It takes a team to end hunger and we have the best.
Let's do this.
THE WYOMING GOVERNORS RESIDENCE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Wyoming Governors Residence Foundation Board works closely with the First Lady to ensure small projects around the facilities can be funded; additionally, it is the governing body for First Lady Jennie Gordon's initiative, Wyoming Hunger Initiative. The Board focuses on supporting the work of Wyoming Hunger Initiative, to include raising funds to reinvest in anti-hunger organizations across the state working to fight food insecurity for Wyoming children and families.
First Lady Jennie Gordon attended the University of Wyoming where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences. Jennie worked for 15 years as a Laboratory Medical Technologist at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She later served as a field service representative for Abbott Laboratories where she traveled throughout the western United States repairing and servicing laboratory equipment at hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Her interest in fighting childhood hunger was sparked long before becoming First Lady when she learned about the issue of food insecurity among residents of Sheridan County. Since that time, she has volunteered at various Wyoming anti-hunger organizations and is passionate about shedding light on the good work that is being done throughout the state to reduce hunger.
Susan Samuelson is a University of Wyoming graduate, retired elementary educator, and ranch owner. She counts the introduction of Title IX during her senior year in high school as a turning point in her understanding and future interest in women’s equality, race relations, and the improvement of children’s lives. She has been an integral advocate for many community organizations and causes over the years, including the Laramie County Library System, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Children’s Village, Boys and Girls Club, Wyoming Community Foundation, United Way, Climb Wyoming, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and University of Wyoming athletics, libraries, and College of Education. Her experience brings valuable insight, support, and a passion to affect change throughout the state—as well as the know-how to get things done. She serves as Board Chair.
Laurie Box is a Colorado native; she moved to Wyoming in 1984 after meeting her husband Chuck and has now spent more of her life as a Wyomingite. Laurie worked in banking until her twin daughters were born. After welcoming a third daughter to the family, Laurie and Chuck started Rocky Mountain International, a tourism marketing company representing five states as a region to international tourists in 17 European, Scandinavian, and Pacific Rim countries. After 24 years, Laurie and her husband sold the company to their employees where it continues to thrive as a Wyoming business. She now manages the business of her husband’s novelist career, is a Director of the Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, and a longtime CFD volunteer. She is an avid horsewoman, beekeeper, and grandmother. She serves as Board Treasurer.
Kathryn Boswell grew up spending her summers in the mining town of Morgan, WY and the academic year in Arlington Heights, IL. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, she retired from her work as the Hunter and Angler Participation Coordinator for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department in 2022, where she developed partnerships and events to help Wyomingites learn to hunt and fish. The former Chief of Staff to Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal is also an avid volunteer, and has chaired the Advisory Board of the Wyoming Women's Foundation, the National Advisory Board of the University of Wyoming Art Museum, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show. She is a 2010 Leadership Wyoming graduate and has always made serving people the guiding principle of her work. She and her husband Chris live in Cheyenne. She serves as Board Secretary.
Ashlee Lundvall was an active teenager and four-sport athlete when she was injured in a ranching accident in 1999 while attending a Wyoming youth camp. A tragic fall on to the wooden handle of a pitchfork blew out her back at T-12, resulting in a complete spinal cord injury and the introduction of a wheelchair to her life. After returning home to Indiana to finish her rehabilitation, Ashlee graduated from IUPUI in 2005 with a BS in Public Affairs, and completed her graduate studies in Biblical Counseling in 2007. In 2007, Ashlee moved to Wyoming with her husband, Russ, and in 2008 helped found Wyoming Disabled Hunters. Now a National Pro Staffer for Mossy Oak, a member of the NRA’s Disabled Shooting Sports and Outreach committees, and a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, she enjoys passing on her love for the outdoors to her daughter, Addison, born in 2010.
Lynn Kirkbride is a Wisconsin native who found her home on a cattle ranch in Chugwater. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. Lynn has worked in the field of disability and diversity for 30 years, having been originally inspired by her brother, a quadriplegic. She has served as the Chair of the Cheyenne Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities, a member of the Wyoming Employment First Task Force, and is the founder of the Wyoming Business Leadership Network, helping in the development of the MentorABILITY youth program. She has been the Director of Affiliate Relations for Disability:IN (formerly USBLN) since 2011. Additionally, she has helped lead the Legislative Spouses group since 2012. She has five children and five grandchildren.
Paty Gierau is a native of Mauá, Brazil, near São Paulo. She studied Nutrition and Quality of Life Sciences in college, and volunteered in multi-professional medical teams throughout that time in impoverished communities with high levels of hunger, malnutrition, and medical needs. Her experience led her to specialize in nutrition as it relates to eating disorders, clinical prevention and treatment of chronic disease, and food service health inspection, always finding ways to serve vulnerable groups. She moved to Jackson Hole from São Paulo in 2012, where she operates Experience Travel, a travel agency that provides opportunities for cultural exchange between Wyoming, South America, and beyond. She and her husband Mike volunteer with Vertical Harvest, Food Rescue, Womentum, Climb Wyoming, and Snow Devils.
