Board of Directors and Executives

Jan Burks

Board Vice President

Jan dedicated thirty-seven years to a career in education, beginning with thirteen years teaching children who were DeafBlind at the Oregon School for the Blind. She then served twenty-four years with the Central School District in Independence, Oregon, nineteen of those as Special Education Director and five as an Elementary Principal.

More than thirty-eight years ago, Jan became a founding Board member, and her commitment to supporting people with disabilities has remained strong ever since. She was honored to be invited by Joanne and Zellee to serve on the Board of Directors for their new organization, where she continues to advocate for meaningful transition services for students and opportunities for adults with disabilities in the community.

Jan is deeply dedicated to the staff and people supported by PCL, recognizing the organization’s consistent commitment to living its mission each day.

Jennifer Watkins

Board Member

Jennifer Watkins began her work in the field of developmental disabilities as a student aide in high school. While in college, she gained further experience as a Direct Care Professional and later as a Service Coordinator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Life from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

In 1997, Jennifer moved to Monmouth, Oregon, where she joined PCL as a Training Director. After six years with the organization, she chose to step away to focus on raising her four children. She later returned to the field through her work with the Salem-Keizer School District, where she continues to serve students and families.

Jennifer has a deep love for PCL and its mission. Serving on the Board of Directors enables her to remain connected to the work she cares about passionately and to collaborate with the dedicated people who make PCL’s impact possible.

Stewart Laney

Board Member

Stewart is the West Coast Sales Manager for Weyerhaeuser MDF. He and his wife, Laurie, live in Corvallis, Oregon, and are proud parents of three grown children and grandparents to five.

Inspired by his mother’s example of service, she dedicated her time to supporting “shut-ins” and instilled in him the value of compassion. Stewart developed a deep appreciation for people of all abilities. Her lessons taught him that every person has worth and deserves to be seen and valued.

Motivated to carry on that legacy, Stewart chose to serve with PCL, where he continues to honor his mother’s example through his commitment to the organization’s mission.

Chris Harris

Board Member

After seven years of teaching at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chris moved to Salem in 1984 to join Willamette University as an Assistant Professor of Theatre. He remained at Willamette until his retirement in 2021, ultimately achieving the rank of Professor Emeritus.

Chris has served on the Board of Directors for Partnerships in Community Living since the early 1990s, and his commitment to the organization has only deepened over the years. He believes that the mark of a truly civilized society lies in how it nurtures and cares for its most vulnerable members: children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the sick, and those experiencing homelessness.

For Chris, contributing to PCL has been an important part of his sense of purpose. He values not only the mission of the organization but also the opportunity to serve alongside others motivated by compassion and altruism. To him, PCL embodies the generosity and humanity the world needs more of.

Joanne Fuhrman

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Joanne and her partner, Zellee, founded PCL in 1987. Joanne now functions as the sole CEO of PCL. Joanne has over 45 years of experience in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. She began her professional career as a DSP while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree. This led to a desire to support people in a different way. PCL was founded on the Person Centered principle that “People are at the heart of decision making to direct and control their own lives.” Joanne has had a lifelong commitment to Social Justice for all and believes the work of PCL is fundamental to furthering that goal. Joanne has her Master's in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco and holds an HR certification as a SPHR (HRCI) and SHRM-SCP. When not working, Joanne enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and her friends.

Lorrie Bakke

Executive Officer of Administrative Operations

Lorrie has been with PCL for 33 years. She started as a Receptionist, then moved on to be an Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Director of Administrative Support Services, and now the Executive Officer of Administrative Operations.

Jackie Allen

Executive Officer of People and Culture

Jackie has been with PCL for 32 years. She has held numerous positions within PCL, including DSP, Services Team Coordinator, Residential Director, Training Director, HR Director, and is now a member of PCL’s Executive Management Team. She has been part of Human Resources since approximately the year 2000 and, in 2007, assumed responsibility for the HR team. She holds HR certification as a SPHR (HRCI) and SHRM-SCP.

While Jackie knows all things HR, her passion lies in training, team development, and organizational growth.

Ginger Jones

Executive Officer of Life Services and Operations

Ginger began her career in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in 1980 with a summer job at Shangri-La Corporation. Over 32 years, she served in a variety of roles. In the summer of 2011, she joined Partnerships in Community Living, where she currently shares the role of Executive Officer of Life Services and Operations. Ginger is a dedicated member of the Safety Committee and is deeply passionate about creating opportunities for people to live extraordinary lives. A compassionate leader, she brings a natural abundance mentality to her work, inspiring those around her through both her vision and heart.

Natazha Howard

Executive Officer of Life Services and Operations

Natazha began her career in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as a Direct Support Professional, where she quickly discovered her passion for supporting people to live full and meaningful lives. Over the past decade, she has held various leadership roles at PCL, including Service Team Coordinator and Area Director. In January 2025, she joined PCL's Executive Management Team in the shared role of Executive Officer of Life Services and Operations. Natazha is deeply committed to person-centered practices, team development, and fostering a culture of accountability, belonging, and unwavering belief in people’s potential.

Jamie Rheinholdt

Executive Officer of Behavioral Health and Quality Services

Jamie began as a Direct Support Professional, later advancing to Behavior Specialist, Director of our Cognitive and Behavioral Health Services, and is now our Executive Officer of Behavioral Health and Quality Services.