Meet Our Staff

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Cassi MacQueen

Executive Director
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Shannon Ries

Grants & New Development Director
Image of Ciarn Jones. Ciarn is wearing glasses and a turtle neck while she smiles for the camera.

Ciaran Jones

Operations Director
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Stephanie Powell

Events & Marketing Manager
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Brandy Richardson

Facility Manager
Becky Johnson Community Campus
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Robyn DeMartin

Facility Manager
East Bend Campus
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Lily Wisner

Facility Manager
La Pine Community Campus

Cassi MacQueen

A native Texan, Cassi grew up working with at-risk youth in some of the most impoverished areas of North Texas. Inspired by the resiliency she witnessed in marginalized communities; Cassi developed a deep passion for public service and a commitment to social change. Her career has included leadership positions at non-profit organizations across the country including Director of Outreach & Education at Chamberlain Performing Arts, and Chief Operating Officer of the Cascades & Alaska Regions at the American Red Cross, and Executive Director of Saving Grace of Central Oregon.  

Cassi now serves as the Executive Director of Deschutes Children’s Foundation and is committed to supporting children, families, and over 20 partner organizations here in Deschutes County. Cassi is an avid hiker, aspiring martial artist,  and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

Shannon Ries

With a career spanning numerous years in the non-profit sector of Central Oregon, Shannon has left a lasting mark on the community. Beginning her journey in Oregon as the Executive Director for Redmond Learning Center, Shannon laid the foundation nurturing learning environments for children. Her commitment to education and youth development then led her to serve as the Executive Director of Bend’s Community Center, where she championed initiatives to uplift families facing various challenges. As the Regional Director for Junior Achievement, Shannon broadened her scope, bringing financial literacy and entrepreneurship education to the region’s youth. Her leadership was instrumental in shaping the aspirations of countless young minds. Moving forward, in her role of Development Director for Saving Grace of Director Shannon found her stride as she managed the grant writing and fundraising efforts that helped provide a lifeline for survivors; ensuring families in crisis have a place to find safety, hope and healing.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Shannon’s heart lies in making a difference in the lives of children and families. Whether through her professional roles or her personal endeavors, she remains steadfast in her commitment to building a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.

Shannon cherishes moments spent with her family and beloved pups, finding joy and fulfillment in the simple pleasures of life; reading, gardening, ceramics and home projects. 

Shannon joined the team at Deschutes Children’s Foundation in February 2024.

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Ciaran Jones

Ciaran was born and raised in Western Washington. Prior to joining Deschutes Children’s Foundation, she was an Office Manager for various industries including a geotechnical construction company that helped build the Seattle Seawall and rejuvenate the Waterfront area.

Ciaran moved to Bend in 2017 after meeting her boyfriend on a Mount Bachelor chairlift. They both love to get out in the snow, whether on snowboards or snowshoes. She enjoys taking full advantage of the Central Oregon outdoor lifestyle and can be found on any of the many hiking trails with her Rottweiler, Sage.

She has an Associate’s Degree in Journalism and studied film at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

Ciaran joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in December 2017.

Stephanie Powell

Stephanie has a decade of nonprofit experience in Central Oregon. She managed a local before and afterschool program for school-aged youth and worked in development at Bethlehem Inn, a local emergency shelter.  

Stephanie joined the team at Deschutes Children’s Foundation in October 2022 where she is honored to continue her work supporting vulnerable children and families in the Central Oregon Community.

Outside of her passion for Deschutes Children’s Foundation, Stephanie is passionate about spending time with her family and participating in all that Central Oregon has to offer. She enjoys backpacking, hiking, and kayaking throughout our beautiful region.

Brandy Richardson

Brandy was born and raised in Central Oregon. Prior to joining Deschutes Children’s Foundation, she worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon and Bend for 20 years. She loved being able to serve families and kids in Central Oregon through this organization and its dynamic programs. 

In her spare time, Brandy enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family.  She especially enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time in nature. Brandy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies from Oregon State University. 

Brandy joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in September of 2022.

Robyn DeMartin

Growing up in Northern Nevada, the High Desert has always been Robyn’s favorite landscape.  In June of 2015 she made the decision, with her family, to move to the beautiful City of Bend.  Excited, they jumped at the chance of raising their child in such a wholesome, friendly environment.​

When not relaxing at home, you can find Robyn and her family either out on the family farm on Alfalfa Market Road, or off somewhere in the dirt where they enjoy off road racing and dirt bike riding.

Robyn joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in March 2020.

