
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.

2024-2025 Cabinet Members

Benjamin Haag
Treasurer
First Interstate Bank
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Cheri Helt
Perseverance Chair
Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails

Lisa May
Allocations Chair
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Michelle Emery
President

Natalie Hummel
Resource Development Chair

Robi Cole
Vice President
Bend-La Pine School District

Sara Odendahl
Public Relations / Marketing Chair
Bend Chamber / The Work Collective
2023-2024 Board Members

Andy Frank
Ryder Communications Group

Bonnie Pearce
OnPoint Community Credit Union

Jenn Lynch
Portland Seed Fund

Jessica Cherry
Merrill O'Sullivan LLP

Leslie Reif
Assistant Principal La Pine High School

Odette Adair
Coldwell Banker Bain

Pat Kesgard
Compass Commercial

Richard Nkansah
Lonza Pharma & Biotech

Shirley Olson
School Board Representative

Zachary Brownstein
Lonza
Advisory Committee

Brian Newton, CPA
Jones & Roth CPAs & Business Advisors

Rod Ketner
Seran Bio
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Robert Jones
Retired BLSD Principal
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.
Allocations
Classroom enrichment and activity fee scholarship oversight
Finance/audit
Annual budget planning and administration
Resource development
Developing & implements a fundraising plan to meet the Foundation’s revenue goals
Board development and recruitment
Nomination of candidates and onboarding of new members
Public relations and 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