons, one in college & one who graduated from college