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BOARD PRESIDENT - Kelsey Heinonen
Kelsey serves as Board President of the Blanche Fischer Foundation, providing strategic governance leadership and oversight in service of the Foundation’s mission to support Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities. Her leadership focuses on responsible stewardship, clear policy and decision-making structures, and strengthening the Foundation’s capacity to deliver measurable, statewide impact. She is especially committed to transparency, equity, and ethical accountability in nonprofit governance. Kelsey’s professional background is rooted in building strong operational systems in mission-driven organizations. As Director of Operations at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, she leads complex day-to-day operations, staff coordination, stakeholder partnerships, and compliance-minded documentation—work that has sharpened her ability to set priorities, manage risk, and deliver results in high-visibility public environments. She also brings experience in business development, communications, and proposal-focused work that supports sustainable growth. As Board President, Kelsey aims to honor the founder’s legacy while modernizing systems, strengthening board culture, and expanding the Foundation’s reach, access, and long-term sustainability across Oregon. |
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VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY - Kim Davidson-Ruby
Kim Davidson-Ruby serves as Vice President of the Blanche Fischer Foundation, bringing decades of experience in medical social work and a lifelong commitment to service. Recognized as Medical Social Worker of the Year by the Oregon Association for Home Care in 2013, Kim’s career has been defined by her dedication to improving the lives of patients and their families. Now retired, Kim spent much of her career with PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Home Health team, where she worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. Her expertise and leadership in social work continue to guide her contributions to the Foundation, helping to foster independence and improve the quality of life for Oregonians with disabilities. In her role with the Blanche Fischer Foundation, Kim leverages her wealth of experience to support the Foundation’s mission and strategic goals. Her passion for empowering individuals and creating meaningful change ensures that her impact endures in both her professional legacy and her ongoing work with the Foundation. |
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TREASURER - Kelly Chesla
Kelly has been a member of the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board since 2024. With a professional background in accounting, Kelly brings valuable knowledge to the Foundation’s mission of supporting Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities. Currently, Kelly is a self-employed bookkeeper and payroll specialist who provides small businesses support with maintaining financial records and establishing financial awareness. Passionate about building sustainable financial growth within the Blanche Fischer Foundation, Kelly contributes to the Foundation by providing financial oversight and ensuring compliance and alignment with the foundation's strategic goals. Outside of her work with the Foundation, Kelly enjoys mountain bike riding and gardening. Kelly is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work with the Blanche Fischer Foundation and advancing the vision of independence and empowerment. |
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Patricia Ryder - Board Member (Eugene, OR)
Patricia Ryder is an accessibility advocate with over 50 years of lived experience with Type 1 diabetes. She also lives with significant sight loss and Dupuytren’s contractures, shaping a perspective grounded in resilience, care, and a deep commitment to disability access, inclusion, and equity. A graduate of Evergreen State College, Patricia brings together lived experience and professional expertise in service of community. She serves as Chair of the Recreation Committee for the American Council of the Blind, co-chairs the Accessibility Task Force at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene, and founded and continues to run a Pet Food Pantry in Eugene—work rooted in mutual care and meeting people where they are. Patricia is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Reiki Master, known for her empathy, deep listening, and people-centered approach. She brings experience in grantmaking programs, with a focus on supporting inclusive, community-driven initiatives that reflect the real needs of the people they serve. Outside of her advocacy work, Patricia finds joy in caring for animals and spending time outdoors through activities such as hiking and kayaking. She believes access—to community, to care, and to nature—is essential to well-being. Her empathy, deep listening, and grassroots leadership strengthen the Blanche Fischer Foundation’s commitment to centering accessibility across its grantmaking and programs |
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W. Kirt Toombs - Board Member (Ontario, OR)
Kirt Toombs is a nonprofit executive and disability rights leader with nearly 30 years of experience advancing disability equity, independent living, and inclusive public systems. A person with multiple disabilities, Kirt brings a lived perspective grounded in dignity, access, and the belief that disability is a valued dimension of human diversity. Kirt is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living (EOCIL), where he has led organizational strategy, governance, and sustainable, consumer-directed service delivery since 1997. His work spans program design, implementation, and evaluation, as well as policy advocacy and legislative testimony impacting disability and independent living systems at the state and national levels. In addition to his executive leadership, Kirt has served extensively in board and advisory roles. He is currently President of the Board of Directors for the U.S. International Council on Disabilities and previously served as Board Secretary. His governance experience also includes service with the Oregon Department of Justice Hate & Bias Crime Task Force, the Oregon Health Authority’s Integrated Planning Group, the Association of Oregon Centers for Independent Living, and national rural independent living organizations. Kirt holds a Master of Management in Disability-Related Services from the University of San Francisco and is recognized for strategic thinking, fiduciary stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration. His leadership—rooted in policy expertise, systems change, and community accountability—strengthens the Blanche Fischer Foundation’s commitment to advancing access, equity, and self-determination for people with disabilities. |
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Kristin Fay Venus, Eugene, OR
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