Soroptimist International
Sierra Nevada Region
2022-2024
Board of Directors
Governor
Lisa Fitzgerald was introduced to Soroptimist in an S Club in 1973. She joined Soroptimist as a member in 1983 and again in 1996. She is currently a member of SI Bidwell Rancho. She was S Club (SI Oakdale) President in 1974. She has served as President of SI Chico and Secretary of SI Bidwell Rancho – Chico, as well as Sierra Nevada Region Strategic Planning Coordinator, District 1 Director, Federation Program Chair, Governor Elect and now Governor.
Lisa has a BA in Latin American Studies from CSU, Chico, Minor in Spanish, Life Community College Teaching Credential in Food, Food Service & Related Technologies. She has been Department Coordinator and Instructor at Butte College, Moderator Lecturer at UC Berkeley Extension for 2 years, and a restaurant consultant for 10 years. She spent 15 years as Marketing & Alternative Revenue Director for a radio station group with 5 different formats, in 2 languages, and an Independent Unemployment Insurance Hearing Representative for 14 years. She is currently owner of Big Chico Creek Resources Event & Advertising Agency as well as Change Management consulting.
From the time her son was 10 and could stand on a milk crate, until his late teens, he served food on the Friday after Thanksgiving at the Jesus Center for SI Chico. And, for many years she and her daughter wrapped gifts in the Mall for SI Chico. They were their special holiday “give back” tradition. Her husband and children continue to work at club fundraisers.
Lisa is proud to serve this biennium as Sierra Nevada Region Governor.
Governor Elect
Stacey Jensen joined Soroptimist in 1995. She is currently a member of SI Metropolitan Las Vegas She has held all club level positions including four times as a District Director. She has also served as E-Blast Coordinator & SOLT Coordinator for the region.
Stacey was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She moved to Northern Nevada in 1994 (Elko, NV) and stayed there for 23 years. She has a long career in Broadcast Radio and Casino/Brand Marketing. She moved back to Southern Nevada in 2016 to take on a Special Events Management position at a famous hotel casino here in Las Vegas. She has since transitioned to a Customer Success Management position with a technology company working with several casinos world wide.
Fun Fact about Stacey: She was very active in community theatre and loves being on stage and also backstage doing tech work. Her father was a Stage Manager in Las Vegas for many years and she learned from the best! She has several stories of “Brushes with Fame”. She also loves to roller skate and Love Love LOVES Roller Derby!!
Secretary
Hi, I’m Maureen Mason and am delighted to be the SNR Secretary for the 2022-2024 biennium. I joined Soroptimist in 2006 after moving to Yreka, CA from the Bay Area. Over the years I participated in all aspects of the club and had the privilege of being club president three times.
At Sierra Nevada Region I’ve worked as; 2020-2022 Region Soroptimist Development Retreat Coordinator, 2018-2022 Member of the Region Bylaws Committee, 2018-2020 District 1 Representative on the region nominating committee. 2016-2018 District 1 Director, 2016 – 2019 SDR presenter, 2014- 2016 Region Soroptimist Celebrating Success coordinator and 2013-2014 represented District VI on the SNR Women Honoring Women Who Served Project. I’ve also enjoyed attending SNR conferences 2008- 2022; region SDR meetings 2008-2022 and 13 district meetings. In addition, I attended the SIA Biennial Conventions – 2022 Virtual, 2020 Virtual, 2014 Vancouver; 2012 Hawaii and 2010 San Francisco as club delegate.
I received a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Davis. After college I found myself working in the insurance industry eventually working for the California Department of Insurance gradually working my way up to Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of California, the first woman to hold that position. I traveled extensively across the United States for work which I thoroughly enjoyed.
In 2004 we decided to move to Yreka, CA where we were restoring an 1879 Victorian. Shortly thereafter we began building our home on a 50 acre spread north of Yreka in the Little Shasta Valley of Montague, CA which is 20 miles south of the Oregon border. We stayed there surrounded by acres of range land, beautiful views of Mt. Shasta, horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, Great Danes, and a barn cat. For the cattle, the last 90 days we provided them with a special grain mixture and a liter of wine daily. Amazing what wine does for the beef.
