Meet the Board of Directors

Rena Snyder

Board Chair

Susan Sjordal

Treasurer

Melody Finn

Secretary

Melody's family was introduced to Forward Stride the day her daughter took her first ride on a horse during an outing to the barn with her Girl Scout troop back in 2008. She fell in love on the spot! Eventually Melody bought her own horse – Freckles – a current…

Helena Lulay

Mike Feves

Chris Feves

Bio coming soon!

Kara Martin-Beijer

Bio coming soon!

James Anderson

Bio coming soon!

Gwyn Hilden

John Spence

Bio coming soon!

Chip Adams

Board President

Robin Adams

Treasurer

Rena Snyder

Secretary

Robin Cook

Melody Finn

Helena Lulay

Rena Snyder

Rena joined the Forward Stride Board over nine years ago. Her credentials include being a Manager at Portland General Electric for over 20 years and the owner/operator of Spring Creek Lipizzans for many years. Her management duties at Portland General Electric (PGE) included operations management, budget and accounting, and capital projects. She was heavily involved with the PGE Disabilities Network and worked to provide people with disabilities career opportunities at PGE. She wanted to continue her involvement with individuals with disabilities in her volunteer activities. Her love of horses and volunteerism brought her to Forward Stride where she has been able to provide a business perspective to the operations of Forward Stride.

Susan Sjordal

Susan was retiring and wanted to volunteer somewhere where she could work with individuals with disabilities and be outside. She mentioned this to a friend she met on the golf course, Rena Snyder, and the rest they say is history. Susan began volunteering at Forward Stride in 2014 as a sidewalker/header in the Rehabilitation Services Program and helping out with horse care.
Susan joined the board in 2018. She had a long career in public service with the State of Oregon with positions in management, training, adjudication, operations and policy analysis that she believes will be useful as a member of the board.

Melody Finn

Melody’s family was introduced to Forward Stride the day her daughter took her first ride on a horse during an outing to the barn with her Girl Scout troop back in 2008. She fell in love on the spot! Eventually Melody bought her own horse – Freckles – a current member of the Forward Stride herd.

Melody is a product deployment and customer service manager with Sodexo – Quality of Life Services. Melody’s membership on the board offers her a way to give back to the organization that has given her family so many opportunities. Over the past 7 years all four members of her family have volunteered or spent time at the barn in one way or another – through the many farm chores for the horses to participating in riding lessons. Melody is grateful for the instructors and staff that support clients participating in many different areas with equestrian activities and volunteering events. Melody believes Forward Stride brings out the best in all of us.

Helena Lulay

Helena has been with Sears Holdings for 36 years. As a Market Leader with over 1500 employees covering four states, she is accountable for driving profitable sales and outstanding customer experiences. Budgets, brand awareness, talent development, recruitment, marketing, vendor relations and community engagement are all part of her Leadership accountabilities and expertise. She has previous non-profit board experience with Wilsonville High School’s Booster Club, she served as Board President for 3 years. Currently, she is a board member for Self Determination Resources Inc (SDRI). SDRI is a “full service” brokerage organization designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities achieve the supports they need by providing an array of services. She has two children that have been clients of Forward Stride since it was founded in 2003. Forward Stride has enhanced her children’s quality of life with the staff and services they provide. Forward Stride is vital to our community and the clients they serve and it is a pleasure for her to be part of it.

Mike Feves

Michael Feves earned a BA degree in Physics from Reed College in 1973 and a PhD in Geophysics from MIT in 1977. In 1984, after working in the petroleum and civil engineering industries and teaching at the University of Portland and Portland State University, he established a consulting practice that specializes in geophysics, rock mechanics and vibration analysis. Earth Dynamics LLC has gained a reputation throughout the United States for using innovative approaches to complete challenging projects on time and within budget.

In addition to his Geophysical activities, Dr. Feves established a property investment and management company, Circum Pacific Properties, in 1982. The company focuses on providing work force housing in the Portland metropolitan area.

Dr. Feves has served on the board of several non-profit organizations. Currently he is the Vice President in charge of facilities at Cedar Sinai Park, and he is a board member of Forward Stride. Cedar Sinai Park provides a continuum of care for elderly, disabled and low-income people. Forward Stride provides equine assisted therapy to disabled children and adults.

Gwyn Hilden

Gwyn’s first engagement with Forward Stride began when her daughter began volunteering during high school several years ago. Occasionally joining her daughter, Gwyn experienced first-hand how beneficial the time spent on and around horses is for the children and adults served by Forward Stride. Gwyn’s entire career has been devoted to commercial client relationships with a focus on finding solutions and leveraging resources for businesses throughout the Portland Metro area. Drawing on these skills, Gwyn looks forward to working with this seasoned and vibrant board to help Forward Stride continue to grow and provide services for the next generation.