Staff | NorthEast of the Well

Staff & Leaders

LAURA SUK

Founder & Executive Director

Gail Burks-Stansell

Pastor of Teaching & Discipleship

Hannah Robinson

Special Events & Communications

BETHANY DEVINE

Donor Relations & Executive Assistant

EMILY SCHILLING

Grant Development & Special Projects

SARAH HOWARD-COVARRUBIAS

Ministry Program Administrator

Lauren Benjamin

Teaching & Worship Associate

Board of Directors

Rick Fortier

Chairman

Rick Fortier was born in Chile and moved to the US with his family during his last year of high school. After receiving a business degree and a law degree, Rick joined an oil company where he eventually would manage all trading and refining operations. In 1987 Rick started Bravo Energy Trading N.A., an international oil refining company and currently serves on the board. Rick has been married to Gaile for 36 years and together have 4 adult sons. Rick came to know North East of the Well from his wife’s involvement as a volunteer over the last 4 years. Rick has served on multiple nonprofit Christian organization boards such as the OC Rescue Mission, House of Hope, Every Generation Ministries and in church ministries such as Mariners Local Outreach, Global Outreach and Lighthouse Ministry. Rick has been involved in the startup of Children’s Ministries in the Latin American countries of Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Rick currently serves on two Board committees for Every Generation Ministries and recently joined the Mission Ministry of his church were he serves as an advisor.

Emily Schilling

Interim Treasurer

Emily is a co-founder of NorthEast and has played a role in numerous areas of the ministry, from the days when it was still called the “Heritage House Bible Study.” She is a Bible teacher, discipleship leader, and has written over $1 million in grants in the past seven years. Currently, she is working on Steps to Success, a program that will help women and men from the NorthEast community overcome barriers like criminal history or lack of experience, and to prepare for and obtain gainful employment. As Interim Treasurer, Emily utilizes a background in financial services as well as her experience in helping to develop and monitor NorthEast finances since our 2011 incorporation as a 501 c)3 nonprofit. Emily has two grown sons and has been married for 33 years to her husband, Bruce Sansone.

MARY BYERS

Board Member

Mary brings over 30 years of experience through various community, international, and church-related volunteer/board positions. She also serves with Powerhouse Ministries in Watts LA, reaching out to inner city children and families. Mary has personally witnessed the transforming power of Christ in the lives of many. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Nursing, specializing in education and management. In addition to healthcare consulting, Mary has held various management positions at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, Illinois as well as at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Mary is blessed to have a husband, John, of 35 years, and two grown sons and a daughter-in-law. She remains committed to the Lord, and passionate about His commandment to love and serve one another in His name. “To whom much has been given, much is expected.”

Laura Suk

Board Member

Laura is the Founder, Pastor and Executive Director of NorthEast of the Well. Her ministry career is marked by a burden for the Gospel and a passion for reaching the marginalized. Laura uses her own story of addiction, recovery and faith to identify with others struggling with generational patterns of brokenness and sin. She has spent the past 21 years in missions work, including local community development, global evangelism, disaster relief motel and jail ministry. Laura founded NorthEast of the Well as a way for women graduating from a county rehab program who were pregnant or had small children, to stay connected and grow in their faith. She is married to Tim Suk, director of Orange County Teen Challenge. Her life verse is Colossians 1:24-29.

PHIL REYNOLDS

Board Member

Phil brings 30 years experience as an attorney, specializing in real estate finance and development. Born and raised in Glendale CA, Phil earned a B.S. in Applied Chemistry from Caltech, an M.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Caltech, and his law degree, LLB Cum Laude, from Harvard Law School. Phil and his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth, have raised 4 children. Phil has been active in the Caltech Alumni Association, President of the Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club and on the board of the Rotary District 5320 Charitable Foundation. He serves as a deacon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and enjoys traveling, photography, gardening, music, reading, bridge and time with his grandchildren. Phil and Liz moved to Newport in 2009, just as NorthEast of the Well was getting started. He is inspired by the many lives that NorthEast has seen come to faith and is encouraged how the pernicious generational cycle of addiction and abuse is broken through Christ. Phil hopes he can help Laura and her team consolidate, expand and diversify their dynamic and vital programs.

CHARLIE EXON

Board Member

Charlie became a part of the community of NorthEast of the Well through his wife, Marji, who is a longtime volunteer and supporter. He served for many years as General Counsel and Board Member for Quiksilver and the Quiksilver Foundation and continues to be active in the surf industry. Charlie and Marji have been blessed with 6 children and 11 grandchildren. They are inspired by the scriptural and family-based vision of NorthEast of the Well.

DANIEL WATTS

Board Member

Daniel's love for children led him to serve in children's ministry for over forty years. He became involved with NEW after attending their 2019 annual gala. Daniel is the Director of Every Generation Ministries Institute, promoting EGM's innovative biblical ministry principles. Daniel founded EGM in 1993, working with local churches to develop transformational children's ministry. Prior to founding EGM, Daniel served for ten years as the Children's Pastor at Mariners Church. Daniel has a BS in physics from CSULB and a MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. Daniel and his wife Marla have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Jennifer Link

Board Member

Jennifer was first introduced to NorthEast at a luncheon hosted by our Women of the Well auxiliary. She immediately connected to the bold message of redemption and the real stories of changed lives. Jennifer brings her experience as a mother of three and her service to numerous OC non-profit organizations and ministries, most recently as the Deacon of Women's Ministries at Voyagers Bible Church. With a background in marketing, she and her husband of 40 years, Dave, grew a pet products company from the back of a pick-up truck to one that provided careers for 40 people. Now retired, the couple has sought God's direction as they share their passion for Him and the gifts He has given them. Jennifer is open and excited to see how God will use her to continue the NE vision of reaching the lost for His glory!