About Us
The Echo Foundation was created in 1997 by Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel and educator and therapist Stephanie Ansaldo to lift those voices of human dignity, justice and moral courage who are driving positive action for humankind.
Elie Wiesel, 9/30/1928 - 7/2/2016
“...The Echo Foundation emerged as a source of energy, imagination and hope. Driven by a sense of urgency, its struggle against hatred and indifference has already reverberated far beyond Charlotte and North Carolina. In the years to come, it will surely continue to inspire youth, affect society and occupy a place of honor on the national scene.”
Leadership
Stacey Schanzlin
President
A dedicated community leader and volunteer, Stacey began working with The Echo Foundation in 2018. As Program Director, she brought together students and educators across the region to engage in Echo’s transformative programming. Her goal was to ignite in young minds a passion for learning, a belief in the power of individuals to create meaningful change, and the courage to advocate for the good of humanity.
Before joining Echo, Stacey’s career in management consulting spanned 15 years, during which she specialized in operations, process optimization, and system integration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American University and an MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
Stacey combines her passion for education and community service with her business acumen to advance Echo’s mission to equip future generations to be the voices of conscience necessary to create a future built on human dignity, understanding, and justice.
Stephanie Ansaldo
Founder & President Emerita
Echo Founder and President Emerita, family therapist and filmmaker, Stephanie Goldberg Ansaldo, has devoted her career to advancing humanity. Herself the product of a multi-cultural family, she finds richness in individual differences and embraces diversity. Based on her belief that understanding and mutual respect are the cornerstones of a successful society, Ansaldo co-founded The Echo Foundation with Nobel Laureate for Peace, Elie Wiesel. As President, she worked to promote personal responsibility for humankind. She designed innovative initiatives to address the urgent issues of our time while connecting students and community leaders alike with some of the world’s foremost humanitarians. '
In the context of this multi-faceted programming, individuals come to understand their personal power for positive change. Ansaldo received her B.S. in Child Development from Virginia Tech and her M.S. in Clinical Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is the recipient of The Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Achievement Award; the UNC Charlotte Alumni Award; the inaugural Bob Barret Social Justice Award; The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor; and The Charlotte Observer “Heroes of Democracy” Award for her commitment to addressing issues of inhumanity, injustice, and human suffering. She is the director of the eight-time, award-winning documentary film, In the Footsteps of Elie Wiesel.
A Message from the President
Welcome to The Echo Foundation, where we believe in the power of education to inspire students to become the voices of conscience necessary to create a future built on human dignity, understanding, and justice.
Seventeen years ago, I was deeply inspired while listening to The Echo Foundation’s Co-Founder Elie Wiesel speak to our Charlotte community in celebration of Echo’s tenth anniversary. His encouragement to advocate for Echo’s mission - “to promote justice and inspire hope through education, service and the development of leadership for a more humane world” - resonated with me. I knew at that moment that I wanted to one day join Echo and make a meaningful impact in the community. In 2018, after meeting with Stephanie Ansaldo, I began my tenure as Program Director. Today, I am both honored and excited to serve as President of The Echo Foundation and continue my work for humanity on a broader scale.
Echo’s curricula, programming, and initiatives introduce students to the influence of global events, and how they may harness their personal power to create a better world. We strive to amplify their voices and ensure they have the moral and ethical tools, as well as the motivation, to contribute their own unique talent to humankind. We are driven by the belief that lasting change begins with each individual and that together, we can positively impact humanity.
As we plan for the future, I am emboldened by the possibilities that lie ahead with your continued commitment to this important work. Whether you are a partner, volunteer, donor, student, or teacher, your involvement makes a powerful difference. Together, we can build a more just and humane world - one student at a time.
With gratitude,
President
The Echo Foundation
International Board of Advisors
Elie Wiesel† Lifetime Honorary Chairperson & Nobel Laureate for Peace, 1986
Dr. Aaron Ciechanover
Dr. Paul Farmer†
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Kerry Kennedy
Dr. Bernard Kouchner
Jonathan Kozol
Dr. Denis Mukwege
Jeffrey D. Sachs
Jerre L. Stead
Charlotte Board of Advisors
Mary Lou & James Babb
Robert Bertges
Clarice Cato Goodyear
Ambassador Mark Erwin
The Honorable James Martin
Sally D. Robinson
Thomas W. Ross
F. William Vandiver
The Honorable Kurt Waldthausen
The Honorable Melvin L. Watt
Dr. James H. Woodward
The Honorable Harvey B. Gantt
Charlotte Board of Trustees
Dr. Bojan Cukic, Chair
Stacey Schanzlin, President
Stephanie G. Ansaldo, Founder & President Emerita
Candice H. Knezevic, Secretary
Vadim Moshkovsky, Treasurer
Neeraj Khanna, At Large
Dr. Joan F. Lorden
Thomas D. Pollan
Past Humanitarians & Award Honorees
Echo Participating Humanitarians
The Echo Foundation brings to Charlotte world-renowned humanitarian leaders as the focus of educational initiatives that emphasize justice,
human dignity, and the power of the individual to impact humanity.
Echo Award Against Indifference Recipients
Each year, the Echo Award Against Indifference honors those individuals in the Charlotte region and beyond who personify our mission to promote human dignity, justice and moral courage through positive, effective action for humankind.
Our Programs
Since its inception, in 1997, The Echo Foundation has been committed to the promotion of education and social justice. Our mission is to promote justice and inspire hope through education, service and the development of leadership for a more humane world.
Voices Against Indifference
A curriculum-based education program, Voices Against Indifference (VAI) connects high school students with global humanitarians who exemplify the power of the individual to make a difference. Each year, VAI addresses critical issues facing humanity from the perspectives of our participating humanitarians.
Footsteps Global Initiative
Footsteps Global Initiative provides regional youth with the opportunity to learn about, travel to and serve locations of humanitarian importance, exposing our students to a global perspective. The Footsteps program is a transformative experience for student ambassadors as they broaden their awareness of critical world issues through hands-on experience.
