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Executive Team Members
Linda Seaver Executive Director
Linda believes in the strategic thinking and the forward vision of the Havasu Community Health Foundation and she loves working side by side with all the dedicated directors, staff, and volunteers involved in transforming a vision into a mission focused on “A Healthier Havasu.”
Linda enjoyed a 22-year career as both a teacher and administrator in higher education. She and her husband, David, came to Lake Havasu City from the San Francisco Bay area, after her retirement from Menlo College in 2005. There she worked in the capacity of a senior college administrator, Director of Administration and Operation, and Interim Vice President of Finance.
In 2012, she had the privilege of being invited onto the Havasu Community Health Foundation Board of Directors, and in 2017, nearing the end of her tenure on the Board, she was asked to fill the role of Executive Director. Taking her many years of educational experience and in conjunction with a very dynamic board’s knowledge and direction, they have successfully grown the Foundation to 20 health-related programs and added 9 social service programs to provide greater support to our Lake Havasu Community.
Virginia Lattion Board Chairman
Virginia has been a resident of Lake Havasu City since 2011 as the store manager of Dillard's Department Store in our mall, she has been with Dillard's for 24 years. She is a member of the Lake Havasu Sunrise Rotary Club volunteering in various charity events like the Balloon Festival serving breakfast to the pilots, Brews and Brats, trash cleanup, and the Easter Egg hunt for all the kids at Sara Park.
Virginia is also active in Women with Willpower a local charity organization helping women get a "lift up", she served as a judge for the Senior Ms. Lake Havasu Pageant and likes to donate her time volunteering where she can. With Dillard's, she likes to support various charitable organizations by donating gift baskets for fundraising, and silent auctions for organizations at Dillard’s like the Mojave County K-9 foundation, HCHF Foodbank, and the fundraising events at the Havasu Community Health Foundation, Daughters of the Revolution, and Sunrise Rotary.
Virginia loves serving on the Havasu Community Health Foundation board of directors and is serving a second term as Chairman of the Board. She is a Veteran of the US Airforce and served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm where she was stationed in Alconbury England in support of the A-10s. She likes riding her Harley, taking her dogs for hikes, and spending time with her husband on the boat on the lake.
Scott Taylor Vice Chairman
Scott has been involved with many organizations, projects, and fundraisers in Lake Havasu City and throughout Mohave County over the past 20 years. He has had the pleasure of seeing firsthand, the difference that an organization like the Havasu Community Health Foundation has made for so many individuals in our community. Scott is an integral part of the HCHF team of volunteers and dedicated staff that will bring about real change in the lives of the people we serve.
Throughout Scott’s 20 years of Rotary, he believes in the principle of ‘’Service about Self” and continues to adhere to the values of the 4-way test. Scott’s biggest strength is thinking “outside of the box” when reviewing programs and fundraising opportunities.
Rose Marie Eaton Secretary
Rose Marie started her banking career here in Lake Havasu in 1983. Past experiences include Branch Manager, Commercial Banker, Mortgage Loan Officer, Investment Advisor, Private Banker, and Regional Manager. She is currently a VP, Business Banking Manager with Foothills Bank.
Rose Marie has lived here since 1974 and cares deeply for the residents of Lake Havasu. The foundation offers so many Health & Wellness resources to those in need, of which many are not available through any other organization in our community.
Rose Marie is the current Treasurer for the Cancer Assn of Havasu, a program under the foundation, and has been involved in and also chaired fundraising events such as the Cancer Ball, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, and Fashion Show.
Her goal, as a member of the Board of Directors, is to be a resource and an advocate for the foundation and to make decisions based on what is in the best interest of both our community and foundation. Her commitment is to oversee and ensure that the foundation continues to thrive for many years to come.
Kathy Chalmers Treasurer
Kathy has been in Havasu City since July of 1984. Kathy attended Cal State Fullerton for two years and then Graduated from UCLA with a BS in Accounting. At first, she worked in the medical field and then became a Tax Accountant, Enrolled Agent, and owns her own Accounting Firm.
When her husband passed, she took online classes through Washington State University, and obtained her Law degree in Taxes.
She was instrumental in starting the Havasu Community Health Foundation, signed the Charter for its Incorporation in 2004. Kathy is currently the Treasurer. She believes in this organization and what we do for our community.
