About Our Founders

Bob and Sally Schmid

Bob is the President and original founder of Open Hearts for Orphans (OHO). He is also OHO's Public Relations and Grants Director. The Schmids' passion is to reduce the number of orphans worldwide, to encourage adoption, and to improve the conditions of orphanage life. They adopted their first child from China, Benjamin Youshan. Ben came home when he was three and a half years old and is now looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall. The Schmids are currently in the process of adopting a second child, this time from Ethiopia.

Bob works in the credit risk management group of BP’s trading operations, and he is also an active volunteer at his local church, Lisle Bible Church, where he serves as an Elder. Before founding OHO, he served as Treasurer, a Deacon, and a member of the Missions Committee. 

Sally is first and foremost Ben's mom. She is also the Director of Fundraising, the Website Editor, and the board meeting Secretary for Open Hearts. She teaches ESL part-time for World Relief Organization and volunteers at Lisle Bible Church as the Sunday School Board Secretary, as a member of the Missions Committee, and as a Vacation Bible School (VBS) teacher. 

Elizabeth and Craig Isaak

For Board Members Craig and Elizabeth Isaak, adoption has always been a part of family life. Both grew up with adopted brothers and always knew that adoption would be part of their own family someday. Last year, the Isaaks, who have two biological children, welcomed home their son Myles from Ethiopia; they are now looking forward to adopting a second child from Ethiopia. They are also pouring their passion for adoption into Open Hearts for Orphans and the Orphan Care Ministry they started at Ginger Creek Community Church.

Craig is the Director of Development for Open Hearts and is a Consultant and sales account manager for Humana health insurance company. Craig is also an active member of Ginger Creek where he previously served in the high school and worship ministries and acted as a lay counselor.

Elizabeth, a busy stay-at-home mom of three young children, is a Grant Interviewer and Board Member for Open Hearts. She also volunteers as a foster mom for sheltered dogs.

Rachel Witzke, Dave Witzke, and Ron Bray (from left to right)

Ron is a Grant Interviewer and Board Member of Open Hearts. Ron has a big heart for the voiceless: orphans, disadvantaged children, the homeless population, and animals. Ron and his wife fostered four abused children through the state of IL before having a family of their own, and he brings a wealth of experience to Open Hearts as a Grant Interviewer. Besides being a member of OHO, he is a Deacon and leads a men's group at Lisle Bible Church. He has been a veterinarian for over 30 years in the far southwest suburbs of Chicago, and has volunteered at many organizations including Big Brothers, Boy Scouts, Pacific Garden Mission, and Rotary. He also taught Junior High Sunday School and volunteered in church youth groups at Fellowship Chapel, where he was a Deacon for 24 years.

Dave and Rachel Witzke have a big heart for children and teens. Dave and Rachel have taught High School Sunday School and VBS classes for eight years at Lisle Bible Church. Rachel, OHO's former Secretary, still serves the organization by helping out with fundraisers. She is the VBS Director at Lisle Bible Church and works at Bridgestone/Firestone. Dave, an OHO Board Member, is a Deacon at Lisle Bible Church and works as a Material Handler at Bridgestone/Firestone.

Scott Izzo

Formerly a member of a pro-life organization, Scott is now a Board Member for Open Hearts. He is also the Treasurer and Janitor at Lisle Bible Church, in addition to having a career as a Mechanical Engineer.