About

Andrew is outreach services manager for the EducationQuest Foundation in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He works with community agencies in western and central Nebraska to help clients research college options, find scholarship resources, learn about financial aid, complete college applications and complete the FAFSA.

Andrew joined the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors in 2020.

The importance of volunteerism was instilled in Denise at a young age by her parents, who demonstrated the value of giving back to a cause greater than themselves. Her motivation stems from a deep appreciation for nonprofits that seek to improve the quality of life for others—one program at a time.

Denise is a native of Alliance and has been an active volunteer in the nonprofit community. Most recently she served as the board president for the Alliance Recreation Center from 2014 through 2020. She is the materials manager at Parker-Hannifin, where she has worked for the past nine years.

Denise joined the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors in 2021.

Since 2020, Dustin has served as a board member and treasurer for the Snow-Redfern Foundation. He is a Kansas native, Red Angus cattle producer and senior vice president of Farmers State Bank in Alliance.

In 2000, Dustin earned an Agricultural Economics degree from Kansas State University and has been in community banking since his graduation.

Dustin moved to the Nebraska panhandle in 2012, is active as an Alliance Rotarian with the Crawford FFA Alumni and is a production agriculture advocate. Outside of work and volunteering, he can most often be found working on the ranch or spending time with friends and family.

Dustin joined the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors in 2020.

Leslie is currently the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She is originally from Hemingford and prior to her career in higher education, Leslie worked for seven years as an attorney practicing law throughout the panhandle with Simmons Olsen Law Firm. Leslie has experience with a variety of boards and organizations aimed toward impacting lives and communities within the panhandle, and throughout the State. The importance of giving back to others and the community was instilled in Leslie from her parents and grandparents, as well as from the family found in her employers. She looks forward to the opportunity to continue to make an impact with the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors.
Her service to the Snow-Redfern board is informed by two strong beliefs. First, “Each person is made in the image of God and each life is sacred.” Second, “Each of us is blessed to be a blessing.” These beliefs echo in Snow-Redfern’s efforts to help young people strive and succeed in spite of challenging circumstances. The young poet Amanda Gorman reminds us that “…there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” The Snow-Redfern Foundation, those we support and our benefactors who make the work possible are lights. The light that is shared helps young people embrace their own light, ensuring we all will have a brighter future.

Ellen joined the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors in 2015.

Teresa, her husband Tom, and their two children Wade and Josie ranch northeast of Alliance in the sandhills. In addition to ranching, she manages Diamond T Livestock Services, a business she started 26 years ago that operates nationally with a focus in the beef industry.

Teresa is passionate about youth programs and not only has a vision to see all youth thrive, but to grow and develop into leaders. She devotes many volunteer hours to youth and community programs and loves everything about western Nebraska – especially the rural setting and the people.

She is blessed to have the opportunity to serve on the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors and is committed to having a positive impact on the people and organizations they are involved with.

Jordan Diedrich is the Executive Director of Twin Cities Development. Jordan started with the organization in January of 2022. He has lived in Nebraska for 12 years, 7 of those years in Western Nebraska. Jordan was previously the Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Scottsbluff for five years. He has a passion for community engagement and has been involved with NEXT Young Professionals, Riverside Discovery Center, and United Way. He is also a graduate of Leadership Scotts Bluff. Jordan has a 5-year-old daughter, Olivia who is a kindergartener at St. Agnes, and a two-year-old, Charlotte. His wife is a counselor at Gering Public High School.

Jordan joined the board in January 2024.

Sean joined the board in January, 2022.

Mara is native of Alliance and has served as an executive director, grant writer, and board member for several nonprofits in rural Nebraska. With additional experience as a business manager and elected government official, Mara has worked with a broad range of organizations to build partnerships, braid missions, and achieve common purposes that benefit youth and families. Currently, Mara is the director of grant services for Fox Creek based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mara joined the Snow Red-Fern Board of Directors in 2021.

