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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

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

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.

Secretary

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

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

Analytical Strategist. With a deep commitment to financial excellence and a passion for cloud technology, I bring a comprehensive understanding of complex financial landscapes to every role I undertake. My career is marked by my ability to streamline operations, enhance financial reporting, and drive organizational growth. As a Certified Public Accountant, I am dedicated to ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial processes, while my background in diverse industries provides a unique perspective on financial management. Outside of work, I stay active by embracing outdoor activities, a passion that started during my time on the Track and Field team at Washington State University.

Treasurer

Matt Cronrath

Affiliations:

  • Controller, Vega Cloud

  • Former Assistant Controller, KEEN

  • Former Assistant Controller, Crypto, TradeStation

  • Former Manager of External Reporting, Avista

  • Former Senior Assurance, CliftonLarsonAllen

  • Former CPA, Tax and Assurance Associate, CliftonLarsonAllen

Committee Positions:

  • Member, Executive Governance Committee, Believe in Me

  • Chair, Finance Committee, Believe in Me

Education:

  • B.A. Accounting, Washington State University - College of Business and Economics

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

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

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

Innovative Visionary. With a robust background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and privacy enablement, I drive forward-thinking strategies that blend cutting-edge technology with ethical considerations. Throughout my career, I have championed the integration of privacy-centric solutions, empowered teams to achieve operational excellence, and consistently delivered impactful results across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, e-commerce, and cloud services. My passion lies in mentoring others and shaping a future where technology serves humanity responsibly and innovatively.

Board Member

Mark Guzman

Affiliations:

  • AI/ML - Senior Product Manager, Privacy Enablement, Apple

  • Personal Development Advisor, Nanu LLC

  • Former Staff Program Manager, Aurora

  • Former Technical Program Manager - Senior Team Lead, Advanced Technologies Group, Uber

  • Former Vice President, Earth 24/7

  • Former Senior Customer Success Manager, Mighty AI

  • Former DevOps Engineer, Slalom Consulting

  • Former Technical Program Manager, Boeing

  • Former Supply Chain & Operations Business Analyst, Zumiez

  • Former Process Analyst, Expeditors International

Committee Positions:

  • Member, Board of Directors since May 2024

  • Chair, AI Ethics Committee - iLevelUP

Education:

  • B.S. Computer Science, University of Washington

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

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

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

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

Aaron Riley,Believe in Me Ch

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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