Alfrieda Gonzales is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming and received her MBA from the University of Colorado. Prior to her retirement she was Executive Director for the Laramie County Community Partnership providing leadership and strategic direction in their efforts to create a healthier community for the most vulnerable population in Laramie County. She also served as the Senior Policy Analyst working on human services issues for Governor Freudenthal. Previously, she served as the Administrator for the Wyoming Department of Health’s Substance Abuse Division, Administrator for the Internal Operations for the Department of Workforce Services, and the Office of Workforce Development working with the Wyoming Workforce Development Council.
JoAnn Skeim-True is a resident of Casper, a University of Wyoming graduate, and a Leadership Wyoming Class of 2018 graduate. She is a petroleum geologist and works in the oil and gas industry for AB Resources, LLC. Her family—husband Shane, six children, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law—all have the fortune of living in amazing Wyoming. She is always looking for ways to make Casper and Wyoming the best place to live, and is excited to serve on the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation Board.
Annemarie McCracken Picard is a wife and mother living in Cheyenne. She has been active in her community through many organizations including the Laramie County Library Foundation and the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative. Most recently she and her husband Dave chaired the 2019 Gubernatorial Inaugural Festivities. Annemarie came to Wyoming in 1997 working for Governor Jim Geringer as a policy analyst. She worked in different capacities for the State of Wyoming before building her own consulting business facilitating and advising communities on workforce issues throughout the western states. She describes herself as a voracious reader who loves a good long walk with her kids and her dogs. A graduate of the University of Texas and a certified 200 RYT Yoga Instructor, she and Dave divide their time between Cheyenne and Saratoga.
Diane Asay is a graduate of BYU and has a degree in Special Education; she earned her Masters in Special Education from University of Wyoming. She works as a legal assistant and special education consultant, a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and is a dedicated advocate for children whose basic needs may be overlooked. She also serves as a Youth leader in her church, and volunteers with Needs, Inc. and Friday Food Bag Foundation. She has six children, four of which are University of Wyoming graduates. She loves University of Wyoming basketball, Hallmark movies, and historic fiction.
Deb Wendtland is a Wyoming farm girl, born and raised in Torrington, Wyoming, with stints in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Bethel University, in St. Paul, MN in 1985. She received her J.D. of Law from the University of Wyoming. Deb married her law review editor in 1990 and the two practice law together in Sheridan, Wyoming. Deb is a litigator in the firm of Wendtland & Wendtland, LLP and not often enough has the privilege of practicing adoption law. Deb and Tony have two adult sons: Kit and Taylor.
Katherine Ann "Katie" Brown was born in Cheyenne, attended the University of Wyoming, and moved to Wheatland shortly after her marriage to Chuck Brown III. They have resided in Wheatland since 1961 where they had their two daughters, Brenda and Kristi. Katie was a long-term substitute teacher for many years in the Wheatland schools. After their daughters started school, Katie then became a partner with Chuck in their many business enterprises and has been by his side in business for over fifty years. Katie has been and continues to be deeply involved in numerous public service and charitable organizations including the Cancer Society, Sertoma, P.E.O. Sisterhood, and served as president of each. She has also been very active in her church for over 50 years as a Sunday School teacher, church financial secretary, Pioneer Youth Club volunteer, and a women's ministries leader. Katie is very pleased to join the Wyoming Governor's Residence Foundation and she looks forward to serving on this very worthwhile board.
Susie von Ahrens was born and raised in Green River, Wyoming and moved to Rock Springs in 2014. She retired from FMC Corporation after 35 years of service and has dedicated her time since to volunteering for local and state-wide charities and boards. Susie has served on the advisory board for the Community Fine Art Center, the Arts and Cultural Committee, the Local Advisory Board for the Wyoming Community Foundation, and as the GOP Chairwoman in Rock Springs. At the state level, she has served on the Wyoming Community Foundation, the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association, and now she is proud to serve on the Wyoming Governor's Residence Foundation board. Susie enjoys fused glass art in her spare time as well as golfing, fly fishing, travel, and spending time with family and grandkids. Susie has two daughters, two step-daughters, and twelve grandchildren along with her husband Fred.
WYOMING HUNGER INITIATIVE REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Wyoming Hunger Initiative Regional Directors are chosen by the First Lady to represent a region based on their awareness of food insecurity or role within their community that is directly related to food insecurity. Regional Directors have been assigned multiple surrounding counties to bring a network together to share ideas and voice concerns that may be solved on a regional level or be elevated to the Wyoming Hunger Initiative for statewide coordination. They work to create a platform for communication where food insecurity can be solved as a state, together.
