Oregon Chapter Staff
Andrew Asato, MPA, Executive Director
(503) 292-2280, ext. 21
Duties: Managing and supporting overall direction of the Foundation's mission in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Friendraising and fundraising in support of wishes.
Prior experience: Director of Development and Public Relations at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon for over three years, NW Osteopathic Medical Foundation, Outside In, NW Family Services, Community Works.
Education: B.A. International Public Relations, Gonzaga University; M.P.A. - Focus in Non-Profit Management, Portland State University.
Personal accomplishment(s): Learned how to scuba dive!
Hobbies: Gardening, cooking, bodysurfing, reading a book at the end of the day with my children.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The mission
2) The mission. No two wishes are ever the same!
Other tidbits: I'm a very lucky Dad of two daughters when I leave the office at the end of the day.
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Tyler Afflixio, Wish Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 28
Duties: Coordinating Wishes.
Education: B.S. Organizational Communication, University of Portland
Hobbies: Photography, traveling
Favorite foods: Thai food and coffee
Most precious item you possess: Cell phone -- keeps me connected
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The mission.
2) The people I get to work with, especially the energetic volunteers.
Other tidbits: I started as a Communication Intern at the Oregon chapter, and didn't want to leave!
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Carynne Drake, Corporate Alliances Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 18
Duties: To raise corporate resources to help make wishes come true!
Prior experience: Portland Trail Blazers, The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
Education: B.S. Marketing, University of Arizona. Currently enrolled in the MPA program at Portland State University
Hobbies: I love to travel, cook, hike with my dog, play volleyball and volunteer!
Favorite foods: Tapas (because you get a little of everything!)
Most precious item you possess: Pictures of my family and friends
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Sharing the stories from our wish families with other people to inspire them to get involved however they can.
2) Working with such wonderful and inspired people!
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Ellen Dully, Development and Communications Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 27
Duties: Oversee Make-A-Wish publications: website, print and electronic newsletters; as well as manage the donor, volunteer and wish databases.
Education: B.A. Religious Studies, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota
Personal accomplishment(s): Six months backpacking through Latin America. Hablo Español.
Hobbies: Playing Ultimate Frisbee, gardening, fly fishing the rivers of the Pacific Northwest and fixing up my house.
Favorite foods: Stumptown Coffee and marionberry pie.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Seeing wishes come true.
2) Working for a mission driven organization supported by a great group of volunteers and staff members.
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Chris Gardner, CPA, Finance Director
(503) 292-2280, ext. 32
Duties: Financial Reports, Reconciliation, Payroll, & Accounts Payable
Education: B.S. Portland State University; CPA exam
Personal accomplishment(s): Proud and grateful to be a United States citizen, passed the CPA exam, finished the Portland-to-Coast walk within a reasonable time
Hobbies: Walking, keeping in touch with family and friend, learning about an individual's life, and learning in general
Favorite food: (being from Belgium) Chocolate!
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Participating in the team effort of bringing joy to a sick child
2) The dedication of people involved in Make-A-Wish.
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Jamie Kaltenbach, Accounting Assistant
(503) 292-2280, ext. 31
Duties: Administrative and accounting support.
Education: B.S. Fashion Merchandising, Oregon State University.
Personal accomplishment(s): Twenty-five years of marriage to my wonderful husband.
Favorite food: Cookies!
Most precious item you possess: Baby pictures of my two daughters.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The wonderful staff
2) Hearing about the great wishes!
Other tidbits: I'm a native Oregonian!
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Erin Kurtz, Wish Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 17
Duties: Coordinate Wishes
Education: B.A. Speech Communication, Chapman University, Orange, CA
Personal accomplishment(s): Training for the Portland Marathon last year and joining a Dragon boat team for the 2007 Rose Festival
Hobbies: Reading, riding dirt bikes with my family, long walks, attending car shows and historic races at PIR, travel and photography.
Favorite food: Any breakfast foods: waffles, pancakes, etc.
Most precious item you possess: My digital camera - it helps me capture memories and gives me a creative outlet.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The rewarding and meaningful mission
2) The people
Other tidbits: Ceasar Millan is my modern day hero and I've been known to country line dance when the situation calls for it.
