Vision Quilt Team
Cathy DeForest
Founder and Executive Director
Cathy taught English to both underserved youth and gifted youth and was an assistant principal of an urban school. After earning her PhD in organization development, Cathy consulted with Fortune 100 companies as well as organizations ranging from Lawrence Livermore Laboratory to health care systems. She also applied her experience and expertise in organizational analysis, strategic planning and meeting facilitation to community arts organizations. After her consulting career, Cathy pursued her love of book arts and letterpress printing. Her artists’ books and prints have been exhibited in Europe, Africa and the U.S. When gun violence increased as a national issue, Cathy decided to dedicate her expertise in education, organization development and art to mobilizing grass roots efforts to prevent gun violence through Vision Quilt.
Founder and Executive Director
Cathy taught English to both underserved youth and gifted youth and was an assistant principal of an urban school. After earning her PhD in organization development, Cathy consulted with Fortune 100 companies as well as organizations ranging from Lawrence Livermore Laboratory to health care systems. She also applied her experience and expertise in organizational analysis, strategic planning and meeting facilitation to community arts organizations. After her consulting career, Cathy pursued her love of book arts and letterpress printing. Her artists’ books and prints have been exhibited in Europe, Africa and the U.S. When gun violence increased as a national issue, Cathy decided to dedicate her expertise in education, organization development and art to mobilizing grass roots efforts to prevent gun violence through Vision Quilt.
Leon Pyle
Board Treasurer
Leon is an analytically trained clinical psychologist. He has worked in federal prisons, low-fee urban therapy centers, in schools, and currently sees patients in private practice. Leon is also a philanthropist, targeting small nonprofit organizations involved in social justice and educational issues of underserved individuals and communities. Leon was previously a real estate developer in Germany and in the U.S. and is passionate about learning foreign languages as well growing quality grapes for premium wines.
Board Treasurer
Leon is an analytically trained clinical psychologist. He has worked in federal prisons, low-fee urban therapy centers, in schools, and currently sees patients in private practice. Leon is also a philanthropist, targeting small nonprofit organizations involved in social justice and educational issues of underserved individuals and communities. Leon was previously a real estate developer in Germany and in the U.S. and is passionate about learning foreign languages as well growing quality grapes for premium wines.
Herb Rothschild
Board Secretary
After earning his PhD from Harvard, Herb taught English literature at Louisiana State University for 22 years. While there, he founded an ACLU chapter in Baton Rouge and later served as state president and legislative director. In 1978, he founded the Center for Disarmament Education in Louisiana. From 1987 to 1990 he served as executive director of New Jersey SANE/Freeze (now Peace Action). After returning south to work at the University of Houston, in 1999 he founded the Houston Peace and Justice Center. Until recently, Herb chaired the board of Peace House, serving as de facto executive director. He also frequently teaches courses in the Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University.
Board Secretary
After earning his PhD from Harvard, Herb taught English literature at Louisiana State University for 22 years. While there, he founded an ACLU chapter in Baton Rouge and later served as state president and legislative director. In 1978, he founded the Center for Disarmament Education in Louisiana. From 1987 to 1990 he served as executive director of New Jersey SANE/Freeze (now Peace Action). After returning south to work at the University of Houston, in 1999 he founded the Houston Peace and Justice Center. Until recently, Herb chaired the board of Peace House, serving as de facto executive director. He also frequently teaches courses in the Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University.
Amana Harris
Board Member
Amana is a leader in the field of community arts and a well-respected advocate for the arts in K-12 education. She serves as the Executive Director of the Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc. (AHC), a West Oakland based organization, founded in 1989, whose mission is to empower individuals through art, creativity and education. Under her leadership the organization has received numerous awards for excellence in the arts through education, community engagement and public art. She has dedicated 22 years of her professional life to help build and sustain the organization while creating ArtEsteem. As an award winning program of AHC, ArtEsteem has served as a vital force to creatively galvanize the resources to provide arts integrated curriculum with a focus on social justice and self-development to over 67 at-risk schools and communities since 1995 reaching over 55,000 children, youth and families and through its public artwork impacting millions.
