Bob Lee
Bob has been on the team since mid 2015, focusing on program delivery and operations. He’s married to Ruth and they have 4 kiddos. He served 8 years in the WA Army National Guard (176 Engineers) and prior to joining this team dabbled with construction, law enforcement and pastoral ministry.
Camille McPherson
Camille McPherson has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2012. She has served as a writer, Program Manager, and educator for a span of nonprofits, mainly in the performing arts. Ms. McPherson has written and won proposals from a wide array of funders, including government agencies, private foundations, and corporate grantors. Committed to community service, she volunteers on the Board of Directors for Teatro San Diego, The Rosin Box Project, and Rising Arts Leaders San Diego. Ms. McPherson is thrilled to be a part of the Stronger Families team and to make a difference in the lives of our heroes and their families.
Caryn Aderhold
Caryn has worked for Stronger Families as a Program Coordinator since 2014. Before joining the Stronger Families team, she worked as an Executive Assistant for International Cruise Lines, as well as an International Electronics Firm, an Office/Para Educator for the Northshore School District, and a Retail Manager at an independent toy store. Outside of work, Caryn and her husband have recently relocated from Seattle, WA to Johnson City, TN where she is enjoying spending time with new friends, playing with her 3 dogs, and exploring all that Eastern TN and surroundings have to offer.
Don Nelson
Owner, Team Nelson
Earthwork & Utilities
Edward Sumner
Edward brings 15 years of executive leadership experience to the Stronger Families team as our VP, Managing Director. He is passionate about serving people in hard places, building creative solutions, and making a significant impact in the community. He is a proud hubby and father to a blended family of 6, in his free time Edward enjoys mountaineering, sailing, and helping his lovely wife with projects around the house.
Ellie Calquhoun
Ellie Calquhoun joined the Stronger Families team in 2022 as the Development Coordinator. Previously, she earned her degree and worked in Development at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. Now, she is enjoying getting to meet and work with the donors and supporters of this mission at Stronger Families. With multiple friends and family serving in the military, police, and fire departments, Ellie’s role is an opportunity to serve the communities of her loved ones. Ellie and her husband moved back down to their hometown area of Olympia, WA to be near their big families, close friends, and cheaper rent! When Ellie is not answering her work phone, she is probably shooing chickens out of the garden or drinking coffee with friends.
Jim DuBois
Retired Cheif Information Officer,
Microsoft Corporation
Jon Kelly
With over 25 years of dedicated service in the Army (including 21 combat deployments), Jon retired as a Sergeant Major in the most elite Special Operations Unit in the Army. In his role at SF, he will help to forge new strategic partnerships that will amplify our impact and further our mission. Jon is a Duke University MBA candidate and has a Bachelor’s degree from Troy University. He has a Silver Star, Bronze Star w/Valor, three Bronze Stars, Air Medal w/Valor, Army Commendation Medal w/Valor, and more. He is a highly accomplished, results-oriented special operations veteran with proven performance leading cross-functional teams in high-stress, dynamic environments.
He believes that Stronger Families and the work we are doing can transform the lives of his brothers and sisters in the Military and Veteran community. He also has a passion for seeing those who serve our communities as First Responders excel at home and work. “This program was life-changing for me and my wife. I want to spread the word to as many people as I can about the power of what Stronger Families is doing.” Jon lives with his wife of 23 years, Crystal, in North Carolina with their 2 girls (19, 17) and 1 boy (12). He has completed a 100-mile ultra-marathon and loves to be active and spend time outdoors.
Karissa Meador
Karissa Meador is a people-oriented and results-driven leader with a strong acumen in branding, sales strategy and management, and relationship building. She has a proven track record as a top sales leader and was the CEO of her own company before joining the SF team full-time. In her company, Karissa served CEOs, executives, and teams by helping with their personal brand and team culture development, specializing in collaborative marketing and events.
She is a writer and speaker and is co-author of the nationally acclaimed, Pentagon-approved, OXYGEN program. The OXYGEN program has served over 85,000 of our nation’s heroes in 48 states/territories, 12 countries, and on 76 military installations. Karissa is the Chair, Creative Director, and creator of The Hope for Heroes Gala; a community-wide effort to rally around those that serve—raising over $4.2 million in donations and gifts-in-kind through this event and has rallied business leaders, corporations, A-list celebrities, athletes, and community members around the cause.
