Nonprofit human services organization helping individuals with disabilities or disadvantages reach their full potential.
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Board of
directors
Shangri-La's board of directors, as a governing body for the organization, is a group of volunteers that oversee the organization's mission, support the CEO, aid in high-level planning, monitor program health, ensure adequate financial resources, and provide financial oversight.
Michael kemry
President
Michael is the owner of Four Rivers Realty Group. Michael's previous connections to individuals with disabilities called him to join Shangri-La's board. He was raised in a home with foster siblings with disabilities and managed a 24-hour residential care home for adults with disabilities.
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"Those in our communities with disabilities and disadvantages need organizations like Shangri-La. I want to be part of that! I feel my leadership skills and knowledge of disabilities offer me an advantage in being able to help as a board member."
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Michael lives in Silverton with his wife and three daughters. He has taught children's church at Dayspring Fellowship for over ten years.
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Michael joined the board in December 2017.
Jake French
Vice President
Jake travels the country as a keynote speaker and author. Jake has previously served as the president of the National Speakers Association of Oregon. He often volunteers his time to support leadership groups such as the Rising Star Toastmasters Club and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening.
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"After giving speeches to the entire staff in a series of meetings a few years ago, I was extremely impressed by the passion Shangri-La employees put into their jobs. As a person with special needs, it feels good to help those who serve us better understand what influences our perception of the care we receive so that they can improve our experience."
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Jake joined the board in March 2019.
Jan Frank
Secretary
Jan currently works as an accountant and tax consultant for a local accounting firm and volunteers in children's ministries at her church.
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"I initially started serving on Shangri-La's board in 2013. I loved serving, but I had to step down in late 2019 to become a caregiver for a family member. I rejoined because I wanted to continue to support the great work Shangri-La does."
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In addition to bringing her finance knowledge to the board, Jan is also excited about volunteering at events and helping with fundraising.
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Jan rejoined the board in April 2020.
Nick Bender
Treasurer
Nick is an IT project management contractor for the Bonneville Power Administration. He is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and spent five years establishing and managing the international office for a U.S. software company in Hangzhou, China.
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"My main goal as a member of Shangri-La's board is to help ensure the long term viability of the organization. I believe one of the board's main contributions to the organization is its support for the work of the full-time staff through planning and oversight."
Nick joined Shangri-La's board in July 2013. He currently lives in Keizer with his wife and son.
Rae Reynosa
Member
winifred Skinner
Member
Rae has over 36 years of finance, procurement, and human resources experience working for the federal government. She is currently the business manager at the Chemawa Indian School. She is also a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon, has operated an adult foster home for many years, and is active in community service activities, including cultural activities and the elder program with her tribe.
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"I hope to contribute some of my knowledge and experiences to have a positive impact on services to those Shangri-la supports. I have a grandson who is Autistic so I have a vested interest in the type of services and supports offered by Shangri-La. It would be a privilege to be part of the ongoing growth and development of services that will have a positive impact in the community for years to come."
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Rae joined Shangri-La's board in April 2021.
James Kimsey
Member
James is the owner of Oregon Mobility Solutions which provides accessible vehicles and mobility assistive devices. He has also served in the US Civil Air Patrol and was a reserve police officer for the City of Forest Grove.
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"There are two things that I want to focus on in life. The first is that I want to learn. I believe that continually opening
yourself up to new experiences, new challenges and to what other people have to share and teach is going to make me the best version of myself that I can be. It's from learning, though, that comes the second thing I want to do in life, which is to give to others what I've received. That means having a servant heart and building my legacy as someone who gives to others."
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James joined Shangri-La's board in June 2022.
Winifred joins the board as a family member of a person served and as an operations and policy analyst with an Oregon juvenile justice agency. Her professional experience also includes case management and transition planning for adults in custody and over 30 years of service with various government committees and workgroups. She hopes her project coordination, process improvement, and policy/operations analysis skillsets can benefit Shangri-La.
"I want to contribute to a nonprofit that provides services for people who have serious mental illness and other disadvantages or disabilities. There are special people in my life who struggle with these experiences and have been helped by nonprofit organizations that truly care by assisting them to reach their potentials."
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Winifred joined the board in April 2023.
Brian Kalar
Member
Brian hopes his vast experience in information security and systems, his drive to serve the community, and his personal experience with a family member on the Autism spectrum can benefit Shangri-La. He is currently the director of cyber security at Nike, is an Emerging Leaders PDX mentor, and has coached a variety of youth sports.
"I feel up to now that I have worked hard, but [have also] been provided opportunities in many different ways and capacities. I would like to start providing those opportunities to others and this is one way to provide my time, knowledge and experience to help better a company and the individuals that they employ and serve.
Brian joined the board in June 2023.
Bri Gridley
Member
Bri joins Shangri-La's board with over a decade of experience in the information technology field. She is currently a Technical Service Delivery Manager with the Oregon State Treasury. Having been a previous director at Shangri-La, Bri has a strong foundational knowledge of Shangri-La's programs, departments, and the communities served by Shangri-La. In her personal life, she supports family members who are neurodivergent or have a mental health diagnosis.
"Contributing to my community is important to me and refills the energy I need to complete everyday life. The sense of community at Shangri-La is a reason I stayed for so long with this organization. I value all humans for their abilities and always want to see them reach their potential, this is a shared value I have with Shangri-La. Many of my personal values were formed and enriched while working at Shangri-La."
Bri joined the board in June 2023.
rashmi joshi
Member
Rashmi has worked in both the public and private sectors and is currently a data engineering manager at Salem Health. She hopes her background in data and technology can help the board and organization with strategic planning, business management, and technology.
"Shangri-La's mission [makes me want] to be part of it. [Supporting the organization as a board member] will give me an opportunity to be kind and thoughtful and appreciate our ability to care for each other in society."
She joined the board in October 2023.
maribel mendez
Member
Maribel hopes her educational background in speech pathology, her professional experience in data science, and her passion for building strong and diverse communities can help enhance Shangri-La's services.
"My bilingual and bicultural background can help guide services that are culturally appropriate for our community. [I want to help] assure that all individuals achieve their fullest potential -- equally and culturally and in their native language."
Maribel joined the board in October 2023.
Ryan Tribbett
Member
Ryan is the grandson of Vance and Shirley Tibbett who helped start Shangri-La in the early 1960s. Currently, Ryan is the owner of the Pac/West Lobby Group where he leads a group of bipartisan, issue-based lobbyists. Ryan serves on many local boards, has a passion for workforce and professional development, and hopes his experience in government affairs, strategic planning, and marketing can help Shangri-La.
“Serving on Shangri-La’s board would allow me to honor my family’s legacy and continue their work in supporting an organization that has had a profound impact on our community. This role will provide me with the opportunity to give back to an organization that played a significant role in my uncle Lee's life and, by extension, in my own. I hope to help further the reach of the organization and participate in its compassionate mission.”
Ryan joined the board in June 2024.