Meet the Team

Brady & Andrea Murray

Founders and Board Members

Brady and Andrea Murray are the founders of RODS Heroes, and Brady serves as our President. Their journey with the Down syndrome community began in 2007, when their son was born with Down syndrome. The Murrays quickly realized that what they thought would be one of their families greatest challenges would actually be one of their greatest blessings.

When Brady and Andrea learned about the challenging fate of orphaned children who have Down syndrome around the world, they knew they had to act. The Murrays founded RODS Heroes in 2012, and it acquired 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2013. Later, the Murrays traveled to China to adopt their second son with Down syndrome, Cooper.

In addition to working on our cause, Brady Murray is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP® professional) and Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®) who is dedicated to advocating for the special needs community. In their spare time, Brady and Andrea enjoy spending time with their family and taking their children on outdoor adventures.

Laura Lindquist 

Director of Operations

Laura Lindquist came to Utah State University from Bozeman, Montana and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Huntsman School of Business. She worked as an accountant for 4+ years and brings her knowledge to the team, merging back into her career after having 2 children. 
Laura, a small-town girl, married a Viking swede and has two tots that are busy raiding new territory. Whether they are watching hockey, baking, or enjoying the outdoors she and her family delight in being together. Her deep connection to her family binds her passion for children receiving their forever families. She will not stop advocating for each child, for she know the nature of these joyful and heroic children.

HOLLY FJELDSTED​

Director of Development 

Holly Fjeldsted has a professional background in education and has long championed the rights and needs of her students. After graduating from Utah State University (USU) with a degree in elementary education, Holly taught primary school children for eight years. She then moved on to the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at USU, where she worked as an Adjunct Professor and Student Teaching Supervisor for 13 years. For nearly 20 years, Holly served as the Executive Producer and Corporate Fundraiser for FREEDOM FIRE, Logan City’s Independence Day celebration.
Holly formerly worked as the Senior Director of Development for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at USU. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to work with others who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Holly lives in Logan with her husband, Mark, and their five children. In her spare time, she enjoys running, bicycling, skiing, and watching football.

mELISA gHERSI

Marketing Director

Melisa has an academic background in digital marketing and development, complemented by a professional marketing career spanning over 13 years. She applies a significant amount of her training to the strategy and analytical aspects of Digital Marketing while still thoroughly enjoying and incorporating a fresh, creative touch.

Melisa has a resounding passion for humanity, and fulfilling her dream of assisting special needs children has been an absolute joy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, attending Orange Theory classes, and indulging in all things related to dogs!

Shalee Brown

Community Growth Manager

Shalee’s greatest passion in life is connecting with people. Her interest in learning about people led her to serve a mission for her church in the state of Pennsylvania. She continued to pursue this desire as she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Utah Valley University. Shalee quickly forms lasting friendships with those she meets and those relationships created throughout her life have become a major part of her story.

Shalee has personally witnessed the blessing of adoption within her family, which fuels her passion for wanting to help others experience the joy of creating forever families. She married her best friend and in their spare time you will most likely find them outdoors, at a country concert, or spending time with their families.

WENDI LINDSEY

Operations Specialist

Wendi Lindsey came to the Cache Valley from the Bay Area and has a professional background in Operations Management.  She brings with her a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. Her commitment to helping those in need extends beyond the confines of her work, as she is often found lending a helping hand to those in need, including animals.

With a love for the great outdoors, Wendi can often be found exploring nature trails or cruising through the streets (now back roads!) on her bike, soaking in the beauty of her surroundings. While she finds peace in long walks, photography and baking, Wendi cherishes spending quality time with her family, finding joy in every moment shared with her loved ones. 

Excited to embark on this new chapter with RODS Heroes, Wendi is eager to utilize her skills and expertise to contribute to the organization’s mission of making a positive impact in the lives of the children we advocate for. 

 
 

Our Board of Directors

RODS Heroes is blessed to be guided by a talented team on our Board of Directors. Our Board members come from a range of backgrounds, bringing diverse skill sets and life experiences to our nonprofit. Each of them is passionate about furthering the cause of RODS Heroes, giving a voice to the voiceless children in institutions and foster homes internationally, and spreading the word about the urgent need to find loving families to bring their young superheroes home.

doug brasher

Doug and his wife are thankful parents of eight wonderful children who make life full and fabulous and whom they love very much. They are blessed to have four delightful grandchildren.
 
Doug graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors degree in Exercise Sports Science. This degree suited him well in his personal interests and pursuits of what he refers to as an “age group” exercise enthusiast with participation in running, cycling, swimming and other outdoor recreations. 
 