Linda Denovan Director
Hanne Dolan Director
Dr. Hanne Dolan is a nurse scientist, and her passion is nursing care for older adults. Hanne became a registered nurse in Denmark, where she was born and raised. Hanne has worked as a nurse in Denmark and at Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City as well as being a nurse educator. Currently, Hanne is working as a postdoctoral fellow at Arizona State University, where she is building her program of research with the goal of improving nursing care for hospitalized older adults. In addition, Hanne and her husband Jim Dolan are the owners of Campbell Cove 1-Stop & Deli in Lake Havasu City.
Hanne is proud to be a board director of Havasu Community Health Foundation, where multiple programs provide citizens with essential support and services that often are unavailable in rural communities. The Havasu Community Health Foundation is a stellar example of an organization, where many diverse programs can support the community as well as each other. Hanne’s goal as a board member is to maintain the Havasu Community Health Foundation financially sound with diverse and inclusive program offerings based on the needs of the Lake Havasu City community. In her free time, Hanne stays active by running, and her favorite race is the Havasu Half Marathon & 5k event put on by Healthy Striders and Havasu Community Health Foundation.
John Nygren Director
John, and his wife, Barbara, have been residents of Lake Havasu since June 10, 1993. When they arrived with their two daughters from Tipp City Ohio their first thought was “Where are all the trees and green lawns and how do we live in 110 plus temperatures?” All have come to love the desert, especially Lake Havasu. Both daughters are school teachers in Arizona and have given them 5 healthy grandchildren. My wife Barb since 1970 is employed by HCHF.
John spent his childhood growing up in Michigan City Indiana, where he attended St Mary’s Grade and High School. He attended Indiana University where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management. Between high school and college, he entered the Marine Corps. He was a member of the Marine Corps Air Wing doing a tour of duty in Vietnam.
John is a member of the Lake Havasu Sunrise Rotary Club since 1994. He has held the offices of Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He has served as Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 5490. He and Barbara are members of Mt Olive Church, where he has served as Treasurer. He has been a Board member of HCHF since 2011 and served as Board Chair from 2011 until 2017.
Dawit Tesfasilassie Director
Dawit Tesfasilassie relocated to Lake Havasu to take on the Chief Operating Officer role at Havasu Regional Medical Center, and has recently been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. Dawit completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley in Public Health. Dawit continued his education at the University of Michigan, where he received his Master’s in Healthcare Administration.
Dawit serves on HCHF to give back to the community. The work and services provided HCHF are critical to maintaining a healthy and vibrant community.
His first name is pronounced Dah-Wheat; his last name Tes-fasI-las-say
Howard Weiske Director
Howard recently returned to the Havasu Community Health Foundation Board of Directors. While gone, having had a heart issue that was complicated by Covid events that caused a scheduling delay, Howard began to organize the “HEART SUPPORT DEPARTMENT” of HCHF and for the community of the Lake Havasu region. Working with the many care providers and Doctors we expect to reduce anxieties and answer many important questions leading to quicker personal results. Howard continues to serve as a volunteer on the Arizona Supreme Court staff. Also continuing to head up an education endowment activity to help young adults in the community.
HAVASU COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION TEAM MEMBERS
Claudia Betancourt Administrative Assistant
Claudia has lived all of her life in Lake Havasu City, she, her husband Rene, and their two children; Julian and Emma enjoy the time they spend each year at their home near Guadalajara Mexico. Claudia joined the Havasu Community Health Foundation in 2018 and is instrumental to the team and the Foundation.
As the Administrative Assistant, Claudia handles the day-to-day communications for the Executive Director of the foundation. One of her main responsibilities is to keep the office and programs organized and running efficiently. Claudia is the backbone of the Havasu Community Health Foundation; and as the gatekeeper, she knows all that goes on in the foundation
Colleen Mattinson Food Bank Manager
Colleen and her husband Rod enjoy life in Lake Havasu City. Colleen is committed to her family, her friends, her church, and her community.
Colleen joined the Havasu Community Health Foundation in 2018 as the Food Bank Manager, an Advocate for our Transitional Living Program, and a Facilitator in our Student Assistance Program. Whenever anyone thinks of the HCHF Food Bank, they automatically think of Colleen.
