Terri Ferinde is a partner with Collaborative Communications, where she supports organizations and ecosystems that ensure youth learn and thrive. Known for her work in afterschool systems building, she manages the 50 State Afterschool Network funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Terri was named one of the 25 most influential people in the afterschool sector by the National AfterSchool Association in 2014 and continues to connect people and organizations devoted to afterschool and summer learning. At Collaborative, Terri leads teams that develop innovative solutions with extraordinary results and lasting impact, offering deep expertise in education, out-of-school time learning, and youth development with exceptional skills in media and engagement, organizational learning, events, and digital solutions. Terri earned her Ed.D. at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College focused on organizational leadership and learning. She holds a master’s degree from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from American University. She grew up in the shadow of Pikes Peak and now strives to be outdoors exploring mountains and lakes with her dogs whenever possible.

Romena Akhter is a distinguished Business-Technology Executive with 25 years of experience driving transformative business programs across Retail, Industrial, Electronics, Healthcare, and Media services. She specializes in elevating customer experiences and accelerating growth through innovative ERP and digital technology solutions.

A champion of diversity and inclusion, Romena is committed to fostering cross-cultural connections and building diverse talent pipelines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Sciences/Economics from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and previously served in global technology leadership roles at Thomson Reuters for approximately 10 years.

Outside of work, Romena is actively engaged in community volunteerism with organizations including Feed My Starving Children, The Open Door, and Genesys Works. She enjoys traveling to national parks, exploring culinary experiences, and practicing yoga, biking, and hiking.

Danette Andley is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Health Care Business Group at 3M. She is responsible for driving demand generation and building sales and marketing competency. Prior to this role she held roles in Strategy and Business Development, Lean Six Sigma, Global Marketing, International Operations and Marketing Excellence, and Global Business Management. She has served as the Chair of the 3M Marketing Senate and Chair of the 3M U.S. Women’s Leadership Forum. Prior to joining 3M, Danette held positions at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri and Fleishman-Hillard She has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Danette lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband Abhi and is a proud mom of three children Ian, Ashwin, and Reya.

Marc Berejka has been a public policy strategist and advocate for 20+ years. Over time, he has woven into his practice coalition building, grassroots activation, academic engagement, fundraising, philanthropy, and more. He works with Brumidi Group, a D.C.-based advisory firm and has a particular focus on policies that leverage time outside to promote health and wellbeing.

For over a dozen years, Marc led REI Co-op’s government affairs and philanthropy. He built and oversaw REI’s approach to federal, state and local issues. He and his team also created the co-op’s Cooperative Action Network – a grassroots advocacy platform. In philanthropy, Marc co-founded and was inaugural President of the REI Cooperative Action Fund — a charity that allows the public to co-invest in efforts to make the outdoors more accessible.

Previously, Marc was technology policy advisor to the US Secretary of Commerce during the Obama Administration. Before that, he had various public policy roles at Microsoft. He holds a J.D. from Georgetown and a B.A. from Princeton.

Matthew Egan is managing director, strategy, at global brand consultancy Siegel+Gale. In his work, he partners closely with clients across a range of industries to help them define, design and deploy world-class brand experiences. Matt received a BS degree from Cornell University. Father to Lila (18), Matt is a recent empty nester and lives in Chappaqua, New York.

Mel Hooper, CEO of Camp Fire Alaska and a White-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy Fellow, joins the National Board of Trustees as an affiliate representative; Mel has been with Camp Fire Alaska since 2011 in various roles, bringing nearly two decades of leadership experience in outdoor education, childcare, summer camps, and community-based programs. She has spent over a decade working in partnership with Indigenous partners in Alaska to develop and deliver culturally relevant youth and intergenerational programs in remote Alaska Native communities. Hooper holds a B.A. in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University with a minor in Anthropology and enjoys gardening, bee-keeping, hiking, camping, fishing, crafting, and spending time with her husband and two huskies outdoors in Alaska.

