Our Vision
Our vision is to help every kid develop the self-confidence they need to succeed.
Our Mission
With your generosity, we fund children’s charities that provide marginalized kids with a safe place to call home, a family that loves them, a feeling of community, and opportunities to learn, build self-esteem, and have fun.
Our Views On Diversity & Inclusion
At Believe in Me (the Foundation), we are committed to building a more just and equitable organization and community where all individuals can achieve their potential. It is the policy of the Foundation to provide and promote equal opportunity for all people without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, familial status, veteran’s status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. The Foundation is fully committed to building an inclusive culture and community that uplifts and celebrates diverse and unique individuals while enabling them to not just survive but thrive as they achieve their full potential.
Learn About Us
+ See Our Vision for the Future
Get to Know Our Board of Directors
Community Activist. I get involved by diving in headfirst to tackle the problems facing our community. In everything I do, I fight to ensure social justice, empowerment, equality, and enrichment for all.
Chairman of the Board
Aaron Riley
Affliations:
Long-term Care Ombudsman, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners
Consultant, New Leaf America
Commissioner, City of Spokane Human Rights Commission
Former Planning and Evaluation Specialist, Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since May 2020
Member, Grants Administration Committee
Education:
B.A. Business Administration, Ohio Dominican University
Member, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society
Rule Follower. I use my experience in healthcare management, patient privacy, HIPAA, compliance, and auditing to dig into the heart of it all; building and strengthening relationships based on trust and transparency.
Treasurer
Lori Brennan, MBA, RHIA, CHC
Affiliations:
Corporate Compliance & Privacy Manager: Inland Northwest Region, Multicare Health System
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since April 2019
Chair, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Member, Grants Administration Committee
Education:
MBA, Western Governors University
B.S. Health Administration, University of Phoenix
Creative Genius. I help make community connections through integrated digital storytelling. Over the past thirty years I've used my diverse talents to creatively connect people with the solutions they are seeking.
Board Member
Shawn Davis
Affiliations:
Principal and Creative Director, Zipline Interactive
Former Creative Director, ROBiDEAX Marketing and Design
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since July 2020
Chair, Marketing and Fundraising Committee
Member, Video Production Team
Education / Awards:
B.S. Communications & Advertising, Washington State University
2013 AAF Spokane Ad Fed Ad Pro of the Year
Diplomatic Liaison. I like to bring people together and help find common benefits to maximize value for the participants. And in so doing over the span of time and deals, add just a bit to the global good.
Board Member
Dan Menser
Affiliations:
Chairman, Alliance of Angels
General Counsel, Teal Communications, Inc.
Member of the Board of Advisors, Pollen System Corporation & Everyvine Corporation
Committee Positions:
Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Education / Awards:
J.D. Program - Cum Laude, Seattle University School of Law
B.A. Finance - Cum Laude, Washington State University
Traveling Geek. I’ve found a mission for myself in finding ways to help children of all ages learn how to use technology to improve their lives and careers. Starting as early as possible letting them understand how they have the power to control some things in their lives; no matter how hard the world around them may be.
Board Member
Paul Hutton
Affiliations:
Member, WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Member, WA Technology Center Board
Member, NSF’s National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies Board
President, Blue Earth Cruises LLC
Past President, Thought Engineering LLC
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since August 2022
Education / Awards:
BA Mathematics & Computer Science, Eastern Washington University
Executive Certificate, Technology Leadership, Sloan School of Management, MIT
US Air Force Commendation Medal
Solutions Architect. I have been active in economic development matters across Washington State. I'm passionate about serving youth and contributing to community development.
Board Member
John Powers
Affiliations:
Founder and CEO, Powers Economics
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since August 2022
Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Education / Awards:
BBA Business Administration - Finance, University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business
Juris Doctorate - Law, Gonzaga University School of Law
Legal Eagle. I serve as the Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Washington University and the Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Washington State University.
Board Member
Keith Trefry
Affiliations:
Partner, Paine Hamblen LLP
Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Eastern Washington University
Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Washington State University.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since August 2022
Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Education:
B.A. Pre-Law, Cum Laude, Washington State University
JD Law, Cum Laude, Gonzaga University School of Law
Media Maven. The mission of the Believe in Me organization is something that resonates with me as the mother of 5 and grandmother of 2. Children need someone to care, someone to act and someone to believe. This organization does all three.
Board Member
Nikki Hilton
Affiliations:
Senior Vice President, iHeart Media Multi Platform Group- Spokane
President, Red Farm Media
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since January 2023
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Passionate Producer. Humans are builders. We build houses, we build teams, we build ideas, & we build lifelong relationships. I want to leverage my decades of experience in building relationships, to provide the foundation for people that don’t have a strong network, to help them build & accomplish their own dreams.