Stephanie Vadnais serves as the Program and Compliance Specialist at Beyond School Bells, a program of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. In her position, Stephanie plays a crucial role in providing support to Afterschool and Summer programs throughout the state of Nebraska. Growing up in Aurora, she is deeply committed to strengthening all of Nebraska’s communities by fostering strong relationships and providing extensive resources. Stephanie flourishes in collaborative environments that acknowledge, empower, and celebrate the unique qualities of individuals. Stephanie currently lives in Lincoln with her husband Jesse, two sons (11 and 8), and their lovable Goldendoodle.

Stephanie joined the board in January 2024.

Brett is a mental health therapist as well as co-owner at Seasons of Hope Counseling in Alliance. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011 and completed his Masters in Community Counseling at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2014. Brett worked at Mercy Hospital’s inpatient psychiatric unit in Council Bluffs, IA for nearly 8 years. He then became the lead program therapist that the Child and Adolescent Partial Program. This position allowed Brett to work closely with youth struggling with mental health needs as well as coordinate care. He then joined a private practice in the Omaha area for two years before moving to Alliance and starting Seasons of Hope Counseling.

Brett was born and raised in Omaha and met his wife Taylor, an Alliance native, while she was living in Omaha. They moved to Alliance in 2020 and have a son Oliver who is 4 years old and currently attends St. Agnes Pre-School and a daughter, Theadora, who will be one years old in February.

Brett joined the board in January 2024.

Coming Soon

Eirich is a native of Bayard, NE, raised on the family farming/ranch operation near Chimney Rock. He is passionate about youth development, resilient rural communities and being an advocate for agriculture.

With degrees from the University of Wyoming (BS) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MS), he has spent nearly 20 years with Nebraska Extension focusing on 4-H & Youth Development and Beef Cattle Systems, but more recently in University Engagement and Extension Administration.

Rob and his wife, Joanna reside near Scottsbluff. They enjoy spending time with Joanna’s grown children and two grandsons. Other interests and hobbies include photography, watching or judging livestock show, and visiting his brothers on the family operation.

Rob joined the Snow-Redfern Foundation board in 2023.

Ramona Tarin has served children and families for over 30 years in the foster care system. A first-generation college graduate who got her diploma later in life, Tarin has a passion for building up and supporting people through connection and encouragement. Currently, she serves as Director of Sibling, Youth, Family Connections through Nebraska and Children & Families Foundation, where she promotes families and communities coming together to support her passion of connection in a world where it is so easy to be isolated. She hopes to see people from hard places learn to thrive with the help and support of community just like she found over the years. Tarin is married to her husband David, has two children, one granddaughter who she adores!

Jason became Associate Dean of Community and Workforce Education for Central Community College in March 2020. Prior to his current role, Jason served as the Associate Dean of Skilled and Technical Science for Central Community College at the Columbus Campus, serving Columbus, Grand Island, and Kearney for one year. Jason was promoted to Associate Dean of Students in August 2012, serving until 2019 on the Hastings Campus. Jason joined Central Community College as Grand Island's Career and Employment Services Director in September 2010. Before coming to Central Community College, Jason served in many leadership roles at the Boys Town Emergency Shelter in Grand Island, NE. Jason served as a Youth Care Worker, Shift Supervisor, and the Director of In-Home Family Services for the area. Under his leadership, Jason has been involved in many areas of growth for Central Community College, serving students and staff in many strategic endeavors. Jason has been instrumental in developing the CARE team college-wide, and he is a Civil Rights Investigator credentialed as a level four investigator since 2013 through AXTIxA. Jason has served as a student conduct administrator (ASCA certified) as well as worked collaboratively with Residence Life, Admissions, Disability Services (504), Counseling Services, Financial Aid, and Equity Action Committee, as well as serving on many committees within the college. Jason recently has shifted focus to providing leadership in Community and Workforce Education. Jason works collaboratively with Early College students, Certified Nursing Assistant/ Medication Aide, CPR/First Aid, EMS, and Community Education. In addition, Jason works with area Businesses and Industries to provide Training and Development opportunities in the areas of Leadership Training, Industrial Training, Environmental Health Training, and Customized training to meet the needs of employers within the region.

