Board of Directors

Kristi Puckett

Governor

Kristi Puckett has served on the Board of the Northwestern Region since July 2010 when she began her term as District 3 Director over 13 clubs. She has been a member of Soroptimist International of La Grande since 1990 and has served in many leadership roles. Kristi looks forward to this new adventure “Charting a New Path to the Future.” She is an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoys singing in the community choir. She lives in Cove, Oregon with her husband Jeff of 40+ years. They have two children, a wonderful son-in-law and a granddaughter. Free time will involve family, friends and Soroptimist.

Karen Marshall

Governor-Elect

Karen joined Soroptimist in 1994 as a member of SI Anacortes and then transferred to SI La-Conner in 2000. In 2017, she helped launch the Northwestern Region’s online club, SI Cascadia Online. She loves using technology to simplify collaboration and communication. She joined the Laurel Society and the Laurel Legacy program in 2000. Her professional experience includes over 25 years in the nonprofit sector, serving as executive director of several organizations. Karen currently teaches nonprofit administration and coordinates dance events in the Pacific Northwest.

Wendy Falkenstein

Secretary

Wendy Falkenstein officially joined Soroptimist in 2003. Having grown up with Soroptimist, she un-officially joined in 1972 and proudly shares with everyone that she is a 3rd generation Soroptimist. Wendy has held several positions at the club level and has also served the District, most recently as Director (2018-2020) and Secretary (2016-2018). Wendy has been in the retail industry for 30 years and is currently the Store Manager for J.Jill in Eugene. When not working, Wendy enjoys spending time with her 3 “F’s”: family, friends and her dog, Fritz. She also finds great joy in working in her yard and around her home.

Becky Taft

Treasurer

Becky Taft became a member of Soroptimist International of Sedro Woolley, after her two children went off to college in 2004. She jumped in with both feet to help the works of the Region, from Finance committee, Registration Chair and Region Fundraising Chair. If you do not see a pattern, numbers and money are what makes her tick. Becky has attended conferences, meetings and conventions since 2006. Becky enjoys being a great resource for all clubs, both with the simple financial needs to providing advice on protecting the funds of the club. Becky believes in the mission of Soroptimist and the great work that can be done by the great members of the Northwestern Region. Becky has 26 years of banking experience and hopes to bring to the organization not only her skills with her financial background, but to also bring her experience as being involved in the community.

Carolynn Kaetterhenry

District 1 Director

Carolynn Kaetterhenry accepted the invitation to join Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor 20 years ago after serving as a Venturist for many years. She held many leadership roles in her Soroptimist club and served as Region Site Coordinator and District 1 Representative for several committees. Carolynn works as a Women’s Ministry Advisor and Special Event Coordinator for Family Bible Church in Oak Harbor, WA. She enjoys singing on the Worship Team at her church, attending musicals and concerts, shopping, spending time with her husband Bob, friends, traveling, anything Soroptimist, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers!

Chris Christensen

District 2 Director

Chris has spent most of her life both as a young adult and a working adult supporting non-profit organizations from the YWCA, Girl Scouts, YMCA to the Gresham Historical Society and Soroptimist, all of which she has taken on leadership roles. It became her passion to help where needed and to accept when asked. While she took time away from Soroptimist to raise her daughter she came back renewed with ideas and skills learned from her time with the YMCA. She will always be a Soroptimist working to achieve the best for women.

Di Lyn Larsen-Hill

District 3 Director

Di Lyn Larsen-Hill joined Soroptimist International of La Grande in 1983. She has served three times as Club President, twice as Club Secretary and numerous times as Club Delegate along with other duties.   Di Lyn recently retired from the Northeast Oregon Housing Authority where she was Family Self-Sufficiency Program Manager for nine years. She previously worked 20 years as a paralegal, and 10 years as a journalist and public relations specialist. Di Lyn and her husband, Edward, have lived in La Grande for 38 years.

Saundra Amsden

District 4 Director

A sixth generation Montanan, born in Bozeman, Saundra graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Montana. After receiving her college degree she received a call from the U.S. Navy and jumped at the chance. In February 1989 she reported to Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. 

While on active duty, she attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California to earn her master’s degree in Computer Science. Saundra served a one year tour in Iraq. In March 2009 she retired after 20 years as a Lieutenant Commander.

Saundra now dedicates her efforts to paying back the local community. She calls herself a “Professional Volunteer.”