In 2021 realizing the ranch was more work than we wanted to keep doing we sold and moved to Carson City, NV. Now all our family and closest friends are 10 minutes to 2 hours away instead of 5-6 hours. I’m a member of SI Carson City, am enjoying getting to know these interesting women and am thoroughly enjoying living in a city again.
Fun fact: I served in the Peace Corps in Columbia, South America where I taught kindergarten and life skills in the mountainous region of central Columbia, an awesome experience.
Retired now, we are never without something to do, but sometimes wonder where time has gone and what we’ve done with it.
Treasurer
Evie Wright joined SI Davis in 2016. She has served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, president elect, and
president of her club, as well as chairing the finance committee, membership committee, and Ruby
award committee. Being a Soroptimist has been a rewarding experience, allowing Evie to meet and
socialize with like-minded women while working towards a common goal. She looks forward to serving
Soroptimist as region treasurer.
Evie was raised in Davis and Napa, CA, before moving to the east coast for college. She taught
elementary school for two years in North Carolina and 10 years in northern Virginia before moving back
home to join the family business as the office manager. The Wright family has been in the water
treatment chemical business for over 30 years, and Evie is proud to join her sister in continuing the
family legacy.
Evie has two cats, Charlie and Callie, who she spoils rotten. In her spare time, Evie enjoys cross-stitching,
and has recently taken up golf.
District 1 Director
Billie was born and raised in northern Nevada and then moved to Northern California after graduating high school. She has been living in Butte County since her youngest son was born in 1997. Billie has two children, a son and a daughter, the best of both worlds! She has also been blessed with two beautiful granddaughters. Her number one hobby is spending time with her grandkids. She says being a Grandma (G-ma) is the absolute best thing ever!
Billie has been a member of SI Chico since 2016 and has held the position of President, President-Elect, and co-chaired several committees. Billie was club president during COVID, so she missed out on the opportunity to attend the 46th Biennial Convention in 2020 because it was canceled. On a more positive note, she did attend the Soroptimist International 100th Birthday Celebration and the Soroptimist International of America’s 100th Anniversary celebration in 2021.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders, as well as Associate Degrees in Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and University Studies. She has also held the following volunteer positions: Board President/Chair for Marsh Jr. High Club Basketball, Girl Scout Leader for 7 years, Girl Scout Service Unit Manager, Boy Scout Leader, and coached youth sports for 10 years.
Fun fact: Billie was first introduced to Soroptimist her senior year in high school when she competed in the Miss Lyon County Pageant. Each contestant was assigned two Soroptimist members as mentors, to help teach them about interview skills, how to dress professionally, and how to do hair and make-up. Billie received two scholarships from Soroptimist International of Yerington.
District 2 Director
Emily Ziser has been a Soroptimist since 2017 and is a member of SI Davis. Emily previously served the region as Federation Membership Chair and has held various positions in her club.
She and her partner Chuck live in north Woodland and enjoy the peace that comes with the country. From the evening bats to the nighttime owls, there is actually a lot to listen to! In their free time they love to spend time with their four grandkids.
Emily was raised in Davis and is a UC Davis alum, earning her bachelor’s degree in Evolutionary Anthropology, before getting her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sacramento State. From sales and marketing to teaching to bartending to HR, Emily has had a diverse professional career! Most of her work boils down to one thing – helping people.
As the Training and Engagement Coordinator for Facilities Management at UC Davis, Emily leads staff training and engagement opportunities through events, courses, surveys and career development programs. She also supports the department-wide marketing and communications efforts.
When not at work, Emily is often busy going to dinner with friends, listening to live music, or hanging out with her goat and chickens.
District 3 Director
My name is Sarah Lee and I have been a proud member of SI Sacramento since 2015. I was invited to attend SI Sacramento’s Live Your Dream luncheon by my dear friend and fellow Soroptimist, Idelle Claypool. That luncheon was so inspiring and it became clear the Soroptimist mission and ideals aligned with my own and I joined SI Sacramento one month later.
