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Staff Julie Tholl DeJan, Executive Director
Julie Tholl DeJan is a Reno native and has worked for Angel Kiss Foundation since March, 2008. She graduated from Reed High School and the University of Nevada at Reno. After graduating from college, Julie began working in the non-profit sector as the office manager for Nevada Festival Ballet. She also worked for Nevada Opera Association as their director of development and special events. Her background also includes work with Tholl Fence, Inc.
She is married to Dominic, a biomedical technician with Davita, Inc. They have one child, Cadence who is four-years old. A third generation Rotarian, Julie is a proud member of Sparks Rotary and also serves on the Board of Trustees for Nevada Opera Association.
As the executive director, Julie is responsible for leading all fundraising and organizational efforts for the Foundation including its major annual fundraising event, Paddle for Pediatric Cancer, a raft and music festival, to be held in Wingfield Park on June 20th, 2009.
Board of Directors 2008-2009
Pete Parker, President
Parker Development Services, President
Pete has served on the board since July 2006. He was attracted to AKF through the Whitewater Raft & Music Festival and immediately drew a personal link, as his sister underwent cancer treatment as a teenager. A Reno resident for 13 years, he owns Parker Development Services, a consulting firm primarily focusing on the non-profit sector. Pete spends the vast majority of his time raising two young children, running and volunteering. Carolyn "Lina" Jensen, Vice President
The Nature Conservancy, Director of Land Protection Michon Kessler, Secretary & Co-Chair, Marketing Committee
Aqua Salon, Hairstylist
Michon Kessler is an entrepreneur who has owned and operated several businesses over the last twenty-four years, ranging from beauty salons to workout studios to scrapbook stores. Michon’s first priority is raising her three daughters. Since moving to Reno in 2006, she has worked part-time at Aqua Salon & Day Spa. Michon’s background and knowledge in marketing and business makes her an asset to AKF. She discovered AKF in 2007, upon starting a marketing campaign here in Reno. Michon’s philosophy with regard to building a business, is to “give back to the community and it will give back to you”. She produced the Art for Angels event at her salon, which brought in $10K for Angel Kiss Foundation in its first year. In addition to serving on the board of directors, she volunteers for her children’s elementary school and Girl Scouts of America.
Lisa Fleck, Treasurer & Chair Program Committee
Metrocities Mortgage, Senior Mortgage Planner
Lisa is a mother of three, including one cancer survivor. Lisa was born in Southern California, but grew up in the San Francisco area. She has been in Reno for seventeen years and is currently a mortgage planner with Metrocitites Mortgage. Lisa enjoys river rafting, reading, and being involved in the community. Lisa served as the President of AKF’s Board of Directors in 2006-2007. Her son, Jon, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2004 and completed treatment in 2007.
Roseanne Hardenbrook, Member
American Marketing Association, Director of Admin.
Roseanne and her husband moved to Reno thirteen years ago with the Ketel One vodka company. Most recently, she was the VP Marketing for the Van Gogh Vodka Company, retiring several years ago. She and her husband Bob travel to Colima, Mexico every two years for a work week at Project Amigo which is a Rotary Club literacy program for under privileged children. Roseanne joined AKF several years ago. Her sister passed away from brain cancer and her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago and is in remission. Roseanne also serves on the American Marketing Association Board and the Artouring Board.
Eric Lerude, Member
Attorney/Founder & Event Director, Reno-Tahoe Odyssey
Eric Lerude is the owner and event director of the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure. In addition to this venture, Eric is an attorney and owns and directs other running events both locally, and in other parts of the United States. Eric is a Reno native and third generation Nevadan. Eric has been an AKF board member since 2005. He got involved with AKF due to his interest in helping children with cancer and their families. As the father of a son who has had two open heart surgeries at Stanford Children’s Hospital, Eric understands what it is like to be the parent of a child with a significant medical issue, and to have to travel out of the area to get medical treatment.
Renate Neumann, Member
Artist
Born and raised in southern Germany during World War II, Renate immigrated to the US in 1964 and worked as a commercial artist in New York City for five years before moving to Reno. In 1976, she celebrated 200 years of American freedom by becoming a naturalized citizen on Independence Day. Renate has served on the AKF Board since 1999 and was instrumental in the Foundation’s beginning in Reno. Her drive to help children with cancer was born of her own mother’s battle and she has worked tirelessly for Angel Kiss, holding a variety of offices and participating in almost every aspect of organizational support. Renate worked for several years with Reno advertising agencies and then later freelanced. She now specializes in painting the beautiful Nevada outdoors and its people, coordinating and directing the Portrait Society of Reno since 1996. Scenic Nevada, a local non-profit affiliated with Scenic America, also benefits from Renate’s talents and dedication with her organization of their annual Quick-Draw fund-raiser.
Sandra Newmark, Member & Chair Policy Committee
Stephens Knight & Edwards, Attorney
Amy Riley, Member & Co-Chair Marketing Committee
Marketing Professional
Amy Riley is a marketing professional from Denver, Colorado who moved to Reno in 2007 with her family. A busy mother of two little girls and active outdoor enthusiast, she freelance writes, event plans, and coordinates media for several organizations in the Reno area. With a background in advertising, marketing, and trade show planning for energy companies, she came to Angel Kiss to volunteer with public relations help and get involved with a local organization with a focus on children. Angel Kiss was a natural fit and Amy currently serves on the board as Marketing Co-Chair and leads the marketing efforts for the White Water Raft and Music Festival.
Pat Schlosser, Member & Paddle for Pediatric Cancer Chair
Schlosser Construction Consulting Services, LLC, Owner
Pat has more than twenty-seven years in the construction industry with extensive experience in estimating, scheduling, project management and constructability reviews. Pat began with Angel Kiss Foundation in 2006. He enjoys spending time on the golf course and enjoying the company of his two daughters. Pat has a close friend whose child battled cancer and this inspired his interest in becoming a member of the board.
Robin White, Member
M.D., Pediatrics
Donna Breen, Emeritus Member
Dickson Realty, Realtor, Author and Mother of Cancer Survivor
Donna Breen is the mother of three children, one of whom is a two-time cancer survivor—thus, her interest in helping other families who are in a situation she is most familiar with. Donna and her husband enjoy playing soccer, cooking, gardening and having friends over to share a meal. in addition to traveling to Mexico and other south American countries for real estate projects, Donna sells real estate for Dickson Realty in the Reno area.
Phil Gillette, Emeritus Member
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Assistant to the Dean Melba Holderman, Emeritus Member
Retired Registered Nurse
Ginny Wiswell, Emeritus Member
Nevada System For Higher Education, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Finance
Advisory Board 2008-2009
Hon. Barbara Finley
Becky Haase
Kathleen Hale
Amy Harvey
Larry Harvey
Dr. Caroline Hastings
Jan Johnson
Debbie Smith
Tia Speirs
Dr. Jonathan Tay
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