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Kara Minkoff, Volunteer Services Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 26
Duties: Recruit, train and place volunteers.
Education: B.A. Politics, Willamette University.
Personal accomplishment(s): Learning to speak in front of a crowd.
Hobbies: Sewing and crafts.
Favorite food: Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks.
Most precious item you possess: My high school senior picture of my twin sister and myself.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The FANTASTIC volunteers
2) Watching wishes come true!
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Kelly O'Malley-McKee, Marketing and Communications Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 23
Duties: Media relations, branding, marketing, and sharing powerful wish stories with the public.
Prior experience: Make-A-Wish Events Manager, The Brian Grant Foundation, Brian Berger Public Relations.
Education: B.A. Mass Communications, Linfield College.
Personal accomplishment(s): Bungy jumping and traveling solo in New Zealand.
Hobbies: Hiking, alternative team sports, book club, traveling, hanging out with my husband and my huge dog Barley.
Food: Ice cream!
Most precious item you possess: My wedding ring.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Working for the kids! Our mission is amazing.
2) Collaborating with my fellow staff members on a daily basis - the are wonderful to work with.
Other tidbits: Camping in Yosemite for Thanksgiving is my favorite family tradition. I have worked at the Foundation since 2001.
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Helen Rabold, Wish Manager
(503) 292-2280, ext. 25
Duties: Making wishes happen!
Prior experience: Oregon Donor Program, OMSI
Education: B.S. Behavioral Ecology and Marine Biology, University of Michigan
Personal accomplishment(s): Traveling from Guatemala to Chile on local buses, chickens and all.
Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, photography, training my untrainable pup.
Favorite food: Mashed potatoes
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The inspiring mission.
2) All the great people who make it all possible.
Other tidbits: I was an Irish Dancing prodigy as a wee tot. I even have medals to prove it.
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Tess Sanchez, Administrative Assistant
(503) 292-2280, ext. 10
Duties: Taking care of the things that keep the office making magic and helping wherever needed.
Education: B.A. Community Development, Portland State University
Personal accomplishment: Participating in the 2007 Portland to Coast Relay
Hobbies: Reading up on the Hollywood scene, traveling, spending time with my family and shopping
Favorite food: All kinds of Mexican Food, but especially great guacamole with great chips!
Most precious item you possess: My wedding ring
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Being able to bring magic to those who need it
2) Working with wonderful, friendly people
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Kemp Shuey, Wish and Volunteer Services Director
(503) 292-2280, ext. 29
Duties: Oversee wish and volunteer programs, and coordinate wishes
Prior experience: Metropolitan Council, St. Paul, Minnesota
Education: B.A. Politics, Willamette University.
Personal accomplishment(s): I ran the Hood-to-Coast relay last year, and I'm doing it again this year!
Hobbies: Playing soccer, gardening, anything outdoors
Favorite food: I don't like to play favorites, I love all food!
Most precious item you possess: My wedding ring.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) Making wishes happen
2) Never-ending flow of chocolate in the office.
Other tidbits: I'm a Virgo, I like long walks on the beach and sunsets.
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Laila Umpleby, Development and Communications Director
(503) 292-2280, ext. 24
Duties: To raise money and cultivate relationships to help make wishes come true.
Education: B.A. Politics, Willamette University (Go Bearcats!)
Hobbies: Volunteering for Cascade AIDS Project, Raphael House, Portland Opera, Habitat for Humanity and my church.
Favorite food: Coffee!
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The mission is so wonderful, I have never been so motivated
2) The notes and drawings from the kids make me cry
Other tidbits: I have three godchildren who I love to spoil.
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Tara Wilson, Events Coordinator
(503) 292-2280, ext. 22
Duties:Coordinate the annual Food, Wine & Wishes gala auction, and various external event fundraising efforts
Education: B.A. History, University of Oregon.
Hobbies: Reading, playing volleyball, enjoying the outdoors, watching movies and spending time with my family
Favorite food: Any! But I really enjoy Vietnamese food.
Two best things about working at Make-A-Wish®:
1) The mission
2) The opportunity to make a positive contribution for kids.
Other tidbits: I have been skydiving and loved it! I also enjoy volunteering in my spare time at different organizations.
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