Since joining, I have served our Club on the Board as President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Corresponding Secretary. I have chaired the Live Your Dream Committee for three years, the International & Goodwill Committee and the Program Committee. I have served, at one time or another, on most of our club’s other committees and I have been a facilitator for multiple Dream It Be It sessions. I am an active participant in all Club Fundraising and an enthusiastic supporter of building deeper friendships within our club through our Club Social Events.
I have attended most SNR Conferences and Development Retreats since joining Soroptimist International in 2015, representing SI Sacramento twice as a Delegate. I was a 2019 SNR Development Retreat Workshop Co-Presenter and prepared the Secretary Workshop for the 2020 Virtual SNR Development Retreat. I have served on the SNR Nominating Committee. I have been a consistent sponsor of the SNR Conferences. I have attended three District meetings since joining in 2015 and attended the Charter and Installation Dinner in 2019 of our Region’s newest club, SI South Yuba.
In 2018, I attended the SIA Biennial Conference in Yokahama, Japan as a Delegate and I look forward to attending future SIA conferences!
In addition to my Soroptimist family, I’m blessed with my devoted husband, Mark, and four wonderful children; Kali, Meghan, Jakob and Hana. Mark is a realtor and an ordained elder in the Presbyterian church. This year, our oldest, Kali, gave us our first grandchild and we couldn’t be more delighted! Kali and her husband live only ten minutes from us in Carmichael, CA. Our second oldest daughter, Meghan, currently lives in Iowa and works as a narrator for Audible books and is a published travel blogger. Our son, Jakob, works for me and last year obtained his NMLS license (National Mortgage Licensing). Our youngest, Hana, is a senior in high school this year and is exploring what comes next.
I hold an NMLS license as a Mortgage Loan Originator and I’m currently a Branch Manager for Guild Mortgage. I have been a Loan Originator for seventeen years and in management for five of those years. In 2018, I was nominated by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a Woman of the Year Candidate and with my team of twelve, raised $59,000 for cancer research in the span of 8 weeks (my daughter, Kali, was my campaign manager!). As a result, I was able to name an LLS Research Grant, which I named after my Pop’s two brothers- we had lost both of my uncles to cancer and they were my campaign inspiration.
As a younger woman, I studied music with an emphasis in vocal performance. A fun fact about me happened in 2003, when I was eight months pregnant with my youngest child. At the time, I was a member of the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra and we had been invited to perform Carmina Burana at Carnegie Hall. Performing at Carnegie Hall was on my bucket list and I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity! We found an OBGYN in New York (just in case) and my conductor was a nervous wreck I would go into labor on stage. Thankfully, Hana waited until we were back in Sacramento to arrive and I now have a priceless memory of performing at Carnegie Hall!
District 4 Director
Kathy Dunbar is a fourth generation Californian and has lived in various beautiful spots in the Northern region. In 2008 she and her husband, Marshall, moved from Novato to the Sierra Foothills in Auburn to be closer to her parents, siblings and children. Her first new local friend introduced her to Soroptimist and, not knowing a thing about the organization, joined up to meet “these wonderful new women”. What a great surprise to unfold the Mission of Soroptimist and to embrace it wholeheartedly!
The rest is “herstory”: After becoming a member in 2009, part of the original club branched out to charter S. I. of the American River, accommodating the working women who wanted to meet in the evenings. She quickly became Fundraising chair for the first fundraiser, the infamous Bling on the Holidays! Next came other board positions: Director of Membership and Program, another stint as Director of Fundraiser, President in 2012-2013, 2013-1014 and another term 2021-2022. The joy of serving with the members has brought about great friendships and a camaraderie in working for the ideals and Mission of empowering women and girls, locally and globally. What a gift!
After studying at UC Santa Cruz and College of Marin, Kathy jumped into her career in the construction industry, starting out in retail for the lumber trade and kitchen and bath design and sales. After being told she could not further her career in that avenue “because she was a girl”, she leapt into outside sales in the lighting industry (another male-dominated industry), working with building engineers and municipalities and state entities. This led to being a manufacturer’s representative, and Regional Sales Manager, calling on designers, architects, and engineers. All of this, working with people, Kathy’s dream!
