Board of Directors

President

Elizabeth Ramsey

Vice President

Diane Wiscarson

Treasurer

Lidia Saavedra

Secretary

Carrie Fleisher

Parent

Carrie is the adoptive mother of two children that have special needs due to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which effects include physical, mental, behavioral and learning disabilities. Carrie is a Vice President of M Financial Group, has been with the organization since 2002, and currently serves in the role of Chief Operating and Chief Compliance Officer for M Financial's broker/dealer, M Holdings Securities, Inc.

George Hamilton, Director

Parent & Self-Advocate

George is a parent of a special needs child, who with his spouse has spent countless hours advocating on behalf of their child to ensure he gets the education and opportunities he should have.  

Lenore Johansen, Director

Lenore is the Assistant Director of Special Education for the Beaverton School District.  Since 1995 she has worked in Beaverton as a teacher, facilitator and now as an administrator where she advocates for the needs of  Special Education students.

Jess Knowland, Director

Parent

Jess brings to The Oregon r.i.s.e. Center over 15 years of experience in the legal field.  He volunteers his time helping parents interpret and use the Federal Education Laws to ensure their child receives the best education possible.  As a parent of a special needs child, Jess understands firsthand the frustrations and difficulties surrounding the school’s interpretation of Federal Laws, the limited funding available, and the need to provide quality education for a special needs child.  Besides being on the Board of Directors for r.i.s.e., Jess continues to promote the goal of ensuring that each child in Oregon receives a quality education.

Caroline Moore, Director

Caroline has worked at WRRC for almost 30 years providing technical assistance to states to improve services for students with disabilities. 

Cassie Pierce, Director

Parent

Cassie is the mother of two boys diagnosed with mental health disorders. She has worked for the state of Oregon, Department of Human Services for nearly 16 years, with 10 years spent working with children and families. Additionally, Cassie advocates for the special educational needs of children identified as intellectually talented and gifted by serving on the Salem/Keizer School District's TAG Advisory Council. She has a bacherlor's degree in social science and a master's degree in psychology.

Scott Salsberry, Director

Self-Advocate

Scott recently graduated with an Associate’s degree in Business Management. He is married with a son. Scott writes to Congress regularly to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. He looks forward to serving the needs of others and helping people understand that even with a disability, you can go far in life.

John Stauffer, Director

John is a semi retired pastor and social worker. He holds a Masters Degree in Ministry and is currently completing his dissertation for a Doctorate in Leadership. John lives with his wife Cathy in Hines, Oregon and is active in the community also serving on the board of H Hope a domestic violence agency that provides housing and other need based benefits primarily to women and children of domestic violence.