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The 100% Giving Board Award recognizes nonprofits that actively encourage their Board members to make a personal financial gift to the organization’s operating fund.

“While time and talent on the board are necessary, board members’ personal financial contribution to the nonprofits they serve is crucial. Each year, the Community Foundation’s 100% Giving Board Award recognizes northern Nevada nonprofits for having each of their board members financially support their organization’s work in the region.

The Giving Board members support their chosen cause and the mission of their organizations by making an annual gift. You understand your role as a board member, and you are commended for your commitment.”

Interested in becoming a Member of the For Kids Foundation Board of Directors?

Complete Our Online Application Here:
Board of Directors Candidate Application

Board of Directors

Cesar Quintanilla, Board Chair

Cesar grew up in New York before relocating to Reno and throughout the years has continuously volunteered with Junior Achievement. He has also held financial literacy classes in English and Spanish for those who need guidance. His belief that no child should be left behind is what brought him to the For Kids Foundation.

C: (914) 512-0477
E: cquintanilla@fosreno.com
The Board Chair Blog

Tayona Tate, Board Secretary

Tayona Tate has been a Real Estate Advisor in Northern Nevada for over 20 years. She currently has the role of Founding Member for Compass Realty, serving Reno/Sparks and surrounding areas. Tayona has served on the Board of Directors of the RSAR (Reno-Sparks Association of Realtors) and was Committee Chair. She was a supporter of For Kids Foundation for years prior to becoming a member by donating a percentage of her commissions and providing community awareness at community events. She now serves as Board Secretary of For Kids Foundation and has been a Board member for over 5 years!

Tayona is a proud mother of three beautiful children and is also blessed with an amazing partner who supports her and her achievements. Her goal is to help improve our community one child at a time.

Michael A. Norman CLU®

Mike had two careers: one at IBM and then, for over thirty years, in the financial services industry. He retired in 2018 and is currently back working with Aflac to help small employers attract and retain employees.

His hobbies include a couple of Miata convertibles, a barely ridden motorcycle and an e-bike.

Over the years, Mike has worked in many cities and served on a variety of nonprofits and community projects.

Kyle V. Robertson

Kyle is a mortgage advisor and branch manager with New American Funding. He has many years of experience in the mortgage banking industry and extensive practice in originating home loans for both purchase and refinance. He is a firm believer in excellent customer service, leading with client education and offering the most competitive pricing. One of his favorite aspects of mortgage lending is finding solutions for each individual borrower’s financial situation to get them qualified. Kyle attended the University of Nevada, Reno, on a football scholarship and graduated in 2007. While in school, he met his wife, Sarah, who is a native Nevadan. While Kyle enjoys golfing and fishing, he spends most of his free time with their two sons, Vincent and Thomas. He shares our passion for serving as a safety net for children who have fallen through the cracks and is excited to share his connections, resources, and business expertise in support of For Kids Foundation.

www.newamericanagent.com/KyleRobertson

Megan Evans

Megan Evans has been in education for 19+ years and has been working with children for even longer.  She started as a general and special education teacher working primarily in programs for students with a high level of behavioral and mental health needs.  She earned her Masters’ in counseling from UNR where her focus was on Marriage and Family Therapy, Community Counseling and School Counseling.  As an educator with a passion for seeing children reach their potential, she recently returned to school to complete her requirements to become licensed as a School and School Program Administrator.

Megan has worked in education as a counselor for mental health programs, as well as within grants focused on decreasing the impact of trauma and violence. This provided an opportunity for her to support students in need as they worked to attain educational and social-emotional success, while simultaneously providing support to their families and the schools they attended. She has additionally practiced as a marriage and family therapist.  She holds licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy, School Counseling, Teaching in General and Special Education, School and Program Administration as well as Nationally Board Certified as a Counselor.

Megan loves to be outside with family and friends camping, traveling, paddle boarding, hiking and practicing yoga.  She is married to her wonderful high school sweetheart and, together, they have an amazing son who shares in their adventures.

Fabiola (“Fabby”) Franco

Fabby started her career as a Loan Officer and transitioned to the title industry ten years later. She is a mother of three daughters and grandmother of four amazing grandchildren. She enjoys meeting new people every day and feels a special sense of pride in being a part of one of the most exciting and important decisions people make in their lives, investing in a new home. She truly values each one of her clients and will ensure they receive exceptional service. Her attention to detail, patience and customer service focus are what set her apart from others. Her experience allows her to prepare and conduct closings in a very understandable and comfortable way whether it is a sale, a purchase or refinance. As a mother and grandmother, she is passionate about helping children.

