Meet the Team
Kari is the Executive Director of The Arc of Benton County. With more than 28 years of experience supporting people with disabilities, she is deeply committed to helping every person live a full, meaningful, and connected life in their community.
Her leadership spans the public, nonprofit, and private sectors: a decade in vocational rehabilitation leadership with the State of Oregon, founding a nonprofit in Southern Oregon, directing programs at therapeutic boarding schools, and owning CrossFit gyms in the United States and Mexico.
A licensed school counselor, licensed therapist, and certified life coach, Kari is committed to strengthening The Arc’s impact and ensuring people with disabilities in Benton County are seen, supported, and celebrated.
Program Staff
Aaron Smith
Program Manager
Aaron oversees the day-to-day operations of our programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Abby Guzman
Assistant Director of Programs
Abby oversees program compliance and The CommCard Program, our communication tool and training for law enforcement interactions.
Ash Ri'chard
Independent Living Program Coordinator
Ash coordinates and leads our community-based programs, including Supported Living and SLLEDD, our life skills program.
Julie Hardenburger
Ceramics & Exercise Instructor
Julie leads the ceramics, crafts, and adaptive exercise classes at TAAP, our day support activities (DSA) program.
Krystina Montesi
Music Teacher
Krystina leads the performing arts classes at TAAP, our day support activities (DSA) program.
Jeff Forty
Program Support Specialist
Jeff supports our program participants in TAAP, SLLEDD, and Supported Living.
Gracie Herrick
Program Support Specialist
Gracie supports our program participants in TAAP, SLLEDD, and Supported Living.
Zak Van Dyke
Program Support Specialist
Zak supports our program participants in TAAP, SLLEDD, and Supported Living.
Sarah Simmons
Community Advocate
Thrift Store Management
Ann Morey Ross
General Manager of Thrift Stores
Ann oversees day-to-operations at The Arc Corvallis Thrift Store.
Anna Stevenson
Philomath Store Manager
Anna oversees day-to-day operations at The Arc Philomath Thrift Store.
Jill Gerlach
Volunteer Coordinator
Jill recruits, onboards, and schedules volunteers at both of our thrift stores.
Administrative Staff
Brianna Bleiwas
Administrative Assistant
Brianna manages our administrative office and marketing.