Board of Directors
Matt Logelin, President
matt@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
In the span of 27 hours in March 2008, Matt Logelin felt the joy of fatherhood and the crushing loss of his lifelong love, Liz. Matt captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands as he poured out his grief over the loss of his wife and his new life as a single dad with baby Madeline on his blog. In 2009, he established The Liz Logelin Foundation to assist families who find themselves in the heartbreaking, catastrophic situation of having lost a spouse, life-partner and parent. Having left his job at Yahoo! in October 2009, Matt is currently writing a memoir titled Two Kisses for Maddy (due in March 2011 from Grand Central Publishers), and is a doting father to two-year-old Madeline. Matt and Madeline reside in Los Angeles, California.
Lindsay Lewis, Executive Director
lindsay@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Tom Goodman, Treasurer
tom@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Tom Goodman, Liz Logelin’s father, is an attorney who has been actively involved in organizing, advising, and working with non-profits for more than a decade. Tom is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley and the University of California Berkeley School of Law. A former managing shareholder of Siegel Brill Greupner Duffy & Foster, P.A., Tom lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota with his wife, Candee.
Candee Goodman, Secretary
candee@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Candee Goodman, Liz Logelin’s mother, received her MBA from St. Thomas University, where she was one of four students selected for 1987′s Outstanding Achievement Award. Candee currently serves as the Pro Bono Director for the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Winter Closet Foundation.
Rachel Engebretson, Director of Operations
rachel@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Rachel Engebretson was introduced to Matt’s blog in April of 2008 and began her own blog to support Matt and Maddy shortly thereafter. Rachel and several other blog readers collected formula, diapers, Father’s Day cards, Twins tickets and more in an effort to encourage Matt and show their support in the days following Liz’s death. After the first ever Liz Logelin Memorial 5K in September 2008, Rachel and Matt began brainstorming ways to support other young widows and widowers. From those conversations the Liz Logelin Foundation was formed. Rachel graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Psychology and Family Studies. While at Bethel she worked as Executive Director of Student Activities, where she planned and oversaw all social activites on campus and managed a team of 85 volunteers. She has spent the last five years working as a professional nanny in the Minneapolis area. Rachel and her husband Adam reside in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and are expecting their first child in August.
Jackie Chandler
jackie@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Jackie Chandler is a ‘Jackie-of-all-trades’. While staying home to be with her two children, she is also sewing girl’s dresses to sell online, raising chickens, and writing for a variety of online sources. Jackie’s fisherman husband died on March 25th, 2008 from a pulmonary embolism. She and Matt became friends through their blogs and their shared dislike of March 25th. Matt asked Jackie to be on the board to represent many of the other ‘regular’ widows out there. Jackie and her children reside in Canada.
A.J. Colianni
aj@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
A.J. Colianni is the Director of Computer Education for Breck School in Minneapolis. He is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. A.J. and his wife Sonja are childhood friends of Matt and Liz. A.J. is dedicated to helping the Liz Logelin Foundation grow and connect with others through the use of internet technologies.
Maleeda Holmes
maleeda@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Maleeda Holmes is an Associate Marketing Manager at Nestle USA and has launched several new products for brands including Dove, L’Oreal Paris, and Lean Cuisine. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Maleeda met Liz at Scripps College, but it wasn’t until they lived in LA together did they become close friends, spending weekends at Farmer’s Markets, working out, and shopping. Maleeda has her MBA in Marketing from Indiana University and is looking forward to using her marketing expertise to gain awareness for the Liz Logelin foundation. Maleeda currently lives in Cleveland, OH with her husband.
Anya Kitashima
anya@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Anya Kitashima is a media auditor for Yahoo! Search Marketing in Burbank, CA. She graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, CA with a degree in English. Anya is truly inspired by the support The Liz Logelin Foundation has already provided to a number of families in need. As one of Liz Logelin’s closest friends, she is dedicated to seeing the foundation grow to its amazing potential. Anya is originally from Hawaii and has lived in the Los Angeles area for the past ten years.
Michele Neff Hernandez
michele@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Michele Neff Hernandez is the founding President and Executive Director of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. Soaring Spirits is a non-profit organization committed to providing resources and support to people grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition to her work with the foundation, Michele inspires people as a motivational speaker and freelance writer. She also works as a member of the Bereavement Training Team for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Through speaking to service groups, faith communities, Universities and hosting community seminars she has shared her thoughts on loss and hope with a variety of audiences. She is the creator of the Web site www.widowsbond.com and the Widow Match program. Michele regularly contributes to www.wowowow.com, www.widow-speak.org, www.opentohope.com, www.widowsvoice-sslf.blogspot.com, and has been a featured writer for grief support sites, grief magazines, and various blogs on parenting and widowhood.
Kate Sowa
katesowa@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Kate Sowa is originally from the Austin, Texas area and currently resides in Houston. After teaching elementary music for six years, she made a career change and now works in Human Resources for a NASA contractor. In the course of her work, Kate coordinates fundraisers for the Salvation Army, has organized United Way giving campaigns, and serves as the health and wellness advocate in her workplace. She is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and is currently working towards a Masters in Human Resources. Kate’s duties with the LLF focus on online auction coordination and online fundraising. When she is not busy spending time with her husband or chasing after her two children, she enjoys reading, folk music research, and outdoor activities. Kate became a reader of Matt’s blog and a supporter of his cause in the spring of 2008.
Elizabeth Valdivia
elizabeth@thelizlogelinfoundation.org
Elizabeth Valdivia is a Sr. Manager for The Walt Disney Company. Prior to joining Disney, Elizabeth pursued careers in Corporate Banking and Management Consulting. She is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Business School. Elizabeth shared Liz’s passion for helping companies improve performance and always finding the best solution to any professional or personal challenge. Elizabeth is inspired that the loss of her dear friend has resulted in a foundation that helps families in need. She is dedicated to ensuring the foundation grows to its amazing potential. Elizabeth resides in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters.