Board of Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jeff Ostenson
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Chair
Owner – North 40 ProductionsOrchard-Raised Entrepreneur and Community Advocate
A native of the Wenatchee Valley who grew up on a local apple and pear orchard, Jeff returned to his hometown to serve the community. He leads North 40 Productions, working with local agricultural businesses and community organizations. Jeff actively volunteers with the Chelan Douglas Land Trust and Wenatchee School District.
Evan McCauley
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Vice Chair
Attorney – Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & AylwardCPA-Turned-Attorney with a Knack for Tax and Estate Planning
A Leavenworth native, Evan, an attorney at Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, brings his legal and accounting expertise to support the foundation’s work. He remains deeply connected to his hometown community through his involvement with the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club and Upper Valley Connection.
Rosario Nystrom
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Secretary/ Treasurer
Chief Human Resources Officer – Chelan County PUDFormer Scholarship Recipient Turned HR Executive
A former Community Foundation scholarship recipient, Rosario holds an MBA and is pursuing a second master’s in Human Resource Management and Employment Law. Now serving as Managing Director of Human Resources at Chelan County PUD, she brings firsthand experience of the foundation’s impact and remains a passionate advocate for education and equal opportunities.
Jaclyn Bayless
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – VP at Passback Sports & Owner of Jameson Lake Resort
Homegrown Business Leader Reinvesting in Her Hometown
Jaci returned to her hometown of Mansfield in 2021 to give back to her community. She’s served on the Town Council since 2022 while running Passback Sports from home and working to restore the Jameson Lake Resort with her business partner. You’ll often find her supporting local school events and youth sports programs too.
Diane Blake
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – CEO, Cascade Medical Center
Rural Healthcare CEO with a Love for the Outdoors
Diane holds a finance degree from Gonzaga University and leads Cascade Medical Center, a critical access hospital, ambulance service, and rural health clinic in Leavenworth. She has served in leadership roles with the Washington State Hospital Association and the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts. Outside of her work, Diane enjoys spending time being active in the outdoors of our beautiful region.
Pam Brulotte
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Owner, Icicle Brewing Company & Munchen Haus
Local Brewery Owner Championing Community & Collaboration
Pam and her husband Oliver are owners of Munchen Haus and Icicle Brewing Company in Leavenworth. Pam currently serves as the President of the Washington Brewers Guild and is also involved with Rotary, the CHS Business Department Advisory Committee, and several other local organizations. They have three children, Gabrielle, Joshua, and Elis. Pam loves spending time outdoors and serving her community.
Roxanne Bryant
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Financial Advisor, Stifel Financial Corp.
Seasoned Financial Advisor Guiding Multi-Generational Families
Roxanne brings over 40 years of financial services experience, focusing on retirement and pre-retirement income planning, as well as wealth management and estate planning. Her career includes working with multi-generational families and local businesses to develop tailored investment strategies that protect and grow assets over time.
Megan Collyer
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Director of Home Based Services, Confluence Health
Social Worker & Healthcare Director Rooted in the Region
Megan holds a Master’s in Social Work and serves as the Director of Home Based Services for Confluence Health. She has a strong investment in North Central Washington-having served on multiple local boards and owned downtown businesses in Wenatchee. As a wife and mother of two busy teenagers, Megan and her family enjoy the region’s outdoor activities, supporting local businesses, and attending events.
Lester Cooper
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – President, Lake Chelan Rotary
Corporate Leadership Transformed into Community Stewardship
Originally from England, Lester immigrated to North America in 1965 and settled in Lake Chelan in 1992. After retiring from a long career with General Electric, he dove into community service by serving on multiple local boards, including Lake Chelan Rotary. Lester appreciates the local lifestyle and remains dedicated to supporting the area.
Colleen Frei
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Attorney
Attorney Cultivating Community Solutions
Colleen Frei is an attorney with extensive experience in agriculture, water rights, estate planning, and business law. She formerly served as a partner at Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, P.S., and as Executive Director of the Washington Winegrowers Association. Colleen is passionate about supporting nonprofit missions that help develop and strengthen communities.
