Foundation Staff
Doug Thompson, Executive Director
Doug.Thompson@orlions.org | (503) 413-8385
Doug is a graduate of Oregon State University—Go Beavs!—and spent most of his career with the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, the last eight years as the Executive Director. Doug has over 20 years of experience in board development, fundraising and nonprofit strategic planning.
Doug resides in Salem with his Black Lab O.B. and enjoys spending time with family and friends, hacking around the golf course, learning to play guitar, reading, cooking - especially Italian – and raising money for the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. He also claims to enjoy yard work. Doug is a passionate supporter of OSU athletics but does tolerate supporters of the “school to the south” of Corvallis, especially if they support the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. He enjoys travel, aspires to one day see Europe, but currently is content to explore the beauty of Oregon, meet Lions throughout the state and generate further support for the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
;)
Brenda Anderson, Associate Director
Brenda.Anderson@orlions.org | (503) 413-7399
Brenda began her tenure at the Foundation in 2001. Through her talent, drive, passion and dedication, she has moved into progressively more responsible positions throughout the years.
Born and raised in Montana, Brenda would spend most summers working and playing on the family ranch. In 1996, she moved to Washington with now husband Nathan to find better employment opportunities. After working for several insurance companies, Brenda became the Conventions Manager in the Executive Offices of the Doubletree Hotel Lloyd Center. Her eventual search for a more rewarding and challenging position led her to the Foundation where she discovered her niche in the nonprofit sector.
Brenda is the proud mom of Kaitlin, 19, Elliot, 6, and Ivy, almost two years old. She loves spending every spare moment with them. She is an avid cook and organic gardener who dreams of having her own bed and breakfast some day. In her spare time, she is a voracious reader, and enjoys geo-caching (a GPS-guided “treasure hunt”) as both an intellectual and physically stimulating activity.
Eliza Boné, Communications Director
Eliza.Bone@orlions.org | (503) 413-8661
Eliza joined the Foundation in June, 2008 and is honored to work with dedicated Lions and staff that serve Oregonians with so much heart. She previously worked in a different “era” at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, an 1844 adobe treasured as a national, state and local historic landmark in Long Beach, California. In addition to directing the museum’s communication department for seven years, she also conducted research on historical topics, worked on museum accessioning, cataloging and conservation practices, offered public tours and photographed archived collections. She shared her passion for writing and Victorian history with the public through the children’s educational columns she wrote for the Los Angeles Times newspaper. She continues to freelance as the museum’s graphic designer and public relations consultant.
Eliza graduated from California State University, Long Beach at the top 15 percentile of her class, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, with a specialization in photography. Her traditional black and white photography has won several awards, and she has participated in numerous college and art walk exhibits. Her dream is to have convert her attic into a photo lab/studio and someday publish a coffee table book of her human form studies.
Eliza is married to her devoted friend Jesse, whom she met in Jr. High. They’re favorite past time is spending time together making memories, but have a shared passion for Elvis, cruising and nature. Creativity is an integral part of Eliza’s life, so when she is not pursuing one of her favorite hobbies (photography and making semi-precious jewelry), she is expanding her gluten-free culinary skills.
Diane Freaney, Chief Financial Officer
Diane.Freaney@orlions.org | (503) 413-7399
Diane is a CPA with over 20 years experience as the CFO of community and educational foundations, arts organizations and other non-profit organizations. Diane has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Syracuse University, an Master of Business Administration from Newport University and an Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Diane came to Portland from to experience the vibrant arts community and pursue a love of community-based theater and independent film. Diane arrived on December 1st, just in time for snow and has already made plans for several trips to her Florida condo next winter.
Diane is proud to be working with the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. In addition to her work with the Lions, Diane serves as Contract CFO with several other local organizations, including the Museum of Contemporary Craft and Film Action Oregon.
Nicole Mandarano, Grants Director
Nicole.Mandarano@orlions.org | (503) 413-7329
Nick is a grant writer who has over 14 years of experience with nonprofits in New Jersey and New York City. She began working in Paterson, NJ as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, founding a project for teens aging out of foster care, and continued to serve youth, families and seniors by designing fitness, health, arts and educational programs. Nicole also secured grants and contracts as the Development Manager for Legal Services, created a "know your rights" street law curriculum for at risk teens, and helped to launch a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
Prior to her work with nonprofits and public interest law studies at City University of New York, Nicole lived in Paris for two years, studying French literature and writing a thesis on the occupation of France during World War II. She then worked for a French newspaper and founded a small translation agency, Atlas Communications, in the San Francisco Bay Area. She moved recently from New York City to explore a new life in the beautiful Northwest.
Matt Phillips, MHSP Administrative Assistant
Matt.Phillips@orlions.org | (503) 413-7527
Matt spent many years in the high tech industry before discovering the non-profit world. In search of new challenges and the opportunity to serve his community, Matt volunteered with the City Repair Project and eventually took on the management of their office. He enjoys combining his office, technology and life skills in serving a great cause like the Lions.
