FOUNDATION STAFF
Beth Stipe moved to Wenatchee in 2003 to join the Community Foundation of NCW as the Executive Director. She has over 30 years of non-profit experience, serving on many volunteer boards and in foundation management positions. Prior to working at CFNCW, Beth was the Executive Director of a private family foundation. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s in Nonprofit Management, and is a certified Charter Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP). Beth loves the outdoors, biking, camping, traveling, and doting on her two dogs, Bella and Clark.
Cindy was raised in Denver, Colorado, moved to Seattle in 1998, then came to Wenatchee in 2008. She has a degree in Accounting from the University of Colorado and has held financial positions for over 30 years, with the last 10 years specific to nonprofit work, as well as property management for commercial and residential properties. She has spent many years volunteering in the school system, including PTA, soccer coach and club treasurer, and other activities. Cindy and her husband Doug have 3 sons and an adorable dog. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, in the water, wine tasting, baking, knitting, or volunteering for school and sports events.
Denise Sorom is a native of the Seattle, Washington area. She received her BA in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Business with a major in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Business. Prior to settling in Wenatchee, Denise was the Executive Director of the Rochester Art Center in Rochester, Minnesota and worked for the University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Sciences as well as its Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene, Oregon. Denise joined the Community Foundation of North Central Washington in September of 2013 and spent five years as the Director of Community Grants, four years as the Director of Philanthropy and currently serves as the Director of Philanthropic and Program Services. In 2024, she earned her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation. Denise and her husband Abe have three children and enjoy hiking, skiing, biking, and the arts.
Jennifer joined the Community Foundation in July 2011 to help increase visibility and communications throughout the region. Her previous work experience includes event and program coordination for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation public health initiative and seven years as an administrative assistant in higher education. She has a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University in English with a Writing Concentration. Jennifer has lived in Wenatchee since 2004 and enjoys traveling, hiking, independent films, craft beer, and spending time with her amazing daughter, family, and friends.
Jennifer was born in 100 Mile House, B.C. Canada, a rural, small logging community, grew up in Okanogan County and graduated from Omak High School. She worked at Wenatchee Valley College while obtaining her AAS, then worked for Heritage University and earned her Bachelor in Education in Bilingual/English Second Language (ESL) and a WA State Teaching Certificate. While Jennifer and her husband Chad raised daughter Kaitlyn and son Conner, she taught multiple grades and subjects in elementary and middle school. She returned to school and earned a Masters of Education in Learning & Technology with ESL focus from Western Governors University. Since 2017, Jennifer has worked for Okanogan County Community Action to provide emergency services throughout the rural region. She has been an advocate of non-profit work for over 25 years, and an active board member with the Wenatchee Valley College at Omak Foundation since it was founded in 1999. As a rural advocate, she believes in our communities and expanding the reach, mission, and support of CFNCW.
Claire Oatey, a Seattle native, began her nonprofit career in her hometown after graduating from Whitman College in 2011 with a BA in Sociology. As the Program Associate with Rebuilding Together Seattle, she worked with corporate sponsors and volunteers to provide critical home repairs for low income homeowners in the greater Seattle area. Claire recently moved back to Washington with her husband, Cameron and German Shepherd mix, Lola, after four years in Colorado. In Colorado, Claire worked as a Volunteer Training Coordinator at a prominent animal welfare organization in Denver and then as the Business Manager overseeing budgeting and grant writing at The Center Early Childhood Programs in Leadville, CO. With family roots in Wenatchee, Claire is thrilled to make the valley her home. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, learning to ski, and spending time with her family (particularly her adorable niece and nephew) in Seattle. |
Julie wants to live in a world filled with strong communities, books that come bundled with Toblerone chocolate bars, and a force-field around her black pants that repels dog hair and sticky-fingered toddlers. She is an active board member of Wenatchee Central Lions and past President of Wenatchee Valley Follies Guild. Julie co-emceed the 2017 and 2018 Apple Blossom Pageants. She volunteers for the Youth Parade and with Solomon’s Porch. She and her partner, Chris Avey, are raising three amazing and brilliant boys (she’s a little biased); Kenon, Spencer, and Declan. Living with all boys (even their dog is male) means Julie spends a LOT of time in the bleachers at football,
Gabriela is originally from New York but spent the majority of her life in the western United States, finding particular affinity for Washington State and Colorado. Before her recent return to Omak, WA, she resided in Durango, CO for 18 years. There, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fort Lewis College and worked with the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado. Her experience includes bookkeeping for fiscal projects, supporting events and marketing initiatives, administrative assistant support, providing basic tech support, and job training/casework with state government. Beyond her professional endeavors, Gabriela is deeply passionate about the arts and community involvement, reveling in activities such as theater, writing, dancing, and hosting weekend game nights with friends.
Melissa is a native of Richland, Washington, she was later drawn to the Wenatchee Valley with a fast-pitch softball scholarship to play for Wenatchee Valley College in 1993. While at WVC, she fell in love with the community and all it had to offer. She left Wenatchee to attend Eastern Washington University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. Melissa returned to Wenatchee in 1999 and worked at Wenatchee Valley College as the Lead Educational Planner. In 2004, Melissa started her own business (Borsa Bella Design Co) designing and selling handbags. Melissa enjoys volunteering and has spent many years doing so for places like Wenatchee schools, Ted Driven Marathons, managing soccer teams and even making and donating over 3000 masks during Covid. Melissa and her husband Matt have 2 sons and a sweet dog. She enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, playing sports and spending time with her family.
YOUR GIFT AT WORK
Xitlali Cruz
I 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
Due 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
The 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
My 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.