The ANRF Board of Directors is the governing body of the nonprofit, providing oversight, accountability and working with leadership on high-level strategy of the organization. During the past year, the board has welcomed three new board members. With open positions, and a rolling application process, board member applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
With a background in organizational development, talent management, labor relations and diversity and inclusion, Theresa Hanson, SHRM-SCP, brings her experience as a Human Resources Management Professional to her role as a board member, which is invaluable as the organization grows.
Currently, Hanson is the Director of People & Culture at RISE Partnership in Portland, Ore. In her role at RISE she serves on the leadership team and is responsible for evaluating, establishing, implementing and overseeing HR strategies, process, programs and policies as they are aligned with Respect, Integrity, Service and Equity — the core values of the organization. Prior to her role at RISE, Hansen worked in education and healthcare focused organizations and received her Business Administration degree from Warner Pacific University and belongs to the Society for Human Resource Professionals (SHRM) and the Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA). She resides with her family in Gresham, Ore.
Staci Stringer offers a unique and valuable voice as a member of the Board of Directors who has lived more than 17 years with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis—having been diagnosed as a teenager. With this dual diagnosis, she has had to make significant life choices, and sacrifices, because of the limitations the side effects cause, including giving up playing collegiate volleyball, altering her young professional career and moving closer to family to have the stability of support and care. With effective treatment options limited, and even running out, she knows how important the research that ANRF funds is, and brings a voice and perspective of inspiration to keep the progress toward a cure at the forefront.
Currently, Stringer resides in Medford, Ore. and is a Senior Account Manager at Siskiyou Sports. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Communications with a focus in Public Relations from the University of Oregon. She has coached volleyball through the years and is a member of American Volleyball Coaches Association, Volleyball Business Network, Social Media & Digital PR Business network and the Content Marketing Institute.
Joining the ANRF Board of Directors was important to Vespaan (Ves) Vafadari as his grandmother is impacted by the disease. As a Senior Audit Associate at Moss Adams, LLP in Irvine, Calif., Vafadari is a CPA and especially interested in Real Estate, Financial Services and Biotech. He has a strong technical background in accounting and auditing standards, is adept at utilizing research tools to consult and deal with complex accounting issues and takes pride in his work and the service he delivers to clients.
Vafadari believes a focus on customer service and attention to detail are imperative to success. He has a degree from the He routinely donates blood and platelets to the University of California Irvine Health Blood Donor Center, has volunteered with OneOC and participated in Walk to End Alzheimer’s. He enjoys traveling, reading, motorcycles and hiking with his wife and dog.
Meet the full ANRF Board of Directors: https://curearthritis.org/board-of-directors/
