Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors

Heritage University is governed by a Board of Directors made up of community leaders from the Yakima Valley and across the United States. The Directors generously volunteer their time and resources to ensure the success of Heritage projects and initiatives. Their guidance and varied expertise has been instrumental to our growth as a university.

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Lori Arviso Alvord Surgeon Astria Health Zillah, WA	Paul Chiles President Chiles & Company Yakima, WA	Connie Falon CEO Compass Financial Network Yakima, WA	John Fraire Crown Point, IN
Mimi Gardner Gates Director, Emerita Seattle Art Museum Seattle, WA	Bob Gerst Chairperson Chicago, IL	Michelle Gonzalez Pollution Control and Shorelines Hearings Board Seattle, WA	Saundra Hill Retired Pasco Schools Superintendent Pasco, WA
Kathleen Hilton SNJM-U.S.-Ontario Province Portland, OR	Maxine Brings Him Back Janis Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Yakima, WA	Linda Kaminski President, Emerita Yakima Valley College Yakima, WA	Doug Lawrence Stokes Lawrence Law Seattle, WA
Lin MacMaster Seattle, WA	Nichole Maher President & CEO Inatai Foundation Bainbridge Island, WA	Elizabeth Mendoza Partner Perkins Cole LLP Seattle, WA	Patrick Oshie Attorney Zillah, WA
Allison Parker Principal Peake Impact Seattle, WA	Kip Ramsey Tiin-ma Logging Co. White Swan, WA	Derek Red Arrow Attorney Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Seattle, WA	Gerardo Ruelas Director International Program Management, Costco Issaquah, WA
Roy Simms Community Health of Central Washington Yakima, WA	Raul Sital Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Support Pasco School District Pasco, WA	Steve Smith V.P., Marketing Washington Fruit Growers Yakima, WA	Henry Strom Executive Director Office of Native Education OSPI Wapato, WA
Alex Vera IT Manager Costco Issaquah, WA	Ellen Wallach Seattle, WA	Elmer Ward Associate Judge Yakama Nation Court Wapato, WA	E. Arlen Washines Retired, Yakama Nation Higher Education Programs Toppenish, WA