Karissa is a people connector who thrives on bringing like-minded businesses and individuals together to make a difference. She graduated from Portland State University. She lives in Heath, TX with her husband, Noel, and their 4 kids: Drew (17), Noah (15), Myles (14), and Kaylea (6). She loves a great book, hiking, boating, travel and spending time with friends and family. “Stronger Families does crucial work. Before I worked within these communities, I didn’t really understand the degree of sacrifice. Now that I do, I can’t look away. In fact, I’m compelled every day to do all I can to make sure they have the support that they need. I have a deep love for this country and the men and women who serve.”
Katie Koons
Katie joined the Stronger Families team in January 2016. Katie attended Central Washington University where she studied Information Technology and specialized in Administrative Management. Before Stronger Families, Katie was a Behavioral Educator for students with special needs in the Lake Washington School District. Katie is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others and she is proud to work for an organization where she can apply both her skills and her passion. In addition to her role at Stronger Families, Katie coaches a high school cheerleading team. Outside of work, Katie enjoys camping, traveling, dancing, and spending time with her family, friends and her husband, Kyle.
Lauri Sears
Melinda Nelson
Community Volunteer
Noel Meador
Noel Meador is President & CEO of Stronger Families headquartered in Seattle, Washington. His passion is to offer hope and healing to military and first responder relationships that experience high stress due to their chosen profession. Noel is the co-author of the OXYGEN Seminar. OXYGEN has been taught on 76 military installations, in 36 states nationwide and 9 countries. This 8-chapter curriculum looks at everything from intimacy to communication and sex and helps heroes and their partners find connection, hope, and healing. Since 2010, over 50,000 couples have gone through this life-changing relationship program and to date there are 1300+ facilitators nationwide certified to teach OXYGEN.
Noel received his Master’s Degree in Education, is the host of the podcast, The OXYGEN Show, and is trained in Prepare/Enrich, Genesis Process, PREP, John Maxwell Leadership, and Safe Conversations.
Noel lives in Heath, TX with his wife, Karissa, and their four children, Drew (15), Noah(13), Myles (11) and Kaylea (4).
Sean Sanberg
Sean Sanberg is excited to be working with Stronger Families as the National Training Director. He and Sarah, his wife of 20 years, are both musicians and have often found themselves performing at wedding ceremonies…loving the excitement and joy that comes from strong, happy, healthy, committed relationships. Sean has worked in the arena of marriage and family support for over 2 decades speaking at retreats, seminar, workshops, coaching sessions, and one on one mentoring. He is grateful to be able to continue his support of meaningful relationships at Stronger Families through OXYGEN for Your Relationships . Sean and Sarah began their marriage and grew their family, consisting of two daughters and two sons, in Mountain Home, Idaho. In this small Air Force Base community they quickly grew to appreciate and love the military culture as well as the unique challenges that couples face as they serve our country. In addition to a great burger, a soulfully sung R&B tune, and time with his family, Sean enjoys playing spots, running, fishing, and good conversation with great friends.
Sean Sanberg
Sean Sanberg is excited to be working with Stronger Families as the Director of Sales and Training. He and Sarah, his wife of 25 years, began their marriage and grew their family, consisting of two daughters and two sons, in Mountain Home, Idaho. In this small Air Force Base community, they quickly grew to appreciate and love the military culture as well as the unique challenges that couples face as they serve our country. As musicians Sean and Sarah regularly found themselves performing at wedding ceremonies, drawn to the excitement and joy that comes from strong, happy, healthy, committed relationships. Over the past two decades Sean has worked in the arena of marriage and family support speaking at retreats, conducting seminars, hosting workshops, providing coaching sessions, and mentoring one-on-one. For the last 5 years he has been grateful to continue supporting meaningful relationships through the OXYGEN Program by Stronger Families. In addition to a great burger, a soulfully sung R&B tune, and time with his family, Sean enjoys playing sports, running, fishing, and good conversations with friends.
