2011 American Mothers Board of Directors
Connell Branan, President, Oklahoma Connell Branan has been a member of American Mothers since 2006 when she was named the National Young Mother of the Year. Connell has an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and previously worked in Washington D.C. on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. She and her husband live in Oklahoma with their two children where Cliff serves in the Oklahoma State Senate and Connell volunteers with various local arts and educational organizations.
Joan Braitsch, 1st Vice President, Virginia Joan Braitsch has been involved with American Mothers since 1997and was the 2000 DC Metropolitan Area MOY. Joan has served as President or Treasurer of the DC AMI Chapter for ten years, as AMI Executive Director for 9 months overseeing the AMI office move to DC in 2001, as Resource Development Chair, Literature Chair, and Parliamentarian. Joan and her husband were the Founding Chairs of the Marriage Ministries Council at her church where Joan also served as a Trustee and Treasurer of the church. President of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra and other civic organizations keeps Joan busy now as does enjoying her two grown children and husband of almost 40 years! Joan has a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration and an MBA in Finance.
Cristi Bulloch, 2nd Vice President, Nevada Cristi Bulloch has a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations from Brigham Young University and has served as Director of the Las Vegas Family Week Committee for 18 years. She is the Family Focus Director for the Southern Nevada LDS Public Affairs Council, and serves on the President’s Leadership Council at BYU. Cristi has been a member of American Mothers since 1993 and served the organization as the Nevada State President, 1995 Nevada Young Mother of the Year, Special Projects Chair and Co-Chairman of the 2007 National Convention in Las Vegas. She and her husband live in Nevada with their two daughters.
Kimberley Shelton, 3rd Vice President, New Hampshire Kimberley Shelton was the 2008 National Young Mother of the Year and currently serves American Mothers as the National Young Mother Search Chairman. Kimberley has a Bachelor Degree in American Studies from the College of William and Mary and prior to having children, worked as a HR Officer in the Washington DC area. Kimberley actively volunteers at her children’s school and at her church as a small group mentor and with Mom to Mom Ministries. Kimberley and her husband, Tyrone, have two children and reside in New Hampshire.
Sondra Anderson, Secretary, Pennsylvania Born and raised in Kamas, Utah, the fourth of eight children, Sondra holds a BA degree in English. She is moderately fluent in Spanish, enjoys exploring new places, reading, and language in general. Married to Don Anderson since 1980, she is the mother of five adult children and currently divides her time between her homes in Arizona and Pennsylvania. A member of American Mothers since December 1982 she represented Arizona as Young Mother in 1994 and has served in many capacities on the state and national level. She loves the autonomy and creativity of being a full time homemaker and mom, and since returning to that position in June 2009, after two years of full time paid employment, she is sure there is no job that can be more interesting or rewarding.
Valerie Earnshaw, Treasurer, New Hampshire With five sisters, Valerie Earnshaw understands the power of woman. By high school graduation, Valerie had lived in 11 homes, 6 states and attended 8 different schools. Talk about lessons in embracing diversity. Valerie graduated from college with degrees in Business Finance and Humanities including 6 months spent in Vienna, Austria. She then joined Electronic Data Systems in a management training program working in Dallas, Frankfurt, Germany and Washington DC. There she met and married her husband, Scott when he whisked her off to Tokyo where they spent most of the next 12 years having and raising their four children in that fast paced, multi-cultural environment. Seeking a quieter life, the Earnshaw's moved to New Hampshire where they currently reside with their family.
Deanne Taylor, Immediate Past President, Utah Deanne has been involved with American Mothers since 1976 and has served the organization in many state and national positions, including President. She was also the 1985 Arizona young Mother. Deanne resides in Utah where she currently volunteers as a board member of the Pleasant Grove Downtown Advisory Board, the founding President of the Pleasant Grove Business Alliance and as a past chairman of the Pleasant Grove Rural/Urban Design Assistance Team. Deanne, and her husband, Devon have eight children and thirteen grandchildren.
Sherri Zirker, Area I Coordinator, Washington Sherri has been involved with American Mothers since she was the National Young Honor Mother in 1975, Western Division, and continued in service as State Young Mother Chairman (Washington and Arizona), Division Coordinator (all states west of Mississippi), National Education Chairman (1988-1997), National Young Mother Coordinator (2001-03), National Third Vice President (2003-04), National Search Chair: Mother-of-the-Year: (2009). Sherri was married for over 49 years to the late Ronald Zirker, Ed.D, a School Psychologist. They had five children (3 girls-2 boys), 28 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 17 foster children. Sherri has completed an Educational Degree, taught school, authored "Learning: A Shared Experience Between Parent and Child," and co-authored many magazine articles with Ron, including his book: "Parent and Teen: Teamed for Success' and a newspaper column, "Recipe for a Happy Family" (1971-1998).
