Meet Our Team
Elizabeth Parker (She/Her)
Becoming involved with Kindred Matters as a teenager sparked Elizabeth’s passion for serving disadvantaged youth. Upon graduation from the University of Oregon in 2015, she moved to the east coast to work for Sibling Connections, an organization serving separated siblings in Massachusetts. In late 2017, she made her way back to Oregon to become the Executive Director for Kindred Matters and increase the organization’s program capacity. She served in the Executive Director role until 2022 and is now a valuable member of the leadership team. When she isn’t working, you can usually find Elizabeth playing with her dog, trying new foods or traveling with her husband.
Amanda Hampton (She/Her)
Amanda joined the Kindred Matters family in 2010, and has been involved ever since. After finishing her undergraduate degree in Arizona in 2013, she returned to Oregon and joined the camp leadership team. Amanda is passionate about positive youth development, trauma informed practices, and sibling reunification. Since completing her graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Oregon, she has worked as the Program Manager for a non-profit serving youth experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness in Lane County. When not working or planning for the next camp session, Amanda can usually be found playing a game of cribbage, or out on a trail hiking with her dog.
Tia Nordstrand (She/Her)
Tia began volunteering for Kindred Matters in 2012. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor's degree in Family and Human Services and a minor in Nonprofit Administration and Management. Tia has a passion for serving her community, advocating for others and creating opportunities for connection. She has served Kindred Matters as a volunteer counselor, KINnect event coordinator, registration coordinator, program director and is now serving as the Executive Director.She is looking forward to expanding our programs to reach more individuals and families throughout the state of Oregon in this role. When she is not working you can find Tia on the pool deck coaching swimming or spending time with her husband and dog.
Sarah Allen (She/Her)
A Tulane University graduate, Sarah Allen is a major shareholder at Allen Trust Company and responsible for HR at the company. Sarah has long been interested in serving Oregon’s youth in care, and has served as a Sibling Camp volunteer for several years before becoming President of the Kindred Matters Board in 2018. She is also a Board Member and Committee Chair of Project Lemonade. If she isn’t in Portland you can most likely find her south of the border (Mexico not California) soaking up the sun and culture.
Charley Schimmels (He/Him)
Charley Schimmels became involved with Kindred Matters in 2006 as volunteer co-director and head counselor (Big Daddy), and hopes to continue serving youth and families who are affected by the foster care system. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Kindred Matters in addition to his duties with the Sibling Camp program. Originally a native of Washington State (born in Seattle and grew up in Yakima), he has lived in the Portland metro area since 1988. Charley has been married to his best friend and partner Karyn since 1988 and they share four children. When Charley is not volunteering for Kindred Matters he makes his living selling truck equipment for Carco Industries, Inc. based in Tualatin, Oregon.
Kris Goodno (She/Her)
Kris Goodno spent much of her life in the Yakima Valley. A graduate and collegiate swimmer at Central Washington University, she spent three years in public accounting. Along with her brother, Kris started a heating and air conditioning company in 2000. After 18 years, she sold her interest and moved to Beaverton, Oregon. Kris has been a supporter of Kindred Matters for many years and joins the Kindred Matters board as Treasurer.
Ian Bishop (He/Him)
Ian Bishop is an Oregon native who made his way back after spending time in boarding school in Canada and graduating from the University of Washington. Upon his return, he spent 15 years growing an independent medical examination company, Impartial, before the business was sold to ExamWorks in 2016. He now serves as Regional Vice President for ExamWorks. Ian has always been interested in serving his community, and has been a supporter of Kindred Matters for several years alongside his family prior to joining the Kindred Matters Board.
Diane Flansburg (She/Her)
Diane is a real estate broker with Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty in Lincoln City. Previously, she served as the Community Relations Manager and Public Information Officer with the United States Attorney’s Office in Portland. She was also a board member with the Lincoln County Citizen Review Board for nine years and on the state advisory council. She enjoys photography and her participation with Toastmasters and Kiwanis Clubs in Lincoln City. She joins the Kindred Matters Board after years of support for the Sibling Camp program.
Sara Fassett (She/Her)
Sara Fassett moved to Oregon in 1994 and quickly found herself drawn to public service programs, including drug treatment, gang violence, domestic violence, and child welfare. She has spent the last 20 years dedicated to improving outcomes for children within the welfare system. She donates her spare time to charitable projects such as Abby’s Closet, Project Lemonade, Start Making a Reader Today, and a number of LGBTQ causes. Her involvement with Kindred Matters is a reflection of her ongoing commitment to helping the youth of Oregon.
Niki Clark (She/Her)
Niki Clark has been serving children and families within the juvenile justice and child welfare systems in Oregon and Southwest Washington for over ten years. She is an Oregon native and University of Oregon Alumni. Niki has always been passionate about minimizing the effects of trauma on the children for whom she serves. Her experience working with foster children and families led to her interest in Kindred Matters and its mission. She is thrilled to be able to support foster children in a different way through her involvement with Kindred Matters and the programming they provide connecting siblings who are separated in foster care.