LAURA SUK
Founder & Executive Director
Staff & Leaders
Gail Burks-Stansell
Pastor of Teaching & Discipleship
Alexander Maradiaga
Men's Teaching & Discipleship Associate
Hannah Robinson
Special Events & Communications
Kristel Lease
Worship Lead & Communications
BETHANY DEVINE
Donor Relations & Executive Assistant
EMILY SCHILLING
Grant Development & Special Projects
SARAH HOWARD
Ministry Program Administrator
Lauren Benjamin
Teaching & Worship Associate
Stephanie O'neill
Grant Writer
SHANEEN coston
Re-Entry Program Coordinator
Stacia Fortner
Accounting Manager
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.
ROCHELLE ANDERSON
Secretary
Rochelle recently retired from 28 years of full time ministry as assistant to Bob Shank, Founder of Priority Living, Inc. and the Master’s Program, whose mission is to “prepare Christian leaders to change their world and build God’s Kingdom.” Rochelle has also taught the Master’s Program for Women and examined her own God-given potential for her Kingdom calling. Rochelle is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, and has worked in banking, marketing, publications and advertising. Her service with Junior League and the National Charity League has given her a heart for children and the homeless; her service as a volunteer chaplain at Mariner’s Church has opened her heart to the needs of broken and hurting people. Rochelle and her husband, Scott, have been married for 40 years. They have three married daughters and four grandchildren, with another on the way.
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 wil 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.”
KAREN HEDSTROM
Board Member
Karen has spent nearly 30 years nurturing her faith and that of her family at her church home. A mother of 4 adult boys and 3 granddaughters, Karen most recently finished her role on the Pastor Nominating Committee to find a new leader of her church. She has also served in a number of mission outreaches, most recently to the Grand Canyon to serve the Havasupai Indian tribe. For more than f4 years, Karen has served as part of the Loaves and Fishes ministry of NorthEast of the Well at St. Andrew's where she enjoys preparing food as well as fellowship with those they serve. She enjoys hiking, spending time with her grandchildren, and connecting with God in the high country of the Rocky Mountains. Married to her husband Mark for 37 years, Karen looks forward to seeing where God will use her to further His work with Northeast of the Well.
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.
Our Partners
TEEN CHALLENGE MINISTRY INSTITUTE (TCMI)
South Gate
ARGOVEND
Costa Mesa
James L. Stamps Foundation, Inc.
Santa Ana
Action Alliance
Santa Ana
GRANDMA'S HOUSE OF HOPE
Orange County
www.grandmashouseofhope.org
PACIFIC YOUTH CORRECTIONAL MINISTRIES (PYCM)
Orange County
FLOSSIE LEWIS RECOVERY CENTER
Long Beach
Vera's Sanctuary
South Orange County
His Nesting Place
Long Beach
Angel Steps
Bellflower
Trabuco Presbyterian Church
Trabuco Canyon
