“We are so blessed to have the chance to reach out to children who might need a little helping hand. Children are our future. They deserve to have the opportunity to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.” 
-SHANNON MORA

Executive Team

Shannon M. Mora, Founder & President

A native of Spokane, WA, Shannon attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration; double concentrating in Finance and Marketing. Always present was her exposure to Special Olympics as she cheered for her older sister, Whittney, and her teammates at the local, regional and state games.

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Having moved 7 times throughout her life so far, Shannon has enjoyed exploring each new community and has embraced giving back within each area as there are underserved children everywhere. With four active children of her own, she has continually been involved with their interests and outreaches.

She has sat on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Georgia and Washington as well as CASA Georgia and sat on the Board of Advisors for Eagle Ranch. As Shannon moved she served as President for the non-profit New Orleans Saints Wives Charities, the Atlanta Falcons Women’s Association & the Seattle Seahawks Women’s Association.

As President of the Count on Me Family Foundation, she oversees the Foundation’s activities, orchestrates the Foundation’s annual fundraisers, events and outreaches. Not only does she thoroughly enjoy seeing the big smiles on each deserving child’s face, she also enjoys closely working with each partner, sponsor and donor.


Lillia Mora, Digital Media and Special Events Coordinator

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An active participant in volunteering and event coordination in the past, Count On Me is excited to for Shannon’s daughter Lillia to take on a larger role as the digital media and special events coordinator. Graduating from USC in 2018 with a bachelors degree in Communication, Lillia found her passion in the world of marketing and social media, and takes after her mom’s love of bringing people together, helping those in need, and putting smiles on all faces.

Lillia is so excited to help take on the crazy, wonderful world of marketing and event planning for a nonprofit.


Anna Farmer, Events & Program Director

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Count On Me is thrilled to have former team member, Anna Farmer, back as out Events & Program director. Anna once served as an intern and Social Media + Events coordinator for Count On Me.

Over the last 4 years, she has developed national advertising & marketing experience as she has assisted in the production of numerous reputable broadcast, digital, & social campaigns for multiple advertising agencies .

Even when Anna was working full time pursuing her advertising path, she continued to stay involved with Count On Me throughout the years - she is even a certified yoga instructor and previously used her certification to host multiple donation-based classes, where Count On Me has had the opportunity to be a direct beneficiary!  We are very excited to welcome Anna back as an elevated member of the team and look forward to an exciting 2020 with her!


Shari Ammon Mills, Special Advisor

With parallel experience in corporate and nonprofit environments, Sharí is a former COMFF staff member who remains involved years after her time at the foundation.

Sharí began her career with a twenty one year tenure at SeaWorld, where she not only produced dozens of shows and events, but honed her skills as an agile leader, strategic planner and innovative product manager. As Director of Entertainment at SeaWorld San Diego for nearly ten years, Sharí thrived on the balance between the development and creation of new and innovative park product, shows and events with the daily operations of a large, multi-million dollar department with business-driven strategic and financial objectives.

Sharí's unique combination of talents proved beneficial when she moved to Colorado in 2007. She spent her time in Denver immersed in the nonprofit arts and culture world, providing leadership and influencing significant change in business operations while at The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities and Ballet Nouveau Colorado.

After a wonderful few years in Colorado, Sharí and her husband, Brian, returned to San Diego in 2011 and Sharí quickly immersed herself back into Southern California as an entertainment and event producer. Highlights include UCLA's Grand Re-Opening of Pauley Pavilion (2012), Kareem Abdul Jabbar's Celebrity Roast (2012), more than a dozen waterfront public events (2012/2013 Port of San Diego) as well as a number of privately held events across the western United States. She served Count On Me as the Senior Director of Communications and Operations from 2013 through 2017.

Sharí now works in Retail Experience Transformation at PetCo, supporting the growth and strategy of a growing brand. She is thrilled to be part of the Count On Me family, one of the most passionate, spirited and committed groups of supporters she's ever had the privilege to be around.


Gretchen Pingree, Special Advisor

Since 2008, Gretchen has contributed to the foundation on many levels. As former COMFF Business Manager her scope included developing the foundation infrastructure, managing internal processes, financial reporting, bookkeeping & contact data management.

A Minnetonka, Minnesota native with an Art History degree from the University of St. Thomas, Gretchen's career background includes corporate art sales and computer software training. After spending 10 years in San Diego working and starting a family, she moved back to her husband's home town of Seattle. She currently resides in Medina, WA with her husband David and three daughters.


FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Shannon Mora

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Greg Duriez Dan MacMillan Mark Shuken Starla Knapp

EXECUTIVE TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kara Rooney

ADVISOR
Shari Ammon Mills

ADVISOR
Gretchen Pingree

Graphic Designer
Jill Becket Nancy Cho

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Family Members:

Cole Mora Lillia Mora Ryder Mora Trey Mora

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Courteney Bailey
Nancy Batter
Jill Beckett
Kathy Brisacher
Janet Buckley
Nancy Cho
Richard Crasnick
Candy Currie
Joanne Graham
Meghan Hudgins
Starla Knapp
Marilyn Silva-Lund
Dan MacMillan
Cecile Marsh
Brian Mills
Maddi Mobley
Sara Narbaitz
Roxane Robinson
Kristi Rose
Linda Rosen
Sharon Rowlands
Lodi Soreano
Brett Stevens
Shail Versfelt
Molly Webber Tracy Welzel June Zampino

Auctions
Starla Knapp

 

VOLUNTEER TEAM

SEATTLE

Cheryl McLauchlan
Jane Meitl
Danya Hill
Melissa Campbell
Beth Swanson
Stephanie Dash
Jill Heijer
Ashely Hickman
Kim Irwin
Dagny Magelssen
Denise Niles
Daryl Russinovich
Diane Salisbury
Dianne Smith
Shelly Turner
Karen Wirthlin

ATLANTA
Terry Backer
Jill Beckett
Donna Feazell
Terri Grunduski
Starla Knapp
Jeanne Nixon
Megan Williamson

PHOENIX

Greg Turk, Photographer Forever Young Foundation Paul Vollmer, UCLA Alumni VP & Philanthropy Chair