Board and Advisory Council | Assistance League

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024-2025)

President

Janet Martin

After moving from the San Francisco Bay area in 2015, Janet became a member of Assistance League of Bend in 2017. Since that time, she has served as Chairman of Cinderella’s Closet and Breakfast with Santa, as well as Vice President of Philanthropic Programs and most recently as President-Elect. During the pandemic, Janet was instrumental in streamlining many of the processes/procedures related to Operation School Bell which resulted in improved efficiencies and increased productivity. She has also volunteered at the chapter’s annual fundraising events, These Kids are Cookin’ and has been a new member mentor. During her tenure as VP, Janet helped to develop the Senior Connections program, clothing pop-up events, new literacy initiatives and the clothing bundles project for foster children. Before taking over her role as President, Janet used her love for cooking to volunteer at a homeless shelter, cooking meals for the residents and homeless for over two years. She still has a passion for cooking and enjoys entertaining for family and friends.

Vice President, Membership

Susan Heberlein

Susan is a native Oregonian. She joined Assistance League of Bend in 2019 after retiring from the Bend LaPine School District after 22 years. Susan was an elementary school teacher, then received her master’s degree from the University of Oregon and became an administrator. She served as Principal of High Lakes Elementary School for 8 years. It was during her tenure in the Bend LaPine Schools that she became so familiar with Operation School Bell and Assistance League of Bend. She witnessed firsthand the significant impact the program had on her students’ success rates and confidence levels. When she retired, Assistance League of Bend was a natural fit for her, as she still wanted to make a difference in the lives of underserved children. She served for 2 years as Chairman of Operation School Bell and on the Board of Directors during Covid, which in itself presented many new challenges in finding ways to continue meeting the basic needs of children. Susan was also on the 2023 Kitchen Kaleidoscope Committee. Susan’s varied career also includes 15 years in computer sales, managing Fortune 500 accounts. Her diversified experience has definitely made her an asset to Assistance League of Bend.

Vice President, Philanthropic Programs

Debbie Angle

Debbie and her husband moved to Bend in 1985 and have enjoyed all that Central Oregon offers while raising their two sons. Debbie joined the workforce in 1999 as a bookkeeper/accountant for various businesses in Bend. Debbie first learned about Assistance League when she attended a couple of Kitchen Kaleidoscope events in the 1990s. Through the 90s and early 2000s Debbie took note of advertisements for Operation School Bell, Kitchen Kaleidoscope and The Gala. Her impression of Assistance League Bend was that “these ladies get things done!” In 2019 Debbie visited with members of Assistance League Bend at a Volunteer Expo held at the Deschutes Public Library. After retiring in 2021, Debbie joined Assistance League of Bend in 2022. Since becoming a member, she has been active on several committees including literacy, clothing bundles for foster children, Cinderella’s Closet, Hats and More, Resource Development and Finance. Debbie especially enjoys interacting with children and their families during Operation School Bell shopping days, handing out books at literacy events and considers the members of Assistance League of Bend all “rock stars”!

Vice President, Resource Development

Andrea Hays

Andrea joined Assistance League of Bend in 2020 shortly after moving to Bend from Kirkland, Washington. She grew up in the Los Angeles area and earned a BS and MS in Computer Science. She worked as a software engineer at companies in Los Angeles, Denver, Boulder, and Santa Clara. She has volunteered for her churches, leading Sunday school, adult Bible studies and participating in music groups. She has also helped serve food at homeless shelters. When her son was born, she became very involved in the PTA at his various schools. She spent many hours assisting at his Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop as well. Since joining Assistance League of Bend, she has served as Secretary for two years and has also actively participated in Operation School Bell and Secret Santa.

Vice President, Marketing Communications

Wyndi Perry

As a native Oregonian, Wyndi grew up in Portland where she met her husband Tom and started a family. They lived in the Portland area for 17 years before career opportunities moved them to Lake Stevens, Washington. After their two children left the nest (one currently lives in Washington and the other lives in Oregon), they decided to become Oregonians again and moved to Bend in 2019. Wyndi became a member of Assistance League of Bend in 2021 after retiring from an insurance underwriting and marketing career in 2020. Wyndi has consistently volunteered with Operation School Bell, the comfort shawl project, Secret Santa, and Senior Caring. She was also most recently the Vice President of Membership for Assistance League of Bend from 2022-2024 which she found extremely rewarding. Wyndi enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, paddle boarding and kayaking and is hoping to travel a bit more since her husband recently retired.

Secretary

Joy Morris

Joy is originally a transplant from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where she worked as a full-time real estate and company manager. Like so many people, she and her husband moved to Bend in 2018 to be near their son and his family. Since moving, she and her husband have had a fun time exploring all of the various parks and trails in Oregon, generally seeking out new ones each week. Because they both had been involved in various non-profit activities in Michigan, Joy immediately began looking for volunteer opportunities here in Bend and became a member in 2019. Since joining Assistance League of Bend, Joy has participated in several events and has served on various committees including Operation School Bell, Orientation Training and Hospitality.

