Our Vision
Our vision is to empower all children to develop the self-confidence they need to succeed.
Our Mission
With your generosity, we fund youth empowerment programs that provide marginalized kids with a safe place to call home, a family that loves them, a feeling of community, and opportunities to learn, build self-esteem, and have fun.
Our Views On Diversity & Inclusion
Our core mission is centered around cultivating a space that radiates warmth, inclusivity, and friendship, where every individual can confidently explore their potential. We are resolute in our commitment to upholding equal opportunities for all, irrespective of backgrounds or circumstances. Our unwavering dedication extends to the creation of a nurturing community that celebrates individuality, nurturing an environment for not just survival, but for meaningful growth and realization of personal potential. Click here to review our DEI Policy.
Learn About Us
+ See Our Vision for the Future
Get to Know Our Board of Directors
Aaron Riley
Chairman of the Board
Community Activist. I get involved by diving in headfirst to tackle the problems facing our community. In everything I do, I fight to ensure social justice, empowerment, equality, and enrichment for all.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since May 2020
Member, Grants Administration Committee
Affliations:
Long-term Care Ombudsman, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners
Consultant, New Leaf America
Commissioner, City of Spokane Human Rights Commission
Former Planning and Evaluation Specialist, Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County
Education:
B.A. Business Administration, Ohio Dominican University
Member, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society
Lori Brennan, MBA, RHIA, CHC
Interim and Treasurer and Secretary
Rule Follower. I use my experience in healthcare management, patient privacy, HIPAA, compliance, and auditing to dig into the heart of it all; building and strengthening relationships based on trust and transparency.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since April 2019
Chair, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Member, Grants Administration Committee
Affiliations:
Corporate Compliance & Privacy Manager: Inland Northwest Region, Multicare Health System
Education:
MBA, Western Governors University
B.S. Health Administration, University of Phoenix
Matt Cronrath
Board Member
Analytical Strategist. With a deep commitment to financial excellence and a passion for cloud technology, I bring a comprehensive understanding of complex financial landscapes to every role I undertake. My career is marked by my ability to streamline operations, enhance financial reporting, and drive organizational growth. As a Certified Public Accountant, I am dedicated to ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial processes, while my background in diverse industries provides a unique perspective on financial management. Outside of work, I stay active by embracing outdoor activities, a passion that started during my time on the Track and Field team at Washington State University.
Committee Positions:
Member, Executive Governance Committee, Believe in Me
Affiliations:
Controller, Vega Cloud
Former Assistant Controller, KEEN
Former Assistant Controller, Crypto, TradeStation
Former Manager of External Reporting, Avista
Former Senior Assurance, CliftonLarsonAllen
Former CPA, Tax and Assurance Associate, CliftonLarsonAllen
Education:
B.A. Accounting, Washington State University - College of Business and Economics
Shawn Davis
Board Member
Creative Genius. I help make community connections through integrated digital storytelling. Over the past thirty years I've used my diverse talents to creatively connect people with the solutions they are seeking.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since July 2020
Chair, Marketing and Fundraising Committee
Member, Video Production Team
Affiliations:
Principal and Creative Director, Zipline Interactive
Former Creative Director, ROBiDEAX Marketing and Design
Education / Awards:
B.S. Communications & Advertising, Washington State University
2013 AAF Spokane Ad Fed Ad Pro of the Year
Mark Guzman
Board Member
Innovative Visionary. With a robust background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and privacy enablement, I drive forward-thinking strategies that blend cutting-edge technology with ethical considerations. Throughout my career, I have championed the integration of privacy-centric solutions, empowered teams to achieve operational excellence, and consistently delivered impactful results across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, e-commerce, and cloud services. My passion lies in mentoring others and shaping a future where technology serves humanity responsibly and innovatively.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since May 2024
Chair, AI Ethics Committee - iLevelUP
Affiliations:
AI/ML - Senior Product Manager, Privacy Enablement, Apple
Personal Development Advisor, Nanu LLC
Former Staff Program Manager, Aurora
Former Technical Program Manager - Senior Team Lead, Advanced Technologies Group, Uber
Former Vice President, Earth 24/7
Former Senior Customer Success Manager, Mighty AI
Former DevOps Engineer, Slalom Consulting
Former Technical Program Manager, Boeing
Former Supply Chain & Operations Business Analyst, Zumiez
Former Process Analyst, Expeditors International
Education:
B.S. Computer Science, University of Washington
Dan Menser
Board Member
Diplomatic Liaison. I like to bring people together and help find common benefits to maximize value for the participants. And in so doing over the span of time and deals, add just a bit to the global good.
Committee Positions:
Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Affiliations:
Chairman, Alliance of Angels
General Counsel, Teal Communications, Inc.
Member of the Board of Advisors, Pollen System Corporation & Everyvine Corporation
Education / Awards:
J.D. Program - Cum Laude, Seattle University School of Law
B.A. Finance - Cum Laude, Washington State University
Keith Trefry
Board Member
Legal Eagle. I serve as the Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Washington University and the Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Washington State University.
