Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Alan Hungate
President
Retired partner, Moss Adams, LLP | Ride for a Child cyclist | Board Member since 2023
Alan got involved with Candlelighters through Ride for a Child, participating as a cyclist and fundraiser since 2018. After being introduced to the organization’s mission and forging connections with the other riders and honored children, Alan was inspired to expand his support. When first asked to join the Candlelighter’s board in 2023, he was driven to accept due to his past experiences on nonprofit boards and his passion for giving back. As the board president, Alan works with the Executive Director and other board members offering guidance and advice that focuses on ensuring program quality, impact and fiscal responsibility while expanding the organization’s reach throughout Oregon and SW Washington.
Elizabeth Kraus, J.D.
Secretary
Business Attorney, Inmix Law | Candlelighters Parent | Board Member since 2020 | Governance & Nominating Committee Chair
Liz was introduced to Candlelighters over 10 years ago while living at the hospital with her newborn daughter who was fighting a cancer diagnosis. She and her family were touched by Candlelighters’ extensive outreach programs and formed bonds with other families going through the same experience. These connections became key to their familial recovery. Now that her daughter is healthy, Liz joined the board to give back to the organization that supported their family through every stage of their pediatric cancer journey. Her esteemed career as a corporate lawyer provides guidance in her board roles - as the Board Secretary and the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, Liz ensures that the organization is legally compliant, she strives to find engaged new board members, and works to enhance the overall image of the organization to the broader Portland community.
Zabyn Towner
Treasurer
Executive Director, Northwest Requirements Utilities | Candlelighters Parent | Board member since 2025 | Finance and Governing/Nominating Committee Member
Zabyn’s connection to Candlelighters began when his son was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017. During his three and a half years of treatment at Doernbecher, Candlelighters supported their family with meals, comfort items, and connection through programs like Family Camp. Zabyn, after experiencing the Candlelighters’ mission directly, felt a desire to give back to the organization that guided his family through an unprecedented time. As the Executive Director of a nonprofit trade organization and an attorney, Zabyn brings extensive leadership and governance experience to the board. As the board treasurer, Zabyn makes sure the organization manages its finances in a fiscally responsible way. He is honored to serve on the board and is committed to helping Candlelighters continue its mission of supporting families facing pediatric cancer.
Board Members at Large
Steve Drew
Scholarship Committee Member
Chief Digital Strategy Officer, McWhinney | Candlelighters Parent | Board Member since 2023
Steve was introduced to Candlelighters when his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at age three. Steve and his family had unbelievable support and encouragement from Candlelighters and the pediatric cancer community during that time. He was especially moved by Candlelighters’ focus on the entire family, an important distinction that made a lasting impact. Following his daughter’s recovery, Steve felt a calling to give back to the organization and overall community that supported his family in their time of need. With over 25 years of experience in designing, defining and implementing software products, he brings strategic and operational expertise to the board. Steve is committed to helping Candlelighters continue its support of families like his that struggle with the challenges of childhood cancer.
Jason Frankel
Development Committee Co-Chair
Employee Engagement & Learning and Development Consultant | Board Member since 2023 | Scholarship Committee member
Jason’s connection to Candlelighters began nearly seven years ago when a friend asked him to donate a dinner at his home for a silent auction. That small gesture led to a deeper involvement, from attending events to actively supporting Candlelighters; programs through his prior position at KeyBank. The collaboration kept growing through meaningful experiences like Luminaries at the Lake, when Jason opens his home to the Luminaries, our teen group, and their families and watches them laugh, play, swim, and just be kids. Jason joined the board to live out one of his personal mantras: “Take action, don’t just talk action.” An Army veteran and longtime banking professional, Jason is proud to contribute his experience to support the organization’s mission. As a board member, he strives to bring sustained awareness about pediatric cancer to the broader Portland community.
Amanda Garcia
Program Committee Chair and Development Committee Co-Chair
Quality Improvement & Accreditation Manager, Benton County Public Health | Candlelighters Volunteer and Family Member | Board Member since 2019
Amanda was introduced to Candlelighters in 2019 after witnessing the significant support the organization provided to her sister and family when her niece was diagnosed with leukemia. Moved by the influence Candlelighters had during that impossible time, Amanda began volunteering at family events with the Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter. From helping at holiday gatherings to bringing joy to the children while dressed as Anna from Frozen, she has stayed closely involved. As a board member, Amanda is committed to supporting families, fundraising for vital services, and spreading awareness of the Candlelighters’ mission.
