My background is in education. I graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Education and an MS in Guidance and Counseling.

My husband Gene and I attended and assisted at many Landmark Education courses and seminars (LandmarkEducation.com) in the 1990’s.  I found that working with the Forum for Young People and the Forum for Teens was particularly rewarding, observing the impact that 3 days of personal development coaching had on the 8-17 year old youngsters. It was my dream that one day I would have the funds to send an entire classroom of students to The Forum for Teens and see the impact that the education had on them, their peers and the school.  But that dream never came to be. 

Late in 2006, I watched as Oprah introduced Challenge Day to the world.  In January 2007, I attended a seminar called Life Directions Intensive. It was there that I put the pieces of the puzzle together and realized that my passion to make a difference in the lives of young people really could become a reality.

I created my mission:

Awakening Teens to Their Magnificence and Power,

Creating Bold New Futures.

I created my vision:

Start a non-profit foundation that would raise the funds necessary to bring Challenge Day and other programs to the schools in my community.

Thanks to the irreplaceable support of Arlene Gibson, CEO and Founder of Foundations That Make A Difference, the dream is now a reality. And the dream has grown from impacting one classroom of kids to impacting all of the kids in all of the communities in Central Oregon. Why not?

Serendipity West Foundation has been created as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization to support bringing multiple empowering and leadership programs to the young people of Central Oregon, through participating schools, community organizations, and grass roots efforts.

It is expected that these remarkable and amazing young people will create remarkable and amazing futures for themselves and for Central Oregon. 

Bruce moved to Bend in the Spring of 1992 and has been active in a wide variety of organizations and causes.  His civic work includes having served on the Board(s) of the Bend-La Pine School District, Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, and 8 years on the Bend City Council including Mayor of Bend in 2007 and 2008.  He currently serves as President of Bend's Community Center, Co-Chair of both the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and the Regional 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, and is on the Bend 2030 Board of Directors.  In 2006, he was appointed by Gov. Kulongoski to serve on the Oregon Health Services Commission, and in 2007 began serving on the Board of the Surdna Foundation in New York.

Bruce received his BA in Economics and Political Science from Swarthmore College and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  He is currently employed by Bend La Pine School District as their Grant Writer.

Jennifer Eales is both a California and Oregon licensed attorney who has extensive experience as a transactional lawyer.  Her private practice is dedicated to strengthening and safeguarding businesses and nonprofit organizations.  Prior to starting her own practice, Jennifer served as an in-house attorney for a large engineering firm in Oregon, as General Counsel for an emerging software company in Southern California, and as a corporate associate for a prominent national law firm.

Jennifer also has an entrepreneurial spirit which resulted in her starting two business ventures.  In 2000, Jennifer founded Smartees, LLC, a manufacturer of a line of professional dolls that came with a story, a resume, a diploma and other accessories.  The initial line of dolls was featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things Show in November 2000.  And, again, in 2007, Jennifer founded Meme, LLC, a manufacturer of grown-up security blankets. 

She attended University of Southern California, where she obtained a B.S. in Business Administration, and University of San Diego School of Law, where she obtained her J.D. and graduated with honors.

Jennifer is active in the Central Oregon community.  She serves on the board of Serendipity West Foundation and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery.  Jennifer is also a dedicated mother and adventure seeker.

Ramy Louis moved to Bend Oregon in 2000 after living in Southern California for almost 15 years.  There, he worked in the corporate milieu for some of the largest corporations in America while also serving the dreams of countless recording artists by writing, arranging, and producing hundreds of music projects.

Ramy's journey took a 180 degree turn in Central Oregon when he felt summoned by the Universe to serve and empower lives to thrive.  He became a professional Life Coach.

The Vision for The Life Center started with one very simple question: "Where do teens and young adults in this community go to feel connected and inspired?"  Next came a vision that included creating a place where all of community could experience fun, beauty, love and warmth, with programs and stimulating activities that engage and enrich the soul.  It's in that spirit that our signature events - Oregon's Health & Wellness Expos - were born, i.e., the Central Oregon, Willamette Valley and Portland Metro Expos (click here for more details).

Current projects include sharing TLC's vision with as many people as possible, managing every aspect of Oregon's Health, Wellness & Fitness Expos, raising the funds necessary to physically build this extraordinary place called The Life Center (see our vision), and producing the television series "Living, From A-Z", now under development.  You can reach Ramy directly at (541) 420-2228, or by email at oregonhealth@gmail.com.