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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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KATIE BROWN

Katie Brown is a serial entrepreneur who has opened and run five restaurants, launched an ethically produced, high-end women's clothing line manufactured in Los Angeles, a cocktail mixer company, and more. She has sat on multiple boards that focus on entrepreneurial ecosystems and mentored at the University of Oregon Business School for many years. She is driven to help our most vulnerable community members, in this case, homeless youth.

 

CAMERON TESSLER

Cameron Tessler has worked in a variety of roles in social services. He has volunteered for over 15 years at Courageous Kids, a grief support program for youth in our community at both the summer camp and school support groups. More recently he worked at the Lane County District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Advocate assisting victims of crimes through the criminal justice process. Cameron currently works as both a crisis worker and an EMT at CAHOOTS, a local crisis response service, and was involved in developing department policies and structures of accountability within a consensus model. He graduated from Simon Fraser University with a joint Sociology and Criminology degree and is currently credentialed as a QMHA and EMT.  In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and spending time with his family. 

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DANA FLEMING

After graduating from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in Art History in her home state of Alabama, Dana worked in a range of nonprofits in art, domestic violence, youth empowerment, and education in Alabama, Nevada, Arkansas, and Oregon.  In Reno, NV, Dana directed YouthArtworks, an arts employment program for youth.  She has also taught art to youth in many different settings, including Ophelia’s Place in Eugene, as well as the children’s department of the county library and a K-8 parochial school in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Since moving to Eugene, Dana has served as Executive Director of Eugene Education Foundation, as a Board Member of Lane County Cultural Coalition, and on Stand for Children’s Strategy Team.  Dana is currently Executive Director of Eugene Public Library Foundation.  

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Dana and her husband, Johnny, have four adult children.  When she is not at work or volunteering, you can find her hiking, reading, making art, or prowling through thrift stores.

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JAMESON T. AUTEN

Jameson T. Auten is the CEO and General Manager of Lane Transit District. serving the Eugene-Springfield, Oregon Metropolitan Area. leading LTD's 330 employees. Jameson joined LTD in November 2022 after serving as the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. He began his transportation career in 2001 with the GRTC Transit System in Richmond. Virginia. Jameson is very active in the public transportation industry, including the American Association of Public Transportation and the National Academies of Sciences. He is a 2014 graduate of Leadership APTA and is the Chair of APTA's Mobility Management Committee. Jameson earned an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor's degree from California University of Pennsylvania (PennWest).

 

LUCY NATANSON

Lucy has 25 years of experience as a public works economist conducting financial analysis with an emphasis on water, wastewater, and stormwater financial planning and rate setting. She also serves as a business consultant in the private sector working with startups and established businesses to improve operations and maximize growth through financial management and systems, design, and implementation. In addition to her professional career, Lucy has spent 30 years working with at-risk youth. As a former foster child, she has a strong understanding of the unusual and seemingly insurmountable challenges facing this group.

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JEREMY GREEN

Jeremy Green holds a Ph.D. and MA in Counseling from Indiana State University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois with a focus on the juvenile justice system. He is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and is a former National Science Foundation Scholar in Engineering. As an entrepreneur, Jeremy founded one company, co-founded a second, and created the first intrapreneurship accelerator in the US for one of the original Silicon Valley tech companies.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

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Amie Annsa
Amie is a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and marginalized groups, serving on Oregon's LGBTQIA2S+ Subcommittee of the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services. A Portland State University graduate, she is passionate about improving her community and advancing opportunities for unhoused youth through her work with Scorpion Creek Ranch.

 

José da Silva
José is the Principal of Springfield High School, known for its diverse student body and comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs. He is committed to fostering students' success and ensuring they become adaptable, critical thinkers, and ethical decision-makers in the community.

 

Jeff Desler
Jeff is the CEO of Pasquarelli Construction, specializing in sustainable, innovative designs for restaurants, bars, and custom homes. With a career starting at 14, Jeff is passionate about inspiring youth to explore career opportunities in construction.

 

Mickey Fearn
Mickey is a parks and recreation professional with over 50 years of service, including as National Park Service Deputy Director under the Obama Administration. Currently, he teaches diversity and equity in parks and recreation at North Carolina State University.

 

Simon Fulford
Simon, a social justice advocate, has worked internationally on restorative justice and youth programs. Now the Executive Director of Parrott Creek Child & Family Services in Oregon, he champions trauma-informed care and violence prevention models for at-risk youth.

 

Rick Garber
Rick, Director of Education at NorthBay, has over 25 years of experience in outdoor education and wilderness therapy. He is passionate about fostering youth development through experiential learning and enjoys sailing the Chesapeake with his family.

 

Abigail Gerber
Abigail is a trauma-informed sobriety coach, herbalist, and yoga teacher, empowering individuals to overcome addiction through somatics, meditation, and nonviolent communication. She focuses on building compassionate, joyful lives for her clients.

 

Gina Graham
Gina is the founder of Math is Magic!, a private school dedicated to fostering a love of math in students. A former film industry professional, she now focuses on youth enrichment through math and innovative programs like Advanced Math Exploration.

 

Ernie Kent
Ernie is a former college basketball coach and commentator for the Pac-12 Network. As the first Black head coach at the University of Oregon, he led the program to historic success and remains a respected leader in collegiate athletics.

 

Vonnie Mikkelsen
Vonnie, President and CEO of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, is a seasoned professional with global experience in business growth, association management, and community engagement. An Oregon native, she holds a BA from Willamette University.

 

Suzanne Passalacqua
Suzanne, Senior Vice President at Carrick Capital Partners, specializes in strategy, compliance, and supporting underserved youth. Passionate about wilderness programs and emotional wellness, she has supported initiatives like Slide Ranch and Evoke.

 

Melissa Prestinario
Melissa, a marketing and branding expert, mentors entrepreneurs and has over 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. She is passionate about youth-focused initiatives, including children’s homes and educational programs.

 

John Stapleton
John, Principal Architect at PIVOT Architecture, combines engineering and design expertise with a passion for sustainability. He is dedicated to community service and crafting innovative, functional spaces.

 

Trevor Walraven
Trevor is a formerly incarcerated youth offender turned advocate, consultant, and public speaker. He works on criminal justice reform and supports defense attorneys while raising awareness about rehabilitation and reentry experiences.

 

Adam Wendt
Adam, CEO of Trifoia, has led over 70 educational technology projects and supports innovation ecosystems. A dedicated volunteer, he promotes social and racial justice, including his work with the Eugene-Springfield NAACP.

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