Stepping Up to the Challenge
We understand that Board members have a great responsibility to ensure the financial health and sustainability of our organization. We encourage Board members to actively participate in the discussion and decision-making process, engage in organizational self-study and assessment, and stay abreast of current legal and financial regulations. With the support of our committed Board, we are confident that Believe in Me will continue to make a difference for years to come.
Meet 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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Get to Know Our Board of Directors
Our Executive Governance Committee is an essential part of our organization. Not only do they help Believe in Me react quickly to pressing issues, but they also increase the effectiveness of the entire board. Each committee member has been elected by the board of directors and meets regularly to discuss important matters. By delegating decision-making authority to the executive governance committee, the Believe in Me board is able to focus on longer-term strategic initiatives that can help ensure our success. These dedicated individuals are an invaluable asset in Believe in Me's governance framework.
Executive Governance Team
Chairman of the Board
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Aaron Riley
Vacant
Lori Brennan
Vacant
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