Board of Directors

I’m David Wharton, Co-Founder and Board Vice President of NorCal OUTreach Project. I have been active as a volunteer and advocate for the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities since moving to Redding in 2003.  In 2008, I joined a small group of grass-root visionaries that had a passion for creating a safe place for LGBTQ+ folks in far northern California.    I am beyond grateful to be a proactive part of the Center’s progress at such a crucial and exciting time.  

I enjoy volunteering for LGBTQ+ activist causes, working with the HIV community by providing food support services, and public speaking. I also enjoy collecting antiques, playing the piano, sewing, family, and spending time with my fur baby. I grew up in the California Central Valley and have lived in SF and LA before moving to Redding in 2003. 

I am Cheryl Saunders. I'm a programmer and bookkeeper for a local firm specializing in property tax processing software for county governments.

I have many loved ones - family and friends - in the LGBTQ+ community. As an Ally, I am passionate about helping others understand the importance of acceptance and equality. I'm excited about the continually growing programs and services NCOP offers to the far Northern California community.

Some of the things I enjoy in my down time are Marvel movies, corny Christmas movies, and visiting Ashland for performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

My name is Bonnie Hyatt and I am so excited to serve our LGBTQ+ community as the NorCal OUTreach Project Board of Directors Secretary. I am working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and love volunteering.  I am an Ally and a proud mama bear.  I am passionate about seeing connections and collaborations in our community that NorCal OUTreach has always fought so hard to achieve.  I love to travel, bake and you can count me in if it has to do with Disney.

Howdy, I’m Andre. I am currently a sophomore at Shasta College and hope to receive a degree in Civil Engineering once I move down south for college. I really enjoy helping out the local community and I am beyond happy to be part of NCOP! I think it’s an amazing organization where I’ve had great opportunities to not only help out but become closer to the NorCal LGBTQ+ community. In my spare time, I enjoy to travel, hike, and longboard. I always try to stay active, and I’ve found that it’s always a lot more fun when you involve a change of scenery. Other than that, I love to be around friends!

I’m Janice Kehnle. I am 69 years old and was born and raised in New York City and am a cisgender bisexual woman with pronouns she/her. I was a Shasta County Child Welfare social worker for 24 years and was the adoptions worker for the first adoption by a lesbian couple with more gay and lesbian adoptions that followed.I have been on the board for 5 years. I have met many wonderful and beautiful people who have inspired me and enriched my life.I strive to provide support to help our LGBTQ+ community be our most authentic selves. I will continue to work towards equality, justice, acceptance, and understanding for all of us.On a lighter note, I have fun with my friends in NCOP. I love to travel and my most recent adventures have been to Ecuador and Thailand with Africa as my next destination.

 My name is Rachel MacFarland, I grew up in Redding and graduated from Shasta High School. I have a BA in English and I am the Aquatics Director for the Shasta Family YMCA. I identify as bisexual and am passionate about making the world more accepting for all people. NCOP is important to me because it provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to grow and be themselves. For fun, I like to play Pokemon with my spouse and child.