BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stacey Vieyra-Braendle

Since 2021

Board Chair

Stacey Vieyra-Braendle, OTD, OTR/L, MT-BC

Founding Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Program at Western Oregon University

Stacey is a mixed Latina who was born and raised in Kansas but has called Oregon home for over a decade. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Arizona State University, and her doctorate in occupational therapy from Pacific University in Hillsboro, OR. Stacey is the first in her family to pursue an advanced degree and is incredibly proud to be amongst the estimated 3.6% of occupational therapists that identify as Latinx/Hispanic, as well as the .8% of Latinx/Hispanic adults that have a doctoral degree. Stacey has been engaged in mentorship around education throughout her life, and she has also been on the receiving end of some powerful and timely mentorship. She deeply appreciates the impact that intimate community support, culturally aware and humble guidance, and time can have on one’s life, not only in the immediate “now” but in the distant future. Stacey is driven to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and she is particularly passionate about dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline. She dedicated her doctoral research to exploring the role of occupational therapy in this work, and continues to engage in outreach and advocacy efforts to light a fire under her colleagues. Stacey is honored to be part of the SKCE board, as she knows that the family-centered approach taken by SCKE WORKS in reducing educational disparities.

Lighiz G Castanon Nolasco

Since 2022

Board Secretary

Lighz was born in Veracruz, Mexico. She lived in Albany, OR for nine years. She has lived in Salem since 2009 and graduated from South Salem High School. Lighiz has two wonderful daughters and came to SKCE as a program participant first! Now, Lighiz is an active volunteer and Board member.

Ronnie (RJ) Hampton

Since August 2021

Board Treasurer

Ronnie (RJ) Hampton, MAMS

Unmanned Autonomous Systems, Drone and Robotic Technology Instructor for Salem Keizer School District, Vice-President of Salem Keizer NAACP

RJ graduated with a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Alabama State University. His career has spanned the private sector and the public sector, developing engineering and technology systems for the military and for businesses for over a decade, including being the Lead Developer for ORACLE, before deciding to become a teacher. He started at North Salem High School as their CTE Teacher of Engineering, Robotics and Video Production in 2015 and moved to CTEC in 2017 as the Lead Program Instructor and Coach for Unmanned Autonomous Systems. A father of three grown children, he is involved in his community on multiple fronts, including volunteering for the Red Cross during the wildfires, providing Drone Coverage for the National Cancer Society’s 2020 “Lights Across America,” organizing civil protests and feeding the homeless. Currently, he is the Vice-President of the NAACP and is also very involved with CORE (Committee on Racial Equality), and the Salem Keizer Education Association. He believes in service to his community, and he brings that commitment to his teaching. He is proud of the fact that his students engage in efforts to develop sustainable technologies that will provide advancements in communal efforts such as energy, homelessness, sustainable foods and search and rescue.

Chris Brantley

Since 2017

Retired Teacher and Administrator

Chris was a high school biology and computer programming teacher for thirteen years in Salem-Keizer before becoming a middle school administrator for seventeen years in Salem-Keizer and North Santiam School Districts. Since retirement he has served in many capacities, including Executive Secretary of OMLA; Technology Trainer for a COSA program (funded by Gates Foundation); adjunct instructor for PSU’s Administrative Licensure Program and Willamette University’s Masters of Arts in Teaching. He has been a Commissioner on the Oregon HECC and TSPC, and served two terms on the Salem-Keizer School Board; Currently, he is also a member of the Salem City Club Board and the Chemeketa Community College Budget Committee. Throughout his career, Chris been an advocate for students who do not adapt easily to “academia.” He believes in helping students learn through “real world” experiences to find success in our schools. He brings to SKCE the belief that strong, supportive families can be highly effective advocates in schools that adapt to students rather than expecting students to adapt to “the way it’s always been done.”

Juan Saldaña

Since 2019

Program Coordinator, Chemeketa Community College

Juan Saldaña grew up in a rural agricultural community in California, spending summers working in the fields, where he developed a deep appreciation for hard work and resilience. After graduating from high school, he relocated to Oregon, where he began his career with the Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC). Over four years, he supported programs serving migrant and low-income families, laying the foundation for his lifelong commitment to educational equity.

At 24, Juan embarked on his own higher education journey at Chemeketa Community College before transferring to Western Oregon University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Organizational Leadership.

With more than 12 years of experience in education—including the last 8 years dedicated to higher education—Juan has worked extensively with programs designed to support underrepresented students. Through his involvement in grant-funded initiatives like TRIO and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), he has guided students from migrant backgrounds, first-generation college attendees, low-income families, students with disabilities, and parents in overcoming barriers to achieve their academic and personal goals. As the current Foundation Scholarship Coordinator, Juan is deeply committed to supporting student success and financial access in Higher Education and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Outside of his professional roles, Juan is a passionate advocate for students and higher education in Marion and Polk counties. He has contributed to numerous committees and initiatives focused on promoting educational equity and expanding access to underserved communities. His unique journey from agriculture to early education, higher education, and advocacy drives his dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for all students.

Pam Wojcik

Since October 2020

Retired English as a Second Language Teacher

Pam dedicated her life to teaching Elementary school children for 50 years. She taught in the Woodburn School District for 30 years before becoming a substitute teacher for 9 years—in Woodburn, Salem Keizer and Independence. But she couldn’t stay away—she has volunteered for the last 10 years in Salem Keizer in bilingual classrooms and as a SMART Reader. She taught children whose first language was Russian or Spanish, along with native English speakers in mixed classrooms long before bilingual programs were available. She speaks five languages—Russian, Spanish, and English, and has a Masters in Linguistics. She is dedicated to the education of children, especially those whose first language is not English. She is excited to contribute to the education success of the children of families that SKCE serves.

Laura Leon-Cipriano

Since June 2025

Program Director

As a parent of minor children, Laura is deeply committed to supporting families and ensuring that all children have access to a strong educational foundation. Through her work with the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) at Chemeketa Community College, a federally funded program that assists migrant and seasonal farmworker families in earning their high school equivalency, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges many students and parents face in navigating the school system and accessing available resources.

These experiences have shaped her passion for advocacy and community empowerment. She believes that when parents are informed and engaged, children are more likely to thrive. She advocates for equipping parents with knowledge, strengthening family-school connections, and advancing educational equity. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering families and uplifting communities through informed engagement and collaborative support.

Alejandra Rodriguez

Since May 2025

Local Business Owner

Alejandra, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, migrated to the U.S. nearly 30 years ago. A long-time advocate for students with disabilities and migrant backgrounds, she has worked to promote equal educational opportunities for all. Alejandra first served on the SKCE Board of Directors before joining the organization as a staff member in the Formando Familias Fuertes department, where for two years she supported families in building stronger connections through education. She believes deeply in the value of both traditional and non-traditional education pathways. In 2014, Alejandra opened her own business and continues to inspire and empower other Latinos to pursue entrepreneurship and lifelong learning. She rejoined the SKCE Board for a second term in May 2025.