Board of Directors
Ms. Maria Elisabete Ferreira Cushing, President & Founder
A native of both Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau, Ms. Ferreira Cushing has lived in the United States since 1982. Previously a social worker in Cabo Verde, she now works as a full-time respiratory therapist and cardiology technician at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. A professional interpreter she is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Cabo Verdean Kriol. A long time leader in Cabo Verde and the diaspora in New England, Ms. Ferreira Cushing has worked for the community in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. In 2003 she founded Friends of Mind/Amigos de Mente in Portland, Maine in order to help immigrant communities organize and to assist the countries of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau to improve their health and medical institutions. Ms. Ferreira Cushing volunteers her time leading the organization and the annual trips to West Africa.
Mr. Antonio Rocha, Vice President
Mr. Filomena Monteiro
Ms. Luisa Fontes
Ms. Maria da Graca
Amigos de Mente/Friends of Mind 