Board Member
John Reznicek
Affiliations:
Director of Sales, Alliance Door Products
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since January 2023
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Our Values
We are Caring
Our compassionate programs positively impact struggling kids in the community with the hope and inspiration they need for a lifetime.
We are Trustworthy
Our team of reliable professionals transparently manage your donations to ensure the sustainability and success of our programs.
We are Innovative
Our grants empower progressive and energetic programs that help troubled kids heal and develop self-confidence in new and different ways.
Meet Our Administrative Team
Change Maker. The only constant in life is change and I choose to embrace it to make a positive impact. Caring individuals, transparent processes, and innovative technology; I leverage everything I’ve got to make a difference in kids' lives every day.
Chief Executive Officer
Julie Wukelic, MBA
Affiliations:
Former Director of Account Based Marketing, Ignitium - Spokane, WA
Former Director of Clinical Research, Rockwood Clinic - Spokane, WA
Committee Positions:
Active member on all Believe in Me committees
Education:
MBA, Washington State University
B.A. Finance, Washington State University
Relationship Builder. As a WSU Hall of Fame and local radio sports broadcaster, I do what I can to make sure it's a win/win situation for everyone! I bring my experiences in building community to help with event management, sales, marketing and more.
Development Director
Paul Sorensen
Affiliations:
Senior VP, Vision Marketing LLC
2017 Washington State University Hall of Fame, Football
Former VP and Director of Sales, Palouse Ridge Golf Course
Board Member, CougsFirst!
Board Member, Cougar Collective
Board Member, Inland Empire Baseball Association
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since July 2020
Member, Marketing and Fundraising Committee
Education:
B.A. Economics, Washington State University
Activist Storyteller. Living and studying abroad, embracing new cultures, and learning new languages have helped me recognize a world full of wonders but also a society that needs our help, understanding, and compassion to become change settlers.
Marketing Coordinator
Alexandra Martinez
Affiliations:
Founder, Spanish and The World - Language Industry Service
Former Volunteer, Marketing and Events Committee, Believe in Me
Fomer Volunteer, Business Tutor, RMMFI
Former Customer Experience Representative, MercadoLibre Colombia - Ecommerce
Former Financial Mathematics Tutor, De La Salle University
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Education:
Specialization. Business For a Better World, The Wharton School
Certificate. Digital Marketing, University of Washington
B.A. Finance and International Trade, La Salle University. Bogota, Colombia
Objective Actualizer. My work in theater and events management has given me experience in setting goals and overcoming obstacles in creative ways. I’m passionate about connecting our community partners and volunteers to accomplish a meritable goal.
Project Manager
Kyrstin Vens
Affiliations:
Events Volunteer, Imagine Jazz & Spokane Jazz Connection
Former Community Outreach & Customer Services Manager, Stage Left Theater
Former Guest Services Manager, The Public Theater of San Antonio
Former Club Advisor, Spokane Falls Community College Student Government
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Education:
B.A. Business Management, Western Governors University
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Transformative Wordsmith. As a professional grant writer, I have always considered myself a wordsmith above all else. Words, when stewarded well, can bring creative visions to life and affect change that leaves a lasting positive impact in our communities. I love working in the nonprofit sector because both my personal passions and professional pursuits get to operate in tandem.
Grant Writer
Leslie Cogley
Affiliations:
Former Community Development Specialist, Panhandle Area Council, INC.
Former Grant Writer, Real Escape from the Sex Trade
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Education:
B.A. Creative Writing, Western Washington University
What Are Marginalized Kids?
Marginalization, also referred to as social exclusion, occurs when certain groups of kids do not have equal access to various resources within our society. Marginalization causes the lack or denial of resources, rights, goods, and services and the inability to participate in relationships and activities available to most people in our community.
Children are especially susceptible to these forms of marginalization as their childhood experiences pave the way for their adult lives. It is our goal to bridge the gap for these marginalized kids.
At Believe in Me, your donations go directly to support programs that are helping these marginalized groups of kids:
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American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islanders, Multi-race, Immigrant Families
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Kids experiencing food insecurity
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Adopted kids, aged out of the Foster Care system, living in Foster Care or wards of the State
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Households below the poverty line
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Kids living with a disability, mental health issues, substance abuse disorder, or without housing
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Incarcerated parents, unemployed parents, parents who did not graduate from High School or did not attend college
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Differing sexual orientation or gender identity
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Pregnant teens and single-parent households
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Kids experiencing domestic violence, abuse, or trauma; and survivors of human trafficking.