Tamara Nelson bookkeeper
Tamara joined the Havasu Community Health Foundation in the Business office as the resident Bookkeeper in November 2022. Tamara came to the Health Foundation with 20 years of bookkeeping experience in the non-profit arena.
Tamara and Robert recently came to Lake Havasu from Cleveland, Ohio. Tamara is a devoted mother and a loyal friend to her daughter Tricia. Her hobbies include walking and supporting Robert with his pro-stock motorcycle racing program.
Tamara enjoys being a team member and is looking forward to many years at the Havasu Community Health Foundation.
Shyla Perkins SAP Coordinator
Shyla is the Student Assistance Program coordinator, came to the Havasu Community Health Foundation for her internship in 2020. After completing her Bachelors in Health Promotion and Education from Arizona State University she was the first intern hired on.
A self-proclaimed “big kid”, she loves creating engaging curriculum that inspire the students in Lake Havasu City. SAP gives students a chance to be heard when they may not feel heard anywhere else. She is passionate about the well-being of our youth.
Launa Robertson Coordinator of Labs & Screenings
Launa Robertson is from the Navajo Tribe. She was born on the reservation and experienced the beauty of the land and the Dine people. Launa and her family moved to Lake Havasu nine years ago and reside here with her husband George Rios, daughter Taya Rios and son Shane Rios.
Launa was recently with North Country Health Care providing patient care for patients for three years. Nine years ago, she decided to take a job as a Domestic Violent advocate where she was inspired to help clients rebuild their lives. Wanting to do more for the community, Launa ran the Domestic Violence shelter, Sally's Place.
Launa is excited to start this new adventure with Havasu Community Health Foundation. She is committed and motivated to take on this job because she feels pride in the services where we are dedicated to the prevention and early detection of potentially life-threatening diseases, where everyone can access common low-cost health screening.
FOUNDING MEMBERS: HAVASU COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION
Paul Sowerby
Kathy Chalmers
Kathy Chalmers
Kathy Chalmers
Kathy Chalmers
Kathy Chalmers
Vanessa Liesen
Kathy Chalmers
Vanessa Liesen
Jeanie Morgan
Kathy Chalmers
Vanessa Liesen
Evie Cistaro
Jesse Johnson
Evie Cistaro
Kathy Hodel
Jesse Johnson
Evie Cistaro
Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson
Ken Schulz
Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson
The History of the Havasu Community Health Foundation
In 1985, Samaritan Health System (“Samaritan,”) the predecessor in interest to Banner Health, acquired Havasu Regional Hospital in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Thereafter, members of the community, working under the auspices of the Banner Health Foundation raised funds and undertook other philanthropic activities in support of the hospital and related health care needs in the Lake Havasu Community.
In 1998, Samaritan sold Havasu Regional Hospital to Province Healthcare, Inc., a for-profit corporation, and transferred a portion of the sale proceeds to The Samaritan Foundation for the purpose of supporting health care needs in the Havasu community.
As of December 31, 2004, the community-raised funds, together with investment earnings (the “Community Funds”) were credited to the Development Fund and were credited to other donor- restricted funds for the benefit of the health care needs of the Havasu community.
In 2004, the Executive Director of Banner Foundation approached the local Havasu Community Health Trust Officers to see if they would be interested in being spun off into an independent 501(c)(3) public charity. Agreeable terms were worked out, and the Havasu Community Health Foundation began operating in January 2005.
In recognition that the primary purpose of Banner Health Foundation is to support the related health care needs of the communities served by Banner Health’s facilities, and that the assets of the Banner Health Foundation designated for the health care needs would be better administered and disbursed by a locally controlled foundation, members of the Lake Havasu community formed the Havasu Community Health Foundation on October 7, 2004, and received a determination on January 21, 2005, that the Havasu Community Health Foundation is an organization described in Sections 501 (C) (3), 509(a) (1) and 170(b) (1) (A) (vi) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Determination.”)
The current members of the Havasu Community Health Foundation Board of Directors, the staff, and the coordinators and volunteers of our 20 health-related programs, our 9 social services want to say, Thank You for bringing your passion, intellect, insight, experience, and resources needed to establish one of the greatest nonprofits in Lake Havasu City. We are leaders today because of the tools you gave us, and we shall continue to pay it forward.