Tonia Nantkes, Area III Coordinator, Nebraska
Mary Compton, Area IV Coordinator, Texas Mary Compton has been a member of American Mothers since 1994 and has served the organization as chairman of the Men’s Booster Program and currently as an Area Coordinator. Mary holds a BS from North Texas State University and a Masters Degree from Texas State University-San Marcos, Mary continues to volunteer in her community for the United Way, the local Food Bank, United Methodist Women, Church Women United, the Boy Scouts, and the Family History Center. Mary and her husband have four children and four grandchildren.
Vivian Dibb, Area VI Coordinator, Georgia Vivian and her husband reside in Atlanta, Georgia where they have four children and six grandchildren. Vivian actively serves her church, and her community by volunteering for the Boy Scouts of America, and as an election poll precinct manager. Vivian says that she ‘cherishes the opportunity to be a mother and the continuing opportunity to be a grandmother’.
Johanna Buit, Area VII Coordinator, Indiana Johanna Buit has been involved with American Mothers off and on since the mid 60's. The off times were when the family lived abroad. Presently, she is the Area 7 Coordinator. Johanna is active in the community training, mentoring and working with women assigned to the city's Rescue Mission thrift store by the court system and the social service programs of Indiana. She also coordinates, guides and leads in the Children and Worship program at her church. Johanna and her husband raised two sons of their own and 4 "daughters" for friends. One "daughter" is deceased, the other children have provided them with 7 grandchildren.
Genevieve Champana, Area IX Coordinator, Puerto Rico Jenny has been a member of American Mothers since 1998 and serves as the Area IX Coordinator. She has also been the San Juan Chapter President. Jenny holds a Masters in Business Administration and is the head and CEO of Capitales, Inc., a financing company in Puerto Rico. Aside from work, Jenny volunteers her time at her church and with other local organizations. In 2005, Jenny was awarded the Ivelisse Padro medal for her commitment to excellence and inspired leadership from the San Juan Chapter of American Mothers, Inc.
Carolyn Branagan, Area X Coordinator, Vermont Carolyn grew up on a Vermont dairy farm and graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS and M.Ed. Married to Christopher Branagan, Carolyn taught school, served as teaching principal then left her work to raise their three children. Carolyn has been involved in her community in many capacities, serving on the local school board, supervisory union board, town moderator, and officer for the local soup kitchen. She has also been a Director for the Franklin County Board of Home Health and a Trustee for the University of Vermont. She is currently serving a fourth term in the Vermont House of Representatives and is a ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Carolyn is a 35 year member of Georgia Plain Baptist Church.
JaLynn Prince, Endowment Fund Chairman
JaLynn Prince is the president and founder of Madison House Foundation. She is also founder and president of Times and Seasons, an arts management consulting firm emphasizing the arts, broadcasting, public policies, and public relations.
Within her community, JaLynn has been a pastoral care counselor, a Leadership Montgomery graduate, and an advocate for the Autism Society of America. She has worked to raise funds for children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald houses, homes for battered women, inner-city educational programs, homeless shelters, and arts organizations including the National Philharmonic.
JaLynn serves on several boards, including Resource for Advancing Children’s Health (REACH), and Rising Star Outreach – for untouchable children in India and the leprosy afflicted population. JaLynn was named to the Who’s Who in Business 2005 list and was selected as the National Young Mother of the Year. JaLynn and her husband, Dr. Gregory A. Prince have three children and live in Potomac, Maryland.
Dianne Callister, Public Relations, California.
The Journey from being born in a Salvation Army hospital to spending time in foster care and being adopted by a wonderful family has had a positive impact on Dianne Dain Callister's life. For the past 25 years she and her husband, Steve have raised their children and now enjoy having their first granddaughter. Dianne has served on multiple PTA and various other community boards. She founded White Wings and Silver Strings, a non-profit organization that brings music to the inner-city children of Los Angeles. She currently serves as President and Executive Director of The Singer Foundation, directing funds to programs
impacting children internationally. Dianne created the program Project GIVE, which educates and funds student-driven service for middle-school students nationwide. Dianne's love for humanity is shown in heworld a better place".
Kimberly Wright, Membership, Nevada Kimberly Wright, the 2009 National Young Mother of the Year, was born in Hominy, Oklahoma but now makes Las Vegas, Nevada her home. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While in college Kimberly volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and volunteered with foster children programs for several years. In 1996 Kimberly married John Wright and in 2000, John and Kimberly welcomed the first of their 4 children. Kimberly is an Executive Regional Vice President with a Swiss wellness company. Kimberly and her family are active in their church and she loves any opportunity to serve in ministry. Kimberly enjoys taking Bible studies, reading, and playing outside with her Christian Mom, has just been published.
