Mission & team

Mission

Together we create pathways to stronger, more hopeful communities through access to healthy food, housing stability, and supportive services.

Vision

A thriving community where all are free to pursue their dreams!

DEI at VEAP

Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

VEAP embraces diversity and is committed to pursuing a more just, equitable and inclusive society for all people.

We respect and value all dimensions of diversity including differences of preference, perspective, race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender identity and expression, language, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, religious or non-religious background, ability and all other visible and nonvisible differences.

As a community based nonprofit, we have a responsibility to break down barriers, address historical and current inequities and injustices, as well as proactively engage all people in our community. We strive to create a space where all people are welcome and seek to foster a culture of respect, human dignity, learning, openness, and integrity. Our mission calls us to work together and our vision challenges us to embrace all. All means all at VEAP. We can accomplish more in partnership with others.

When our entire community is reflected in our volunteers, staff and leadership, and we enable all voices to be heard, then our services will be stronger, we will be more effective and we will better advance our vision.

Gender pronouns at VEAP

VEAP has made an intentional commitment to include gender pronouns throughout our organization because we believe that referring to a person by their chosen name and pronouns shows respect, acceptance and inclusion: all important VEAP values!​

What are gender pronouns?

Pronouns are used in language when we refer to ourselves or other people. They are fluid and can regularly change; it is the choice of each individual to decide for themselves how they want to identify—including choosing not to share pronouns at all.

Gender pronouns are not the same as a person’s anatomical sex or sexuality (who they’re attracted to). Pronouns cannot be inferred by the way someone dresses or wears their hair—it’s a question that must be asked. Gender pronouns are freely chosen, so they can no longer be assumed based on the “traditional sex/gender” of someone’s name. Chosen pronouns are questions that need to be asked of everyone, until you remember them along with their name. It is respectful to ask someone what their chosen pronouns are, so ask away.

Common pronouns include:

  • he/him/his (for someone who might identify as male)
  • she/her/hers (for someone who might identify as female)
  • they/them/their (for someone who identifies with a gender outside of the male/female gender binary, these pronouns are considered gender neutral)
  • zie/zim/zis (another example of a gender neutral option)
  • and many more options!

What’s my role?

When you introduce yourself to a new person at VEAP, consider including your gender pronouns, “My name is Carla, I use she/her pronouns, how about you?” Include pronouns in introductions or icebreaker activities, especially if new people are in the room. Use them on your name badge, if you choose. VEAP has pronoun stickers available for use.

Identifying with certain pronouns and sharing them is optional. However, once someone has shared their own pronouns with you, it’s important to use them. 

Other helpful tips…

Gender pronouns can change! If you haven’t seen someone in a while they might be using different pronouns. If you mistakenly misgender someone: Apologize that you called them by the wrong pronoun and move on to using the correct pronoun—humans make mistakes—try not to draw too much attention to yourself and simply acknowledge the mistake and move on.

Correctly gendering someone is about acknowledging their personhood and the best way to do that is to try your best and improve next time if you make a mistake.

Thank you for helping us make VEAP a more inclusive place for everyone!

Our team

Staff

Marnie

Marnie Anderson

Finance Director

Jose Aviles

Warehouse Specialist

Tara Broker Lashley, CFRE

Advancement Director

Kevin Escandon Tellez

Junior Case Manager

Trisha

Trisha Gilbert

Program Manager

Karen Hancock

Volunteer Manager

Riley Hauch

Volunteer Coordinator

Jessica Hering, MSW, LISW

Social Services Director

Paul Jacobson

Basic Needs Director

Aaron Kapinos

Grant Writer

Lesley

Lesley Kraft

Advancement Coordinator

Amy

Amy Lon

Human Resources Director

Caley

Caley Long

Marketing and Communications Director

Anthony Marca-Loja

Warehouse Specialist

Melissa

Melissa Maurer

Database Coordinator

James

James McCants Jr. LSW

Social Worker

Becky Patton

Special Events Manager

Dave

Dave Rannow

Distribution Manager

Nathan

Nathan Rust

Food Operations & Sourcing Manager

Nicole

Nicole Rust

Program Support Coordinator

Ryan

Ryan Sager

Office Manager

Miles

Miles Sandbo

Mobile Food Services Coordinator

Gabriela

Gabriela Sicard

Bilingual Intake Specialist

Kari

Kari Thompson

Chief Executive Officer

Beatriz Urzua-Viveros

Bilingual Case Manager

Board of directors

Ross Widmoyer

President

Dion Evans

Vice President

Joe

Joe Bauer

Treasurer

Shannon

Shannon McCormick

Co-Secretary & Associate Board Liaision

Brianna

Brianna Williamson

Co-Secretary

Jim DeBuse

Board Member

Josh Gerber

Board Member

Tai

Tai Giwa

Board Member

Becky

Becky Johnson

Board Member

Molly

Molly McCormick

Board Member

Shawn Nelson

Board Member

Megan

Megan Rogers

Board Member

Corinne Shepherd

Board Member

Jennifer

Jennifer Siedow

Board Member

Associate board

VEAP’s Associate Board is an engaged team of early to mid career professionals who bring a diversity of ideas to our organization, provide input to the board of directors, support fundraising events and raise awareness of VEAP in younger generations.

Gabrielle

Gabrielle Japke

Associate Board Member

Peace

Peace Madimutsa

Associate Board Member

Qi

Qi Meng

Associate Board Member

Tyler

Tyler Othen

Associate Board Member