ADVISORY BOARD
JULIE YAMAMOTO
Advisor
Julie Yamamoto knew she would be a teacher when she was six years old. She and her husband, Leland Sasaki, both retired from 32-year careers in public education. Julie earned her BA and MA from the College of Idaho and Ed Specialist and Doctor of Education degrees from the U of I.
Julie continues to invest in the health and wellbeing of our youth and community as a Thomas Jefferson Charter School board member, Chair of the Assistance League Boise Canyon County Branch, Caldwell Lions Club, and as a facilitator for Love INC.
Julie served in the Idaho House of Representatives for two terms and was the Chair of the House Education Committee for two years.
Julie and Leland reside in Caldwell.
FRED WOOD
Advisor
Fredrick Leslie Wood III had honorably served as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives since 2006. Wood served as chair of the Health and Welfare Committee until his retirement from office at the end of the 2022 Legislative session. Representative Wood’s impressive policy track record has created real change for Idaho’s children. For this reason, he was chosen as ICAP Primary Legislator in April of 2021...
CHRISTINA ABUCHAIBE, DO
Advisor
Cristina Leon, DO is a pediatric and congenital cardiologist who lives in Pocatello, Idaho with her husband Juan, their kids Mariana and JJ and their dogs Tango and Athena. Dr. Leon currently serves as the Medical Director for the South East and Eastern Idaho Pediatric & Congenital Cardiology Project...
JOHN RUSCHE, MD
Advisor
After medical school at Washington University in St. Louis and Pediatrics residency at the University of Arizona, John practiced as a pediatrician in Lewiston, Idaho for 16 years. He then worked as Senior VP and chief medical officer at Regence BlueShield of Idaho until 2006...
Chris Loucks
Advisor
Christine (Chris) Loucks, Ph.D., is professor emerita from the Department of Economics at Boise StateUniversity. She retired in 2021 after a distinguished academic career having been recognized multipletimes as an outstanding teacher and advisor including being chosen as an honored faculty by severaleconomics majors selected as Top Ten Scholars and receiving the Golden Apple Award, a recognitiongiven by the Associated Students of Boise State University to an outstanding advisor...
Nancy Vannorsdel
Advisor
Nancy Vannorsdel has been appointed to the board of Idaho Children Are Children, bringing with her extensive experience in the areas of banking, business and philanthropy. Vannorsdel began her distinguished 30-year banking career with First Interstate bank as a Trust Officer and subsequently held
senior positions as VP of Marketing, Senior VP in charge of Retail, Area President for Idaho and Montana and Division Manager of Premier banking for the Northwest.
Makenna Denuit
Youth Representative
Makenna Denuit is currently a junior at Grangeville High School. Makenna has grown up in Grangeville, Idaho alongside her three younger sisters, aged 15, 13, and 9. She serves as the Youth Governor of Idaho for the YMCA program, Youth in Government. On top of this, she is part of the student council, Business Professionals of America, knowledge bowl, band, track, and soccer. When not participating in a club, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family or working at a local coffee shop.
VOLUNTEERS
TJ ARONSON
OLIVIA HARRIS
