BOARD PRESIDENT - Melanie Carlone
Melanie Carlone brings over 30 years of expertise in integrated health, wellness, and community advocacy to her role on the Blanche Fisher Foundation board.
With advanced degrees in psychology, physical therapy, and a clinical doctorate, she has led health promotion programs, developed rehabilitation initiatives, and supported global projects, including AIDS orphan care and permaculture development .Her work spans diverse settings, from large-scale health systems to nonprofit home health, always emphasizing independence and dignity.
Melanie’s holistic approach and global perspective align with the foundation’s mission to empower Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities.
Melanie Carlone brings over 30 years of expertise in integrated health, wellness, and community advocacy to her role on the Blanche Fisher Foundation board.
With advanced degrees in psychology, physical therapy, and a clinical doctorate, she has led health promotion programs, developed rehabilitation initiatives, and supported global projects, including AIDS orphan care and permaculture development .Her work spans diverse settings, from large-scale health systems to nonprofit home health, always emphasizing independence and dignity.
Melanie’s holistic approach and global perspective align with the foundation’s mission to empower Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities.
VICE PRESIDENT - 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.
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.
SECRETARY - Kelsey Heinonen
Kelsey Heinonen has been a dedicated member of the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board since 2024. With over 13 years of experience as an independent contractor and horticulture specialist, she brings a wealth of expertise to support the Foundation’s mission.
As Marketing Coordinator at Alvord Taylor, a nonprofit providing care for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Kelsey’s strengths in grant writing, content creation, and problem-solving align seamlessly with the Foundation’s goals. Her skills in business development and fostering relationships grounded in trust and communication further enhance her impact within the organization.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Kelsey enjoys hiking and volunteering. With a passion for community impact and an unwavering commitment to advancing the Foundation’s vision of independence and empowerment, she is dedicated to transforming lives for those served by the Blanche Fischer Foundation
Kelsey Heinonen has been a dedicated member of the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board since 2024. With over 13 years of experience as an independent contractor and horticulture specialist, she brings a wealth of expertise to support the Foundation’s mission.
As Marketing Coordinator at Alvord Taylor, a nonprofit providing care for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Kelsey’s strengths in grant writing, content creation, and problem-solving align seamlessly with the Foundation’s goals. Her skills in business development and fostering relationships grounded in trust and communication further enhance her impact within the organization.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Kelsey enjoys hiking and volunteering. With a passion for community impact and an unwavering commitment to advancing the Foundation’s vision of independence and empowerment, she is dedicated to transforming lives for those served by the Blanche Fischer Foundation
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.
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.
Member - Rodger Deevers
Rodger Deevers brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to service to the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board. As co-leader of Deevers & Sons, a family business in Eugene, Oregon, Rodger has spent over 30 years helping clients grow wealth while honoring the legacy of his father, who founded the firm. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Rodger became securities licensed and joined his father in the business, eventually taking the helm with his brother after their father’s passing in 2008.
Service runs deep in the Deevers family, and Rodger continues this tradition both professionally and personally. His dedication extends to supporting individuals with disabilities, serving on the board of his son Joshua’s independent living company, and volunteering as a coach for Special Olympics activities with his son Noah. These roles reflect his passion for empowering others and align closely with the Foundation’s mission to foster independence and enhance quality of life for Oregonians with disabilities.
Rodger lives in Eugene with his wife Lisa and their three children, Mack, Joshua, and Noah. Whether at work, with his family, or in the community, Rodger exemplifies a commitment to service and advocacy that supports the Foundation’s vision of creating opportunities for independence and engagement
Rodger Deevers brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to service to the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board. As co-leader of Deevers & Sons, a family business in Eugene, Oregon, Rodger has spent over 30 years helping clients grow wealth while honoring the legacy of his father, who founded the firm. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Rodger became securities licensed and joined his father in the business, eventually taking the helm with his brother after their father’s passing in 2008.
Service runs deep in the Deevers family, and Rodger continues this tradition both professionally and personally. His dedication extends to supporting individuals with disabilities, serving on the board of his son Joshua’s independent living company, and volunteering as a coach for Special Olympics activities with his son Noah. These roles reflect his passion for empowering others and align closely with the Foundation’s mission to foster independence and enhance quality of life for Oregonians with disabilities.
Rodger lives in Eugene with his wife Lisa and their three children, Mack, Joshua, and Noah. Whether at work, with his family, or in the community, Rodger exemplifies a commitment to service and advocacy that supports the Foundation’s vision of creating opportunities for independence and engagement
Member - Cindy Rasavage
Cindy has been a member of the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board since 2024 With a professional background in healthcare, Cindy brings valuable expertise to the Foundation’s mission of supporting Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities.
Currently, Cindy is a registered nurse at PeaceHealth Home Health where she helps guide the care of patience as a wound, ostomy, and lymphedema specialist. This has led her to become passionate about advocating for individuals with disabilities in helping them to find the support so they can achieve independence and attain goals to live a fulfilling life. Cindy contributes to the Foundation by collaborating with other members to develop innovative grantmaking strategies, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and advocating for inclusive policies.
Outside of her work with the Foundation, Cindy is seeking a master’s degree at Gonzaga University with the hope of practicing family medicine as a nurse practitioner in the Eugene, Oregon area. She is also the co-owner of a local coffee shop with her daughter. She is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work with the Blanche Fischer Foundation and advancing the vision of independence and empowerment.
Cindy has been a member of the Blanche Fischer Foundation Board since 2024 With a professional background in healthcare, Cindy brings valuable expertise to the Foundation’s mission of supporting Oregonians with permanent physical disabilities.
Currently, Cindy is a registered nurse at PeaceHealth Home Health where she helps guide the care of patience as a wound, ostomy, and lymphedema specialist. This has led her to become passionate about advocating for individuals with disabilities in helping them to find the support so they can achieve independence and attain goals to live a fulfilling life. Cindy contributes to the Foundation by collaborating with other members to develop innovative grantmaking strategies, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and advocating for inclusive policies.
Outside of her work with the Foundation, Cindy is seeking a master’s degree at Gonzaga University with the hope of practicing family medicine as a nurse practitioner in the Eugene, Oregon area. She is also the co-owner of a local coffee shop with her daughter. She is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work with the Blanche Fischer Foundation and advancing the vision of independence and empowerment.