Board Member
Amana is a leader in the field of community arts and a well-respected advocate for the arts in K-12 education. She serves as the Executive Director of the Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc. (AHC), a West Oakland based organization, founded in 1989, whose mission is to empower individuals through art, creativity and education. Under her leadership the organization has received numerous awards for excellence in the arts through education, community engagement and public art. She has dedicated 22 years of her professional life to help build and sustain the organization while creating ArtEsteem. As an award winning program of AHC, ArtEsteem has served as a vital force to creatively galvanize the resources to provide arts integrated curriculum with a focus on social justice and self-development to over 67 at-risk schools and communities since 1995 reaching over 55,000 children, youth and families and through its public artwork impacting millions.
Jane Hunter
Board Member
Jane earned her MD at Stanford in 1977 and completed her pediatric training at Stanford, Children’s Hospital Oakland, and UCSF. Jane practiced as a pediatrician for 30 years in Berkeley, California before retiring from her clinical practice. Her book, The Well-Versed Parent has been popular with many families. Jane is very concerned about the public health threat, especially to children, that gun violence represents. In seeking an avenue to take action, she consults with physician and public health colleagues and is working in the Bay Area with Vision Quilt. Jane also teaches medical students at UCSF and UC Berkeley in the Healers Art course.
Board Member
Jane earned her MD at Stanford in 1977 and completed her pediatric training at Stanford, Children’s Hospital Oakland, and UCSF. Jane practiced as a pediatrician for 30 years in Berkeley, California before retiring from her clinical practice. Her book, The Well-Versed Parent has been popular with many families. Jane is very concerned about the public health threat, especially to children, that gun violence represents. In seeking an avenue to take action, she consults with physician and public health colleagues and is working in the Bay Area with Vision Quilt. Jane also teaches medical students at UCSF and UC Berkeley in the Healers Art course.
Derek Pyle
Operations and Outreach Coordinator
As an artist and performer, Derek has presented and exhibited in locations across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Derek is co-founder of the Buddhist Humanitarian Project, an initiative responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis and the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. He is on the board of Peace House in Ashland, Oregon, and serves as their Community Outreach Coordinator. Derek has taught meditation to adults and youth, facilitated drug and alcohol harm reduction groups, and served as a hospice volunteer. His current work includes re-examining cultural narratives about distress and healing, and creating alternatives to the mental health system. Derek earned a BA in Literature and Psychology from Hampshire College.
Operations and Outreach Coordinator
As an artist and performer, Derek has presented and exhibited in locations across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Derek is co-founder of the Buddhist Humanitarian Project, an initiative responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis and the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. He is on the board of Peace House in Ashland, Oregon, and serves as their Community Outreach Coordinator. Derek has taught meditation to adults and youth, facilitated drug and alcohol harm reduction groups, and served as a hospice volunteer. His current work includes re-examining cultural narratives about distress and healing, and creating alternatives to the mental health system. Derek earned a BA in Literature and Psychology from Hampshire College.
Jackie Markin
Communications Consultant
Jackie worked as a major-market broadcast news producer and executive producer for more than 15 years then turned to technology journalism and independent video production. Over the next 15 years, her major clients included Google, Yahoo! and Cisco. As a producer Jackie earned three Emmy Awards for live news production. Jackie was also managing editor at Teaching Channel, a nonprofit funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has been a volunteer with Hospice of the East Bay, Rogue Valley THRIVE, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Jackson County Master Gardeners’ Association.