A 2009 Graduate of Bellevue University, Jason graduated with a Master of Science degree in Counseling. Jason earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Jason completed his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed. d) at Doane University. Jason defended his dissertation (How Women in community college leadership experience gender bias) in November 2023 and Graduated in December 2023

Jason is active in the Hastings community and hopes to be more involved at the State level. In Hastings, he is a current Executive board member as well as serving on the board for the United Way of South-Central Nebraska as well and a past Board Member of the Area Substance Abuse and Alcohol and Abuse Prevention Board (2012-2019). In addition, Jason served as a Board Member for the Spousal Abuse Sexual Assault Crisis Center (SASA) for two years. Jason is serving a term on the Leadership NE Alumni Board and he is a member of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. Jason graduated from Leadership Hastings and Leadership Tomorrow (Grand Island, NE). Jason is a member of the Hastings area Whitetails Unlimited chapter, the Hastings area Ducks Unlimited chapter, and the Hastings Pheasants Forever chapter. Jason is a 4 Rivers Sportsman Club member and is active in many community committees.

Megan is currently the Manager of Customer Engagement for the fifth largest public gas utility in the United States, Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) of Omaha. In her work there, her passion lies with community outreach and helping fundraising efforts for the M.U.D. Home Fund, a program where 100% of donations goes directly to helping families in need receive utility assistance.

Megan is excited for the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of children in Nebraska. She was raised in Alliance, NE before leaving after high school to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney and ultimately moving to Omaha to be closer to family. She still has strong ties to her hometown as the softball complex in Alliance is named after her father, Hal Murray.

Megan joined the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors in 2023.

Sara Wilcox is the Executive Director of the Snow-Redfern Foundation, where she leads the organization's efforts to empower youth, inspire changemakers, and energize partnerships for impact. With a background in nonprofit management within child and youth systems of care and a passion for participatory philanthropy, Sara is committed to amplifying community wisdom, youth voice, meaningful engagement, and collaborative learning. Prior to joining the Snow-Redfern Foundation, Sara held leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations, where she gained valuable experience in program implementation and development, strategic planning, and building partnerships for impact.

Sara is passionate about weaving innovative solutions and youth-driven practices into all aspects of the child-serving spectrum, cultivating opportunities, and leveraging the power of collaboration. She envisions a future centering on the leadership, wisdom, and voices of youth and the communities that raise them up, including redistributing power to youth and communities directly affected by issues addressed through philanthropic funding support.

Sara is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and has received various certifications over the years. Her greatest blessing is to be a wife and the mother of two amazing young adults, two active teenagers, and a dog that believes he is a child. Though she is passionate about her work, she also enjoys teaching yoga, hiking, reading, camping, and serving on other nonprofit boards.

Amy has had several roles with the Snow-Redfern Foundation, formerly known as Nebraska Boys Ranch, over the 30 years she has served. First, she served as a house parent at the Ranch with her husband, Steve, which encompassed a variety of responsibilities for the care of the residents.

Amy then worked as an assistant to the campus administrator at the Ranch. The last few years before the Ranch closed, she worked at the business office in Alliance. After the Foundation evolved into a grantmaking entity, Amy was offered a part-time position as an executive assistant. Steve and Amy have three children—Danny, Allison and Scott—who grew up at the Ranch.

“It is very heartwarming to see how the Foundation continues Arvilla Snow-Redfern’s wishes of helping youth and families across Nebraska.”
Amy is a true living demonstration of the foundation’s mission and has given her all to serving her community and youth. Her dedication and hard work are beyond comparison and her smile lights up every room she enters.

Amy has been with Snow-Redfern for nearly 35 years!

Maycee Quick is currently a Master of Business Administration student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management with minors in Business Management and Leadership Communications. As a Western Nebraska native, Maycee is ecstatic to facilitate community engagement and youth empowerment across the state as the Youth Engagement Coordinator.

Currently, Maycee is the SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement) Graduate Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her role focuses on leading a student advisory board that promotes student involvement across the student population. Maycee has worked in strategic event planning and community growth within a variety of communities in Nebraska through Rural Extension. She is excited to be working with the Snow-Redfern Foundation as this position aligns perfectly with her vision of empowering youth and enhancing community systems throughout Nebraska.