Kecia (she, her, hers) has been the Executive Director of Camp Fire Central Oregon since 2013. She returned to her passion for youth development work after 20 years in the business sector. She holds a Masters degree in International and Intercultural Management with an emphasis in Training and Human Resource Development.

Previously she has been a creative business coach: helping entrepreneurs and small business owners discover how to make their passion a viable, sustainable, and profitable venture. Prior to that, she spent 10 years in the photography industry working alongside her brother to grow his business from three people in the garage to a 25-employee multi-million dollar company.

Thomas Mason brings technology leadership experience as Senior Director of Operations Information Technology at Petro Star Inc., a subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and previously worked at the Applied Physics Laboratory supporting Naval programs. Tom comes to the national board as a dedicated parent of four Camp Fire children and an eleven-year veteran board member from Camp Fire Alaska. His family’s connection to Camp Fire spans three generations, beginning with his mother, who was a Camp Fire Girl in the 1950s.

For 15 years, Chris has been a leading voice, advocate and champion for positive youth development. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of FIRST, a global robotics community that prepares young people for careers in STEM. Prior to that, Chris served as Chief Executive Officer of Positive Coaching Alliance, a youth sports training and content development organization, and the CEO of United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sport organization in the country. At both organizations, Chris led efforts to train millions of youth and amateur coaches, increase youth participation in recreational and competitive soccer programs worldwide, while transforming the lives of millions of youth, high school and collegiate athletes.

Before that, Chris was President and Chief Operating Officer of GENYOUTH, a youth empowerment organization founded by the National Dairy Council and National Football League (NFL), to create healthier school communities nationwide, while inspiring a generation of kids to “Fuel Up to Play 60” by exercising for 60 minutes per day and consuming healthier, nutrient-rich food options.

Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from Lake Forest College in Illinois and earned his MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a native Chicagoan, but currently resides in the suburbs of Dallas, TX with his wife of 23 years. They have two teenage sons, one of whom, a second-year college student at the University of Texas at Austin, and the other is a high school senior.

Ann Sheets spent 43 years with Camp Fire First Texas, as camp director and Sr. Vice-President for Finance and Administration, then retiring after serving as President/CEO. She served as co-chair of Camp Fire’s Charter Task Force and currently serves as a member of the national Finance Committee.

Her experience also includes numerous volunteer positions with the American Camp Association (ACA), including serving as national president and national treasurer. She is the author of The Business of Camp, ACA’s Guide to Staffing and ACA’s Guide to Financial Management, and edited the 9th edition of Basic Camp Management.

Ann is a graduate of East Texas State University and George Williams College (GWC), now a part of Aurora University, where she is a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. She was recognized as a GWC Distinguished Alumna, was named the Non-profit CFO of the Year by the Fort Worth Business Press and was honored with ACA’s Distinguished Service Award.

She currently works with BT Consulting and is a member of the Fort Worth Rotary Club and an instructor in the TCU Silver Frogs program. She has two adult children and one grandson.

Teresa W. Tucker, PhD, is a risk consultant at The Redwoods Group, focusing on child-abuse prevention, aquatic safety, and practical risk-management strategies for youth-serving organizations. She brings more than 30 years of experience in youth development, including roles as Assistant Director of Accreditation at the American Camp Association and as a camp professional for programs serving children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

In addition to her consulting work, Teresa serves as an adjunct faculty member in Clemson University’s Non-Profit Leadership Program, where she teaches students the fundamental principles of leading and managing mission-driven organizations. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to supporting camps and other youth-serving groups in creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people can thrive.

Andrea Woods is an experienced vice president with a demonstrated history of results in the food & beverage industry. She is skilled in organizational strategy, operations management, sales & marketing, and research & design. Andrea has an M.B.A. in Global Business and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. She is currently writing her dissertation to achieve a Doctoral in Business Administration. Andrea has been with the Compass Group for 17 years in various roles throughout the organization. Andrea resides in Georgia with her husband, Tony. She loves to spend her free time reading, cooking, playing competitive tennis and spoiling her grandkids.