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since August 2022
Member, Finance, Property Management, and Investments Committee
Affiliations:
Partner, Paine Hamblen LLP
Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Eastern Washington University
Alumni Advisory Board for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Washington State University.
Education:
B.A. Pre-Law, Cum Laude, Washington State University
JD Law, Cum Laude, Gonzaga University School of Law
Marcus Trufant
Board Member
Gridiron for Good. I blend elite athletic prowess with deep Pacific Northwest roots to spark community change and social empowerment. As a proud Tacoma native, I mix my on-field experience with an infectious passion for mentoring emerging leaders, uplifting youth, and creating unforgettable moments both in sport and community life. Whether driving innovation on the gridiron or championing social initiatives, I’m here to inspire, energize, and have a blast along the way.
Committes:
Member, Board of Directors since 2024
Chair, Cougs 4 Kids Alumni Advisory Board
Affiliations:
Former Pro Bowl Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks
Washington State University Alumnus, Cougars Athletics
Host, “The Barbershop” on ESPN Radio 710
Brand Ambassador, Tacoma Stars
Founder, Trufant Family Foundation
Board Member, Seattle Acquarium
Education:
B.A. in Communications, Washington State University
Our Values
We are Caring
Our compassionate programs positively impact struggling kids in the community with the hope and inspiration they need for a lifetime.
We are Trustworthy
Our team of reliable professionals transparently manage your donations to ensure the sustainability and success of our programs.
We are Innovative
Our grants empower progressive and energetic programs that help troubled kids heal and develop self-confidence in new and different ways.
We are Fair
Equity is central to our Values, as we dedicate ourselves to cultivating an inclusive community where everyone can flourish regardless of their background.
Meet Our Administrative Team
Change Maker. The only constant in life is change and I choose to embrace it to make a positive impact. Caring individuals, transparent processes, and innovative technology; I leverage everything I’ve got to make a difference in kids' lives every day.
Chief Executive Officer
Julie Wukelic, MBA
Affiliations:
Former Director of Account Based Marketing, Ignitium - Spokane, WA
Former Director of Clinical Research, Rockwood Clinic - Spokane, WA
Committee Positions:
Active member on all Believe in Me committees
Education:
MBA, Washington State University
B.A. Finance, Washington State University
Relationship Builder. As a WSU Hall of Fame and local radio sports broadcaster, I do what I can to make sure it's a win/win situation for everyone! I bring my experiences in building community to help with event management, sales, marketing and more.
Development Director
Paul Sorensen
Affiliations:
Senior VP, Vision Marketing LLC
2017 Washington State University Hall of Fame, Football
Former VP and Director of Sales, Palouse Ridge Golf Course
Board Member, CougsFirst!
Board Member, Cougar Collective
Board Member, Inland Empire Baseball Association
Committee Positions:
Member, Board of Directors since July 2020
Member, Marketing and Fundraising Committee
Education:
B.A. Economics, Washington State University
What Are Marginalized Kids?
Marginalization, also referred to as social exclusion, occurs when certain groups of kids do not have equal access to various resources within our society. Marginalization causes the lack or denial of resources, rights, goods, and services and the inability to participate in relationships and activities available to most people in our community.
Children are especially susceptible to these forms of marginalization as their childhood experiences pave the way for their adult lives. It is our goal to bridge the gap for these marginalized kids.
At Believe in Me, your donations go directly to support programs that are helping these marginalized groups of kids:
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• African American
• Hispanic or Latino
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders
• Multi-race
• Immigrant or Refugee status
• Living in poverty or low-income households
• Experiencing food insecurity
• Lack of access to adequate housing or homelessness
• Aged out of the Foster Care system
• Currently living in Foster Care or wards of the State
• Adopted
• Kids with incarcerated parents
• Kids of unemployed parents
• Children of parents with low educational attainment (e.g., did not graduate from high school or attend college)
• Single-parent households
• Physical disabilities
• Mental health issues
• Learning disabilities
• Chronic illnesses
• Substance abuse disorders
• LGBTQ+ identification (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, etc.)
• Gender non-conforming or non-binary identity
• Intersex
• Belonging to minority religious groups
• Limited or no access to quality education
• Early school leavers or dropouts
• Learning difficulties not classified as disabilities
• Survivors of domestic violence, abuse, or trauma
• Survivors of human trafficking
• Experiences with the juvenile justice system
• Living in neighborhoods with high crime rates
• Living in rural areas with limited access to resources or services
• Isolation due to lack of technological access
• Non-native English speakers in predominantly English-speaking regions
• Lack of fluency in the dominant language(s) of the region they reside in
• Pregnant teens or young parents
• Being an out-of-place youth (e.g., city kid in a rural setting or vice versa)
• Youth who are stateless or lack official documentation
• Youth involved in child labor