Oregon Community Foundation Welcomes To Board Leaders In Rural Advocacy, Iconic Businesses, Conservation, Law (Photo) -05/12/25
May 12, 2025
Media Contact:
Colin Fogarty, Director of Communications
cfogarty@oregoncf.org
Oregon Community Foundation Welcomes to Board Leaders in Rural Advocacy, Iconic Businesses, Conservation, Law
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has five new members who bring extensive experience in conservation, law, rural community development and leadership of iconic Oregon companies. The five new members were approved by unanimous vote by the OCF Board of Directors.
“This an all-star group of civic and community leaders will bring a diversity of viewpoints and insight to advance our work,” said Lisa Mensah, President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation. "The foundation’s next stage of growth will depend upon our ability to bring Oregonians together to deliver bold solutions.”
Deana Freres advocates for rural communities as founding board member of the Santiam Hospital and Clinics Foundation and co-founder the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund. She served 18 years advocating for children through the relief nursery Family Building Blocks.
"I value the determination OCF shows to connect with communities from all over the state, especially in rural areas," Deana says. "We share a goal to ensure these communities are vibrant, healthy, and have the resources they need to keep their economies thriving."
Chris Nemlowill is co-founder of fast growing and community focused Fort George Brewery in his hometown of Astoria, where he and his wife are “raising 3 kids playing 6 sports.” In 2024, the company installed the largest private single-building solar array in Oregon, providing more than 70% of the brewery’s electricity.
“I’ve been a promoter of community my whole life, so of course I’m drawn to an organization like Oregon Community Foundation,” he says. “I’ll do anything I can to help our communities remain great places to build a business and raise a family.”
Joth Ricci is former CEO of Dutch Bros., Stumptown Coffee and Adelsheim Vineyards. He co-founded TASTE for Equity, serves as Executive Chair at Burgerville, and teaches at Oregon State University’s College of Business.
“Serving on this board feels like a natural progression for me, after my work in communities all over this state and with organizations like the Oregon Business Council,” Ricci says. “This is an exciting time at OCF. What attracted me was the conversation around innovation, growth and change management that I hope can help drive community development across Oregon.”
Chuck Sams, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, served under President Biden as the first Native American Director of the National Park Service. He currently serves on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and was on the board of the Gray Family Foundation, an OCF supporting organization.
“OCF represents a value and ethic that resonate with me. In Indian Country, you are measured not by your wealth but by how much you give,” Sams says. “OCF is committed to taking Oregon where it needs to go by spreading the wealth to improve the health of our state in multiple ways.”
Penny Serrurier is an estate planning attorney who has served on the Oregon Business Council and the boards of OMSI, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Oregon Symphony Foundation and Downtown Portland Safe & Clean. She spent 9 years on OCF’s Development and Marketing Committee.
“I am so excited to be joining the board of an organization that has contributed so much to Oregon communities through the years. I believe in the power of philanthropy, and I know that OCF has a critical role to play in the future of our great state. I am honored to be chosen for this leadership role.”
Read their full bios here and below.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.
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New Oregon Community Foundation Board Members 2025
Deana Freres
Deana Freres’ volunteer work centers around her passion for rural communities and the economies that lift them. Her advocacy promotes economic development initiatives, leverages the responsible management of natural resources, and ensures families have access to jobs, housing, education and quality healthcare in the communities where they live.
As a founding board member of the Santiam Hospital and Clinics Foundation, Deana plays a pivotal role in advancing rural healthcare initiatives and capital campaign strategies. She also serves on the board of the Stayton Public Library Foundation and is beginning her first term of service as a member of Oregon Episcopal School Board of Trustees. She recently concluded 18 years of service on the board of Family Building Blocks, a relief nursery where she supported child abuse prevention and family support services through legislative advocacy, capital campaigns and program governance.
Deana stepped into an unexpectedly significant role in disaster relief and recovery efforts following the devastating Lionshead and Beachie Creek wildfires in 2020. She co-founded the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund (SCWRF), a nonprofit initiative in partnership with Santiam Hospital & Clinics. As a member of the SCWRF Advisory Committee and president of the Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group, she coordinated survivor recovery grants, supports disaster case management, and organizes ongoing community rebuilding efforts, assisting over 1000 households impacted by the disaster.
Deana studied Management Science Engineering at Southern Methodist University and worked 10 years in project management and process design engineering before dedicating her time in support of nonprofits.
