About Us : Board of Directors

Phil Brenes
Phil Brenes is a retired pediatrician, following a long career in private practice, at Kaiser Permanente and finally as a clinician and faculty member in Developmental Pediatrics at the CDRC of Oregon Health & Science University. While at OHSU, his specialty was in cognitive and behavioral disabilities in children. Throughout his career, Phil recognized that all children are born learning and how the experiences of early infancy and childhood impact people throughout their entire lives. 

Kathleen Deschner
Kathy currently is the development director for Community Services Northwest, a mental health and addictions treatment facility and housing services organization.  Prior to Kathy working for Community Services Northwest, she was the development director for the YWCA for 18 years.  Not only is Kathy skilled in development, she also has a background in marketing, communications, media, public relations, event management and community outreach. 

Vaughn Lein (Board Chair)
Vaughn is a partner with LSW Architects.  Vaughn uses technical knowledge, public relations and process to solve complex problems.  He has worked in Southwest Washington and the Portland metropolitan area for over 30 years.   Vaughn is excellent at solving community problems by applying the strategic problem solving approach of civic engagement.  Vaughn has served on numerous boards and commissions including his current position on the Community Foundation of SW Washington Board of Directors.  

Phil McGuiness (Board Vice Chair)
Phil is a pediatrician at the Vancouver Clinic and has been with the Clinic since 1982.  Phil has been an advocate and supporter for the importance of early learning for many years and has served along side of SELF on various special projects. 

Doreen Turpen (Board Secretary) 
Doreen is a wealth of early learning knowledge after a long career with Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.  Doreen held several positions with FVRLD and also worked for Newberg Public Library.  Doreen has been integrally involved with planning and fabrication of the Early Learning Center in the new Vancouver Community Library scheduled to open in 2011. 

John Wiesman (Board Treasurer)
John is the director of Clark County Public Health and believes that children need healthy starts in life.  With this belief, John is ideal to serve on SELF's board of directors.  John has held several positions in public health, locally and nationally, in Vancouver, Connecticut and King, Clark and Pierce counties for 20 years.  John believes in access for all residents.