Sondra Storm, Chair: Multnomah County, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Sondra has an ongoing commitment to serving youth and building community, and believes firmly in the power of artistic expression to facilitate growth. She has been inspired by the ability of youth to respond to great challenges with creativity and make something that transcends their pain and moves toward healing.
Sondra has danced in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary jazz from a very young age. She has received numerous awards and recognition at local, regional and national competitions including scholarships from Tremaine Dance Company, Co. Dance and more.
Sondra began teaching at 13 as an assistant tap, gymnastics, and ballet instructor and the Center for Creative Arts in The Dalles, OR and was a choreographer for The Dalles High School and Community Theatre.
Nancy Towne-Smith, Vice-Chair: Pacific Power: Nancy works at Pacific Power as a Systems Operations Training Development Analyst where she is one of three employees responsible for ensuring that system operators are trained to monitor and respond to the safe and reliable operation of the bulk electric system. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering and working with a variety of organizations. She has a degree in Art Therapy Counseling and has worked with both youth and older adults.
Nancy’s love of art goes back to her early years, and she enjoys the opportunity to work with kids to help them discover and develop their own personal creativity. She especially enjoys the way that art is a bridge that spans perceived barriers, providing an inclusive and safe environment to explore one’s full potential.
Lauren Grant, Treasurer: World Affairs Council of Oregon, Volunteer Coordinator: Lauren received her Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management, Management/Leadership, and Psychology (with a concentration in Family Studies) from Portland State University. She brings experience in nonprofit management and community outreach, as well as practical experience in business administration. She has a strong background in managerial accounting and corporate finance from her studies at Portland State.
For nearly a decade, Lauren has worked directly with youth from a variety of backgrounds in both educational and research settings. As an Arts Facilitator for Free Arts NW, she has witnessed firsthand the impact of arts education in empowering growing adolescents. In her free time, Lauren plays guitar and ukulele and hopes to learn the banjo.
Katrina Rodriguez, Secretary: Beaverton Police Department, Victim Services Coordinator: Katrina graduated in 2002 from Seattle Pacific University with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and business administration with a concentration in marketing. She has vast experience working with vulnerable populations from runaways and homeless youth to survivors of sexual assault and commercially exploited children who had been
trafficked for the purpose of sex.
Katrina has a strong commitment to family and friends. She is always there to provide a helping hand.
Jessica Hohman: Project PATCH, Admissions Coordinator: Jessica has a passion for helping others. She has a degree in Adolescent Development and Curriculum/Program Development from Multnomah Bible College and spent six years facilitating group therapy at a dual diagnosis treatment center for adolescents. This provided her a high level of insight into many of the struggles teens experience.
Jessica’s biggest passion in life is her family, especially her four nephews. She also enjoys living in the Oregon countryside near where she grew up, which provides room for another big part of her life, her dog, Tahoe, and her cats. Beyond that, she loves spending time outdoors, travel, art, missions work, and volunteering.
Kris Bella, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Free Arts NW: After assisting youth with severe mental health and drug and alcohol issues for many years, Kris developed a passion for prevention and community mobilization. Her love of art and desire to help other’s find their passion and purpose in life motivated her to co-found Free Arts NW. Being able to tap into one’s creative self, can bring about a level of change and transformation that may have seemed previously unattainable.
Kris has had a love of art from a very young age and was supported by her family to fully embrace her creative outlets. She fully enjoys all visual arts, with a special interest in three dimensional art creations.
