Board of Directors:
Rhonda Meadows - Vice President & Director
Owner, HR Solutions Consulting
Rhonda has been an devoted advocate for foster youth for decades. Meadows doesn’t just talk about making change, she makes change happen. She founded Bridge Meadows in 2004, an intergenerational community in North Portland with a mission of promoting permanency, community, and caring relationships for adoptive families of foster children while offering meaningful purpose in the lives of older adults. It has created a sense of peace for foster youth and purpose for all who live there.
She went on to establish Project Lemonade in 2011. This program allows Portland area foster youth the unique opportunity to shop for new and nearly new clothing at no charge to them or their foster families. This highly successful mission builds self-esteem and sets these children for success in school.
Meadows has served on several non-profit Boards including Chairperson for SEI (Self Enhancement Inc) and was Vice Chair of Programming for CASA Board of Directors. She is also a University of Oregon College of Arts and Science board member.
Rhonda has worked in the Human Resources field for over 30 years and currently owns her own HR consulting firm, HR Solutions Consulting.
Anthony Preston- President & Director
Anthony was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where he was placed into the foster care system at the tender age of seven. His upbringing and early years were shaped by the foster care system, where he remained under the state’s care until he aged out at 21.
Anthony lived with multiple families, moved six times, and shared his life with nearly 100 foster brothers. His journey was far from smooth, as kids in foster care often encounter difficulties when it comes to finding a sense of belonging. Trusting others and connecting with individuals who truly believe in your potential and are willing to push you to excel can be daunting.
Anthony was fortunate enough to have a few dedicated individuals circle around him who made the effort to understand his unique circumstance and encouraged him to complete his high school education.
Anthony defied the odds and went on to pursue a college education, earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is now a police officer. Today, Anthony is happily married to his wife Aleisha. and is father to his infant daughter, Amara.
Aleisha Preston - Director
Owner and Director, Academia Early Learning Center
Aleisha was born and raised in Oregon. Aleisha is a first generation college graduate and is passionate about our school systems. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Early/Elementary Education. It was in the classroom setting that Aleisha saw the holes within our education system. She saw the way trauma was impacting the students around her, and she saw youth desperate for someone to stand in the gap for them. It is this experience that makes her passionate about Anthony’s Circle and advocating for foster youth. Aleisha has recently completed a Masters Degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling that she hopes to use to continue her work with youth. Aleisha is married to her husband Anthony, and has welcomed their new baby girl into the world.
Lisa McBride - Treasurer & Director
Senior Buyer & Commodity Manager Rakuten International
Lisa serves as the Treasurer for Anthony's Circle, bringing over a decade of experience in financial management and a deep commitment to supporting our youth. With a robust background in accounting, Lisa has worked in various finance roles for over 12 years, ensuring accurate and efficient financial operations. Additionally, as a foster parent, Lisa possesses a personal understanding of the challenges and needs of youth experiencing foster care.
Lisa's unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience ensures that our funds are effectively utilized to maximize the impact of our Educational Navigator program. Her dedication to fiscal responsibility and transparency helps drive our mission to increase high school graduation rates for students experiencing foster care in Oregon. In this role, Lisa is instrumental in managing the resources necessary to provide stability, support, and encouragement for these deserving students.
Vanessa DeHaan - Secretary & Director
Financial Advisor, Vista Capital Partners
Vanessa serves as the Secretary for Anthony’s Circle. She also enjoys coaching her daughter’s youth volleyball team. Through coaching, she’s learned that developing foundational skills and building young girls’ confidence makes a meaningful impact on and off the volleyball court. Vanessa feels blessed to extend her impact and support Anthony’s Circle’s mission of empowering foster youth through education.
Vanessa provides financial advice to individuals, families, and non-profit organizations as a financial advisor at Vista Capital Partners, an independent wealth management firm based in Portland. She studied Finance and Accounting at Loyola University Chicago and later obtained her CPA and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNING TM certificates.
Jamie Holden - Director
Independent Licensed Family Therapist
Jamie Holden has worked with children, teens, families and couples in a school and/or therapeutic setting. As a licensed therapist, she has experience with the many aspects of the mental health profession, specializing in the trauma, relationships and life stressors. Along with her time spent as a therapist, Jamie has enjoyed teaching Parent Education to parents throughout various schools and organizations. Jamie is looking forward to being on the Board of Anthony’s Circle acting in a supportive role for the Educational Navigators and communicating their needs to the Board.
Sarah Graves - Director
Other Members:
Lisa Klarp - Program Manager
Ashley Irish - Event Lead