| Our fantastic Board of Directors embodies the heart and soul of Northwest Kidney Kids (NWKK). This amazing group consists of individuals with deep connections to the kidney community. They generously share their personal experiences and expertise, serving as our guiding stars to help steer this organization on its mission and vision. Meet them here: David Rozansky, MD, Ph.D, Board President Dr. David Rozansky, a committed pediatric nephrologist known for his exceptional care at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, has been an integral part of the Board since its infancy in 2007. Beyond his role as a physician, where he provides crucial insights into treating children with kidney disease, he also boasts one of the most impressive collections of kid-friendly neckties ever assembled. David resides in Lake Oswego with his wife, Elana, and takes pride in his two sons and grandkids! He's not only a passionate and intelligent sports fan but also a valued member of the NWKK family. Cory Roletto, Board Vice President 
Cory has served on our board for ten years and counting! He runs a Portland marketing agency, leading a diverse team of 50 scattered across the USA. Since 2013 he’s been our go to guy on everything tech, but also shares HR insights and inspirational leadership. Cory's commitment goes beyond time and donations; his agency is our trusted partner in marketing. Perhaps his best contribution is being a donor-dad to a kidney kid, now thriving adult, Anthony, the eldest of his three busy boys. With his free time Cory plays in a men's baseball league, fishes with family, and runs D&D games for a group of NW Kidney Kids. Sharon Fleming, Board Secretary 
Sharon infuses our Board with contagious enthusiasm and a unique perspective. As a skilled professional realtor by day and a passionate advocate for her daughters by night, Sharon's vibrant energy and unwavering dedication have shone through in our Gala over the years. She is the driving force behind making things happen and ensuring our events are a success. Sharon is also a proud mother to an accomplished young adult with kidney disease, Alex. In addition to her contributions, Alex brings her own enthusiasm as a volunteer to our organization, enriching our community alongside her mother. Megan Wright, Board Treasurer 
Megan started at NWKK in 2018 as a gala volunteer and later joined as a board member in 2020. Her twenty plus years as a business analyst is put to good use as the board treasurer. Megan is always finding ways to give back, and NWKK is especially important because of her family’s history with kidney disease. In her spare time you might find Megan walking her puppy Zoey no matter the weather, traveling to visit her grandson or exploring her most favorite place on earth, Seville, Spain. Aaron Bayne, MD 
Dr. Aaron Bayne is a dedicated pediatric urologist serving at Kaiser and Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Hailing from a military family and growing up in San Antonio, Texas, his journey took him to Vanderbilt University in Nashville for undergraduate and medical school training. He then completed a urology residency in Portland, Oregon, and a pediatric urology fellowship at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. Driven by his deep love for working with children and a passion for surgery, his connection with NWKK began when a patient challenged him to get involved beyond his work. He wholeheartedly accepted the challenge and has now been on the board for 5 years. It has been both a joyful and humbling experience for him to be part of this remarkable organization, making a significant impact in the lives of these exceptional Kidney kids, both for work and outside of it too. Joyce Lee, MD 
Dr. Joyce Lee is a resolute pediatric nephrologist at Randall Children’s Hospital. Don’t let her calm demeanor fool you; she has a wicked sense of humor.She has supported NWKK since she relocated to Portland in 2012 and then became a board member in 2019. Everyone enjoys watching Joyce strut her kidney each fall at our annual run- huffing, puffing, and smiling in support of the NWKK community. When not attempting to run a race, you can find Joyce muddy in the garden with her husband and 2 children. Lance Puffer 
Lance has been on a dynamic journey in the pharmaceutical world for more than 17 years, navigating its fast-paced landscape. He’s brought his talents and a wealth of knowledge in renal disease to our organization. Lance's extensive network, connections, and fundraising expertise have proven invaluable to NWKK. We deeply appreciate his vision, which is rooted in bringing hope and happiness to the kidney community through unwavering dedication and service. When he's not on the road, or conquering one, Lance resides in SW WA with his wife and their five wonderful children. Jason Scott 
With over two decades in dialysis, Jason's journey began as an in-center hemodialysis technician in 2000, followed by graduating from Aquinas College in 2009. From Charge Nurse to Facility Administrator, and now a corporate educator, his career is a mixture of experience. Jason and his wife, Sarah, reside in Tualatin, OR, sharing their home with three furry companions. Board games fill their leisure time. For five years, Jason has been our camp nurse, and since 2019, a valued member of the Board. He's cherished every moment spent with the incredible kids and parents he's had the privilege to meet along the way. Dornald Myles HTL (ASCP), QIHC 
Dornald is a board member who offers an authentic perspective as a double kidney transplant recipient. Having received his first transplant in 1999 and a second in 2015, these transformative experiences have filled his life with excitement and hope. With an impressive 34-year career at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), his role as a histotechnologist in the Anatomical Pathology Immunohistochemistry department enabled him to closely collaborate with Pediatric Nephrologists, assisting in renal biopsies for young patients, including some of our Kidney Kids. Drawing from his personal kidney journey, Dornald recognizes the importance of empowering families, children, and youth on their own journey with kidney disease. In his free time you might find Dornald enjoying a good book, baking a cake, playing the piano, re-learning conversational French, or tending his garden. Lauren Lynn 
Lauren, a dedicated kidney kid parent, understands the vital role of this community firsthand. Her life took a unique turn when her career in insurance management was left behind, as her eldest battled E.coli/HUS at just two years old. NWKK quickly became her lifeline, allowing her to work part-time from home as the Community Engagement Manager for three years. In 2017, she pioneered the beloved Strut Your Kidney race. Today, she channels her management and people skills into Life Design Build. In 2023, Lauren eagerly joined NWKK's board due to the unwavering support her family received from the organization. Ever since their first camp experience in 2014, she found a community that helped her feel less isolated on a challenging journey, and she's committed to sharing that light with other Kidney Families as a board member. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys being in the company of good friends, cross-country skiing, camping, and traveling with her husband, two children and their dog. Meet our Founder  Founder and Past Board President (2006- June 2013). Dr. Randall Jenkins, or "Dr. J" as he's fondly known by his patients, is the longest practicing Portland area pediatric nephrologist. He blends his vast experience with a deep care and compassion for patients. Involved in creating and running camps for children with renal disease since the mid 1990s, in 2006 he founded NW Kidney Kids, Inc to continue camps and expand programs long into the future. We are honored to carry on this mission! Dr. Jenkins is the current Division Chief for the Pediatric Nephrology Department at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and continues to support us in many ways. In rare free time he loves to hit the slopes by downhill skiing.
Suzanne Billings  Suzanne Billings was a pediatric social worker who dedicated much of her professional life to working with families of children with kidney disease. Suzanne was integral in the development of NW Kidney Kids and served as President of the Board from 2013 until her death in 2017. Suzanne radiated joy and pride in her kidney kids' accomplishments; she was a true champion for her families and is beloved and missed by all whose lives she enriched over the years.In the spirit of Suzanne's life work, a scholarship has been established to promote independence and self-empowerment. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist in the development of skills and knowledge to facilitate life-long self-sufficiency for a "kidney kid". These funds can be used to support the higher education or technical training of a young adult with kidney disease. The Suzanne Billings Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually by NW Kidney Kids in keeping with its mission to encourage young people with kidney disease to realize their potential and embrace their future. |