Tiffany Trombley
Tiffany was born in Elmira, New York and then raised in Washington state. She attended Salem International University in WV, where she had an academic scholarship and played soccer for the SIU Tigers. After graduation, she returned home where she applied for a job in Law Enforcement. Tiffany was hired and worked for Des Moines PD for two years. She made a lateral move to the Kirkland Police Department in 2010, where she works as a commissioned Law Enforcement Officer. It was at KPD where she met her husband of 6 years, Jeff. Jeff is a WOC in the US Army and a Detective with Kirkland PD. Tiffany and Jeff have 3 wonderful children, Alexis, Kyle and Zella. Shortly after Zella was born in 2017, Tiffany went back to school for her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She is now a practicing therapist and has provided couples counseling during SF retreats. She has since become an agency trainer in the material and is excited to help Stronger Families serve First Responders.
Tim Sears
Tim Sears joins Stronger Families with 44 years in the fire service, having served in 4 different fire departments. Tim was actively involved in water rescue, tillered ladder truck ops, safety committee, fire investigator, hazmat, PEER support, board member on KFFBA Benevolent Fund and active in his IAFF Union Local 2545. Tim retired in 2021 from the Kirkland Fire Department in Washington State with many department accommodations for his 30 years of service. Tim can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone 425-679-5671 x701.
Vivienne Gevers
Gevers Wealth Management, LLC
William Gevers
Gevers Wealth Management, LLC
OUR MISSION
To bring life-changing relationship skills to military, first responder, and veteran families so they can be strong and thrive.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Our vision is for healthy marriages and stronger families in every community. Our military and first responders are our national and local heroes. Their unique occupational experiences add stressors that affect their relationships and families.
Stronger Families comes alongside them to offer hope and tools to strengthen their family unit, thereby impacting future generations in our free society. It’s our privilege to serve those who have already served us.
“ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT?”
A few years married, 80-hour work weeks, a new baby, the launch of a business, a new job, family dynamics, and a lack of understanding their personality differences had the Meadors looking at each other one day asking the question, “are we going to make it?”
Connection was waning. In its place, wounding, misunderstanding, and disappointment grew.
This was the moment the Stronger Families story began.
After digging in, seeking counseling, and learning more about each other and their unique differences, healing began to take root. Noel and Karissa soon realized that hope wasn’t intangible. As they continued to work, the answers weren’t hard to find. But, it took something very few couples spend on their relationship amidst the daily stresses of life–concentrated, devoted effort and time.
A DEFINING MOMENT.
Through the healing of their marriage, the Meadors developed a passion for other couples to experience hope and healing. They wrote and created the OXYGEN seminar. Later they would go on to develop the personality test, the OXYGEN Profile Assessment.
After a front row seat witnessing a loved one struggle in their marriage after multiple deployments, and a recommendation by a 2-Star General Retired who believed this program could change the lives of our heroes—the Stronger Families mission was birthed.
Today, because of Noel and Karissa’s vision and the incredible team at Stronger Families, OXYGEN has served military, veteran, and first responder heroes in 9 countries, on 76 installations, in 36 states, and now has six chapters nationwide.
Never underestimate the power of a defining moment.
OUR TEAM
Noel Meador
President & CEO
Karissa Meador
Chief Development Officer
Co-Author OXYGEN Seminar
Caryn Aderhold
Sr. Program Coordinator
Tim Sears
First Responder Director
Tiffany Trombley
Assistant First Responder Director
Ellie Calquhoun
Development Coordinator
Camille McPherson
Grant Coordinator
Jon Kelly
Director of Strategic Partnerships
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mindy Nelson
Assets Manager and Investor
Stronger Families Board Chair
William Gevers
President, Gevers Wealth Management, Inc.
Stronger Families Board Treasurer
Julie Dillon
PypeServer, Inc. Senior Account Manager
Stronger Families Board Secretary
Keni Thomas
US Army Ranger (Ret.)
Combat veteran of the 3rd Ranger Battalion
Bronze Star for Valor Recipient
Best-selling Author
Award-winning Recording Artist
Vivienne Gevers
Real Estate Investor
Don Nelson
CEO, Team Nelson
Randi Johnson
Founder, Ladies Who Lunch
Eric Johnson
TPG Senior Advisor and Software Executive