The Community Foundation of NCW welcomes five new members to its Board of Trustees: Jaclyn Bayless, Alejandra Gonzalez, Don Linnertz, Lauren Loebsack, and Josh Stendera.

The Board of Trustees are responsible for oversight of the foundation and ensuring the region’s charitable endowment is well-managed and protected for generations to come. Trustees agree to serve three 3-year terms and participate on committees such as grants, scholarships, investments, and governance.

New CFNCW Board of Trustee Members

Jaclyn Bayless: After several years in Spokane, Jaci Bayless moved home in 2021 to be closer to family, friends, and the community she loves. Born and raised in Mansfield, Bayless was brought up by a family deeply committed to serving the community, instilling in her a strong pride in the Town of Mansfield.
Jaci can be found walking laps around town, picking up litter along the way, substitute teaching at the school, coaching youth basketball, attending school events, and volunteering at community events like Playdays and Auction. She even painted a mural on the Post Office with Mansfield’s unofficial slogan, “Every day is a good day in Mansfield!”
Bayless was appointed to Council Position 1 in 2022 and was later elected for the same position in 2023. Recently, Jaci and her business partner, Kristyl, purchased Jameson Lake Resort and have been busy with restoration efforts. In addition, Bayless continues to run the company Passback Sports remotely from her home.

Alejandra Gonzalez: Born and raised in Abasolo, Guanajuato, Mexico, I spent 26 years surrounded by love and joy, learning responsibility and compassion as the eldest of three siblings. Dedicated to education and community service, I taught grades 7-12 and volunteered in initiatives supporting the arts and family well-being, with a passion for empowering women, youth and children.
In 1996, I moved to the United States and continued my studies in early childhood education, psychology, and school counseling. I became deeply involved in the North Central community, serving as a graduation specialist/school counselor, holding manager roles at Epic Migrant Head Start, and later as Regional Director of Children Home Society, promoting socio-economic, early childhood education, mental health and cultural diversity initiatives and programs.
Today, alongside my husband, Erick Gonzalez, I manage our family orchard business, enjoy music, dance, travel, and the joy of our growing family. Though my roots lie elsewhere, I have found a true home in the Wenatchee community.

Don Linnertz: After careers in non-profit leadership, hospitality and high tech, Don retired and moved to Twisp in 2014. Opportunities abounded to serve the community so he signed up to be the executive director of TwispWorks from 2015 – 2021 when he retired for good! Besides enjoying golf, hiking, cross country skiing, fishing and travel, Don makes time to serve on the CFNCW Board, Methow Valley Fund, Methow Housing Trust Board, and Okanogan County Economic Alliance and LTAC.

Lauren Loebsack: I am a graduate of Waterville High School and Wenatchee Valley College and have spent most of my working life in public service, starting with Chelan-Douglas Behavioral Health. Since then, I’ve transitioned to working to grow and enhance public infrastructure investments and community engagement at Chelan County Public Works, Link Transit, and now at the Washington State Department of Transportation. In my free time I volunteer for community theater, serve on the board of Together! for Youth, ski Mission Ridge, and do my best to be the weird auntie for my nieces and nephew.

Josh Stendera: Josh was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley. After graduating from Cashmere High School he went to College at Seattle Pacific University where he obtained his Business Finance degree. In 2006 Josh moved back home to Wenatchee with his wife Jennifer to “settle down”. Josh has been a community Banker now for 18 years and Jenn is an Educated and trained Accountant, Wine pourer, and Stendera Family CEO. Josh & Jenn have 3 children; Colton (15), Ella (13), and Eisley (10). Josh is an Executive Vice President and the Chief Credit Officer of Wheatland Bank, the Chairman of the Cashmere Schools Foundation, a Board Member at the Wenatchee Golf & Country Club, and an AAU Basketball Coach.

New CFNCW Board of Trustee Officers

We are pleased to announce the new officers for the upcoming term: Jeffrey Ostenson will serve as Chair, Evan McCauley as Vice Chair, and Rosario Nystrom as Secretary/Treasurer.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Betsy Cushman for her dedicated years of service as Chair. Betsy has been part of the Foundation since 2010, beginning her role with the Methow Valley Fund and joined the Board of Trustees in 2016. Her vision, guidance, and thoughtful contributions to philanthropy have made a significant impact across the region. We are grateful that she will continue to contribute her valuable experience as Past-Chair for one more year.

Outgoing CFNCW Board of Trustee Members

The Foundation is grateful for and appreciates our outgoing board members: Alan Groff, John Hamilton, Craig Nelson, and Dennis Bolz who have dedicated many years of their time and talents to the Community Foundation of NCW. All of them helped the Foundation stay firm in its mission and vision and contributed to their communities in more ways than can be counted.

For more information, visit www.cfncw.org.