Board President-Mark Hedlund

Mark is a founding member of Uplift People of Elk Grove and serves as president of the board of directors. He and his wife Beth have lived in Elk Grove since 1981, raising their two children here. He is now retired from his long career as an on-air TV reporter and later as communications director for the President pro Tem of the California State Senate.

"Seeing the positive changes in the lives of our champions makes all the work of Uplift extremely gratifying," said Mark. "We've developed strong relationships crossing cultural and class lines and the bonds of friendship are invaluable. All of us, allies and champions alike, are growing immensely through this program."

Mark also serves on the board of directors of Elk Grove HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team) and is co-director of the Elk Grove Winter Sanctuary, providing emergency nightly shelter and hot meals for homeless adults during the winter months. Mark is also known as the long-time master of ceremonies for the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove, and in 2011 was honored as Elk Grove Citizen of the Year. He holds a B.A in mass communications from CSU, Chico, and a M.S. in journalism/telecommunications from Indiana University. In 2006, Mark was inducted into the Silver Circle Hall of Fame of the Northern California chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Board Vice President-Kathleen Goldsberry

Teaching in E.G.U.S.D. since 1970, I have developed a connection with the community of Elk Grove. I taught 18 years at James McKee Elementary and 22 years at Joseph Kerr Middle School, retiring in 2010. Graduating from California State University at Sacramento with a degree in Social Work, I went on to attain a lifetime K-9 teaching credential. I am proud that I was part of teams that created Sutter's Fort and the Rhoads Schoolhouse "Environmental Living Programs" for our children. Though I still do some substitute teaching, I find great joy in volunteer work. Volunteer experiences include tutoring at the E.G. Library, the Elk Grove Historical Society, W.I.N.S.(winter sanctuary), and now serving on the "Uplift, People of Elk Grove" Board. Being part of organizing this program from its beginnings, attending weekly meetings, working with our "Champions of Change" on educational curriculum, goal setting and fellowship brings great joy and significance to my life. Helping people move towards greater well-being is our goal; it is the right thing to do. On a personal note, I am the proud mom of James, who with his wife, Jen, and my grandchildren, Carter and Ruby, add to the richness in my life. A proud California native, Sacramento-born, I enjoy swimming, walking, studying history/culture, 1940's films, and music. Connections with friends and family complete the picture.

Board Treasurer-Lindsay Weaver-Gibson

Lindsay is a certified public accountant and the controller of Aro Homes. Lindsay originally hails from West Virginia (Go Mountaineers!) and has lived in the Sacramento area since 2017. Lindsay has always had a passion for community service and volunteer work since she was young and was heavily involved in 4-H and the WV Strawberry Festival in her hometown. She is the former treasurer of the Sharks Alumni Foundation (formerly Silvercreek Sportplex Foundation) and currently serves on the boards of her local PTA and neighborhood watch organizations. Once settled in the Elk Grove area, Lindsay found out about Uplift and reached out to get involved. “I came to a meeting to see what it was all about and absolutely fell in love with the community of warm, wonderful, wholesome people. I intended to volunteer and give back, but Uplift gave me more than I could have ever asked for. It filled a void I didn’t know I had, and I’m grateful every day to be a part of this organization.” Lindsay attends regular meetings with her two young children, who love Uplift as much as she does.

Board Secretary-Beth Hedlund

Beth is one of the founding members of Uplift People of Elk Grove and serves as secretary of the board of directors. She and her husband Mark also serve as allies in the program.

Beth holds a B.A. and M.S. in education from Indiana University. This led to a 30-year career as both a secondary and elementary school teacher. Beth retired from the Elk Grove Unified School District in 2014. Besides her work with Uplift, she is co-chair of the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove, an iconic cultural event of Strauss music and dance performed free for the community every year. Beth is also is an active volunteer with Elk Grove Winter Sanctuary, which provides 12 weeks of emergency shelter for the homeless during the winter months. In addition, she is a lay leader for the Elk Grove United Methodist Church.

"I love the building of community through Uplift and the great friendships that are created," said Beth. "Most importantly, I feel privileged to walk alongside our champions in their journey to break from poverty."

When she's not busy volunteering, Beth enjoys traveling and most of all, spending time with her five grandchildren.

Project Coordinator-Jeff Teague

Jeff has worked with Uplift for the past 3 years and is continuously inspired by our Champions who work hard to create better lives. He also expresses much gratitude to the many volunteers who give tirelessly to support those ready to break the cycle of poverty. Jeff is passionate about the work Uplift does because it fights poverty at its core. It creates community and fosters relationships which allow all participants to live more fulfilled and abundant lives. "I grew up in a low income household but we were fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. They not only helped us meet immediate needs but also encouraged growth and helped us understand that we are much more then our current situation. I want others to have that same opportunity" Jeff said when asked why he feels a strong connection to Uplift's mission. Jeff is a member of Elk Grove United Methodist Church where he has served as lay leader and youth director. He currently is the co-chair for the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Jeff has a passion for the performing arts and choreographs and teaches dance. He currently works with the Davis High School Choirs, Placer Pops Chorale, Woodland Opera House, McLaughlin Studios and teaches private and group classes through his own company.

Paula Bussey

Paula has been a resident of Elk Grove for over 30 years. She has worked in the escrow industry for more than 48 years and recently retired as the Branch Manager of Placer Title Company in Elk Grove. Paula and her husband, Charlie, adopted three children who have now blessed them with five wonderful grandchildren. She has been a long-time member of Kiwanis, a local community service volunteer organization, where she has served on its board and held various leadership roles, including Club President. "My life has been so enriched by my involvement in Uplift," said Paula. "I am continually encouraged by the growth that is seen in its participants as we all learn and work together as a close-knit community to overcome the effects of poverty, in all its forms." When not spending time with her family, Paula spends most of her free time gardening, taking online courses, and reading.

