President
Margaret Chappell
President-Elect
Marsha Bechtold
Marsha joined Assistance League of Bend in 2006 after moving to Bend from Pleasanton, California. She has served on the Board as VP Resource Development, Assistant Treasurer, Public Relations Chairman and Chapter House Chairman. She has played Mrs. Claus for Breakfast with Santa, co-chaired the annual gala, and served as silent auction chair. She volunteered with the Pleasanton Girls Soccer Association for 11 years, watching the organization grow from 600 girls to over 2,000, and served as district registrar. She loves helping kids and has served on every committee at least once, learning from each one of them, and has attended the National Assistance League Conference. She loves travel and gardening, and considers herself a foodie.
Vice President, Membership
Susan Heberlein
Susan is a native Oregonian. She joined Assistance League of Bend in 2019 after retiring from the Bend LaPine School District after 22 years. Susan was an elementary school teacher, then received her master’s degree from the University of Oregon and became an administrator. She served as Principal of High Lakes Elementary School for 8 years. It was during her tenure in the Bend LaPine Schools that she became so familiar with Operation School Bell and Assistance League of Bend. She witnessed firsthand the significant impact the program had on her students’ success rates and confidence levels. When she retired, Assistance League of Bend was a natural fit for her, as she still wanted to make a difference in the lives of underserved children. She served for 2 years as Chairman of Operation School Bell and on the Board of Directors during Covid, which in itself presented many new challenges in finding ways to continue meeting the basic needs of children. Susan was also on the 2023 Kitchen Kaleidoscope Committee. Susan’s varied career also includes 15 years in computer sales, managing Fortune 500 accounts. Her diversified experience has definitely made her an asset to Assistance League of Bend.
Vice President, Philanthropic Programs
Renata Beck
Renata spent her early years in Asia and Africa and she loves to travel. When her father retired they came to the US and settled in Eastern Oregon. In 1986 she married Joe and they moved to Central Oregon in 1989. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Oregon, later earned a master’s degree in counseling and is still a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She worked for the Department of Human Services for 35 years and retired in 2022. During her tenure with the State, she had a variety of roles and responsibilities including two gubernatorial appointments to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Renata likes outdoor activities, reading, and entertaining. She and her husband enjoy doing volunteer work and she has served on many local non-profit boards throughout the years. Since joining Assistance League of Bend she has volunteered with Cinderella’s Closet and is a member of the following committees: Breakfast with Santa, Bylaws, Clothing Bundles, Hospitality, Literacy, and These Kids are Cookin’.
Vice President, Resource Development
Andrea Hays
Andrea joined Assistance League of Bend in 2020 shortly after moving to Bend from Kirkland, Washington. She grew up in the Los Angeles area and earned a BS and MS in Computer Science. She worked as a software engineer at companies in Los Angeles, Denver, Boulder, and Santa Clara. She has volunteered for her churches, leading Sunday school, adult Bible studies and participating in music groups. She has also helped serve food at homeless shelters. When her son was born, she became very involved in the PTA at his various schools. She spent many hours assisting at his Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop as well. Since joining Assistance League of Bend, she has served as Secretary for two years and has also actively participated in Operation School Bell and Secret Santa.
Vice President, Marketing Communications
Ann Schmidt
Originally from the NW suburbs of Chicago, Ann moved to Portland looking to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest. After 20+ years in a rainy climate, including an expatriate assignment in The Netherlands, Ann and her husband moved to Bend to continue more outdoor adventures.
Ann retired in 2022 after a 30+ year HR career working in both the athletic footwear/apparel and healthcare industries. Since her retirement, Ann is focused on giving back to the Bend community. As part of the Assistance League of Bend, her first leadership role was co-chairing the Clothing Bundles Committee which provides new clothing to kids moving into foster care. Ann also serves as an HR consultant to small, local non-profits and regularly volunteers at a food pantry.
Hobbies include international travel, hiking, strength training, music, and healthy cooking.
Secretary
Holly Bence
Holly’s connection to Central Oregon dates back to her great-grandparents, who homesteaded what is now Sunriver. She grew up in Clackamas County, Oregon, and after earning her degree in Rhode Island, she moved to Southern California, where she met her husband, Greg. A few years into their marriage and with 2 small children in tow, Holly and Greg made a family move to Central Oregon while Greg worked internationally. Their third child was born here, but the family began to follow Greg’s career, relocating to various states and countries, while keeping their home in Redmond. Throughout these years, Holly embraced opportunities to volunteer with schools, churches, and communities across different cultures worldwide. In 2022, with their youngest child graduating from high school and Greg retiring, Holly and Greg found more time to spend in Central Oregon. Inspired by the diverse volunteer opportunities offered by ALB, Holly joined in 2023, quickly becoming involved in programs like Kitchen Kaleidoscope, ALB Hospitality and Operation School Bell.
