The Board of Directors meets four times each year. Starting with the Annual Meeting, which is held in the fall, prior to November 15; the winter meeting is held in late January or in February; the spring meeting is usually held in April and the final meeting for the year is the Board retreat held at the end of June, in conjunction with the College’s commencement ceremony.
Executive Committee (Voting Members)
Nancy Garbett, MEd, Board Chair, Chair Strategic Pathways Committee
For the past 20 years, Ms. Garbett has worked with a wide range of corporations, organizations, and individuals in planning, designing, and implementing effective change processes, which consistently result in higher levels of personal productivity and organizational profitability. She currently heads a company using tools and processes based on quantum theory to create more rapid and ecological alignment. Ms. Garbett received her undergraduate degree in history from Lake Forest College in Illinois. In 1984, she received a Master's degree from Brigham Young University. She completed a program in clinical pastoral education in 1986, and in 1994 she was certified as a master practitioner in neurolinguistic programming. She continues involvement in a multiyear program in the field of energy management.
Richard Jones, PhD, Vice Chair of the Board, Co-Chair Master Planning Committee
Dr. Richard Jones, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Sciences University and Research Scientist, US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Portland) received his graduate training in Microbiology and Immunology and post graduate training in Neuroimmunology. Dr. Jones conducts research sponsored by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies investigating mechanisms of disease progression and hematopoietic and immune determinants of central nervous system inflammation in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Dr. Jones serves as project Principal Investigator within a collaborative NIH sponsored research program conducted at the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at OHSU, the Portland VA Medical Center and the Helfgott Research Institute at NCNM investigating behavioral neural-immune interactions involved in therapeutic responses. He has served on several federal and state grant review boards for NIH, the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer’s Research.
Edward (Ed) Hall, CA, CPA, Board Treasurer, Chair Finance and Administrative Affairs Committee
Mr. Hall’s background combines over 25 years of experience in business and financial management. He is the managing member of a group of real estate investment partnerships, Muskoka Properties LLC in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Hall’s previous job experience includes working as a systems professional in large mainframe computer environments, and as an internationally recognized expert in computer auditing. He has been a regular columnist for several national business publications and has lectured on auditing and accounting theory and practice in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Hall is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Ellen Goldsmith, MSOM, LAc, LMT, Board Secretary, Chair Board Development Committee
Ms. Goldsmith graduated from NCNM in 1999 with a Master of Science degree in oriental medicine, and is in private practice in Portland, Oregon. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Classical Chinese Medicine department at NCNM. Ms. Goldsmith served from 2001 - 2004 as a committee member for the Acupuncture Advisory Committee to the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Oregon.
David J. Schleich, PhD, President, ex officio to the Board
Dr. Schleich has been in the higher education and health fields for over 30 years. Formerly president of Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) for seven years, he was also vice-president academic of Niagara College and president of Truestar Health. He was a professor for many years and is a respected leader in the natural health field in Canada and the United States.
Directors (Voting Members)
Donna L. Beck, ND
Dr. Beck received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from NCNM in 1992. During a time when only a few residencies in natural family medicine were offered, Dr. Beck was chosen for a residency position at NCNM’s teaching clinic. In the following year she went on to be chief resident at the clinic. Dr. Beck worked as a staff physician at NCNM for over 10 years and currently serves as a substitute teacher. She is a current member of the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Medicine and the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Beck concurrently serves on the state licensing board, the OBNE, which is a governor appointed position focusing on public safety, continuing education and professionalism. She also serves on a committee to help organize the 2010 Northwest Naturopathic Convention. She is a mother of three grown children and receives constant inspiration from her two grandchildren.
John R. Campbell, PhD
Dr. Campbell is a president emeritus of Oklahoma State University and a former dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois. He is also a leading expert on land-grant universities. Dr. Campbell has written several books on higher education and teaching. He divides his time between his office in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and his home in Columbia, Missouri.
Don Drake
Mr. Drake is currently Vice President of Melvin Mark Brokerage Company and has over 25 years experience in the real estate industry. He has been with Melvin Mark Brokerage Company the past 20 years and specializes in general commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services. Mr. Drake’s public service involvements include serving on an advisory board to Multnomah County in the disposition of a 100 acre county owned property. He has been on several advisory committees for the Portland Development Commission inputting on Portland’s Inner Eastside Industrial and Commercial Districts. He has been a supporter of the Japanese Garden and chaired a successful fundraiser for that organization. He was previously a 10-year board member of the Northwest Academy in Portland Oregon, a private middle and secondary school, whose focus is integrating art and technology with proficiency based academic programs. Mr. Drake is a founding member of the Commercial Association of Realtors and was its President in 1997; he is currently a member of the Portland Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA).
