About Us
Lee Ann Mead: Founder/ Vice President
Lee Ann has lived in the Northwest all her life. She grew up in a small family with her mother, step father and brother. Her step father abused her from the age of 4 until 16. From a very young age she has always had the desire to be a force for change and help children and adults like herself overcome abuse. She is dedicated to turning the term “victim” of abuse into “survivor” of abuse. She is presently on a journey of healing in moving from a survivor to a “thriver” – living with an open heart for herself and others.
Lee Ann is a wife and mother of 3 and a step mother to 4. She is heavily involved with her large family and trying to be the best mom she can be. She works hard for her family as a full time Legal Assistant at the law firm of Landye Bennett Blumstein, LLP. She is a current member of the National Association for Legal Professions (NALS) where she serves on the NALS Future Leaders Development Committee. She volunteers her time on an Everest College Advisory Board (to assist in the review and improvement of the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program curriculum). Though her career is important to her, as the founder of Sparks of Hope, her real passion is in working with the organization to empower children who are survivors of physical or sexual abuse to achieve hope, trust and healing.Francisco Bermudez,Jr. : President
As a longtime advocate for children, Francisco began his charity work in 1995 at the first annual University of Oregon’s Dance-A-Thon fundraiser for children. During this time, Mr. Bermudez had recently formed a new business as a mobile Disc Jockey and wanted to give back. This event lead him to holding weekend youth outreach dances in his hometown by 1996. He felt by giving kids this option on the weekends, they were less likely to be in a position to cause trouble. Throughout the years, Mr. Bermudez also volunteered his time by helping with a myriad of fundraisers from sponsoring and performing at teen dances to helping send kids to Washington DC, and performing at annual elementary Jump Rope for Heart and Jog-A-Thon fundraisers.
His most cherished events were working with the local businesses to host a Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser where he performed at Camp U-CAN-DO, and at Kids with Cancer Weekend Retreat. His career took many turns but finally lead him to the financial industry where Mr. Bermudez has been for the last 8 years. As Vice President and Branch Manager within Columbia State Bank, Mr. Bermudez has had the opportunity to devote even more of his time to volunteering.
Brenda Griffin: Secretary
Brenda is a mother to 3 children and has been married for over 20 years. She grew up in Oregon and has moved up and down the west coast in support of her husband’s job. She had worked for Safeway for 27+ years. She and her husband, together, decided to venture out and own a business of their own. With much love and support from family and friends, the purchase of Ultimate Team Spirit in Canby, Oregon has become an amazing blessing for her. That is how she became involved with the Sparks of Hope nonprofit.
Sparks of Hope is quickly becoming an important part of her life and she looks forward to helping children in any way she able. After many years of helping in her children’s classrooms, being a Sunday school teacher and involved with children’s sports, the need for children’s’ advocacy is overwhelmingly needed in our community and within the State of Oregon. Brenda feels honored to be a part of Sparks of Hope.
Lynn Shirrell: Treasurer
Antonio Harvey: Director
Bio coming soon.
Bryan Wieden: Director
Photo and Bio coming soon.
Rebecca Hoff: Director
Rebecca has been in the printing industry for nearly 20 years, however, her desire is to move into a career path focusing on her passion of helping survivors of abuse. She was raised in the Portland metropolitan area and now resides in Milwaukie. In her spare time she enjoys movies, long drives and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Nikki Harmon: Director
Nikki is a proud wife, and mother to two young boys. Growing up in the northwest, Nikki has developed a great love for camping, white water rafting, traveling, enjoying the beach and spending time with her family. Nikki considers herself blessed to have parents who encouraged her to give of her time and talents from an early age. Even as a child, Nikki can remember going with her father each year to help with the gathering, assembly, and delivery of Christmas food & toy baskets. Traditions like that one were foundational to Nikki’s personal belief in the value of service and giving. Over the years, Nikki has had the opportunity to work with many organizations who operated homeless shelters, provided counseling at youth camps, operated sports clinics for children, coordinated community blood drives, and served on foreign mission fields, among various other things. Nikki believes that each one of these opportunities has been key in shaping who she is.
Nikki is especially honored to have been asked to serve on the Board of Sparks of Hope. She understands that organizations such as Sparks of Hope need those of us who believe in their mission to step up, volunteer, give, and take an active part in affecting positive change. Nikki has observed friends and family members who have struggled with the long term effects of abuse and knows there is great value to come from the work of Sparks of Hope. Her personal goal in her work here is to be a part of helping children learn that they have the power to overcome their circumstances, discover their self-worth, learn they are of great value, and watch them grow into beautiful adults who have broken the cycle of abuse.
In addition to her volunteer work, Nikki is an experienced Certified Public Accountant. She is the Managing Member at Douglass-Harmon CPA, LLC, where she has worked with many non-profits, small businesses and individuals. Her business focus is in the areas of tax, financial planning, as well as business and management consulting. Nikki is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Oregon Association of Independent Accountants, and The Oregon Society of CPA’s.
Matt Olsen: Director
Matt is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, and has been a State Farm Insurance Agent for the past five years in Canby, Oregon. Matt has dedicated himself to his family, serving his community and helping financially protect his clients. Matt has a special interest in community service organizations that are centered around children such as Kiwanis and mentoring. Matt is honored to be a part of Sparks of Hope organization and is excited for the opportunity to help kids who are victims of abuse thrive in our community.
Chelsea Boehler: Director
Chris Mead: Media and Public Relations Director
Photo coming soon.