2023/24 Board of Directors

Kate Laferriere

Co-President (outgoing)

Bonnie Resendes

Co-President (incoming)

Debbi Sutton

Secretary

Debbi has been a Nevada County resident for 30 years, has raised her 5 children here and now has 12 grandchildren. Debbi was active as a Soroptimist member in 2008, however illness prevented her from continuing until 2023. She is back as a Soroptimist member and currently works for Child Advocates of Nevada County, Healthy Babies Program. Coming back to Soroptimist International of Grass Valley was a no brainer and supports her passion for helping women and children.

Debbi loves to garden, grow her own food, raise chickens for eggs in an effort to become more self reliant. In her spare time she enjoys camping and family gatherings.

Fran Freedle

Treasurer

Fran Freedle has been a Soroptimist for 48 years. She was invited to join a few months after opening her business, The Trophy Shoppe, that she operated for 21 years, but sold when she was a Nevada County Supervisor. She has served in almost every position, is a Past President and has been Treasurer
several times including the current Treasurer.

In 1999, as an active member of the Women and Children Committee, she helped co-found the KARE(Kids Assistance and Respite in Emergencies) Crisis Nursery, working 7 years to bring the idea to fruition, purchase a facility and serve the first child, and establish the only stable Court-Ordered Family Visitation program in the county. She raised over $2 million in grants and continued as the Accountant for another 6 years.

She has been Chairman of many committees including the Vocational Scholarship that she has led for 12 years. She has chaired the Grants Committee since its inception 10 years ago – a program that has
helped local non-profits in our community with over $70,000. She loves the international mission of Soroptimist to support and empower women throughout the world.

Kristina Shramek

Board Member

Kristina Shramek has lived in Nevada County for over 25 years.  In 1990, she worked for Nevada County as an attorney but took a break and moved to the midwest where she obtained a doctorate in counseling and education as she wanted to help children and families deal with trauma.  Kristina was then able to develop a counseling program for the University of Idaho in Coeur d'Alene before returning to Grass Valley where she worked for Placer County for over 20 years as an attorney for child protective services. 

Upon her retirement, she became a part-time instructor for UC Davis, teaching social workers.  Kristina's goal upon retirement was to become involved in her local community and find a way to promote women and children's causes.  She found Soroptimist of Grass Valley one year ago and truly enjoys working with the other women who share in this passion.  She is especially committed to bringing awareness to the blight of human trafficking and loves working on this project with other dedicated women.  When she is not teaching or volunteering, she is hiking, paddle boarding, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors with family, friends and her pups.  

Vicki Winters

Board Member

Kimberly Jones

Board Member

Kimberly's roots run deep in Nevada County, where she was born and raised. After spending twelve years in the Bay Area, she returned to Penn Valley in 2020. Her enduring passion for championing the needs of disadvantaged women and children has been a driving force throughout her life. Upon joining SIGV in 2022, Kimberly found a fulfilling avenue to further support and advocate for these deserving groups.

When she's not dedicating her time to volunteering, Kimberly leads a bustling career as Director of Rental Operations with Signet Jewelers. Despite her demanding professional life, she finds joy in the adventures she shares with her spirited 7-year-old daughter, Charlotte, and their beloved golden retriever.

Marlene Sharon

Delegate

Marlene Sharon has lived and worked in Grass Valley for 35 years. Her two children matriculated through the Grass Valley schools and are now a Phd. Astrophysicist and an RN. Marlene is an active retiree, she swims, hikes and bikes and loves to travel. But her real passion is volunteering! She volunteers for and belongs to seven clubs and organizations. Soroptimist of Grass Valley is her favorite organization. The SIGV projects are rewarding for the community and for the SIGV members. The club has many opportunities to realize ones’ passion to help local women and children. The camaraderie of the club and the opportunity to serve on the board in so many different ways is fulfilling. Marlene’s only answer to any query for help is yes. At home on the Sun Moon ranch, she cooks, cleans and bakes vegetarian/vegan style for her husband and herself and always with an audible book plugged in her ear, no time to sit and read anymore!

Judy East

Past President

Judy East has been a member of SIGV for 40 years, serving as President 4 times.  All of her professional career has been dedicated to helping women and children as counselor and adminstrator of Lyman Gilmore School and in various non profit organizations.  She has served as chair of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission and Mental Health Advisory Committe for Nevada County.  Additionally, she and her husband Monty were instrumental in creating the first Teen Center in Nevada County.  Judy enjoys living in Nevada County, where she can make a differrence in this amazing community.