Jamar Ruff, Vice Chair – Outreach Coordinator, Coos Head Food Co-Op

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I love helping others and I love how the United Way’s main focus is to promote togetherness in our community.

One of your favorite things?
My favorite food is peach cobbler.

Two fun facts about you?
I am a huge fan of the musical Rent. I make the best mac ‘n cheese ever!

Stephanie Hadley, Secretary  – Owner/Partner, Yak Social

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
Our Yak Pack volunteered with United Way through the Day of Caring and had an instant connection with the organization. Community is important in order for people to lift each other up and allow people to thrive. I love the idea of being a part of a team that will significantly impact the landscape of our community in the upcoming years.

One of your favorite things?
Anything outside – especially beach hikes with my pup Betty!

Two fun facts about you?
My mom and I have the same birthday and I love to travel for concerts!

Haley Lagasse, Treasurer – Director of Library Services, North Bend Public Library

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I want to live and work in a thriving, resilient community. Resilient communities require dedicated people, adaptability, sustainability and a willingness to confront challenges, all elements I have found in the United Way.

One of your favorite things?
Eating cookies for breakfast.

Two fun facts about you?
I make homemade bagels. I have a very cute and smart miniature schnauzer named Jack.

Heather Casas –  Co-Owner, Buzz Restaurant

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I was drawn to United Way because of how it helps our local community. It also gives me a lot of opportunity to get out into the community and get involved with volunteering.

One of your favorite things?
My favorite vacation spot is Mexico.

Two fun facts about you?
I love to read in my spare time, I grew up in Grants Pass OR and have lived in the Coos Bay/North Bend area for 10 years.

Drew Farmer –  Executive Director, Bay Area Enterprises, and Coos Bay City Councilor

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
The mission to drive coordination of non-profits and provide supports to agencies that will have the most effect on our community sounded like an excellent opportunity to expand the positive opportunities within our community.

One of your favorite things?
Mingus Park Coos Bay.

Two fun facts about you?
I am proof that videogames corrupted our youth; I played too much SimCity as a kid, now look at me. If you see me moving a lot on a Zoom meeting, it’s because I am playing with a weighted ball.

Anna Huit – Community Volunteer Extraordinaire
Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I believe in our community and could see an opportunity to have a greater impact on our community.

One of your favorite things?
My favorite song is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.

Two fun facts about you?
I am happiest with a fishing pole in my hand. I have 4 boys.

Justin Miller  – Branch Manager, Oregon Pacific Bank

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
My first encounter with United Way was through the Day of Caring and I loved helping the elderly and giving back to the community, also the United Way helped my daughter start a Day of Caring in Myrtle Point. A couple of my co-workers were previous board members and I wanted to serve because of how the United Way contributes to many different organizations.

One of your favorite things?
Besides my family, I’m an avid sports fan, mainly football and basketball, I still play basketball a couple days a week.

Two fun facts about you?
I collect Nike/Jordan shoes I have way over 100 pairs, and I’ve been on vacation to Disneyland around 25 times.

Nina Nolan – Associate Attorney, Law Office of Margaret K Melvin

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I feel called to help others, and see serving on the United Way Board as a way to help those in our community who need it most.

One of your favorite things?
Collecting and taking care of my house plants!

Two fun facts about you?
I’m obsessed with Star Wars—I have a Princess Leia tattoo and my dog is named Obi-Wan Kenobi. Also, I have knitted 3 sweaters!

Joe Paulet – Producer, Neptune Birch

Why you were drawn to serve on the UW board?
I was drawn to the board of United Way of Southwestern Oregon for many reasons, but mainly I believe in the mission and values that United Way embodies in our community. United Way is a corner stone of service organizations locally, and I want to help build resilience and prosperity in Southwestern Oregon.

One of your favorite things?
I’d have to say one of my favorite things is watching my dog play along the beach.

Two fun facts about you?
Years ago I worked on Portlandia the TV show, and my favorite holiday is Halloween.

Jen Shafer, Executive Director
Why do you work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon?
I appreciate the breadth of organizations UWSWO supports through our mission of improving the health, education, and financial stability of all residents of Coos and Curry Counties. I also have a passion for bringing community leaders together to solve complex challenges, and our collective impact work allows me to do just this.

One of your favorite things?
I could easily spend hours in the garden – weeding is one of my favorite garden tasks!

Two fun facts about you?
I have visited all seven continents and my partner and I spent 3.5 years traveling internationally and around the Pacific Northwest prior to relocating to Coos Bay in 2016. And like Jamar, I am also a huge fan of the musical Rent!

Grant Crim, Every Child Coos County Program Director
Why do you work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon?
When I applied to work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon, I knew I was looking for an opportunity to serve our community. I wasn’t sure what that might look like, however, a wonderful opportunity was sent my way to serve as the Every Child Coos Director. I work here to give back to my community, in the hopes of making a meaningful difference.

One of your favorite things?
I have always had a passion for music and feel like it’s just an important art that means something different to everyone, both intellectually and emotionally.

Two fun facts about you?
I love to travel experience new things, I hope to one day travel to Europe to embrace the different cultures and learn about their history. I especially want to visit Greece to learn more about the past and the foundation of philosophy. Another fact about me, is that I am an Arizona State University alum, and after graduating summa cum laude, I decided to pursue a master’s in communication. As human beings, we never stop learning and I love going to a great school.

Bonnie Ell, Every Child Curry County Program Co-Director
Why do you work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon?
As the Program Director of Every Child Curry County, I love the intentionality that UWSWO has to work toward collect impact to best serve the Southern Oregon coast communities at large, including those often left in the margins, such as children in foster care.

One of your favorite things?
Watching the full moon rise while sitting around a campfire with family & friends.

Two fun facts about you?
I grew up in Montana- didn’t see the ocean until I was 17! I co-led a Bike Amsterdam to Paris tour with Venture Europe in 2006, leading a dozen high schoolers through the back roads of Europe…it was a wild ride!

Mendy Hayne, Every Child Curry County Program Co-Director
Why do you work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon?
I am thrilled to partner with United Way in support of the goals and objectives for Every Child Curry County! I am passionate about serving the marginalized and care of families in our community.

One of your favorite things?
A renewed love of outdoor adventures includes hiking and kayaking with my kids.

Two fun facts about you?
I have lived on the coast of New England, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and now the coast of Southern Oregon. While I have found beauty in each of these regions, I must say that Oregon is by far my favorite place to live! I am a museum junky and nerd. From art museums in the metropolis to small town railroad museums, I am drawn to them all.

Kelli Wirebaugh, Office Manager
Why do you work for United Way of Southwestern Oregon?
I can’t think of a better way to spend my working hours than to provide support to United Way. I have, several times in my younger life, received support from similar organizations. I know first hand what a wonderful impact United Way can have on our community and the unique individuals that call our community their home. I am grateful to have the opportunity to assist the wonderful team and our community.

One of your favorite things?
Making people laugh! Although not everyone always gets my quirky and slightly dry sense of humor.

Two fun facts about you?
I have lots of pets: 3 dogs (Keeda, Willow, and Nathan), 2 guinea pigs (Dash and Sprinkles), a ball python (Stella), a leopard gecko (Lizzy), and a beta fish (Hermes). I would have an animal rescue/sanctuary if I could. And I am a foot and five inches shorter than my husband.