Spirit & Sand

Meet Eric Vander May, Board Secretary! As an advocate for both the LGBTQ+ community and those experiencing homelessness, Eric brings invaluable insight and empathy to the nonprofit sector. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community himself, Eric understands the unique challenges and obstacles faced by marginalized individuals. He recognizes the intersectionality of queerness and housing instability, where societal prejudices and shortcomings often converge to exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially in youth. Eric's personal experiences have fueled his commitment to fostering inclusivity and support for all members of society. Eric currently holds the position of board secretary. In his role, Eric maintains records, facilitates communication, manages documents, prepares meetings, ensures legal compliance, and provides administrative support. Eric's dedication to helping others extends beyond Spirit & Sand, as he serves as a licensed speech-language pathologist, making a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.  Throughout his career, Eric has focused on assisting older adults and people with disabilities in improving their quality of life through speech and swallowing therapy. He understands the profound impact that effective communication can have on one's well-being and independence, and he is committed to empowering his clients to reach their full potential.

Meet Moriah Johnson, Board Treasurer! Moriah embodies the spirit of adventure and compassion, with a deep-rooted love for community that fuels her every endeavor. Her infectious positivity and boundless energy inspire those around her, while her commitment to goodness and making the world a better place drives her forward. Moriah currently holds the position of board treasurer. In her role, Moriah manages finances, mitigates financial risks, plans budgets, ensures compliance, oversees investments, and supports fundraising efforts. As a registered dietitian, Moriah brings a unique blend of expertise in nutrition and a heartfelt commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Throughout her career in the nonprofit medical sector, Moriah has been a champion for health equity and access, with a special focus on serving the urban Native American community. She understands the complex intersection of socioeconomic factors, cultural barriers, and historical injustices that contribute to health disparities. Moriah's passion for positive health outcomes is evident in everything she does. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of nutrition to transform lives and is committed to leveraging her skills and resources to support initiatives that aim to alleviate homelessness and improve access within her community.

Meet Paige Olson, Board Chair! Paige's love for the outdoors and thirst for adventure have taken her on journeys across the globe, shaping her perspective and deepening her understanding of the interconnectedness of humanity. Paige continually seeks out opportunities to challenge herself and explore new horizons in both her personal and professional life. With a profound ability to empathize and strong commitments to kindness and common sense, Paige finds herself determined to make a difference and to advocate for those whose voices are often unheard. Paige currently holds the position of board chair. In her role, Paige provides leadership, presides over board meetings, leads strategic planning, oversees board development, and represents the organization externally. Paige's professional background has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of homelessness and marginalization, as well as the complex systems that perpetuate these issues. Paige has a wealth of experience, ranging from work with at-risk youth, to housing case management, to mitigating the spread of infectious disease. Her career has led her to the non-profit sector, where she now works as a grants manager for a local organization. Paige hold's a master's degree in public health and is a proven advocate for the people she serves. 

Spirit & Sand is now officially a 501c3 non-profit!