Lily Wisner

Lily has lived in Central Oregon for approximately 33 years. Her parents moved to the area in the late 80s and eventually her brother, sister, and Lily followed them to this beautiful region.

Lily was very involved in the RTOC Program at Mountain View High School as a traveling chaperone, visiting the San Diego military base and learning alongside the youth, about how to repel from a 30-foot wall and run the physical course Navy Seals had trained on. These were great and formative experiences for Lily. 

Lily has volunteered with the Bend Police Department and K9 exhibition meets and her educational background/field of study is Criminal Justice. She is excited to be a part of Deschutes Children’s Foundation.

In Lily’s spare time she is out in nature come rain, shine, or snow. She enjoys these adventures with her dog, Beau who runs, explores, and loves to swim. “My next goal is to get him on a kayak”, says Lily of her adventure buddy, Beau.

In addition to being an avid outdoor enthusiast, Lily plays guitar, writes songs and poetry, is a photographer, and loves to spend holidays and summers with her family here in Central Oregon. 

 

Lily joined the team at Deschutes Children’s Foundation in March of 2024.

Tricia Tompkins

Tricia was born and raised in Eastern Oregon and moved to La Pine in 1997, after graduating from Stanfield High School. Her love for the nonprofit sector began before she became the facility manager at the La Pine Community Campus. She volunteered for The Hub and HeadStart,  where she received the Volunteer of the Year award for Deschutes and Crook County. Tricia has also earned her 2-year Administration Assistant’s degree online from Portland Community College. In her spare time, Tricia enjoys scrapbooking.

 

Tricia joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in August 2021.

Jennine Nunnelley

Jennine has lived in Oregon her whole life and Central Oregon has been her home for the last 37 years. She has lived in Sutherlin, Myrtle Point and Pendleton, but Central Oregon always brings her back. Jennine has two children and two grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys camping, hunting and fishing with her husband of 32 years and her dog Abby.

Jennine joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in September 2021.

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Vicki Galusha

Vicki Galusha joined our team on December 20, 2018. Her career background has centered on accounting and auditing with a strong slant toward advocacy and customer service. She has one much-loved son who lives in the Valley. Vicki owns a small farm in La Pine where she cares for her herd of Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, a mischievous mini horse, several laying hens, two dogs, and a cat. She spends her time caring for her animals, making goats milk soap and cheese, and in the summertime, gardening.

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Dona Curtis

Dona Curtis has been Facility Manager at Becky Johnson Community Center for the past 20 years. She strives to make clients comfortable as they come to BJCC for services and is rewarded with comments on how welcoming the building is. Dona spent 10 years as a Camp Fire Boys & Girls Leader and Coordinator for the City of Redmond.

Dona and her husband, Alan, have 5 adult children, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Crafting ornaments from beautiful designer papers is her most recent hobby along with sewing, quilting and cooking. Spending time with family in her free time is also a priority.

“Being a part of Deschutes Children’s Foundation has kept me involved with children and I enjoy watching kids develop and grow as they attend sessions here. It’s so awesome when a child finally says ‘Good Morning Dona.’ Knowing that I am able to help families that come here with needs is very fulfilling.”

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Jess Fernandez

Jess joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation in the Fall of 2018. Previously, she was the Membership Director with Marin County Bicycle Coalition, a nonprofit in Marin County, CA. As the Membership Director, she maintained donor engagement, planned and executed community fundraising events, and nurtured a robust volunteer roster. She organized events that brought the bicycling community together and promoted safe and connected pathways within Marin County.

Jess volunteers at Summit High School during track season and at Pacific Crest Middle School during cross country season. She has shared her love of track with the middle schoolers at PCMS since 2017, as an assistant track coach.

In her spare time, Jess enjoys all Bend has to offer from food to outdoor activities.

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Amy Ward

Amy joined Deschutes Children’s Foundation as the Development Director in 2013, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2016. From 2011 – 2013, Amy was a Volunteer Coordinator for The Bloom Project, organizing a daily team to collect donated flowers to be repurposed into fresh arrangements delivered to local hospice patients.

Prior to moving to Bend, Amy worked in Development at the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 2000 to 2008. She was proud to be a key member of the Special Events team that opened Walt Disney Concert Hall to world-wide acclaim in October 2003. Following this accomplishment, she was promoted to Board Development Officer where she served as the primary steward for the Board of Directors and a major donor group, the Board of Overseers. Amy believes that dedicated people are the heart of a successful organization and honors each individual for their generosity and contribution.  

In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her family.