Treasurer

Cindy Conrad

Cindy and her husband Jeff moved to Oregon from Irvine, California in December 2017 for all the fun reasons many move here from ‘somewhere else’. They were both originally from the East Coast but now love it here in Bend. They have 2 children, 2 grandchildren and a third grandchild is due next month. Cindy and her husband also have a 4 year old Australian Shepherd who keeps them pretty active. Cindy joined Assistance League last summer after visiting the Kitchen Kaleidoscope event and was drawn to the dedication and commitment of the members who worked tirelessly for the benefit of so many in our community. Professionally, Cindy is an Enrolled Agent and a Licensed Tax Consultant (LTC) in Oregon and enjoys working more seasonally now. She is also active in several professional organizations and previously served in the capacity of officer or director for many years. She enjoys being outdoors and with friends. Skiing and hiking are her favorite activities, closely followed by kayaking, spending time with friends and traveling with her husband and family.

Assistant Treasurer

Susan Foster

Susan joined Assistance League of Bend in 2015 and has been involved in philanthropic activities and fundraising for the organization. Prior to moving to Bend, she worked for Bank of America in their Commercial Real Estate division in San Francisco. Susan and her husband Mike, moved to Bend 22 years ago where they raised their two daughters and continue to manage their ranch. Susan also volunteers in the community for her church, Family Kitchen and St. Vincent de Paul. She enjoys helping children and seniors through Assistance League of Bend. Susan spends her free time riding horses, hiking, playing tennis, traveling and reading.

Grant Writing Chairman

Joan Craig

Joan was born and raised in Southern California. In 1978 she and her husband moved to Newberg, Oregon with their two children and started their own business in Portland. In 1979, they started vacationing in Sunriver and fell in love with Bend. In 1999, after their children were married and beginning their own lives, Joan and her husband decided to sell their business and retire in Bend. Looking for ways to give back to the community, a friend of Joan’s convinced her to join Assistance League in 2001. In the 23 years that Joan has been a member, she has held many positions including President from 2005-2007 and again in 2016-2017, as well as her most recent position as Vice President of Philanthropic programs in 2022-2024. Over the years, she has also chaired many Assistance League fundraisers and committees. Joan also served on the National Philanthropic Committee for five years. She is passionate about Assistance League and enjoys her work with the organization.

Operation School Bell Chairman

Meredith Kellogg

Meredith grew up in a military family and, as an “Army Brat”, landed in Bend in 2012. Wanting to connect with the community in a meaningful way, Meredith joined Assistance League Bend in 2015. In her 9 years as a member, she has served as Vice President of Membership and as chairman of Strategic Planning. She has served on multiple committees, and has been chairman of These Kids Are Cookin’, Secret Santa, and Orientation Training. When she is not volunteering for Assistance League, Meredith enjoys reading, chasing the perfect glass of wine, and being host to friends and family when they visit Bend.

Strategic Planning Chairman

Marla Anderson

After graduating from Ohio State University, Marla had a long and successful retail career working in the footwear industry for over 35 years. Marla was the President and CEO of Lady Footlocker and Lane Bryant. She continues as a consultant for a large footwear company. Marla was an organizing member of Trenton’s Dress for Success branch and a regular volunteer for the Princeton National Rowing Association. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Marla and her husband Bill moved to Bend 8 years ago from just outside Princeton, New Jersey. They immediately fell in love with Bend’d beautiful landscape, the endless hiking trails, kayaking, and golf. Knowing that she wanted to give back more to the community, Marla joined Assistance League of Bend in 2019. Since joining Assistance League Marla has been an active member of various committees including, Operation School Bell, Marketing, and Strategic Planning. In 2022-2023, she served as Vice President of Resource Development and is currently co-chairman of Cinderella’s Closet.

Parliamentarian

Renata Beck

Renata spent her early years in Asia and Africa and she loves to travel. When her father retired they came to the US and settled in Eastern Oregon. In 1986 she married Joe and they moved to Central Oregon in 1989. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Oregon, later earned a master’s degree in counseling and is still a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She worked for the Department of Human Services for 35 years and retired in 2022. During her tenure with the State, she had a variety of roles and responsibilities including two gubernatorial appointments to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Renata likes outdoor activities, reading, and entertaining. She and her husband enjoy doing volunteer work and she has served on many local non-profit boards throughout the years. Since joining Assistance League of Bend she has volunteered with Cinderella’s Closet and is a member of the following committees: Breakfast with Santa, Bylaws, Clothing Bundles, Hospitality, Literacy, and These Kids are Cookin’.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Advisory Council, composed of representative members of the community, serves the corporation in an advisory capacity. They review and offer advice on Assistance League of Bend’s financials, programs and fundraising activities as well as provide in-kind professional expertise when appropriate. As ambassadors for Assistance League of Bend, they are a critical interface between the organization and community leaders. Council members serve for three-year terms.