Meet the passionate Board who lead our efforts to serve families affected by wildfires in our Valley
Jan Sanderson Taylor—Board President
Jan’s first thirteen years were spent in Orem, Utah, where children were raised by the whole neighborhood and the population, along with its values, culture and beliefs,
was homogeneous. Moving with her family to Palo Alto, California for her father’s career managing the campus bookstore at Stanford University in 1968 brought striking contrasts. The tumultuous political and cultural times in the diverse San Francisco Bay Area at that time couldn’t have clashed more intensely with the tame and obedient cultural experience of growing up in Utah.
Life since then has been about finding her way. A few years of community college provided important context and growth experiences. Co-ownership of two successful businesses helped develop confidence. But the children in her life have been her north star. Taking opportunities to experience wonder and awe with her three children and their friends, she spent much of their time together on learning expeditions, nature appreciation outings and hikes, coaching sports teams, and leading youth groups.
Looking for a safer place for to raise their children, the family moved to the beautiful Rogue Valley in 1990. It has become the place husband Harry, children and grandchildren still call home. The journey has yielded a rich life with many opportunities to answer and serve when called. Every day Jan is grateful to still be finding her way.
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
I joined the JCC LTRG Board to contribute to its efforts to incorporate the RV COAD mission, with the aim of enhancing the community's preparedness for potential future disasters.
Amber Ferguson—Past President
A founder of Rogue Food Unites, Amber Ferguson currently serves as CEO/Executive Director. Rogue Food Unites was born out of the 2020 wildfires and continues to be one of two disaster response feeding agencies in Oregon, serving Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Douglas, Deschutes, Coos, and Curry Counties.
The fires started three blocks away from her home. She is the daughter of a wildland firefighter—about to embark on his 55th consecutive fire season. At this point in his career, he is a PIO and not actively on the lines. The example of service has shaped her life. Seven years ago, she returned to Ashland to raise her family. “I wanted to come back home when I was ready to have something to offer. If I am to impact my community, it better be contributing in a positive way.”
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
"I have been involved with fire recovery since day 1, when we were making meals to serve to people who had lost their homes. As the recovery has proceeded in fits and starts, I have continued to be involved in making sure that people in our community are cared for, fed and housed. I joined the LTRG because I can see that this mission will not be ending anytime soon, and I will not rest until I know we have done our best to care for the people who might otherwise be left behind."
Sadie Wade—Vice President
Sadie Siders, born and raised in Medford, is a dedicated public health professional committed to improving the health and well-being of her community. For 10 years, Sadie has been serving the residents of Jackson County, beginning her career in the medical field. It was there that she recognized the profound impact of social determinants, such as a lack of access to nutritious food and affordable housing, on health outcomes, which inspired her to transition into public health to make a broader impact.
Sadie holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a focus on community health promotion and development from Portland State University. She is about to begin her Masters in Public Health online at Oregon State University. Her career has included roles with Shift Health Accelerator and the Oregon Health Authority, where she specialized in health policy research aimed at fostering community resilience and promoting health equity through evidence-based policy development.
Currently, Sadie serves as the Health Equity Coordinator at Jackson County Public Health. In this role, she leads the regional All in For Health Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Her deep-rooted commitment to the recovery and well-being of all Jackson County community members is evident in her work, which is informed by her lifelong connection to the area and her passion for raising her family in the community she cherishes.
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
Even though I wasn’t living in the area when the Almeda and Obechain fires happened, many of my friends, family, and, of course, the greater community were deeply affected. I want to do my part to ensure those who are still recovering 4 years later are being cared for in the way they deserve. I wholeheartedly believe in the work the LTRG is doing to ensure a holistic recovery for Jackson County. A partnership between the LTRG and Public Health is important to align our efforts and effectively serve our community.
Jordan Bruyn—Board Secretary
Jordan Bruyn (she/her) is an enrolled member of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and Co-Executive Director of Rogue Action Center, a community-based group whose mission is to grow organizing power and leaders for a just and thriving Southern Oregon. As a first-generation college graduate, Jordan studied Criminal Justice/ Criminology and Native American Studies as a Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Scholar at Southern Oregon University.
Jordan became more involved in local community organizing and mutual aid efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and 2020 wildfires as a volunteer and intern with Rogue Climate and Rogue Action Center (RAC). Now as Co-Executive Director of RAC, she is dedicated to developing new leaders and enjoys finding collaborative solutions to reach our collective liberation. Located in rural Jackson County, Jordan gladly spends her free time with her dairy goats and serving as a Cow Creek Tribal Court appointed Xaawiisaa/Peacemaker.