Raquel Amira Hays
Development Committee Member
Oregon Account Manager, Caris Life Sciences | Board member since 2026
As a new board member, Raquel learned about Candlelighters through her association with fellow board member, Amanda Garcia. As a nurse specializing in oncology, Raquel has extensive experience in cancer research nursing, surgical recovery, charge nursing, and hospital supervision. In addition to her professional medical background, Raquel has been representing our state as Mrs. Oregon in 2025. As a proud first-generation Mexican American, Raquel is excited to work with Candlelighters’ Latino families who face numerous obstacles and challenges. Based in Eugene, Raquel will collaborate closely with our Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter.
Mary Holt
Ride for a Child Committee Chair
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Northwest Permanente at Kaiser Permanente | Ride for a Child cyclist |
Board member since 2023
In 2022, Mary connected with Candlelighters through Ride for a Child after being recruited by her dad and fellow riders. She felt immense pride riding with her honored child’s name on her jersey and sharing the Candlelighters’ mission with others at Cycle Oregon. Inspired by the children she met and the clear impact of the organization’s support for families, Mary felt drawn to do more. As a nurse anesthetist and former ICU nurse, she brings a genuine compassion for families facing medical crises. Mary is excited to extend her involvement by serving on the board. As a board member, she wants to help Candlelighters continue its mission of supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
Steven Kassing
Development Committee Co-Chair, Hospital Relations Committee
Elemental Supply Chain and Operations Manager, AWS | Board member since 2025
Steven and his family learned about the wide range of Candlelighters’ services when his son, Connor, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 12. Throughout their family’s ordeal, Candlelighters was there, every step of the way, offering support for the entire family. Now that Connor is stable and continues his treatments, Steven is honored to give back to an organization that provided so much to his family during the most challenging times of their lives and pay it forward. Steven brings a wealth of experience as a supply chain logistics supervisor for Amazon and is excited to find ways as a board member to help the organization strengthen its programs and stay on stable financial footing.
Dr. Linda Stork
Hospital Relations Committee Member
Professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, OHSU | Board member since 2025
For 40 years, Linda has dedicated her distinguished professional career to the pediatric oncology community, beginning at Children’s Hospital in Denver and transitioning to Doernbecher OHSU in 2002. As a medical professional, Linda has treated hundreds of patients over the years and understands the value of external organizations, like Candlelighters, in helping families as they deal with the lifelong journey of childhood cancer. Linda has proudly served on various boards including the Oregon chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation. As a Candlelighters board member, Linda brings her vast medical knowledge and clinical experience to the organization.
Jim Stumpf
Finance and Development Committee Member
CEO & Owner, Overhead Door Company of Portland | Ride for a Child cyclist | Board member since 2025
As an active member of the PDX Executives Association, Jim met Dick Hartung, the founder of Ride for a Child. Dick created Ride for a Child in 2002 as an homage to his daughter who had passed away from bone cancer at age nine. Jim was so moved by Dick’s story and his commitment to Candlelighters, he became a cyclist and fundraiser for Ride for a Child in 2014 and has been part of the cyclist crew since then. Jim’s passion for helping others, especially families facing the lifelong journey of pediatric cancer, comes through in everything he does and led him to recently accept a role on the board. His expertise as a successful business owner will undoubtedly help him achieve his goal of widening the scope and reach of Candlelighters across the Pacific Northwest.
Jeffrey K. Yandle
Past Board President
Senior Managing Director & Wealth Manager, JP Morgan Chase | Ride for a Child cyclist | Board Member since 2019
Jeff initially got involved with Candlelighters through Ride for a Child, where he has participated as a cyclist and fundraiser since 2011. His commitment to the organization deepened over the years, leading him to join the board in 2019. No stranger to the nonprofit community, Jeff brings experience from previous board service with Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Family Service, Maybelle Center for Community, and the La Salle Educational Foundation. As the current past board president, Jeff has helped steer the organization as it seeks to expand its impact within the pediatric cancer community.