Jere A. High, ND
Dr. High is the clinical program manager at Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA). Previously he managed a primary care clinic at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, was Director of Clinical Services at InAct, and was clinic director for the teaching clinics of National College of Natural Medicine for three years. He served on the Coalition of Community Clinics in Multnomah County, and is a past board member of both OPCA and the Essential Health Clinic Foundation. Dr. High served in the U.S. Air Force for over 10 years and is a reservist in a construction and repair engineering squadron. He holds a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from NCNM and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Trish Lichau Shields, PhD
Dr. Lichau Shields has more than 30 years of experience in education and child advocacy. Currently the Director of Online Education at Concordia University, Dr. Lichau Shields has not forgotten the formative experiences that prepared her for higher education. From medevacing multiple trauma patients and critically ill children as an EMT/Community Health Aide on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska to being a licensed pilot, certified scuba diver and king salmon fisherman, she quite naturally transitioned to a career as a high school math and Spanish teacher, and, later, a high school administrator. As an adjunct instructor at MHCC (10 years) she combined research-based strategies with nature-focused outdoor activities and developed successful after-school programs that earned national attention by providing unique, self-efficacy oriented remediation for underprivileged children. A professor of educational psychology, her interests include neuropsychosocial studies, neuroscience, cell biology, naturopathic medicine, transformative education, intentionally inviting classroom practices and the thrilling advancements in online teaching and learning. She especially enjoys snorkeling and exploring reef life with her grandsons and husband.
Michael G. Manes
Mr. Manes is the founder and owner of Square One Consulting, an organization specializing in change management and change architecture in the insurance/ financial services and health care industries. He has over 30 years of experience in risk management and insurance, including ten years as an instructor of risk and insurance at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Mr. Manes was Executive Director of the Louisiana Healthcare Association. He has also served on numerous health care and insurance commissions and committees in Louisiana for the governor, the commissioner of insurance, the attorney general, the House of Representatives, and LSU. He is the author of two books – Gumbo: Cooking Up the Organization of the Future and Organizational Planning Quick and Simple.
Steven P. Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, LAc, Dipl CH, AHG
Dr. Steve Marsden earned his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from NCNM in 1999. He holds board certifications in acupuncture and Chinese herbology from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and is an invited member of the American Herbalist Guild, and is a licensed veterinarian. He spends much of his time instructing other veterinarians worldwide on integrating complementary and alternative therapies into their conventional medical practices, and is co-author of the definitive textbook on the subject, Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marsden founded and currently practices veterinary and naturopathic medicine in one of the only facilities in the world licensed to treat both humans and animals, The Natural Path Clinic, located in Edmonton, Canada. He is the developer of Cured Cases Inc., a central database of all veterinary patients in the world successfully treated with alternative medicine. Dr. Marsden founded the Natural Path Herb Company, selling Chinese and western herbal formulations to veterinarians throughout North America. He serves on the advisory board of the Holistic Health Program at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, and plays a key role in licensure efforts for naturopathic physicians in Alberta, Canada.
Willow Moore, DC, ND
Dr. Willow Moore is a chiropractic and naturopathic physician. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Chemistry, Western States Chiropractic College (cum laude), and from National College of Natural Medicine. She is licensed as a chiropractic physician and as a naturopathic physician in Oregon, Washington and Montana. Dr. Moore is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She has served on the board of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the American College of Naturopathic Obstetricians and the Montana Board of Alternative Medicine, the licensing board for Naturopathic Physicians and Direct Entry Midwives.
Constituency Representatives to the Board (Non-Voting Members)
Karen Frangos, PT, ND, Faculty Representative
Initially a licensed physical therapist, Dr. Karen Frangos complements her training as a naturopathic physician with more than 25 years of prior clinical practice in complementary physical medicine. Dr. Frangos earned her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from Northeastern University in Boston and her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from NCNM in 1997, continuing as a resident physician for two more years. As an assistant professor at NCNM, Dr. Frangos is also responsible for teaching Gross Anatomy Lab, Office Orthopedics, Naturopathic Manipulative Therapeutics, and Exercise Therapeutics. She has a private practice, Naturopathic Body Works, Inc. where she sees patients and offers natural health seminars and weight management classes.
Elizabeth Axelrod, Senior Student Representative
Elizabeth graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she earned a BA in Sociology and a certificate in INVST (International & National Voluntary Service Training). After working in the social services field for seven years, Elizabeth now attends NCNM to pursue her long-time goal of being a primary care doctor. Elizabeth is a member of the 2008 PALS (Presidential Ambassador Leadership Society), a recipient of three NCNM scholarships, and has recently been voted the winner of “Name the NCNM Bookstore” competition. In her free time Elizabeth enjoys cycling, hiking, being outside and time spent with friends, family, and her pug Kenny.
Erin Sharman, Junior Student Representative
Erin is an ND2/CCM1 at NCNM. Bio forthcoming.
Jolie Griffin, Staff Representative
Jolie Griffin is the staff representative to the Board. Jolie earned her Bachelor of Arts from Portland State University in 1997. Jolie currently serves as the Academic Coordinator for the ND program; she has done administrative work at several schools in the Portland area since 2000.
NCNM, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran’s status in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, College programs and activities, including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services, and employment.
