Sierra Nevada Region 2018-2020 Board of Directors
Governor Lane Parks
Lane joined Soroptimist International of Citrus Heights in 1992 and has been a member of that club ever since. At the club level she held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, President Elect and President. At the region level she has been the coordinator of Celebrating Success, Ceec Abrahams Scholarship, Endowment, and Nominating Committee. She has been Membership and Public Awareness Federation Chairs; District 4 Director, Secretary, Governor Elect and Governor.
Lane graduated from CSU, Chico with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She then worked at Weinstock’s department store for 10 years and worked in merchandising. She had the opportunity to travel to New York City on a regular basis on buying trips for several years. She married her husband, Bob, in 1984 and they have one son, Scott, who lives in Tokyo, Japan. She is now a part owner of Dick’s Rancho Glass at San Juan in Fair Oaks, California.
Lane, what fun fact would no one know about you? “That I used to play the clarinet and the piano. Singing, however, is not my strong suit!”
What do you want you’re the region to ‘Dream and Envision’ ? “I have just two goals for this biennium: 1) 100% participation in our two signature Dream Programs, Live Your Dream Award and Dream It, Be It. 2) Increase membership by encouraging clubs to have an identifying focus of programs for women and girls; and by providing tools and ideas to the clubs to help make that happen.”
Governor Elect Sarah Carrasco
Sarah first joined Soroptimist in 2004 and was a member for 4 years. She then rejoined in 2014. She is currently a member of Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows. She has held the positions of SITM Corresponding Secretary 2005-2006, SITM Vice-President Service 2006-2007, Reno President 2015-2016 and District 5 Director 2016-2018.
Sarah was Born in Southern California and moved to Nevada in 1995 and has been here since. She is single, no kids, 2 big cats. Her hobbies include reading a lot, knitting with a group, playing Mahjongg with a group and weaving on her own. She is the principal of Carrasco Law Practice, LLC specializing in real estate, bankruptcy, divorce and probate matters.
Sarah, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I attend a fiber (Knitting) convention each year with a group of women I knit with, we have gone for the last 10 years at least. The first year my goal was to learn knitting the continental way. I was playing with the knitting needles during a fashion show and I thought I taught myself to knit the continental way and I told the group and showed them what I was doing. Someone said, very seriously, “what a great thing it was that I taught myself the continental way of knitting.” Then after a period of time they started laughing at me; it turns out I did not teach myself continental knitting. Every now and then when the subject of continental knitting comes up, fingers are pointed at me and laughing occurs. In fact, it occurred this last Saturday.”
What do you want the region to ‘Dream and Envision’? “To provide Live Your Dream recipients with mentoring and other tangible support and an increase in the monetary awards each club provides.”
Secretary Nancy Becker
Nancy joined Soroptimist International of Metropolitan Las Vegas in 1985. In her club she has served as President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer – in some instances multiple times since joining in 1985. She has also served on various Club Committees – Finance, Membership, Program, Ways and Means, etc. either as member or committee chair. She is the club representative to Break These Chains – anti-human trafficking initiative – and is currently the President of Break These Chains. At the region level: 1990-1998; 2000-2006; 2010-2013 Laws and Resolution Committee – member or coordinator; 1991, 1996 Conference Committee – member; 1996 Celebration of Life Coordinator.
Nancy received her Juris Doctorate from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She got her Bachelor of Arts from United States International University with majors in International Relations and Economics. She had a Private Law Practice in Washington, D.C 1979-1980. She was Deputy City Attorney 1983-1987; Municipal Court Judge 1987-1989; District Court Judge 1989-1999; Nevada State Supreme Court Justice 1999-2006; Chief Deputy District Attorney 2007-2012. Currently, Senior District Judge and owner of Becker Consulting (mediations and arbitrations).
Nancy, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I spent an hour with Patrick Stewart on the set of Star Trek Generations.”
What do you want our region to ‘Dream and Envision’? “A stronger Soroptimist presence in Southern Nevada – Dream and they will come. The Dream programs and Break These Chains have received more media and community attention in two years than Soroptimist did in the past ten years. Use them for recruitment.”
Treasurer Sheron Box
Sheron joined Soroptimist in 1994. She is a member of Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho-Chico. Sheron has been Treasurer in her club (many times), President (2 years), Director (4 years) and Chairman of their Micro Brew Fest. She also served as SNR Finance Chair 2012-2014.
Sheron has worked in the banking and accounting industries for over 30 years and recently purchased the CPA firm that she has managed for the past 6 years. She has a BS in Business Administration and her CPA license from the State of California. She is a member of the AICPA, the Cal Society of CPAs and a prior member of the Institute of Management Accountants. She served for 10 years as treasurer of the Girl Scouts of Northern CA Service Unit in Chico.
She has been married over 50 years, is mother of 3 wonderful children, proud grandma of 5 grandchildren and recently great grandmother of a beautiful little girl.
Sheron, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I graduated from college when I was 54 years old with a broken leg in a cast. My children and two of my grandchildren were in the audience. It was a very special day.”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “I would like our district to become more of a team and, work together on projects and have each club meet and greet at least one member from all the other clubs in the district. Working together as one is a powerful force.”
District 1 Director Lisa Fitzgerald
Lisa first joined Soroptimist International of Chico in 1981. She was a member for two years, then rejoined in 1996 and was a members for 20 years, until she decided to join a smaller club, Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho. She has held club positions of Secretary, President and President-Elect.