Communications Consultant
Jackie worked as a major-market broadcast news producer and executive producer for more than 15 years then turned to technology journalism and independent video production. Over the next 15 years, her major clients included Google, Yahoo! and Cisco. As a producer Jackie earned three Emmy Awards for live news production. Jackie was also managing editor at Teaching Channel, a nonprofit funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has been a volunteer with Hospice of the East Bay, Rogue Valley THRIVE, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Jackson County Master Gardeners’ Association.
Roger Pearce
Attorney
Roger practiced law in Seattle, Washington, before moving to Ashland. He was a member of the Foster Pepper PLLC firm for almost 20 years, where he focused his practice on land use law. He represented national and regional clients in major public and private projects including major airport expansions, professional sports stadiums and exhibition halls, regional transit projects, sewage treatment plants, and high-rise office and residential projects. At his own firm in Ashland, Roger continues to do land use work, but he also works with nonprofit corporations – assisting nonprofits with a wide range of general business issues such as organization, governmental filings and compliance, contracting, employment and tax issues.
Attorney
Roger practiced law in Seattle, Washington, before moving to Ashland. He was a member of the Foster Pepper PLLC firm for almost 20 years, where he focused his practice on land use law. He represented national and regional clients in major public and private projects including major airport expansions, professional sports stadiums and exhibition halls, regional transit projects, sewage treatment plants, and high-rise office and residential projects. At his own firm in Ashland, Roger continues to do land use work, but he also works with nonprofit corporations – assisting nonprofits with a wide range of general business issues such as organization, governmental filings and compliance, contracting, employment and tax issues.
Our Advisory Board
Allen Carr, MBA
Allen has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He is currently a Director of an Institutional Alternative Investment Management Firm. Allen is responsible for cultivating relationships and supporting the current shareholder base of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), Family Offices, Private Banks and other accredited investors. Allen has volunteered with Berkeley Scholars to Cal and served on the board of directors for the YMCA in Berkeley. Allen received his MBA from the University of San Francisco, and remains an active member of the MBA Alumni Society Board.
Allen has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He is currently a Director of an Institutional Alternative Investment Management Firm. Allen is responsible for cultivating relationships and supporting the current shareholder base of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), Family Offices, Private Banks and other accredited investors. Allen has volunteered with Berkeley Scholars to Cal and served on the board of directors for the YMCA in Berkeley. Allen received his MBA from the University of San Francisco, and remains an active member of the MBA Alumni Society Board.
Melvin Cowan, MPA
Melvin is Deputy Director at Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), an Alameda County-wide non-profit organization tackling the root causes of poverty and homelessness. Melvin serves in leadership roles for a number of Oakland grassroots initiatives aimed at mobilizing and elevating the needs of Oakland's most vulnerable residents. Melvin served as Co-Chair of City of Oakland’s Violence Prevention Coalition for three years. Melvin also coordinates public forums to inspire civic engagement in an effort to foster safer communities for youth and their families. Melvin received his Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, where he was recognized with an “Outstanding Public Service Award” for superior academic performance, outstanding service to the community, and promotion of social justice.
Melvin is Deputy Director at Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), an Alameda County-wide non-profit organization tackling the root causes of poverty and homelessness. Melvin serves in leadership roles for a number of Oakland grassroots initiatives aimed at mobilizing and elevating the needs of Oakland's most vulnerable residents. Melvin served as Co-Chair of City of Oakland’s Violence Prevention Coalition for three years. Melvin also coordinates public forums to inspire civic engagement in an effort to foster safer communities for youth and their families. Melvin received his Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, where he was recognized with an “Outstanding Public Service Award” for superior academic performance, outstanding service to the community, and promotion of social justice.
Karen Fee, M.Ed
Karen Fee is the Director of Development at Lighthouse Community Public Schools in Oakland, CA. where she raises funds to provide educational resources for students in East Oakland. She taught elementary school in Louisiana as a Teach For America Corps member in the early ‘90s and continued to teach in East Palo Alto before raising her family in Oakland. A proud member of Moms Demand Action, Karen looks to the work of Vision Quilt as an important part of the multifaceted approach necessary to stop gun violence.
