Our Board
Christine Guzzardo, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
Dr. Christine Guzzardo is a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist who provides neurodevelopment and neuropsychological assessment of children, adults, and seniors. She has been in independent practice since 2002, following completion of formal postdoctoral training in neuropsychology at the UCLA School of Medicine.
Christine has served on the Washington State Examining Board of Psychology for seven years, two of which as Chair of the Board.
Tracy Gyllenhammer
FOUNDER | VICE
PRESIDENT
Tracy Gyllenhammer is the Founder and Vice President of R.I.S.E. Northwest.
She brings over 25 years of leadership, strategic planning, business growth, marketing, and sales experience to the Board, as she was privileged to personally own and operate an income tax service franchise in Spokane for 21 years.
Determined to use her personal experience of loss, and of mothering five children who lost a parent at a young age, she carries a deep passion for supporting grieving children.
Marlis Spawn, MBA
TREASURER
Marlis Petersen Spawn is Board Treasurer at R.I.S.E. Northwest, as well as Managing Director of Finance & Compensation/Benefits Plans for Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.
During her career, she has held financial leadership positions at Gonzaga Prep, STCU and IT Lifeline. Additionally, she has served on the Boards of the Jesuit Schools Network, STCU, Northwest Farm Credit Services and the Washington State Tobacco Settlement Authority.
Marlis received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Seattle University and her Bachelor degree in Accounting from Gonzaga University.
Dana McCullough, MBA
SECRETARY
Born and raised in Spokane, Dana L. McCullough graduated in 1997 from the Washington State University Honors Program, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Gonzaga University. With a long tenure in business and finance having worked at Wellington Management Company, LLP, Microsoft, and ICM Asset Management, Inc. she is experienced in strategy development, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and Treasury management. She currently serves as Treasury Manager for Gonzaga University.
R.I.S.E. Northwest’s mission is very near and dear to Dana’s heart. In 2016, her husband passed away of sudden cardiac death when their four children were 12, 11, 8 and 5 years old. Her oldest is now a Freshman at Gonzaga University and serves as a mentor for R.I.S.E. Northwest; she is honored to serve as well and to help walk kids through the grief of losing a parent. As she says, “It’s a long journey and support is essential.”
Jay Filer
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jay is the co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of an energy finance and development company both here in the Pacific Inland Northwest as well as Hawaii.
He brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial leadership and business strategy.
R.I.S.E. Northwest strikes close to home: he lost his father at a young age and wasn’t afforded any of the support that R.I.S.E. is now providing children and families in need. He is excited and encouraged to help bring these essential services to the community.
Valerie Shayman Southerland, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Shayman Southerland currently holds the position of Director of Continuing Care at Charlie Health, where she specializes in behavioral health for teens and young adults, addressing the effects of trauma in individuals and families. She has been privileged to develop and implement programs and services related to behavioral health and crisis management in a variety of fields, including higher education, child welfare, legal, and technology.
Dr. Shayman Southerland is deeply passionate about her work and yet, her favorite roles are that of mommy and stepmom to two little girls she shares with her dear husband, Christian.
Craig Shaber
BOARD MEMBER
Craig Shaber is a Research Fellow and Ingot Technology Manager at Wagstaff, holding a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho. He has worked over 25 years in research, designing and testing casting equipment and processes for all aluminum alloys. He conducted successful research projects for three major ingot tooling systems before running the worldwide Technical Service for two years. He is now back in R&D and bringing those same project skills to Team RISE.
A father of three, with two grandchildren and more on the way, and experience serving in different nonprofits, Craig loves using his skills to help kids succeed.