Lisa received her BA in Latin American Studies from CSU, Chico; with Minor in Spanish. She also holds a Life Community College Teaching Credential in Food, Food Service & Related Technologies. Besides teaching, she was a restaurant consultant for 10 years, followed by 15 years as the Marketing & Alternative Revenue Director for a radio station group with 5 different formats, in 2 languages. She also was an Independent Unemployment Insurance Hearing Representative for 14 years. Lisa has owned her own business for many years; Big Chico Creek Resources is an Event and Advertising Agency.
Lisa, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I was President of my high school S-Club.”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’?: “I would like to see District 1 create a district-wide project for collective impact.”
District 2 Director Terrel Locke
Terrel spent all her summers growing up in a Camp Fire Girls Camp where her mother was the Director. This experience provided her with the self-reliance and outlook that she needed to get her through many rough years after her mother died when she was 13. She says, “Soroptimist is a way for me to help others, the way my experience at “camp” helped me.”
Terrel, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I was an extra for a couple of weeks in a movie when I was 18 and living in Berlin, Germany. It starred Alan Arkin, Shelly Winters, Louise Fletcher, and Valerie Perrine. Brook Shields was also in it, but was replaced by another actress. It was not a good movie!”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “I like the quote: “Keep Calm: Teamwork makes the Dream Work.” The thing that the members of my club always state that they like best, is the way we work together to accomplish our mission. I would like to carry this forward to the clubs of District 2 to collaborate, not only among their club members, but also throughout District 2 and the other districts of SNR. Participation Region-wide brings added benefits to your engagement and satisfaction with the collective impact that we share. District 2 has a comparatively easy territory to travel and we should take advantage of that.”
District 3 Director Tracey Edwards
Tracey joined Soroptimist International of Elk Grove in 2013. She has served her club as President, President-Elect, and Newsletter Editor. Other notable work for her club includes: Fundraising Committee, 2016-2018 co-chair of their 3rd annual Martinis & Merriment fundraiser, Big Day of Giving Team Captain (2nd year) – 24 hours of fundraising in the Sacramento area, Service Committee, Foster Youth project leader (she developed a partnership with their local American Cancer Society Discovery Shop to assist with providing interview clothing for the Elk Grove Unified School District Independent Living Program), 2017-2018 Live Your Dream program organizer, Dream It, Be It Session 1 facilitator and photo/videographer, Lead on their High School Scholarships Review committee, Public Relations Committee Chair.
Tracey is currently the President and Co-Founder of T&J Enterprises, Virtual Assisting. She also works as a virtual assistant to Cybertary Elk Grove. In the past she has been a Realtor for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and a Training Officer Supervisor for Department of Fish and Game.
Tracey, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I attended high school in Oak Park, Illinois; Teheran, Iran and San Jose, California.”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “To have 100% participation in both of our Dream programs, and to support each other in our fundraisers to increase our collective impact and community profile.”
District 4 Director Ann Bryant
Ann joined Soroptimist in 1994. She was a member of Soroptimist International of Auburn for many years and now is a charter member of Soroptimist International of the American River.
Ann was the Charter President of SI of the American River, after serving on many committees and as president of SI Auburn. She embraced the concept of the new club, “women that work during the day and may not have as much time to give, can enjoy the Friendship and Service to Women and Girls that you can only get in a great club.”
She also has served as the Region Ruby Award Coordinator and S Club coordinator. She feels that Soroptimist has been an amazing way to travel the world deeply. She attended SIA conventions in Philadelphia and Taiwan. Istanbul was her first international conference, and she plans to attend the next one in Kuala Lumpur.
Ann is a realtor and works for Lyon Real Estate in Auburn. She and her husband, Keith, live in Auburn with their two kitties, Buster and Ellie. They enjoy gardening, and reading mystery novels.
Ann, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I started tap dancing when I was 6 and thought I looked great in a tutu.”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “That District 4 clubs will focus on serving women and girls though increased spending on our signature projects, that our members feel appreciated and supported by the region and that this passion to serve will attract more members.”
District 5 Director Sue Chambers
Sue joined Soroptimist in 2001 and is a member of Soroptimist International of Fallon. Her experience includes Club Corresponding Secretary, President and President-Elect.
Although retired from the Churchill County School District as the Director of Federal and State Programs, she currently works as a floral designer at a local florist, engaging her creative juices. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Nursing, with a Master’s in Public Health/Health Education. She worked in the health care field for over 20 years while living in California. When moving to Nevada 25 years ago, she redeveloped her future and entered the education field running a School to Work Federal Grant program and a 21st Century Community Learning Center program before going into administration over all the grant programs for the school district.
Sue, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I am a ranch assistant, running farm equipment and working cows. “
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “Envision mentoring young women, formally or informally to achieve our goal of women helping women and girls to achieve a positive future through education.”
District 6 Director Stacey Sawyer
Stacey joined Soroptimist in 1995 and is currently a member of Soroptimist International of Metropolitan Las Vegas. Her experience at the club level includes Delegate, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President. At the Region level, she has held the position of District 3 Director for 3 1/2 years (before realignment), SOLT Coordinator 2016-2018 and now District 6 Director for 2018-2020.
Stacey was born and raised in Las Vegas. She then moved away for 22 years to Elko, NV and moved back to Las Vegas in 2016. She works as a Brand Marketing Manager at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and has a varied background in marketing and communications, including 17 years in radio. She currently lives in Henderson, NV with her cat NEKO.
Stacey, what fun fact would no one know about you? “I used to be shy! No really – ask my mom!”
What do you want your district to ‘Dream and Envision’? “Growth and participation in our Dream Programs. My theme for this next two years is to ROAR – that’s Recruit, Orientate, Activate and Retain our members not only in District 6 but throughout our region.”