Leslie Freytag
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Consultant, The Freytag Group
Retail Innovator & Turnaround Strategist
Leslie Freytag is an entrepreneur, and turnaround expert with more than 40 years of success in retail. She is a brand management and targeted sales strategist. Most recently, Leslie was the President and CEO of butter LONDON, where she took an underachieving startup to a successful, global operation. Leslie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Clothing from Colorado State University.
Chris Goetz
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – CPA, Goetz, Bailey & Yale
Seasoned CPA Merging Finance & Community Service
Chris graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Accounting and has been a CPA for 34 years. He’s served on several boards, including the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce and Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. In his free time, Chris enjoys cycling, golf, and softball with his family.
Alejandra Gonzalez
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – M. Ed. in Counseling; former Regional Director of Children Home Society; Business Owner
Mexican-Born Educator, Counselor & Orchard Manager
Born in Abasolo, Guanajuato, Mexico, Alejandra pursued her passion for education, community service, and mental health after moving to the U.S. in 1996. She’s worked as a graduation specialist, school counselor, and later as a regional director for Children Home Society. Today, Alejandra and her husband run a family orchard business, while she remains active in local community initiatives.
Jesus Hernandez
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – CEO, Family Health Centers
Longstanding Advocate for Rural Health & Education
With more than twenty years of experience in workforce development, education, healthcare, and finance, Jesus leads Family Health Centers in delivering medical and dental care throughout Okanogan County and northern Douglas County. He served on the Wenatchee School Board for two decades and remains dedicated to improving community health and education access.
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Gastroenterologist, Confluence Health
Army Vet & Medical Group President Improving Community Health
Jennifer is the President of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group. She previously served nine years as an Internal Medicine physician in the Army and completed a GI fellowship at the University of Michigan. Jennifer and her family appreciate the region’s outdoor activities, and she’s dedicated to enhancing local healthcare access.
Don Linnertz
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Retired, Former Executive Director of TwispWorks
Nonprofit Leader Turned Community Builder in Twisp
After a successful career in non-profit leadership, hospitality, and high tech, Don retired and moved to Twisp in 2014. Embracing the opportunity to give back to the community, he served as the executive director of TwispWorks from 2015 until his final retirement in 2021. Don enjoys outdoor recreation and travel while serving on several community boards.
Ashley Lodato
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Associate Director – Methow Conservancy
Teacher, Arts Leader & Conservation Advocate in the Methow
Raised on a Wenatchee Heights cherry orchard, Ashley has taught high school English, worked with Outward Bound, and spent 12 years as Education Director of Methow Arts Alliance. She now serves as Associate Director of the Methow Conservancy, enjoying hiking, Nordic skiing, and other outdoor recreations with her family.
Lauren Loebsack
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Communications Manager, WA State Department of Transportation
Public Sector Communicator with Deep NCW Roots
Lauren Loebsack, a Waterville High School and WVC graduate, has built her career in public service. Starting at Chelan-Douglas Behavioral Health, she now works at the Washington State Department of Transportation. She volunteers with community theater, serves on a youth board, and enjoys being the “weird auntie” for her nieces and nephews.
Karen Nichols
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Retired, Small Business Owner
Founding Foundation Member Turned Methow Valley Enthusiast
Karen Nichols is currently retired from being a business manager and owner of a dental office in Port Townsend where she was a Founding Member of the Jefferson Community Foundation. She now lives in the Methow Valley and serves as Vice President of the Methow Trails board. She enjoys hiking, skiing, and cooking with friends and family.
Kevin Rieke
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Former Educator, Small Business Owner
Leavenworth Shopkeeper Blending Local Business with Bavarian Spirit
Kevin is a second-generation retail business owner in downtown Leavenworth. After a 13-year career in public education, he took over his family’s businesses, The Hat Shop & The Wood Shop, in 2007. Kevin is also a dedicated community leader, serving on local boards and committees, including the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and the Alphorn Association. Kevin enjoys Nordic skiing and playing the alphorn.
Karen Rutherford
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Retired, Wenatchee City Council and School District
Retired Educator & Councilmember Fostering Young Innovators
Karen is retired from the Wenatchee City Council and Wenatchee School District, but continues to volunteer her services across the Valley. She is passionate about getting kids involved in Maker Spaces, STEAM projects, and loves to build with Legos. Karen can frequently be found walking the trails in Eastern Washington with her trusty companions: her dog, Ernie and her husband, Peter.