He lives in Southeast Portland in a small community of three houses that share a garden, chickens, and some meals. Community members also share a philosophy around reducing their environmental impacts, living more in-tune with nature and embracing community resiliency.
Matt has many talents and interests. He is a blossoming urban farmer, he helped build the strawbale house he lives in and enjoys a range of activities such as bicycling, cooking, fermenting foods and beverages, reading and spending time with his partner, Jean, and his cat, Skieter.
Melinda Rhodes, Administrative Assistant
Melinda.Rhodes@orlions.org | (503) 413-7399
Melinda joined the OLSHF team in November and is eager to offer her administrative services to "such a committed and genuine foundation." Melinda recently obtained her Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on applied linguistics, communication and English. While studying at PSU, she was involved in The Conversation Partners Program which matches native speakers of English with non-native speakers of English on campus and in the community for language support and cultural exchange. She also assisted non-native English speaking students with building resumes, writing essays and preparing for professional interactions either with professors or potential employers.
Melinda is an event coordinator for the annual Seattle & Portland International Beer Festivals as well as the annual Holiday Ale Festival held in Pioneer Square every winter. Both festivals donate proceeds to non-profit organizations such as Pet Cross and The Children’s Cancer Association.
Melinda moved to Portland in 2001 with hopes of becoming a jazz musician and although she’s chosen a different career path she still enjoys playing her alto sax and listening to her favorite jazz records. Melinda and her husband of three years are eager to start a family together but until then their dog and two kitties are the perfect little family.
Melinda enjoys traveling with her husband and is looking forward to their next trip planned to Thailand in February 2013. When they aren’t traveling to far off places Melinda, her husband and their dog are often camping, fishing or hiking all around the beautiful Northwest. Melinda also enjoys cooking, cleaning (yup, you read that right), gardening, watching British shows, listening to all types of music and snuggling with her family.
Mara Steen, MHSP Coordinator
Mara.Steen@orlions.org | (503) 413-7329
Before coming to OLSHF Mara Steen worked for 10 years with Ecumenical Minisitries of Oregon’s HIV drop in center where she built relationships with clients living with HIV/AIDS and came to love them for their incredible resilience, courage and authenticity. Previous to that she was privileged to work for the MacDonald Center non-profit in Downtown Portland working among persons who were homeless and mentally ill. She also spent a year volunteering in Selma, Alabama after graduating from college.
Mara loves Oregon and the beauty that it offers. She is very happy to have made some roots here but will always have a passion for travel and adventure. Among the many places she has gratitude for getting to experience, Africa has stolen her heart and Alaska stirred her soul. She is moved by beauty and nature, finds immense joy in her little nieces and nephew, enjoys meditation, music, eating yummy food, yoga, and her dear friends.
Her wild side loves to dance and let it go on the dance floor! Her inner athlete loves catching an exciting game of just about any sport, and her love for movies will find her at the theater for a great flick and a tub of popcorn!
She feels very grateful for the opportunity to work for OLSHF and its mission.
Leo Touza, IT and Operations Manager
Leo.Touza@orlions.org | (503) 413-8370
Leo came to us as a graduate of Portland State University's Community Development program, with an emphasis in Communication. His studies in Community Development were focused on technology, public health, and neighborhood planning. In addition to obtaining a second bachelor of arts degree in Arts and Letters (emphasis in Film), he also spent a few years working at Portland State University's Office of Information Technologies, where he picked up several valuable skills in web and graphic design, technical support, as well as general office support for nearly 4,000 faculty, staff, and administrative assistants on campus. He spent much of the last year of his studies working with volunteer projects on and off campus, including a term spent volunteering at Atkinson Elementary, a local public school where 70% of its students come from non-English speaking households and another large portion of which are also low-income.
Leo is a first-generation Cuban-American, his parents having come to the United States in 1980. After bouncing back and forth between Miami, Florida and Greater Los Angeles area, he moved to Oregon in late 2006, citing the egalitarian lifestyle of Portland as well as the creative scene and burgeoning non-profit industry as reasons for coming here.
His passions outside of work include cooking, sports (particularly football, basketball, and soccer), film, "internet/geeky stuff", gadgets, and poker. He also enjoys travel and learning about other cultures, especially their cuisine!
Kerith Vance, Programs Director
Kerith.Vance@orlions.org | (503) 413-8386
Kerith has lived in Portland, Oregon since 1977. A true homebody, she still resides in the neighborhood she grew up in. Kerith has been involved with Lions for 30 years through her mom who took her to Lioness and then Lions events like Operation Phone Book. Kerith joined Portland Cascade Lions Club, serving in different officer positions. Serving as sight and hearing chair, Kerith found her passion and heart for Lions and the Lions motto “We Serve.”
Outside of Lions Kerith volunteers with Cascade AIDS Project and has volunteered several years with the Oregon Food Bank. She recently completed the coursework for her Masters Degree in Public Administration through the Institute of Nonprofit Management at Portland State University. In her spare time, Kerith loves to read, work in the garden, play piano, and collect pigs and gnomes. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and her cat.