Treasurer
Cindy Conrad
Cindy and her husband Jeff moved to Oregon from Irvine, California in December 2017 for all the fun reasons many move here from ‘somewhere else’. They were both originally from the East Coast but now love it here in Bend. They have 2 children, 2 grandchildren and a third grandchild is due next month. Cindy and her husband also have a 4 year old Australian Shepherd who keeps them pretty active. Cindy joined Assistance League last summer after visiting the Kitchen Kaleidoscope event and was drawn to the dedication and commitment of the members who worked tirelessly for the benefit of so many in our community. Professionally, Cindy is an Enrolled Agent and a Licensed Tax Consultant (LTC) in Oregon and enjoys working more seasonally now. She is also active in several professional organizations and previously served in the capacity of officer or director for many years. She enjoys being outdoors and with friends. Skiing and hiking are her favorite activities, closely followed by kayaking, spending time with friends and traveling with her husband and family.
Assistant Treasurer
Lisa Sarmiento
Lisa and her husband, David, moved to Bend from California in 2004 to raise their two children and participate in all the activities that make Central Oregon such a great place to live. Lisa joined Assistance League in 2005 after attending a Kitchen Kaleidoscope event. She is passionate about supporting children and families through the Operation School Bell Program and has worked behind the scenes to coordinate school shopping events for the last five years.
Professionally, Lisa has a background in accounting. She manages her husband’s business and recently spent a year managing a local sports car repair shop (she is a sports car enthusiast).
Lisa’s favorite pastime is hiking. An activity that has lead her to hike three different routes of the Camino de Santiago. Travel, spending time with friends, family and pets…. or really anything that takes her outside tops Lisa’s list of favorite activities.
Grant Writing Chairman
Joan Craig
Joan was born and raised in Southern California. In 1978 she and her husband moved to Newberg, Oregon with their two children and started their own business in Portland. In 1979, they started vacationing in Sunriver and fell in love with Bend. In 1999, after their children were married and beginning their own lives, Joan and her husband decided to sell their business and retire in Bend. Looking for ways to give back to the community, a friend of Joan’s convinced her to join Assistance League in 2001. In the 23 years that Joan has been a member, she has held many positions including President from 2005-2007 and again in 2016-2017, as well as her most recent position as Vice President of Philanthropic programs in 2022-2024. Over the years, she has also chaired many Assistance League fundraisers and committees. Joan also served on the National Philanthropic Committee for five years. She is passionate about Assistance League and enjoys her work with the organization.
Operation School Bell Chairman
Meredith Kellogg
Meredith grew up in a military family and, as an “Army Brat”, landed in Bend in 2012. Wanting to connect with the community in a meaningful way, Meredith joined Assistance League Bend in 2015. In her 9 years as a member, she has served as Vice President of Membership and as chairman of Strategic Planning. She has served on multiple committees, and has been chairman of These Kids Are Cookin’, Secret Santa, and Orientation Training. When she is not volunteering for Assistance League, Meredith enjoys reading, chasing the perfect glass of wine, and being host to friends and family when they visit Bend.
Strategic Planning Chairman
Marla Anderson
After graduating from Ohio State University, Marla had a long and successful retail career working in the footwear industry for over 35 years. Marla was the President and CEO of Lady Footlocker and Lane Bryant. She continues as a consultant for a large footwear company. Marla was an organizing member of Trenton’s Dress for Success branch and a regular volunteer for the Princeton National Rowing Association. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Marla and her husband Bill moved to Bend 8 years ago from just outside Princeton, New Jersey. They immediately fell in love with Bend’d beautiful landscape, the endless hiking trails, kayaking, and golf. Knowing that she wanted to give back more to the community, Marla joined Assistance League of Bend in 2019. Since joining Assistance League Marla has been an active member of various committees including, Operation School Bell, Marketing, and Strategic Planning. In 2022-2023, she served as Vice President of Resource Development and is currently co-chairman of Cinderella’s Closet.
Bylaws/
Parliamentarian
Connie Dean
Connie retired and moved to Bend in 2001 from Irvine, California. Connie’s career path included paralegal work, purchasing manager, marketing and sales executive with Commonwealth Aluminum and eventually Operations Manager for Reliance Metal Center. Connie joined Assistance League of Bend in 2002 and has held positions of Newsletter Editor, Hours Chairman, Operation School Bell Co-Chairman and Chairman, VP of Philanthropic Programs, President Elect and President in 2011-12. Connie helped start the Risk Management Committee and has served on other committees including Finance, Bylaws, Resource Development, OSB, Philanthropic Programs, Gala, Secret Santa, Breakfast with Santa, and has either chaired or co-chaired the Kitchen Kaleidoscope Fundraiser 10 times. In 2008 Connie was awarded the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award, and in 2024 the Anne Banning Leadership Award.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Advisory Council, composed of representative members of the community, serves the corporation in an advisory capacity. They review and offer advice on Assistance League of Bend’s financials, programs and fundraising activities as well as provide in-kind professional expertise when appropriate. As ambassadors for Assistance League of Bend, they are a critical interface between the organization and community leaders. Council members serve for three-year terms.
Bob Shaw
Retired Chief Meteorologist/Community Affairs Director, News Channel 21
Erin K. MacDonald
Partner, Best Best & Krieger Attorneys at Law
Beth Miller
National/Regional Sales Manager,
Combined Communications, Inc.
Chris Schroeder-Fain
Retired Wealth Management, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Susie Stevens
Retired Executive Director/Facilitator Development Director. Opportunity Knocks