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
Rogue Action Center staff were founding members of the JCC LTRG, my interests lie within the continuation of the collaborative foundation built in service to the community through board membership. I strongly believe in community self-determination and in the intentions voiced in the JCC LTRG’s vision and mission. RAC and JCC LTRG have worked closely over the years to provide the support our community deserves. I have proudly participated as a JCC LTRG Communication Team member. Additionally, as an enrolled member of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, it is also important to me to serve my community in a variety of ways. Joining the JCC LTRG board allows me to give back voice to those traditionally underrepresented and excluded from decision making spaces.
Jill Franko—Board Treasurer
Residing in Ashland since February 2016, I deeply understand Jackson County's challenges, having grown up in nearby Yreka. Actively engaged in community service, I serve on the Ashland School District Board of Directors and lead a committee focused on affordable housing solutions.
As a mother of two boys, ages 9 and 12, I understand the importance of creating a supportive community for families. My commitment to marginalized populations is rooted in personal experiences, including supporting my mother through mental illness. Additionally, I initiated a tradition in Yreka to provide meals to carnival workers, advocating for their dignity.
Professionally, I've held diverse roles, from service industry positions to corporate consulting. As a wellness consultant, I developed comprehensive solutions for corporations, leveraging data analysis and problem-solving skills. My expertise extends to networking and community engagement.
Why I Joined the JCC LTRG Board
The impact of wildfires on our community, including significant effects on school enrollment and budgeting, underscores the urgency of our work. As a mother, community leader, and professional, I am committed to addressing Jackson County's challenges and effectively supporting the well-being of its residents.
Dave Dotterrer
Dave Dotterrer is a retired Marine colonel and former Jackson County Commissioner. He has an extensive background in disaster preparedness and management and was one of the leaders of the revitalization of the Rogue Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster (RVCOAD)in 2017. Between his retirement from the Marine Corps and time as a county commissioner, he served in the Oregon legislator as a budget analyst.
He is a graduate of Oregon State University, and additionally holds masters degrees in military history and national security policy and strategy. He currently serves as the chairman of the board of the Logos Public Charter School, on the board of the Ashland YMCA, and on the board of Jackson and Josephine counties Court Appointed Special Advocates program. Recently retired, he enjoys, golfing, fly fishing, and camping.
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
I joined the JCC LTRG board because I have a passion for disaster preparedness and emergency management, as well as integrating this organization with the Rogue Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster.
Karen Chase
Karen is the Senior Community Strategies Manager for the Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit serving customers of investor-owned utilities, where she has been employed for almost 10 years. She has been Energy Trust’s lead for fire recovery throughout Oregon since the 2020 fires and helped develop rebuilding measures and incentives that advance energy efficiency and fire resilience. Before Energy Trust, she spent 24 years with the State of Oregon, as a representative to the Governor’s Regional Solutions teams, and working for Oregon Housing & Community Services in community and regional guidance; Oregon Department of Energy in renewable energy and project development; and Department of Consumer and Business Services as a statewide occupational health consultant. She was an instructor at Oregon State University for many years (Public Health) and has been teaching for the Building Operators Certification program throughout the West, in Indoor Environmental Quality and Sustainable Building Operations. In these classes, she covers airborne infectious diseases and wildfire smoke incursion.
She resides in rural Josephine County (Illinois Valley), on traditional Takelma land her grandparents homesteaded in 1930, managing irrigated farmland and mountainside forest watershed, with her partner. She had the honor and opportunity to sing in Carnegie Hall, along with two invited choirs from Josephine County. She would like to see our public buildings set goals to install and/or ensure sufficient fresh and clean air for all their occupants to healthfully and safely engage in similarly inspiring human interaction.
Why I joined the JCC LTRG Board
I joined the JCC LTRG Board to offer perspective, assistance, and whatever expertise I can provide to help recovery efforts—and this particularly innovative LTRG—continue to move forward. Our family has been under evacuation notice or threatened by several fires, most recently the 2023 Smith River Complex Fire and the 2020 Slater Fire (part of the Labor Day Fires).
Melanie Doshier
Melanie Doshier, ACCESS Support Services Director, oversees a multi-divisional nonprofit housing stabilization department, with a focus on trauma-informed, people-first, wraparound care. Melanie’s experience scales across industries with an expertise in creating foundations to support growth, both in people and process, and to provide service delivery holistically. Melanie believes that trust in relationships is imperative for effective supportive service delivery models and is passionate about ensuring all have equitable access to the resources and care teams they need to move forward in their recovery. She strongly believes, and embodies through action, that access to housing that meets the needs of the households in service is the only path forward.