Julie Starr, Education, Colorado Julie has been married for 25 years to the same man: Kim D. Starr, Attorney/Partner Ritsema Lyon and together they have two children. Julie is a registered nurse with experience in NICU, Psych, Geriatrics and most recently, Hospice care specializing in care of Veterans at the end-of-life. She has a BSN from the University of NE - Lincoln and experience teaching in the healthcare profession at the college level. She is currently a MSN-Education candidate at the University of Northern Colorado. Her focus is teaching of adults in areas related to health wellness, education and chronic illness. Julie has served AMI as a National Board Member from 2001-2007 (Tapestry Chair, Membership Chair, Area Coordinator, Young Mother Search and Colorado Mothers, Inc. (as a board member from 2000-2007, Newsletter Editor, Young Mother Search Chair, President). She was the Colorado Young Mother Representative in 2000.
Irene Costilow, Mother of the Year Search Chairman, Oklahoma Irene has represented Oklahoma as the 2009 Oklahoma Mother of the Year and has served on the board of the Oklahoma Chapter as the Mother of the Year Search Chairman. Irene is active in Stonecroft Ministries as the Regional Speaker Trainer, serves on the board of Veterans Families United Foundation, the board of Little Light School and enjoys speaking to various community and ministry groups. Irene has a BS in Elementary Education. She lives in Yukon, Oklahoma, with her husband BG (ret.) Pete Costilow. She is the mother of three sons and has two granddaughters.
Miki Farris, Awards, Oklahoma Miki Farrisʼ early childhood experiences and struggles as a single parent have made a positive impact on her devotion to her children and to hundreds of thousands of needy children in her community. Miki is an Oklahoma State University graduate, an active member of United Methodist Church of the Servant, and has served on various community boards. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Infant Crisis Services, a non-profit organization that has provided basic necessities for nearly 150,000 needy babies and toddlers in Oklahoma City since 1984. Miki has been happily married to Jim Farris for 16 years and they have four children. She has been very involved in her children's activities over the years, and her lifeʼs work and advice to them is guided by a quote from Mother Teresa – “We can do no great things; only small things with great love."
Yolanda Perez, Bylaws Chairman, Puerto Rico Yolanda Perez has been involved with American Mothers since 1999 when her own mother was named Puerto Rico Mother of the Year. Yolanda became the Humacao Chapter President after being named Puerto Rico State Young Mother in 2006. She has served on the Nominating Committee, and was the Puerto Rico Mother of the Year Search Chairman. Since 2007, she has helped translate most AMI publications into Spanish, including writing and translating articles about values for the website. Yolanda presided over the Credentials Committee during the 2010 National Convention in New York City. Currently, she serves as Bylaws Chairman. Yolanda is active in her community serving on the board of Cub Scouts and Troop 852 of Boys Scouts of America, where her 20-years old son is the Scout Master. She volunteers her time for a Christian radio station where she is a broadcaster. Yolanda has a BA in Business Education, and obtained graduate certificates on public planning and housing management from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, and from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. She is the happy mother of Veronica (15) and Leonardo (20).
Renee Dunifon, Literacy Chairman/5th Grade Essay Contest Renee was the 2006 Indiana Young Mother and has served on the National Board as Tapestry Chairman. She has three children and lives and works in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Jan Du Plain, Special Projects, District of Columbia Jan Du Plain holds a SPA/BA from American University. The Gallup Leadership Institute, which presented her with its Excellence Award in 1998, commended her for being a powerful networker, hailing her “ability to connect just the right person with just the right talent to make just the right contribution.” As president and CEO of Du Plain Enterprises, Inc., Jan uses her talents and experience to design and implement integrated public relations campaigns, creative special events, and innovative community relations programs. She uses her expertise to coordinate the Interfaith Speakers Bureau, fostering dialogue among different religions and cultures. Her efforts to connect people range from establishing the first Women's National Leadership Training Institute, housed at AU in the late 1970s, to serving on the executive team which launched Cultural Tourism DCʼs inaugural PASSPORT DC. The two week long, city-wide cultural celebration of Washingtonʼs international and diplomatic community resulted in 55 participating embassies. Jan has served as the PR Director at the historic Fordʼs Theatre, and later for 15 years as the PR director for WETA Radio TV, the third largest producer of programs for public television in the USA. Today, she takes great pride and joy in being the “go-to” person, helping people make connections and experience Washington as “a world-class capital city”. She is a member of the DC Metropolitan Association of AMI.