Alumni Leadership Council
Meet your Alumni Leadership Council
The Alumni Leadership Council’s mission is to provide opportunities for alumni to connect and further their leadership and service in their communities. The Council also keeps the Foundation connected to the wider community of scholarship alumni and informs the strategy related to alumni and scholar engagement. Alumni contribute to the mission of the Foundation with “deeds, not dollars.”
Photos and bios for the 2026-2027 Alumni Leadership Council are coming soon!
Alumni Leadership Council Chair
Shauna Harper Stevens
Ford Scholar
Class of 2007
Chair, 2026-2027
As a first-generation college graduate working in higher education, I strive to help students achieve their goals by helping them find ways to fund their futures. As the ALC Chair, I am excited to continue to support the work each ALC committee is doing and provide new ways for Alumni and scholars to connect.
Shania Siron
Ford Scholar
Class of 2013
Chair-Elect, 2026-2027
Coming from a rural high school in Oregon, I want alumni who found the transition to college challenging to feel seen and heard. Through building relationships and strong connections, I aspire to empower alumni to embody the values of The Ford Family Foundation in their local communities.
Giselle Naranjo
Ford Scholar
Class of 2013
Outgoing Chair, 2026-2027
I’m proud to have served as an alumni ambassador since 2020, an ALC member since 2023, a scholarship reviewer since 2024, and a scholarship interview and selection panel member since 2025. As outgoing chair of the Alumni Leadership Council, my vision is to continue strengthening our alumni community by connecting alumni with our incredible network of resources, opportunities, and support.
Community Service Committee members
Rivka Butler
Ford Scholar
Class of 2011
Committee Chair
As a first-generation student from a rural background, I know firsthand how much access to education and community involvement can change the course of a life. As Community Service Chair, I hope to help alumni find meaningful ways to give back to their own communities, wherever home may be.
Mark Irsfeld
Ford ReStart Scholar
Class of 2015
I hope to use my time on the ALC to help with community service initiatives and to help Scholars and alumni across the state and country with finding resources both to help themselves and to give back to their communities.
Isaac Ison
Ford Scholar
Class of 2020
The Ford Scholarship program changed my life, and I am looking forward to using my time on the ALC to give back to this community. I hope to use my background in ecology and stewardship to create opportunities for Ford alumni to get outdoors and give back to the land.
Janae Scruggs
Ford Scholar
Class of 1999
My goal is to connect with alumni and incoming scholars to cultivate a community rooted in service, personal growth, stewardship, and opportunity. Blessed to have returned to my rural roots, I want to give back and help carry forward The Ford Family Foundation’s vision of empowering rural people to chart their own futures.
Professional Development Committee members
Lela Deherrera
Ford Restart
Class of 2020
Committee Chair
I worked as an IT Support Specialist for The Ford Family Foundation from 2018-2021, an experience that not only deepened my technical expertise but also inspired me to complete my undergraduate education. Having earned my bachelor’s degree, I am dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community among alumni.
Christian Ochoa
Ford Scholar
Class of 2011
I believe in the transformative power of knowledge and mentorship, and I am committed to giving back to the next generation.
I hope to inspire students to pursue their dreams and navigate their own paths to success, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our communities.
Toni Wallisa
Ford Scholar
Class of 2008
I want to use my role as an ALC member to connect with people, find ways for Scholars to communicate about matters that are important to them, and continue to grow personally and professionally.
Casey Baker
Ford ReStart Scholar
Class of 2014
As a Ford ReStart Scholar and nontraditional student, I know firsthand what it means to have someone believe in your potential and invest in what comes next. I’m honored to serve on the ALC, give back to a community that has meant so much to me, and help other scholars and alumni see the possibilities in their own journeys.
Lackis Charles
Ford ReStart Scholar
Class of 2019
As an immigrant from Haiti and the first person in my bloodline to pursue higher education, I understand firsthand the transformative power of opportunity and support. The Ford Family Foundation played a meaningful role in helping me reach where I am today, and I am deeply grateful for the investment they made in my journey. Serving on the ALC is an opportunity for me to give back to the community that believed in me and helped make my dreams possible and create opportunities for the next generation of Scholars.
Online Engagement Committee members
Jenny Kalez
Ford Scholar
Class of 2000
Committee Chair
Leonor Alvarez-Morquecho
Ford Scholar
Class of 2017
As a first-generation student who was raised in a large, single-parent household, I know how powerful belief and support can be when the path feels uncertain. Through the ALC, I want to help create a culture where every Ford Scholar knows they are seen, supported, and capable of achieving more than they imagined.
Warren Gunn
Ford ReStart Scholar
Class of 2019
As a first-generation graduate who at one time thought that “college just wasn’t for me,” I am passionate about helping others achieve their educational goals, regardless of their age or circumstances. I look forward to supporting our alumni community and helping them connect with everything the Foundation has to offer, wherever their personal and professional journeys take them.