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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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