Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
Marie Caldwell has worked both in education and as a community builder across the region for over 30 years. She is a graduate of Montague Elementary, Yreka High School, received her BA at University of California, Santa Barbara and completed her graduate work at Simpson University. She has held both nonprofit and education agency positions in Siskiyou County: teacher, principal, superintendent, and most recently as a Director of the SiskiyouWorks Collective Impact project.
She has and will continue to bring dollars, expertise, & programs into our County & Region to support helping students make the connection to a life long learning and the ability to succeed in multiple careers.
Ashli Weiss is an attorney with over a decade of diverse legal experience, including roles at Benefit Cosmetics, Western Digital, Tory Burch, and Louis Vuitton. She provides strategic counsel on complex legal matters to global clients.
Ashli mentors emerging tech companies through 500 Startups and previously served as Chief Legal Advisor for WomenTech Network. Her insights have been featured in major publications such as The Guardian, NBC News, and Nasdaq.
She currently serves as a Board Member and Secretary for College & Career Options, helping guide the organization’s growth to become one of rural Northern California’s most active nonprofits.
Ashli grew up in Jones Valley, attended Bella Vista, graduated from Bishop Quinn, earned her Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of the Law, and holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from San Francisco State University.
Chad Scott is a Redding native dedicated to the enrichment of the North State area. After graduating from Shasta High School and completing a year abroad in Italy as a Rotary International exchange student, Chad began his college career at Shasta College before transferring to SDSU to study International Security and Conflict Resolution, with a minor in Italian. After returning to Redding, he joined the Shasta Builders Exchange and was promoted by the board to the position of Executive Director in 2018.
Under his leadership, the Shasta Builders Exchange Community Fund served as the fiscal agent for the community’s 2018 Carr Fire reconstruction efforts and helped over 50 families rebuild their homes. Dedicated to the success of the North State’s small businesses, Chad has secured both state and federal funds to help local employers train and retain promising employees and trade professionals and continues to engage with local partners to develop economic opportunities in northern California.
In addition to his work responsibilities, he regularly volunteers at local events and devotes time as a board member for a number of local organizations including, one of his favorites, College and Career Options!
Chad continues to seek personal and professional growth opportunities, recently graduating from Leadership Redding and being selected as the club president of Redding West Rotary for 2024.
Laura Gerhard is the Vice President of Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients and International Branded businesses. Laura leads the day-to-day operations providing strategic leadership for the world’s largest processor and marker of almonds, overseeing international market expansion and driving innovation ingredient expertise. She is responsible for accelerating growth across the product portfolio, which includes Blue Diamond branded products and a growing array of almond-based ingredients such as almond protein powder, almond butter, and flavored almonds. Laura began her career with Blue Diamond Growers in 2017 as Director, Strategy and Planning with Global Ingredients where she has driven business growth, developed a strong team and organized strategic planning. In 2020 Laura’s role was expanded as she assumed responsibility for Global Ingredient Division Marketing. Laura was promoted to lead the Global Ingredient Division in 2021.
Laura has worked in food and agriculture for over 25 years. Prior to her tenure at Blue Diamond, Laura held various leadership positions at Cargill where she gained rich experience in global commodity trading, demonstrated a commitment to product innovation, customer development, and strategic planning. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Finance from Saint Olaf College and a master’s degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University. Laura is also actively engaged on industry committees and boards, further showcasing her dedication to advancing the agriculture and food sectors.
Mike Logan grew up in the mountains of Colorado and later moved to Yuba City. He graduated from Chico State College. He has over 30 years of experience in building nonprofit organizations. He has a proven track record in addressing issues such as foster care, youth homelessness, and educational services for school-age youth. Mike created Children First in 1999, scaling it to a significant organization serving multiple counties. He has demonstrated expertise in obtaining national accreditation and has been actively involved in the California Alliance Association and nationally with the Family Focused Treatment Association.
Mike possesses a strong understanding of organizational scaling and securing funding, having raised substantial amounts to support homeless students. He has strategically obtained and implemented mental health and school contracts, as well as secured millions of dollars in grants for sustainable programs. As a mentor and leader, Mike has served as a board member for various nonprofits, including community college committees and County boards. Mike Co-Founded Kawasaki Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating Kawasaki Disease, with a cardiologist at Colorado Children’s hospital, He has a particular expertise in scaling organizations through innovation, including the creation of a virtual program for foster care agency recruitment.
Mike’s background includes service in the Army at the Pentagon and directing an early hospital-based treatment program in northern California. He has also been involved in community service, such as assisting medical personnel in Mexico.
Mike and his wife have 8 grandchildren who he likes to ski and workout with.