In August of 2025, Afya welcomed Michael Vickers and Peter T. Gelfman to our Board of Directors. Both bring deep expertise in their respective fields and a shared commitment to advancing Afya’s mission of improving global health outcomes by delivering rescued medical supplies and equipment to communities in need.
Michael Vickers
Michael Vickers is a seasoned real estate professional with more than 20 years of experience in New York City’s residential and commercial markets. As Co-Founder and Principal Broker of Vickers Realty, Ltd., he oversees property management, brokerage, and investment initiatives, leveraging a wide network of industry partners to deliver exceptional results.
In addition to his professional achievements, Michael is a dedicated philanthropist. He has held long-standing leadership roles with the UJA-Federation of New York, including chairing multiple international missions. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate from New York University and continues to balance his business career with a passion for giving back.
Reflecting on his appointment, Michael shared:
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board and to work with Danielle and the Afya Foundation team to help further the mission of collecting and delivering medical and humanitarian supplies to where they are needed most, wherever in the world that may be.”
Peter T. Gelfman
Peter T. Gelfman is a five-time General Counsel with extensive experience advising boards of directors and senior management at both public and private companies in industries including promotional products, distribution, manufacturing, and oil refining. Over the course of his career, he has built and led law departments from the ground up, and has overseen IPOs, acquisitions, strategic sales, corporate transactions, and litigation.
Earlier in his career, Peter served as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and as a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Beyond his corporate roles, he has contributed his expertise as a school board member for the Mt. Pleasant College School UFSD and as a board member of the Friends of MPCS UFSD Foundation. Peter earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College (magna cum laude) and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Upon his appointment Peter stated:
“I have known Danielle for over 40 years as we met back in high school. I was in awe even then of Danielle’s passion and energy for every project she tackled. I was an informal legal advisor as Danielle started Afya. In more recent years, I have helped the Afya Staff on a pro bono basis with contracts and other legal questions. I have been thrilled to watch Afya grow into the impressive organization it has become as it contributes in so many ways to making the world a better place at home and abroad. At this point in my career, I have the time to make a more meaningful commitment to helping Afya expand even further, so I am excited to be joining the Afya Board of Directors at this time in its history.”