Claudia Shipman
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Membership & Finance Director, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce
Community-Focused Advocate Born in Guadalajara
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco and raised in Lake Chelan Valley, Claudia serves as Membership and Finance Director at the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce. She volunteers as an advocate for the underserved while raising two daughters with her husband. Summer finds her boating with family, enjoying laughter and sunshine.
Randy Smith
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Chelan County PUD Commissioner
Dedicated Public Servant & Orchardist at Heart
A lifelong Cashmere resident and retired orchardist, Randy has served the local agricultural community for over four decades. He spent 17 years advocating for Washington State University at a national level and has been a Chelan County PUD Commissioner for 16 years. Randy is also a Rotarian of 35 years, known for helping establish a sister-region relationship between Chelan County and the Issyk-Kul Oblast in Kyrgyzstan.
Josh Stendera
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Executive VP & Chief Credit Officer, Wheatland Bank
Local Banker Supporting Schools & Youth Sports
Josh was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley, graduating from Cashmere High School before earning a Business Finance degree from Seattle Pacific University. After returning home, he continued his banking career at Wheatland Bank. Josh chairs the Cashmere Schools Foundation and frequently coaches youth basketball.
Rylan Weythman
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Attorney, Foster Garvey
Complex Litigator Serving Businesses & Governments Alike
A skilled litigator, Rylan counsels both private and public entities on commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, and risk management. He has tried cases in state and federal courts, covering matters from aerospace patent disputes to tribal healthcare issues, and serves as Co-Chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Litigation Academy Committee.
Rufus Woods
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Newspaper Columnist
Former Publisher Still Connecting Community through Columns
Rufus is a retired editor and publisher of The Wenatchee World and continues to write a column and blog dedicated to fostering a stronger sense of community throughout NCW. He serves as a Trustee for the Wenatchee Valley YMCA and is on the advisory board of Common Ground Community Housing Trust. He enjoys spending time outdoors as a cyclist, skier, hiker, and sailor.
Rick Wray
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Former Educator & Small Business Owner
Media Arts Visionary & Educator Using Story to Inspire and Empower
Rick Wray is an experienced educator and nonprofit leader with a background in youth media, digital storytelling, and teacher training. He co-founded Spy Hop Productions and SHIFT Workshops, reaching thousands of students and educators across the West. Currently, Rick co-owns Mercantile CoWorking in Wenatchee, where he continues to foster community collaboration and innovation.
Steve Wright
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – Former General Manager – Chelan County PUD
Energy Sector Veteran Shaping Regional Power Strategies
Steve spent over 40 years in the Pacific Northwest’s energy sector, including 32 years at the Bonneville Power Administration before leading Chelan County PUD as General Manager. Having retired in 2021, he remains a respected voice in regional power discussions. He shares his life with his wife of 33 years and their three children.
ABOUT MENU
Xitlali Cruz
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTI am currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science at Stanford. Since the beginning of my freshman year I have been involved with clubs such as Stanford’s Space Initiative (SSI) and the Society of Latinx Engineers (SOLE). In SSI I built a rocket and launched it.
Aero Methow Rescue Service
GRANT RECIPIENTDue to being rural, remote, and geographically isolated, we must be prepared to do more than respond to emergencies. We have become a healthcare partner who fills gaps in service. The grant allowed our board the time and ability to work with a Strategic Planner to modify our plan to address those gaps.
Chelan Douglas Volunteer Attorney Services
GRANT RECIPIENTThe grant provided funds to hire a Housing Justice and Outreach Coordinator to visit rural and underserved areas. Rosie’s bilingual and bicultural skills and experience have increased equity of service. Rosie is building partnerships with local organizations through events such as the Columbia Valley Community Health’s Back to School Drive, as well as posting yard signs.
Tenoch Mandujano
Scholarship RecipientMy father was a migrant agricultural worker who eventually started his own cherry and apple orchard. He told me if I wanted to live a better life, I had to get an education. I plan on starting a career with the Chelan PUD with a passion for renewable energy and in turn give back to my parents and community for supporting my dreams.
$0 M
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT$0 M
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED0+
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ANNUAL REPORT