"I value the determination OCF shows to connect with communities from all over the state, especially in rural areas," Deana says. "We share a goal to ensure these communities are vibrant, healthy, and have the resources they need to keep their economies thriving."
Chris Nemlowill
Chris Nemlowill is the co-founder of Fort George Brewery and Public House in his hometown of Astoria, Oregon.
After earning a marketing degree from Southern Oregon University, Nemlowill knew he didn’t want to work in a cubicle. Instead, he found his passion in home brewing and learned everything he could from mentors in Oregon and Europe. While attending international marketing classes, he was especially inspired by Germany’s community-centered, family friendly beer culture.
Back in Astoria, Nemlowill worked as a barista and developed his brewing craft on the side. In 2007, he co-founded Fort George Brewery and Public House and demand grew quickly. “We couldn’t make beer fast enough,” he says. The brewery eventually transformed a once-dilapidated warehouse — pigeons and all — into a full city block of community gathering space.
Fort George has grown to 150 employees. In 2024, the company installed the largest private single-building solar array in Oregon, providing more than 70% of the brewery’s electricity.
Nemlowill and his wife, Zetty, are raising “three kids doing six sports” while continuing to grow community partnerships in Astoria.
“I’ve been a promoter of community my whole life, so of course I’m drawn to an organization like Oregon Community Foundation,” he says. “I’ll do anything I can to help our state and our community remain a great place to build a business and raise a family.”
Joth Ricci
Joth Ricci is an innovative leader with a proven track record of driving growth and creating value. Over his 33-year career, he has led several well-known brands, serving as CEO of Dutch Bros., Adelsheim Vineyards, Stumptown Coffee and Jones Soda Co. His expertise spans business strategy, brand development and scaling organizations for long-term success.
Beyond executive leadership, Joth is committed to community impact and advancing equity. He is the Vice Chair of the Children's Institute, past chairman of the Oregon Business Council, co-founded TASTE for Equity, and served on the State of Oregon’s Racial Justice Council. He is the author of The System, and works with individual leaders and companies to build capacity and manage organizational dynamics.
Currently, Joth serves as Executive Chair at Burgerville and as an executive-in-residence at Oregon State University’s College of Business. He is an active board member for organizations including Upward Projects, The Oregon Fruit Company, Bamboo Sushi and Great Frontier Holdings.
Chuck Sams
Chuck Sams grew up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Northeast Oregon, where he is enrolled as Walla Walla and Cayuse with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He currently serves on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. He most recently served under President Biden as the 19th director of the National Park Service, the first Native American to hold this office.
Chuck has over 35-years of executive leadership that includes serving on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council as a Council member, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director for the CTUIR, in addition to Communications Director and Environmental Health & Safety Officer and Planner and Special Sciences analyst with CTUIR.
Other prior positions include Program Coordinator for the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon, House Manager/Field Supervisor for the City Volunteer Corps of New York, President/CEO of the Earth Conservation Corps, Executive Director of the Community Energy Project, Executive Director of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, the National Director for the Tribal & Native Lands Program of the Trust for Public Land, Executive Director of the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation, and President/Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Country Conservancy.
He received his Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Management, Communications, and Leadership from Concordia University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center 'A' School. Upon graduation he served as an Intelligence Specialist with Attack Squadron 155 Silver Foxes, the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific Command and the Defense Intelligence Agency.
He and his wife, Lori, and daughter Ruby live in Pendleton, Oregon.
Penny H. Serrurier
Penny Serrurier is a partner at the law firm of Stoel Rives in Portland. For more than 25 years, she has provided nonprofit organizations with strategic solutions to their most pressing challenges. Penny works with higher education institutions, healthcare organizations, public charities and private foundations on issues involving governance, fundraising, advocacy, tax status, scholarship compliance and endowment management. Penny is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Penny grew up in Vermont. She earned a history degree from Middlebury College and graduated from Cornell Law School. Penny and her husband, Peter, raised two boys in Portland and have long been active in the Portland community. She serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Business Council and for Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. Penny has served as Board Chair for both the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Oregon Zoo Foundation.
Penny has supported and volunteered for many local nonprofits, including serving for several years on the Oregon Community Foundation’s Development and Marketing Committee.
“I am so excited to be joining the board of an organization that has contributed so much to Oregon communities through the years. I believe in the power of philanthropy, and I know that OCF has a critical role to play in the future of our great state. I’m honored to be chosen for this leadership role.”
