Nancy Ford, Secretary

Nancy Ford is the secretary of the Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation. She joined the board in 2021 after retiring as executive director of early intervention and early childhood special education at NWRESD.

Nancy is a licensed special education teacher, and during her three decades at NWRESD, she was instrumental in developing the Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs, which provide specialized services and supports to students who are experiencing disabilities from ages birth to 5.  Under her direction, the program expanded from serving 125 students in 1992 to more than 2,500 in 2021.

Karen Foley, Past President

Karen Foley is the president of the Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation. She joined the board in 2009. Karen has bachelor's degrees in psychology and occupational therapy. She began her nearly 40-year career as an occupational therapist, helping people who are experiencing disabilities adapt, change and/or regain independence in their lives.

She moved to Oregon in 1978 and continued her work as an occupational therapist for Providence health system and later pursued management roles. She held a number of roles during her career at Providence, including director of rehabilitation for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology; change manager and executive for orthopedics. 

Karen is married, loves to golf and enjoys playing piano on her mother's baby grand piano. She attends symphonies, concerts and plays. Her passion to make a difference and enhance people's lives remains a steadfast mission for volunteering and giving back to the community.  

Joseph Christy, Ph.D., Member

Joseph Christy is past president of the Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation. He joined the board in 2009. He worked for 40 years in juvenile justice and spent 20 years as the director of the Washington County Juvenile Department. Joe managed a team of people who worked with youth who had been referred to the juvenile court.

The overall goal of the work was to rehabilitate youth and help them re-enter society. The team also provided services to victims, which included community service, repayment for financial loss and resources. 

He is past president of the Oregon Juvenile Department Directors' Association. Joe is married and has two grown sons and four grandchildren.

Grant Lawson, Member

Grant Lawson joined the NWRESD Foundation board in February of 2023. Grant has nearly 30 years of experience working for various businesses including Ricoh USA Inc., IKON Office Solutions, Xerox and Pearl Assurance. He is currently the vice president of the western region for Ricoh USA Inc. 

Miriam Meneses-Rios, Member

Miriam Meneses-Rios joined the NWRESD Foundation board in November of 2022. Miriam has more than 20 years of experience working in education, social services, juvenile justice and family therapy. She currently works as a school counselor at Kinnaman Elementary School where she helps third through fifth graders develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to become healthy, competent and confident learners. 

She previously worked as a regional division manager at the Washington County Juvenile Justice Department, a bilingual (English-Spanish) child and family therapist at LifeWorks NW and as a marriage family therapist at the Almansor Center. 

Miriam has a master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State. In 2020, she was named Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year for the Metro Region. 

She lives in Beaverton and in her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, working out, spending time with her family, listening to music and doing arts and crafts. 

Adaire Miller, Member

Andi Miller joined the Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation in 2018. She is a retired public relations, marketing and development consultant and currently uses her skills to volunteer for organizations in the Pacific Northwest. 

Katie Riley, Ed.D., Member

Katie Riley first joined the Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation in 2008 and served two years. She rejoined in 2015. Katie is a retired assistant professor from the department of public health and preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.

She is the current president of Washington County Kids, a nonprofit that works to expand after-school and child care opportunities for all children in Washington County.  She also serves on several other Washington County-based boards and committees including Sequoia Mental Health Services, Early Learning Washington County Steering Committee, Washington County Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Committee and Washington County Substance Abuse Prevention Committee.  

Christine Riley serves as the board liaison to the NWRESD foundation. Christine serves on zone 1 of the NWRESD board, which represents Gaston, Sherwood and Tigard-Tualatin school districts.