Karen Fee is the Director of Development at Lighthouse Community Public Schools in Oakland, CA. where she raises funds to provide educational resources for students in East Oakland. She taught elementary school in Louisiana as a Teach For America Corps member in the early ‘90s and continued to teach in East Palo Alto before raising her family in Oakland. A proud member of Moms Demand Action, Karen looks to the work of Vision Quilt as an important part of the multifaceted approach necessary to stop gun violence.
Jeremy Fish, MD
Jeremy is the Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at John Muir Health. He has worked in the field for over two decades, including a decade of serving as the Program Director of the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program. He also previously worked with the California Association of Family Physicians (CAFP) to create the California Residency Network, which consists of more than 50 residency programs statewide. Jeremy received his Doctor of Medicine from UC Irvine College of Medicine, and he was a Faculty Development Fellow at UC San Francisco.
Jeremy is the Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at John Muir Health. He has worked in the field for over two decades, including a decade of serving as the Program Director of the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program. He also previously worked with the California Association of Family Physicians (CAFP) to create the California Residency Network, which consists of more than 50 residency programs statewide. Jeremy received his Doctor of Medicine from UC Irvine College of Medicine, and he was a Faculty Development Fellow at UC San Francisco.
Michelle La Place-Watts, MA, LMFT
Michelle is a culturally relevant trauma therapist who believes the etiology of trauma is rooted in systems of oppression. She is the Mental Health & Violence Prevention Program Manager for Catholic Charities East Bay, where she oversees the Path Two program. She works with parents and children to strengthen families, and help children stay safely with their families in their home. Michelle also serves as Program Manager for Experience Hope Oakland, operating three-school based programs in Oakland and San Leandro, and focused on youth empowerment and self-advocacy. As a clinician Catholic Charities, she works with surviving families in the Homicide Unit, Crisis, Response, and Support Network. Michelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and she received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Saint Mary's College of California.
Michelle is a culturally relevant trauma therapist who believes the etiology of trauma is rooted in systems of oppression. She is the Mental Health & Violence Prevention Program Manager for Catholic Charities East Bay, where she oversees the Path Two program. She works with parents and children to strengthen families, and help children stay safely with their families in their home. Michelle also serves as Program Manager for Experience Hope Oakland, operating three-school based programs in Oakland and San Leandro, and focused on youth empowerment and self-advocacy. As a clinician Catholic Charities, she works with surviving families in the Homicide Unit, Crisis, Response, and Support Network. Michelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and she received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Saint Mary's College of California.
Gracie Pekrul
Gracie is an 18 year old artist and activist who dreams of changing the world. She is a 2019 Giffords Courage Fellow. Accompanied by Gabby Giffords, Gracie lobbied U.S. Congress for safer gun laws. Gracie is Regional Director for March For Our Lives for Ventura County. Gracie has hosted several events for survivors and youth in the Los Angeles Area including a Vision Quilt workshop. Her art work addresses gun violence, social justice, and youth leadership. In 2020, Gracie traveled to Washington D.C. to occupy Senator Mitch McConnell's office and deliver her art to members of Congress, urging them to take action to prevent gun violence. Gracie’s art can be viewed on Instagram.
Gracie is an 18 year old artist and activist who dreams of changing the world. She is a 2019 Giffords Courage Fellow. Accompanied by Gabby Giffords, Gracie lobbied U.S. Congress for safer gun laws. Gracie is Regional Director for March For Our Lives for Ventura County. Gracie has hosted several events for survivors and youth in the Los Angeles Area including a Vision Quilt workshop. Her art work addresses gun violence, social justice, and youth leadership. In 2020, Gracie traveled to Washington D.C. to occupy Senator Mitch McConnell's office and deliver her art to members of Congress, urging them to take action to prevent gun violence. Gracie’s art can be viewed on Instagram.