Fun fact: Kathy loves Improvisation and performed with a troupe throughout Marin and Napa. This led to her latest passion and new adventure as a voice actor.
District 5 Director
Being a California girl, (both Northern and Southern) I loved the beach and the warm weather. These
past few years here, I have come to embrace Northern Nevada. Not just the four seasons, but the
people.
As Soroptimists, you are a huge part of that. SIA made the move to a new club easy although during
Covid it was challenging to get to really know you. How amazing that we have taken what we learned
through Covid and now use it to be more efficient with our time and talents.
You have brought me friendship, joy and support. Having been on the board of my California club, I was
honored to be the club treasurer, president-elect and President. It was time to try a new position. I am
grateful you have chosen me to be your District 5 Director.
I will do my best to keep you informed, encouraged and supported. I will come to you where your needs
are and call upon the resources of the Region to help all of us. We can enjoy each other in celebrations
and have the difficult conversations when warranted. I will work hard for you!
District 6 Director
I was born and raised in Southern California. I moved to Las Vegas when I was 20, where I met my husband Chuck. We have one goofy dog, 2 grown children, 2 grandchildren, 3 grand kitties and a grand bunny. We also have two “adopted” grand-girls. I volunteered with many groups centered around my activities until my husband retired from law enforcement in 2002. In 2003 we moved to Spring Creek, which is in Elko County, Nevada. I became involved in the Chamber and then joined Soroptimist in Elko in 2008. I held every club position with Elko, including 3 years as President. We moved down to Pahrump in July of 2020 and I transferred my membership.
As President in Elko I hosted a Fall District Meeting, and led the club to achieve one of the top 3 positions in the 2015-2016 “All aboard the Membership” campaign. We were also one of the first clubs to host a Dream It Be It program, growing the event from 50 girls that first year to 150 girls in 2019. I was honored to be asked and appointed the coordinator for Dream It Be It for 3 years. I’ve attended almost all conferences and SDR’s since joining – learning from all the amazing women I’ve come to know and admire.
Some other tidbits about me — I had a successful crafting business for a number of years, was a tax preparer in Elko, helped many organizations with fundraisers and managed my husband’s band up in Elko, promoting it to one of the most requested ones in Northeastern Nevada. We enjoy camping in the summer, love my coffee and yes Christmas is my most favorite holiday.
My goal for this biennium is to unite our district and reestablish the friendships between us that Covid pushed apart. I’m here to help in whatever it is you need – just ask!
Parliamentarian
Terrel Locke has been a member of Soroptimist since 2005. She is currently a member of SI Marysville-Yuba City. She has held every position within her club and has served the region on the Endowment Committee, District 2 Director and Parliamentarian.
Terrel is the mother of two extraordinary young women and has one awesome granddaughter who is 5. She is lucky enough to be able to be a big part of her granddaughter’s life and helps her with her Kindergarten distance learning.
Her favorite activites and hobbies are cooking, arts and crafts, reading, camping and hiking. Since her retirement, she is also learning to be a gardener and baker.
Terrel recently retired from the City of Yuba City after 19 years of service. She was the Assistant to the City Manager in charge of the City Clerk operations. She was also elected City Clerk for 8 years. Working for local government was a phenomenal experience — no day was ever the same. There are so many opportunities to give back to the community and make a difference.
Prior to that, she worked for Nevada County, in Social Services and the Auditor’s Office. She also owned a catering business with a friend for six years.
Fun fact: Terrel had the opportunity to live in Berlin Germany for two years after graduating from High School. She was invited to stay with a friend and her family and go to college. This was before The Wall came down. While there, she was an extra in a movie that was being filmed. They wanted English speaking people. It starred Alan Arkin and Louise Fletcher. Brooke Shields was also in it, but ended up being replaced and isn’t listed. If you know where to look, you can actually see her in a couple of scenes. Here is the link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079504/ . It’s not a good movie, so she doesn’t recommend watching it!
Terrel learned about Soroptimist after her business catered for a big District meeting in Grass Valley way back in the late 1990s. Listening to the program and discussions that were occurring was very inspiring, and she never forgot about it. She was able to join the Marysville-Yuba City Soroptimists after her children were older.
