Welcome New Board Members!
I was startled when I realized that Orange Effect Foundation entered its 10th year of operations when the calendar turned to 2024. This realization followed our December board meeting where one of our founding members, Cathy McPhillips, shared that she would be resigning from the board. What would our next steps be, I wondered. Cathy, like all our board members, brought a very unique perspective and immense expertise to our team. In addition, at that same December meeting we talked about the tremendous increase in application requests and how hard it was for the application committee to decide who to fund.
So we did an open call for new board members, and the response was outstanding! We found people who could help with our operations, our sponsorship, and our application process. It was too hard to decide which person to go with… so we went with 7 of them!
They all said yes! I see this as the next pivoting point for OEF. Look for great things as this group joins our already powerful board.
New Board Members Speak Out: Joining Orange Effect Foundation
- Mike Balzano shared, “I had been serving as the Fundraising Chair of OEF for several years. Recently, a board member who I greatly respected resigned, leaving a pretty big void. I felt, with my background and experience, I could help fill it. My wife and I have supported OEF since the 1st golf outing so many years ago. So helping out in this manner was an easy decision.
- Jeff Gargas shared, “I have followed Joe’s work in business and marketing for years. So when he launched OEF, I began following the organization and its work. As I’ve gotten to a place in my life, and in business, where I can do more to give back to others, I have been looking for those opportunities. As soon as I saw that OEF was looking for potential members, it just clicked. This is a way for me to give back and try to do more good in the world, positively impacting others.”
- Lindsey Hanzlik shared, “I’m honored to play a role in any family’s journey to finding their child’s voice. I am most excited to learn more about the families who reach out for OEF’s support and to spread awareness of stories like theirs.”
- Elisabeth Logan shared, “I’m most excited about helping to raise funds and make a difference for the children who need speech therapy and technological help to find their voice. I believe everyone deserves to have their voice heard.”
- Amy Martin shared, “My nephew has autism, and it has been our family’s mission to ensure that we support him in every way to ensure he has the best quality of life. When I saw the important work that Joe and this team does, I was honored to apply and help spread awareness!”
- Alisha Noterman shared, “I’m absolutely buzzing with alignment to the Orange Effect Foundation’s mission! Stepping into my role as a new board member, I’m ready to bring my experience and expertise to the table, all in the service of making sure everyone has a voice to be seen, heard and celebrated.”
- Don Pflug shared, “I bring a vast network of professional relationships forged from over 30 years of work experience. Autism has impacted my family, and I know the struggles and challenges it brings. However, I also know from experience that with the right support and aid, autism can be overcome, allowing for individuals to be successful in life.”
Embracing a Bright Future Together
As we welcome these outstanding individuals to our board, we’re filled with excitement and optimism. We anticipate a bright future for the Orange Effect Foundation. The diverse backgrounds, unwavering commitment, and shared passion for our mission give us confidence. Together, we will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of children and families in need. Here’s to a decade of accomplishments behind us and many more ahead. Let’s embark on this new chapter together, fueled by hope and determination.
Curious to learn more about our new board members or the entire Orange Effect Foundation team? Visit our leadership page to meet the inspiring individuals driving our mission forward.