Relocating to Idaho in 2007, Doug assumed the role as the General Manager of the Idaho Auto Auction, a family-owned wholesale auto auction. This career has been a blessing for the whole family, helping develop incredible personal relationships in the community. 
 
In addition to his love for exercise, Doug finds great enjoyment in baking and spending time in the kitchen. Doug’s love language is expressed through preparing good food for others,  intending to bring comfort to the soul and foster connection with those around him. Doug enjoys spending time with his family playing less-than-technical games and watching a good movie with freshly popped popcorn. 
 
Doug finds a great depth of joy from his relationship with God and Jesus Christ, from his incredible wife and family and sees so much good in the world around him. Doug’s philosophy is simple: people are genuinely good, so be the good and love God and love your neighbor, for therein lies true fulfillment.

Norm Westervelt

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Norm Westervelt has extensive experience in leadership and operational roles in multiple businesses across a diversity of industries, from publishing to education to personal finance. Norm’s colleagues would describe him as a man with strong business strategy and financial competencies that benefit each organization he has been part of. Norm first became involved with the special needs community when he served on the board of a residential care facility. Now, RODS Heroes is blessed to benefit from Norm’s passion, energy, and drive as he serves our community.

Trent Savage

Trent Savage serves as the chief human resources officer at Mountain America Credit Union, one of RODS Heroes’ corporate partners. His expertise lies in strategy development, executive coaching, organizational design and development, and labor relations. Previously, he has worked for Amazon, eBay, and Procter & Gamble. Trent is a graduate of Brigham Young University (BYU), where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with an emphasis in organizational development and human resources.

Trent became involved with RODS Heroes when he led an initiative to form a corporate partnership between our organization and Mountain America Credit Union. His work reflects his deep appreciation of the special gifts of individuals with special needs. RODS Heroes isn’t the only nonprofit Trent has been involved with. He also serves as a board member for Courage Reins, a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with special needs.

His other volunteer and leadership positions include serving as the chair of the BYU Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Advisory Board, and as an Executive Committee member of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). Trent has received multiple recognitions for his work, including the Ascendant Leader award from BYU. When he isn’t working and volunteering, Trent enjoys spending time with his family, and going hiking and horseback riding.

Klea Harris

Klea loves helping families use estate planning to heal their relationships rather than perpetuate conflict. She believes in estate planning that is guided by love and governed by law. With these guiding principles in mind, she started Angel Advocates, PLLC in 2019 and enjoys leading a team of other like minded estate planning professionals.

Klea participates in her community as chair of the Utah Valley Women and Leadership Collaborative, 100 Women Who Care-Utah Valley, the Utah Bar’s Business and Estate Planning sections, and Mountainland Association of Governments Caregiver Coalition. She earned her bachelor’s in History and Gerontology and law degree from Brigham Young University and will soon complete additional certifications in Family Wealth and Family Business Advising.  She loves camping and hiking the National Parks with her family in a rehabbed 1966 Jet Trailer named Lil’ Miss Adventure. 

As a RODS Heroes board member she looks forward to drawing from her experiences as a mother of eight children, including three adopted from Haiti in 2003. She will not stop advocating for each child, for she knows the nature of these joyful and heroic children.

Sarah Bullen

Sarah Bullen was born in Korea. She lived with foster parents for 5 months until Julie and Jonathan Bullen adopted her. They were living in Utah at the time and Sarah was their 4th child and only girl.

Sarah went to high school in California and Park City. After graduating high school in Park City, she attended Utah State University and graduated from the Aggie Elevated program. She did humanitarian work in South America helping children and babies in orphanages. She went on to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in both Salt Lake City and Portland Oregon totaling 3 years of service. 

She currently works in customer service at Cafe Rio and lives independently with roommates. She volunteers weekly in the Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has 8 nieces and nephews who are not shy to admit that she holds the “best aunt ever” title. She loves to go on trips and attend concerts. She’s a true advocate for adoption and loves to tell her adoption story.

kim lapiana

Kim LaPiana is a dedicated and compassionate individual who is devoted  to making a positive impact on the people in her life and organizations with  which she is involved. 

As a volunteer for the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, Kim’s deep  empathy and strong family values help bring joy to those physically and  mentally challenged.  

Kim’s experience as a Collegiate Gymnast at Illinois State University  taught her the importance of leadership and teamwork. She holds a  Master’s Degree in Sports Nutrition from San Diego State University and is  a Registered Dietitian. Kim was honored to be a part of the USA  Gymnastics Athlete Wellness Program and travel with their National Team. 

Kim’s strength lies in her unwavering ability to prioritize relationships,  cultivate compassion and actively contribute to creating a world where  everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Kim is the mother of two adult children. She and her husband Paul live in  Park City, Utah.

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