Janell Kay

Janell Kay is an Events Manager in the advancement department at the University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to her role in events, she spent time in Wolf Pack Athletics and in the Office of the President at the University of Nevada, Reno. Janell has over six years of experience in advertising, communications, social media management, event management, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is currently working towards her Master’s Degree.

As someone who was born and raised in Reno, her love for this community is endless. Janell joined the For Kids Foundation Board of Directors in December 2021. “I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to help change the lives of children in our community.”

In her spare time, Janell enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves traveling, live music, and being outdoors.

Michelle Engebretson,
Retired Charter School Principal

Michelle grew up in rural Nevada, part of a large ranching family. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she became a teacher, and recently retired after serving 14 years as the principal of Bailey Charter Elementary School. Michelle became acquainted with the Foundation when they provided support to students with camp fees and dental work. Members of the Foundation’s Board also volunteered to help school staff assemble and distribute Thanksgiving meals to 75 families.

“I value the work that the Foundation does for children who do not have the same opportunities as their peers. While there are many avenues to meet the most basic needs of families, there aren’t as many resources as possible to meet the more specific needs of childhood. I love that the Foundation is there to provide experiences and opportunities for children that may not seem as important when food, shelter and other necessities are a part of the equation. It is important to me that I give back to those that have supported me through my school families.”

Michelle and her husband have two children and three grandchildren. As a regular volunteer in their classrooms, she is able to utilize her elementary school experience while being actively involved in their lives.

Madelyn Rahn

Originally from Colorado, Madelyn Rahn moved to Reno in 2022 from Washington, DC, to be closer to her family and the mountains. Her professional background is in workforce development policy. She is passionate about helping governments and other organizations work together to provide resources people need to achieve success. In her free time, she loves to do all sorts of outdoor activities with her friends and little dog, Bruiser.

Maria Paz Fernandez

Engineering Project Manager, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County


Born and raised in the vibrant city of Chiclayo, Peru, Maria’s journey has taken her across continents to settle in the bustling community of Reno, Nevada, where she has called home for almost three decades. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to her craft have been evident throughout her educational and professional endeavors.


Maria is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned both her Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and her MBA, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and multidisciplinary growth. As a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Nevada, Maria has consistently showcased her proficiency in the field, contributing to the advancement of infrastructure and development projects within our region.


Beyond her engineering prowess, Maria’s diverse skill set extends to the realm of insurance, where she holds a license in the state of Nevada. This multifaceted expertise not only reflects her adaptability but also underscores her ability to navigate and excel in complex and dynamic environments. As a mother of two young men, she understands the challenges and rewards of parenthood.


Maria’s passion for community involvement and her proven track record in leadership encouraged her to become part of our board. She is looking forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the For Kids Foundation with her strategic insights and her commitment to innovation and excellence.

Kennedy Turner

Kennedy Turner is a Business Management and Marketing major, currently studying at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also minors in Entrepreneurship. Kennedy started her own nonprofit organization called “Presents for Those Who Are Gifts” during her sophomore year of high school. The organization was established to help children with incarcerated or low-income parents in her hometown of Santa Rosa, California. She has also been involved in before and after school programs at Hidden Valley Charter School. In addition, Kennedy was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and has been actively involved in their fight to end Alzheimer’s disease. She is also the host of “Females in Finance,” a group of women of all ages where she teaches them about the importance of investing and creating a financially stable life. Kennedy currently works as a Loan Officer Assistant at Cross Country Mortgage, and her goal is to pursue a career in real estate. She is passionate about all fields of work, including the work that needs to be done within her community.

Matt Rittenhouse

AVP, Branch Manager

Matt is a proven, dedicated banking professional who has over a decade of experience helping people achieve their dreams. He is very passionate about the community and has been involved with Boys and Girls Club, Envirolution, and other Northern Nevada nonprofits. Nothing is more fulfilling to Matt than helping children to be able to achieve things they thought otherwise impossible. He has an amazing wife, Maddy, and is a proud father of a very fast-moving one-year-old, Arlo. He enjoys spending as much time outside on the trails as possible with his family and their two dogs.

Executive Director

Annie Goni-Stewart

Ms. Goni-Stewart grew up in rural Nevada, lived in the Bay Area for 28 years, and relocated to Reno in 2009.  She has owned and operated a medical-legal transcription service since 1984 and served as the Executive Managing Director for the local eWomenNetwork chapter (a networking organization for female entrepreneurs) for five years.  Having raised two daughters of her own, she knows how difficult parenthood can be (even without extraordinary challenges) and she has a strong desire to help assist the families of our city.

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