Lynda Diaz

Cat Fithian

Cat Fithian is one of the founding members of Uplift People of Elk Grove, and serves as the Vice President of the Board. Cat also writes grants for our operating budget, has facilitated the curriculum teaching for Phase 1, and is currently serving as an Ally. Cat is a Librarian by profession, and has worked for public libraries for over 30 years. Her passion for helping marginalized communities comes from serving people in poverty in her professional life.

Cat is also a musician, and currently sings with Vox Musica and the Praise Band at Elk Grove United Methodist Church, as well as skulking around at area jam sessions with one of her various instruments. Cat is an avid crafter, and during this season of sheltering-in-place is working on sewing face masks, building a troll garden, and knitting enough items to cover a house.

"We all find ourselves, at various times, needing to change things about our situation, our lives, our selves, and honestly, change is easier when we are in community with others. Uplift works because we focus on personal accountability while also working to build relationships across socioeconomic lines. I have grown stronger and more resilient through this work, especially as I've seen my new friends making better choices and being transparent in their struggles. Together, we are all stronger."

Nancy Gonzalez

Norma Heim

Patsy Hopkins

Patsy is another Board Member who has been with us from the beginning of our journey. She is one of our allies and serves on the Program Planning and Finance Committees. She served as a facilitator of our weekly meeting for the first 2 cohorts and led our Business Planning Retreat.

Patsy started out as a secondary math teacher but after 5 years was lured away by the DoD to become a Computer Programming Intern. After 34 years, she retired as the Regional IT Director for the Pacific Ocean Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Throughout her career she was stationed in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC, Washington state, Hawai'i, and California.

In addition to Uplift People of Elk Grove, Patsy is an active volunteer and leader for her church, Elk Grove Food Bank Services and WINS, Elk Grove's winter shelter program.

If she's not doing something with one of these organizations, you'll probably find her working out at the gym, attending a movie or play, dining with friends, facetiming with family or figuring out her next vacation.

"When I first heard about the possibility of starting a Networx program in Elk Grove, it seemed like a natural extension of the work I was already doing with the homeless and less advantaged. It has been exciting watching the organization grow and witnessing the incredible transformations our champions have achieved. Building a supportive community is key and it is something that everyone involved with Uplift experiences. We are all better for doing this."

Reverend Lance Lewis

Rev. Lance Lewis was born and raised in Philadelphia where he graduated from Temple University. He' s been married to his dear wife Sharon for 35 years and they have two children, Sarah and Charles. Rev. Lewis has served within the Presbyterian Church in America for 30 years most of which in a pastoral capacity. He presently serves as the pastor of Soaring Oaks Presbyterian Church in Elk Grove, CA where he's been since 2013.

Throughout his pastoral ministry Pastor Lance has emphasized the importance of redemptive ethnic unity to the witness of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Along with seminar presentations to the PCA and other churches about this important issue, he's contributed to the following books which address the topic:

Aliens in the Promised Land: Why Minority Leadership is Overlooked in White Christian Church and Institutions (May, 2013 Crossway Press) Heal Us, Emmanuel: A Call For Racial Reconciliation, Representation and Unity In the Church (May 2016 White Black Bird Books) and All Are Welcome: Toward a Multi-Everything Church (May, 2018 White Black Bird Books).

Pastor Lance also joyfully engages in the life of his city by participating on the board of Elk Grove Uplift an anti-poverty initiative that helps individuals and families create more abundant lives and the Elk Grove Police Dept. Civilian Community Advisory Board.

Karen Malia

After I retired from teaching I wanted to find a worthwhile program to volunteer my time to. Uplift Elk Grove has been the perfect fit for me. Working with families and children as a teacher for 38 years gave me insight to some of the struggles families face. It's so rewarding to watch families grow in this program as they face their challenges, persevere, stay positive, and find their purpose in life. So uplifting!

Greg McAvoy-Jensen

Bruce and Bonnie McKinnie

Bruce and Bonnie are founding members of the board. After retirement, we searched for places we could give back that truly made a difference. Uplift stood out, because instead of putting bandaids on the problems that keep people trapped in unending cycles of poverty it provides families with the tools and support they need to move towards permanent independence. As the program has grown, we've seen positive proof of its success – kids who were ready to drop out of school being re-energized and graduating, homeless or near-homeless families move into stable housing, and individuals with patchwork, minimum wage jobs transition into better employment and training programs. The program succeeds because of the engagement and hard work of the families and their allies, creating a network where we all grow, support and hold each other accountable.

Bonnie holds a Master's degree in Human Genetics, and retired from a career in genetic counseling, most recently serving as Service Director for Genetics at Kaiser Permanente for the Sacramento, Modesto and Fresno regions. Bruce has a degree in Engineering, and retired from Valley Oak Home Appliance Center after many years in the appliance repair and service industry. In addition to Uplift, we volunteer at our local church and the Elk Grove Food Bank. We also keep busy with travel and our extended family.

Judy Sala

Judy is a Christian Counselor and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is retired from working as a Case Manager at the Elk Grove Food Bank and as the Elk Grove CalFresh Outreach Coordinator. Judy joined the Uplift Board a few years ago as a participant and resource specialist for services and information to assist others in their quest for a more abundant life. She also offers free counseling to all Uplift participants and leads workshops in nutrition on a budget and on achieving good mental health in times of stress.