Debbie Kelly works for the University of Wyoming Cent$ible Nutrition Program where she is a program educator for Park County and Northern Big Horn County. She teaches adult nutrition and cooking classes and goes into schools in Park and Big Horn counties that have 50% or more youth that qualify for 50% or more free and reduced lunch. Debbie has been part of the Wyoming Hunger Initiative Grow a Little Extra project for the past two years as she has garden space at the Park County Complex in Cody where she grows produce to donate to the local food pantries. Prior to serving as Regional Director, she was instrumental in the Food from the Field program where she picked up meat from her processor in Park County and got it to the local food pantries in her region to distribute. Debbie is a Wyoming native; she and her husband Gene have two children Dave and Julie who both live in Cody with their families.
Sierra Mitchell founded the Afton Food Pantry in 2016 with little knowledge of food pantries or how to operate one. A firm believer in the philosophy of “see a problem, solve a problem,” she decided she couldn’t stand by when she knew individuals in her community were going hungry. The Afton Food Pantry has grown to include refrigerators, freezers, fresh produce, meat, bread, and non-perishable food items that are distributed weekly. To date, over 29,000 individuals have benefitted from the Afton Food Pantry’s efforts. Sierra lives in Afton with her husband Michael and three children.
Tim Sheppard retired from the Army after a 40 year career which included serving as the chief of staff for the Wyoming Army National Guard. As an Army Engineer, he enjoyed completing construction projects throughout Wyoming and the world. Currently, he serves as the executive director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. Additionally, he serves as the distinguished past governor for the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis and as past president of the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club; board president for Raising Readers in Wyoming and the Cheyenne Family YMCA; and, board vice president for the Cheyenne After School for Kids program. A 2007 Leadership Wyoming graduate, he currently serves as Vice Chair of its board of directors. The colonel is married with seven wonderful children to include two sets of back-to-back twins.
Greta Spencer is a native of Indiana but moved West in 1980 to attend the University of Wyoming where she studied Education. She retired recently from teaching after 32 years; teaching elementary in Title I schools for 9 years before she started Wyoming’s first McKinney-Vento Program (Homeless Education) for Natrona County School District #1. She worked with homeless students ages 4-21 for the last 23 years. These most at risk students are her passion. With guidance and support, she has seen many students flourish and reach goals they never thought possible. Greta is a mother to three adult children and is GG to five beautiful grandchildren. She is also a member of Rotary (past President), active in her church, and enjoys volunteering at the Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI) youth house.
Deanna Trumble has lived in and served the Lander area for 35 years. She is currently the Executive Director of Lander's First Stop Help Center and has volunteered extensively in the fight against food insecurity in numerous local organizations as well as national and international ones, to include the Relief Bus in New York City and orphanages and schools in Haiti, El Salvador, and beyond. Additionally, she has served as a foster parent, exchange student host, Girl Scout leader, and is a long-time swimming teacher as well as swim officiant for the Wyoming High School Association. She is the recipient of Fremount County State Farm's #everydayheroes award in 2019 for working to make Lander a better place, one request at a time. She has a son, daughter, and son-in-law as well as three grandchildren.
Breean Waller is a Wyoming native with roots deep in the soil of a sugar beet farm in the scenic Big Horn Basin. After her days at Northwest College, she embarked on a vibrant journey in the Real Estate industry. Driven by an unwavering passion for aiding those in need, Breean dedicated years of her life as a compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant in hospice care. Breean champions the idea that access to healthy, nourishing food is a fundamental right for all. Currently serving as the Program Coordinator for Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends, she has found her true calling. Nestled in Buffalo with her husband Jim, two children, three cats, and two dogs, Breean considers herself blessed to call Wyoming home. Her belief in making the world a kinder, friendlier, and more compassionate place radiates through every aspect of her life and she is excited to be part of the Wyoming Hunger Initiative team to continue making a difference in the lives of Wyoming's citizens.
ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Wyoming Hunger Initiative's day-to-day operations and large projects are led by First Lady Jennie Gordon and her small but mighty team. Whether strategizing, fund raising, copy writing, preparing programs for launch, or managing any number of details that propel Wyoming Hunger Initiative's mission forward, everyone involved believes wholeheartedly that an effective solution to ending hunger in Wyoming is built upon an organized, efficient, and creative foundation.
Trista Ostrom is a Wyoming native and graduate of the University of Wyoming where she received her Bachelor's in Education and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Trista is passionate about volunteering, civic responsibility, and making Wyoming the absolute best place to live. Prior to serving as Chief of Staff for First Lady Jennie Gordon, she was the Executive Director of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council and has logged thousands of volunteer hours of her own throughout Wyoming. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation and as a volunteer for Dano Youth Camp. She is an avid outdoorswoman, frequent domestic and international traveler, and dedicated mentor to many Wyoming teens.
Willie Fowler is the founder and principal of CameraHead Media, a creative production company in Cheyenne. Originally an engineer, Willie now plans, shoots, and produces film projects for clients throughout the Mountain West and nationwide. His attention to detail and ingenuity in production paired with a belief that the story is the most important piece of any project allow him to deliver captivating results for his clients. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Willie lives in Cheyenne with his wife, four children, and one rambunctious puppy.