The NR2F1 Foundation is pleased to announce that five new board members have been elected! The number of board members will expand from six to eleven as a result of this. All eleven members have the right to vote, and all five new members were inspired to join after being motivated at the Foundation's Family & Scientific Conference that took place this past April in Orlando, FL.
Board members currently on the board are President Carlie Monnier, Vice-President Stephanie Fountain, Treasurer Jeff Thelen, Secretary Jennifer Higgins, Honorary Director Melissa Thelen, and Director Erin Camper. They will be joined by new members Ashlee Manjon-Stierstorfer, Katia Roda, Brigette Hinger, Stacy Nelson-O’Connell, and Linda Beck.
New NR2F1 Board Members
Katia Roda is a BBSOAS mom, an anesthetist, and a registered nurse. She and her husband, Sergei, live in Miami, Florida, with their two children, Nicholas, 7, and Aria, 5. Katia has worked as an ICU nurse for 20 years and as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for 12 years. She is passionate about building and maintaining a feeling of community for BBSOAS families as a BBSOAS mom.
Ashlee Manjon-Stierstorfer is a BBSOAS mom of Emma, age 4, and owns a sticker and shirt store in Phoenix, Arizona. She works as a Prior Authorization Specialist at a cancer center in addition to being a store owner and a full-time mom. Ashlee and her wife went on a quest to learn everything they could about BBSOAS after Emma was diagnosed in September 2019. She began overseeing the NR2F1 Foundation's social media accounts in 2021 and will continue to do so.
Stacy Nelson-O'Connell is a BBSOAS mom, a Certified Oola Life Coach, and an accounting specialist for small businesses. She is the mother of 15-year-old Rainah and currently resides in central Minnesota. Some of her favorite things are being with friends and family, having a good cup of coffee, and exploring new adventures. Stacy is excited to make a positive impact on the BBSOAS community.
Brigette Hinger is a BBSOAS mom to Brielle, age 11. She has another daughter Brooke, age 10, and lives in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. She contributes to the NR2F1 newsletter and manages the NR2F1 online store. Brigette homeschools her daughters and is a coach for the Special Olympics. Brigette has worked to raise awareness and provide support for BBSOAS families since Brielle's BBSOAS diagnosis. She feels privileged to be able to continue doing so while also serving on the foundation's board of directors.
Linda Beck is a BBSOAS mom, a personal assistant, and a photographer, and is the CNA for Penelope, her daughter. Residing in Colorado Springs. Linda has five children with her husband William: Garrett, 16, Landon, 12, Penelope, 6, Evelyn, 3, and Camilla, 3. At the end of June 2022, they are expecting their sixth child, a daughter. She likes to watch Hallmark movies, cook, bake, and make vanilla extract. Linda chose to join the board after Penelope received her diagnosis of BBSOAS so she could help other parents navigate the sibling connections that are frequently overlooked when families are caring for a special needs child.
The NR2F1 Foundation welcomes its newest members to the board of directors and looks forward to their unique contributions and commitment to the BBSOAS family and community.
