Board

Katie Jeremiah is CEO of ARI, Inc., a Springfield-based mining services contractor that provides drilling, blasting and portable crushing for mines, quarries, renewable energy and development projects throughout the West (12 states). Katie was appointed by Governor Kate Brown to the Governing Board of the state’s Department of Geology and Mineral Resources, serves on the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) as a board member on The Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association. Katie is also a practicing attorney with Lake Oswego-based Jordan Ramis PC. Katie has a strong dedication to mentoring and has previously served with various mentoring and tutoring organizations including Friends of the Children in Portland.

Steve Korin Is a Title 1 teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School (4J) who specializes in early literacy instruction. Steve previously served as a Friend during a short pilot project when the Portland Friends of the Children Office implemented a short-lived pilot project in Eugene. Steve played a strong role in catalyzing the creation of a Friends chapter in Lane County including helping ensure helping land ensure the organization had a great youth/family selection partner in Cesar Chavez. Steve is a musician and lives with his family in Eugene.

Mark Sheppard Is the owner of Farmers Union Coffee Roasters and Co-owner of The Barn Light in downtown Eugene. Mark is very active in the local food/restaurant scene. Mark and his family have been involved with Friends of the Children in Portland for many years.

Susan Walsh focuses on the long-range sustainability and policy development plans to advance the mission of Friends of the Children. She oversees data and evaluation, including the longitudinal RCT study of the Friends model. Susan is committed to ensuring that holistic, individualized K-12 support for high-needs children is an essential priority for public and private sector investment. She currently serves on the Board of The Children’s Institute. Prior to joining Friends, Susan served as Executive Vice President of The Campbell Foundation and as Executive Director of Committed Partners for Youth in Eugene, OR from 2001-2011. In addition to her non-profit work, Susan was an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students about youth development. Susan holds a B.S. degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from Villanova University, and a doctorate in special education from the University of Oregon.

A graduate of the UO Lundquist College of Business, Brian Fox has served in multiple roles across Oregon prior to taking over the COVID-19-related as Executive Director of the University of Oregon’s Monitoring and Assessment Program. Mr. Fox previously served for 4 years as the Vice President of Finance and Administrations at Oregon Institute of Technology and served as a Director in the Oregon University System. Brian has volunteered on United Way of Lane County’s Emerging Leader’s Council and previously been a Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County.

Kirsten Hughes, M.Ed., LMFT, has served youth and families in Lane County for 25 years including stints with Looking Glass, the Child Center, the Center for Family Therapy, Ophelia’s Place, Acorn House and the Bethel Health Center. Mrs. Hughes now runs a private practice and is an individual, family and group therapist for K-12 students and their families in the Bethel School District. She lives in Eugene with husband, Adam, and two boys, Oliver and Nathan.

Ilisa Rooke-Ley currently works as a Senior Judge for Oregon. Prior to being a Senior Judge, Rooke-Ley worked for Lane County Circuit Court in Oregon's 2nd Judicial District, retiring from that post December 21, 2020. She was appointed to the Circuit Court judgeship on May 1, 2010, by Governor Ted Kulongoski to replace retiring Judge Kip Leonard. Rooke-Ley won election to a second full term without opposition in the primary election on May 17, 2016.

Rooke-Ley earned her undergraduate degree from William Smith College and her J.D. from the Nova Southeastern University Law School. Prior to joining the bench in 2010, Rooke-Ley spent 16 years working as a criminal defense lawyer. Her criminal defense work began in Miami as an Assistant Public Defender then continued in Eugene where she worked at the Law Offices of Terri Wood and Public Defender Services of Lane County. She has three amazing kids. They, serving on boards and being a Senior Judge continue to keep her hopping.

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Gina moved to Eugene over 20 years ago to attend the University of Oregon and has since fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest. As a competitive triathlete and swimmer, Gina is no stranger to working hard and persevering. Her real estate business is built on dedication, trust, determination and an open line of communication, while also having the ability to cater and adapt to all of her client’s real estate needs no matter where they are in their journey. Gina finds her greatest successes are in helping her clients set goals and working towards achieving them. As the real estate industry has evolved to become more innovative and efficient, Gina has followed suit and strives to provide uncommon service and support to her clients.

When she is not working with clients, Gina (a.k.a. Coach Gina) keeps her toes in the water by coaching Willamette High School swim team and training when she can. Having had experience as a personal coach and trainer, Gina understands how crucial it can be to have someone by your side every step of the way. She will be your real estate coach and mentor, as well as your biggest supporter and fan in all aspects of life.

Gina also wholly believes in the power of community and serves on the Board of Directors of a couple local organizations and actively gives through her GIVE campaign, in which she donates a portion of her earnings to various organizations such as Friends of the Children, Kidsports, Kids FIRST, the Cascade Raptor Center and Food for Lane County (among others).

David Mack, a native of Compton, C.A., recently relocated to Eugene, Oregon--a city that I affectionately call "My Utopia."

Along his professional career journey, he has held various leadership positions, such as a law enforcement training officer, a nonprofit solar installation supervisor, and a solar and EVI (electrical vehicle infrastructure) project manager.

David is most proud of my community involvement activities. He was the Block Club Captain within my L.A. community, where I helped to organize the implementation of speed bumps to regulate vehicle speed for safety and designated safe houses for youth in the area in case of an emergency. He has also volunteered time over the years with Habitat for Humanity (helping to build affordable housing), the Junior Blind of America (partnering with youth during the Paralympic and Visually Impaired Angel City Games), the Bahati Foundation (cycling to raise funds to purchase bicycles for underprivileged youth), and the Compton Youth Build program in Compton, CA (serving as an inspirational guest speaker).

Heather Murphy was hired as the Early Learning Administrator for South Lane School District in July of 2021. Prior to this position, she served as the Executive Director of CASA of Lane County for 6 years and the Family Relief Nursery in Cottage Grove for 14 years. Ms. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon. She lives in Cottage Grove with her husband, Mark, where they have raised three wonderful children, Kendrick, Keara and Brennen. Heather served as a Cottage Grove City Councilor for eight years and was Council President for four of those. She has also served on numerous boards and committees at the local, county and state levels focusing on child abuse prevention, early childhood programs, rural healthcare and education.

Sam Stender is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with Merrill Lynch. Working at Merrill for over 10 years Sam has been providing financial services, investment advice and planning to families and businesses with his Team. Sam has experience with charitable giving vehicles and the planning of charitable gifts. In addition to his work at Merrill Lynch, Sam has been involved in various non profits including The Science Factory, Planned Parenthood and Jacobs Gallery, often serving on the Board of Directors for those organizations.