Qualifications and Experience:

Mary is an immigration attorney, and practices in Omaha, Nebraska. She received both her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Creighton University. During law school her studies focused on International Law, including Int’l Human Rights Law, Int’l Criminal Law, and National Security and Foreign Relations. Additionally, she served on the Int’l Moot Court Board and was the President of the Environmental Law Society.

Kristy Chambers, CPA
Masters of Business Taxation
Co-Board Chair
Board Treasurer

Qualifications and Experience:

Kristy received her basic education in California and earned her BA in Economics with a Business Emphasis, cum laude, from UCLA. She received her Masters in Business Taxation, with honors, from The George Washington Institute of Law. Kristy is the CFO for Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. She also serves as Treasurer on the board of Wasatch Homeless, 4th Street Clinic. She is the proud mother of 17 year old twin girls and a seven year old daughter. Kristy enjoys running, yoga, and a good book.

Katie is the Director of Information Technology at Mosaic; a not-for-profit that provides services to people with developmental disabilities. Katie holds a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and received her Masters of Business Administration from Baker College. She loves to read, garden and cook. Being the mother of two small boys, Katie never has a dull moment.

Qualifications and Experience:

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Young Exceptional Children from the University of Delaware, Deb worked as a special educator, director, and consultant in public and private schools in Delaware, Wyoming and Utah. Her work was featured in a documentary To Be or Not To Be, on inclusion for those with Down’s Syndrome. Deb has added private chef and cooking class instructor to her credentials and continues to consult in special education.

Beth is an Internist practicing in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a special interest in Women's Health Issues and Preventive Medicine. Beth received her MD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center where she also completed her Internal Medicine Residency. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Creighton University. Beth loves her family, her patients, reading and knitting.

Barbara is a Professor Emeritus with the University of Utah where she retired as an adjunct professor of photography. She remains active as a freelance photographer. Barbara has had numerous exhibits and been published in various publications. She joins OFDC's board because, "I prefer a smaller organization like OFDC where funds are not lost on administrative expenses and overhead. The projects of OFDC are selective and doable. We can't help everyone who is in need, but those supported by OFDC are a step in that direction."

Boyd Tangren, PE/CSE
Board Member
Special Projects

Boyd is a licensed structural engineer who has traveled to developing countries to offer his expertise toward improving infrastructure. This includes the access and distribution of fossil fuels, potable water projects and structural engineering for bridges. Boyd has climbed Mt. Kenya!

Qualifications and Experience:

Gonzalo, a Latin American entrepreneur and minority advocate, is the CEO of Centro de la Familia de Utah, an agency of Latino professional managing outreach programs for children and underserved families. He holds an economics degree from Utah State University and an MBA from Thunderbird, School of International Management. He has chaired the education committee of the Governor's Hispanic Advisory Counsil in support of initiatives to address the achievement gap of minority students. He served as the founding chair of the Pete Suazo Business Center where he now coaches and lectures emerging Latino entrepreneurs.

Sarah Berry
Executive Director

Qualifications and Experience:

Sarah has a Bachelor's degree in International Studies and completed an internship in Romania at an orphanage and children's hospital. She speaks German and Romanian and loves to learn new languages. Sarah has a deep passion for humanitarian work and an innate desire to empower those less fortunate than ourselves. She loves to travel and experience new cultures. Sarah is a 2009 UNA - Qwest Emerging Leaders Nominee. She brings new ideas, eyes and voice to OFDC as we move into our second decade.

Qualifications and Experience:

Internationally, Nia has developed and implemented women's small loan (microcredit) projects as well as educational and health assistance programs in Bolivia, Kenya, Malawi and Nepal since 1994. She was born with a love for indigenous people and has lived with them in their remote, rural villages. Nia holds a BS in Computer Information Systems and certificates in Non-Profit Financial Management and Pre-Award Process from the University of Utah.

Locally, Nia has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, mentored women as they bridge from welfare into the work force (People Helping People), and tutored for Literacy Volunteers of America and Booked: Literacy Behind Bars. She served as Secretary for Utah-Bolivia Partners of the Americas

Nia is a recipient of the Spirit of Excellence and numerouse Hero awards from the PacifiCorp Foundation. She was honored on Utah Philanthrophy Day 2006 with a Heart and Hands award. Her efforts to give economic empowerment to women is recognized with the 2006 Women of Peace Award. Nia is a 2009 CNN Hero Award Nominee.

Michele McRea
Bookkeeper

Qualifications and Experience:

Michele was born in Indonesia to a French mom and a State Department Dad. She's lived in Japan, Thailand, and Cambodia and spent her youthful summers in France. She helped run her family's flower business in Washington, DC. and subsequently freelanced her graphic design and illustration business before settling down to raise her family in Salt Lake City, Utah, the most exotic place she has ever lived. Michele holds a BFA in fine arts and graphic design.

Emilie Davis
Intern

Qualifications and Experience:

Emilie is a Life Skills Classroom teacher at an elementary school in northern Utah. After getting a Severe Endorsement in Special Education and an ESL Endorsement Emilie decided to make a career switch. She entered the Masters of Nonprofit Management program at Regis University in Denver, Colorado and is enjoying her time interning with OFDC. Emilie loves to run, do yoga, travel,and read in her spare time.