Executive Director

tia@kindredmatters.org

Tia began volunteering with Kindred Matters in 2012 and has grown alongside the organization through nearly every role, from volunteer counselor and KINnect event coordinator to registration coordinator and program director. Today, she serves as Executive Director, bringing more than a decade of experience, a deep commitment to connection and belonging, and a belief that every young person and family deserves meaningful opportunities to feel seen, valued, and connected.

Tia holds a bachelor's degree in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon, with a minor in Nonprofit Administration and Management. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where relationships can grow, advocating for young people and families, and building programs that meet people where they are. As Executive Director, she is excited to continue growing Kindred Matters' programs and reach across Oregon while staying grounded in the relationships and community that make this work possible.

Outside of Kindred Matters, you can usually find Tia on the pool deck coaching swimming, cheering on her swimmers, or spending time with her partner and dog.

Co-Founder

Karyn Schimmels has been a proud Oregonian since 1988 but was raised in Yakima, Washington, as the youngest of 7 children and the child of a 3rd generation medical missionary doctor. Karyn’s work and dedication led her to many interesting roles in public service that established her as a driven and compassionate leader in health and human services and nonprofit management leadership here in Oregon and nationally. She began working in state service for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in 1990 as a child welfare caseworker. After 32 years in public service, she retired in 2022, to continue pursuing her passions on her own and as an independent consultant. As co-founder of Kindred Matters, she continues to volunteer hundreds of hours to our organization.

Co-Founder

Charley Schimmels became involved with Kindred Matters in 2006 as volunteer co-director and head counselor (Big Daddy), and hopes to continue serving youth and families who are affected by the foster care system. Originally a native of Washington State (born in Seattle and grew up in Yakima), he has lived in the Portland metro area since 1988. Charley has been married to his best friend and partner Karyn since 1988 and they share four children. When Charley is not volunteering for Kindred Matters he makes his living selling truck equipment for Carco Industries, Inc. based in Tualatin, Oregon.

Sibling Camp Registration Coordinator

siblingcamp@kindredmatters.org

Family Camp Registration Coordinator

familycamp@kindredmatters.org

Camper Wellness and Behavior Support

Youth Development and Training Coordinator

Salem KINnect Event Coordinator

kinnectsalem@kindredmatters.org

Mollee began volunteering for Kindred Matters in 2017, and has been coming back ever since. Born and raised in Oregon, she graduated from Southern Oregon University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a minor in communication. She has always had a passion for working with youth in need and supporting youth living in the foster care system. Mollee is supporting as the Salem KINnect coordinator and looks forward to facilitating future events to bring separate siblings together. When Mollee is not working or hosting KINnect events, she is probably thinking about camp or listening to a true crime podcast.

Portland Area KINnect Coordinator

kinnectpdx@kindredmatters.org

Central Oregon Area KINnect Coordinator

info@kindredmatters.org

Grant Writer

kindredmattersor@gmail.com

Board Member: Chair

Kami began volunteering with Kindred Matters in 2017. At camp, she’s a dedicated member of the admin team but likes to think of her role as one of the behind-the-scenes magic makers.

As a single parent to grown children, Kami brings a unique understanding of family, seeing it as not only as those connected by birth but chosen bonds on who you love wholeheartedly, built on mutual love and support. To her, the sibling relationship is a beautiful adventure, and she encourages her own kids to make time for each other, giving them space to just be, knowing the best memories are often unplanned.  She believes in creating safe spaces where kids can let their true colors shine and be their unique selves.

 For her day job, Kami is a proud member of the Swoosh family. Rocking her role as a Senior Legal Assistant at Nike, Inc. for over five years. There too, she is behind the scenes as a go-to problem solver and helps keep the wheels turning.

Board Member: Vice-Chair

Vera is the CEO of the Oregon Alliance, a statewide voice for children, youth, and families. The Alliance brings together a diverse network of organizations that provide critical services.  Vera has been a statewide leader in advocacy, system improvement and program development for children, youth, and families in Oregon for many years. She has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and accountability.  For the last 21 years she served in executive leadership roles at Boys & Girls Aid, one of the oldest child welfare agencies in the state of Oregon. She led their effort to embrace permanency as an agency-wide priority, ensuring that all programs and service areas promote lifelong connections for children and youth. Vera completed her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin – Stout in Vocational Rehabilitation and received her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco. 

Board Member: Treasurer

Betsy Onstad graduated with an Economics degree from UC Davis and now works as a CPA at a public accounting firm in the Portland Metro area. She was introduced to Kindred Matters by a coworker and is very excited to be involved with the Organization and give back to the community as the Board Co-Treasurer. Betsy enjoys traveling, going on leisurely walks with her dogs, and trying new restaurants in Beaverton and Portland.

Board Secretary

Wendi came to Kindred Matters through co-founder Karyn Schimmels after Wendi moved to Portland from Denver. Prior to her move, she taught high school English for thirty five years. She was drawn to volunteer because of her years as an educator and also because her parents served as short-care foster parents to infants and later (separate occasions) to two teenage boys. Eventually the family adopted one of the boys (not until he was fifty, but he was always part of the family). She believes family comes in many ways. Sometimes the tightest bonds transcend explanation, and in the end, family is family no matter how it happens or what it looks like. Maintaining those bonds matters, and Wendi values her small role in helping that happen for Oregon youth. 

Board Member

Sara Fassett moved to Oregon in 1994 and quickly found herself drawn to public service programs, including drug treatment, gang violence, domestic violence, and child welfare. She has spent the last 20 years dedicated to improving outcomes for children within the welfare system. She donates her spare time to charitable projects such as Abby’s Closet, Project Lemonade, Start Making a Reader Today, and a number of LGBTQ causes. Her involvement with Kindred Matters is a reflection of her ongoing commitment to helping the youth of Oregon.

Board Member

Tia Smith is from Salem, Oregon, and currently lives in Portland, Oregon. She is a Former youth in care in the state of Oregon. While in care, she was invited to go to a camp for siblings who were separated, now known as Kindred Matters Sibling Camp. It was something she looked forward to each of the 8 years that she attended with her brother. During her time at camp, she met Karyn and Charley. She remembers how grateful she was to experience camp and now enjoys giving back to the organization through volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors.

Board Member