
Meet our team
The general board meets monthly to direct the fundraising and giving programs for the Foundation according to our mission, vision, and funding priorities. The Board operates under the guidance of the Cabinet comprised of annually elected officers.

2026-2027 Cabinet Members
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Michele Emery
President

Amber Billeter
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Mainspring Wealth Advisors LLC

Jess Cherry
Secretary
Horner Law

Lisa May
Classroom Enrichments Committee Chair
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Cheri Helt
Perseverance Committee Chair
Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails

Mary Paulson
Marketing Committee Chair
2026-2027 Board Members

Sara Odendahl
Bend Chamber / The Work Collective

Richard Nkansah
Lonza Pharma & Biotech

Shirley Olson
School Board Representative

Pat Kesgard
Compass Commercial

Natalie Hummel

Jenn Lynch
Portland Seed Fund and School Board Representative

Bonnie Pearce
OnPoint Community Credit Union

Vanessa Tobolski

Todd Billeter
First Interstate Bank

Brian Barringer
Bend La Pine Schools

Matt Nelson
Deschutes County District Attorney's Office

Jose Luis Navarro
Los Angeles Education Partership
Ali Dietz

Shannon Edgar
St. Charles Health Care

Andy Frank
Ryder Communications Group
Advisory Committee

Brian Newton, CPA
Jones & Roth CPAs & Business Advisors
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Robert Jones
Retired BLSD Principal

Rod Ketner
Seran Bio
Staff

Anne Westerhoff
Executive Director-Development & Fundraising

Jamie Goldman
Executive Director-Operations
Grant Writer

Britta Pells
Grant Writer
Committee opportunities
General board members are asked to participate in a variety of ways by serving on a diverse array of committees.
Classroom Enrichment Committee
Classroom enrichments oversight
Finance Committee
Annual budget planning and administration
Fundraising Committee
Developing & implements a fundraising plan to meet the Foundation’s revenue goals
Board development and recruitment
Nomination of candidates and onboarding of new members
Marketing
Marketing and public relations for the foundation
Interested in becoming a board member?
For more information and to inquire about serving on the board please email info@blpedfoundation.org