Mobile Health Screening Program Team in the Field
Wally Anderson, Mobile Health Screening Event Manager
Wally@olshf.org | (503) 413-7399
Wally was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to Grants Pass, OR before starting 2nd grade. The son of a highway engineer, he moved many times and had attended 12 different schools by time he entered high school in La Grande, OR.
He started his work experience at an early age, while still in high school, he worked at a gasoline station and then went on to own his own station. Like many of his classmates, he loved his car and needed to work to keep gasoline in the tank. He later moved to Portland and owned another station but sold it and worked for a company that made machinery for plywood mills. He worked at Tektronix in Beaverton, OR for five years. While looking for the job that he wanted to have for the rest of his working career, he started at Albina Fuel, just until he found that perfect job. He retired from Albina Fuel after 30 years in 2000. He must have found something he liked about it!
Wally has three children, Justine, Wallace “Ray” and Bruce. He has eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He and his wife, Joyce will celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary in July of 2010.
Wally was a member of the Beaverton Area Jaycees and served as President and later as State Vice President (the equivalent of District Governor). He joined the Lake Oswego Lions Club in 1999 and had the opportunity to finally become and active member when he retired. He transferred to the Beaverton Lions Club in 2000.
He has served on the club level as Director and helps with newspaper pick up when he is in town. After two years of retirement, he trained to become one of the driver/facilitators of the OLSHF Mobile Health Screening Unit. This has been one of the best experiences of his life. Working with other Lions around the Multiple District to screen members of the community is very rewarding and the time spent with the school children is very rewarding.
In his spare time, you will find him reading, singing and playing his guitar or taking a nap.
Warren Heathman, PDG, Mobile Health Screening Event Manager
Warren@olshf.org | (503) 413-7399
Warren is a Portland native. He went to Sylvan Grade School where he met his wife, Susan. He went to high school at Lakeside School in Seattle, WA and to college at San Francisco State and Cornell University.
Warren joined the Portland Downtown Lions in 1958 where he has held every office, including president in 1969-1970. He was District O’s first Vice Governor, becoming District Governor in 1991-92 and Chairman of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation 1994-95. Warren is the recipient of countless awards, including the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the Helen Keller Benefactor, the Norman Ross Fellowship, and in July was inducted into the Foundation Hall of Fame. He is also an Honorary Lifetime Foundation Trustee, and an Endowment Fellow.
Warren has coordinated health screening events for OLSHF since 1996. In that time he has managed over 1,500 screening events serving over 125,000 adults and children and has provided training and supervision for over 7,000 Lions Club volunteers. Warren has coordinated 11 screening and medical exam events in foreign countries including Mexico, Western Samoa, Honduras, Madagascar, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Peru and is an active member of his club.
Brad King, Mobile Health Screening Program Kit Coordinator
Brad@olshf.org | (503) 413-7399
Brad formally joined the team at OLSHF as a part of the Mobile Health Screening Program in May 2012. Brad was born and raised in Beaverton where his dad was a charter member of the Beaverton Lions Club. When Brad was growing up, the only adults he knew were either his teachers or Lions. Brad attended Beaverton High School, where he played football, wrestled, was on the track team and played in the orchestra for Beaverton’s famous musical productions. After graduating, Brad went on to Oregon State University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a starboard oarsman on the Varsity Crew Team. Shortly before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, Brad began his law enforcement career, working for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in Corvallis as a Corrections Officer. Brad shortly became a patrol Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where he was assigned to the contract detachment in Tualatin. When Tualatin started its own Police Department in 1987, Brad changed uniforms and remained there for the rest of his career, rising from Police Officer to Detective to Sergeant, Lieutenant and finally to Captain, retiring after an almost 30 year career in 2010.
Brad has been married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, since 1984 and they have three young adult children, Andrew, Jessica and Jacob, all still living in Tualatin. Brad joined the Tualatin Lions Club in 2000 and has been a proud Lion there ever since. In addition to his Lions activities, Brad and his kids enjoy skiing in the winter and water sports in the summer. Brad also enjoys golf, movies, televised and live sports and literature. In his “secret life” Brad is the Drum Major for the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Pipes and Drums, also playing bass and side drum when needed.
Brad’s personal and professional focus has always been to help people. Being a part of the great team at the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation gives him the best opportunity to continue that focus!
Richard "Dick" Le Francis, Mobile Health Screening Program Coordinator
Dick@olshf.org | (503) 413-7399
His second part time career as a driver for the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Mobile Health Screening program keeps him moving across the state.
He really likes driving the MHSP rigs, meeting new people and enjoys being around acquaintances from past years. Having been an Elementary School Principal, he gets pleasure in being around the kids again when doing school screenings.
Dick is also an active Lion having been a charter member of the Redmond Lions Club and, at one point or another in his 25 years, has held about every office available. When the Redmond Club dissolved a few years ago, Dick became a member of the Bend Sunrise Lions Club which recently honored him with the Melvin Jones award.
He and his wife Nadine have two grown children, daughter Luree and her husband Mike, San Mateo, California, and son Rick of Bend.