MEET THE RVM TEAM!
Laura Pinney
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Laura Pinney has worked with nonprofit organizations, communities, schools, and individuals across North America, bringing connective practices, and fostering education programs that nourish communities for over 15 years. She has a background in expressive arts therapy, the art of mentoring, community systems, and nature connection. Laura is passionate about building bridges of connection that create meaning for individuals and foster stronger, more resilient communities. A mother of two, and known for her laughter, compassionate questions and deep listening, Laura is thrilled to be able to work with RVM to support our youth to find a true sense of belonging and purpose through their connection to this amazing community.
Kat DeCayette
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
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I see my journey as an amazing tapestry woven with adventures, memories and meaningful relationships. My daughter—Krista, and my cat, Maji– are central to and inspire my passion to make a difference in the world and help others make a difference in their lives. Teaching, listening, sharing, these are my cornerstones. One of the most rewarding steps on my life path has been as an educator. I taught High School English, where I both empowered and became empowered by my students through the singular gift of education—the willingness to listen, to share and to learn.
Working as Program Director for Rogue Valley Mentoring is natural to my journey. We all have the ability to leave a meaningful footprint—a small gift of ourselves that shapes the world in which we live. It comes down to choice. The choice to care about the legacy we leave and our imprint on the lives around us. As Program Director for Rogue Valley Mentoring, I am afforded the opportunity to work, teach and learn with incredible individuals who care about the youth in our communities, to share knowledge and ways of being that facilitate empowerment and aid in choosing a mindful legacy—that footprint on a path toward meaning and making a difference.
Lynn Chertkov, MSW
MENTOR & YOUTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST
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Lynn came to RVM from Washington, D.C., where she devoted her professional life to work with under-served children and their families. Graduating with a Masters in Social Work, she established a cooperative preschool for working parents, and a center that provided after-school and summer programs for children who needed specialized emotional support. Developing programs that boost children and families toward emotional health and well-being have been a driving force in her life.
Living in the Valley, she is finding time to paint, and enjoy theatre and the outdoors, while bringing her background in youth work to RVM. Training and supporting mentors, responding to schools who want to bring mentor circles to students, and facilitating circles enrich Lynn’s life, and that of others’.
Emma Martinez, MSW, LCSW
Emma is originally from Oakland, California and has spent the last 18+ years living and exploring all regions of Oregon. After working and volunteering in various nonprofits in the Portland Metro Area for many years, Emma now calls the Rogue Valley home.
Emma is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has devoted her professional career to advocating with and for marginalized youth, families, and communities. She possesses a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and social change and is grounded in a firm belief in the responsibility to positively impact her community. Emma’s passion for working with youth is further rooted in active listening, leading with curiosity, strong collaboration, and being playful! She originally became involved with RVM as a volunteer in their 1-to-1 Match Program and joined the Circle Program team shortly after, supporting youth in school settings.
Emma is often found adventuring with her husband and two dogs, Rio and Osa. Camping, cooking, puzzles, creating art, making pottery, and spending time with family are some things she truly enjoys.
SCHOOL-BASED MENTOR SUPPORT SPECIALIST
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Nechelle La Londe-Grimes
OFFICE MANAGER
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Nechelle (pronounced knee-shell) is from Etna California but came to Southern Oregon in 2005 after experiencing homelessness and is happy to now call herself an official Oregonian. She is a survivor of many things and has never let anything stop her from creating the stable life she always dreamed of.
She became the first person in her immediate family to not only graduate high school but move onto higher education where she graduated from SOU in 2014 with a Bachelors of Psychology and an Associates in Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies in tandem with further education in bully prevention and sexual assault advocacy. She enjoys singing, crafting with friends, going to concerts, getting tattoos, traveling and having down time with her husband and animals Juniper and Meepins.
Chelsea Beeler
MATCH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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Chelsea grew up in Medford and is delighted to call this beautiful valley home. She studied at Pitzer College in Southern California, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Studies, with minors in Spanish and Chican@/Latin@ Studies. Chelsea comes to RVM with years of experience working with volunteers and with children who have experienced trauma and neglect. She believes strongly in the power of community and connection, especially for youth. She enjoys backcountry backpacking, playing with her 3 cats Bash, Frida & French Fry, and renovating her 110 year old home with her husband, Sam.
Carlos Tinoco
UNIDOS PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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Carlos Tinoco was born just outside of Mexico City and raised in Medford. He received an Associates degree in Media and Design from RCC in 2022.
Carlos found his passion for working with youth during his time as a skateboarding instructor for “SkateDogs” in Long Beach/Orange County, California. Carlos came to RVM to work with youth in a more involved and meaningful way: He was hired as a Lead Mentor in January, 2022, and promoted to Unidos Program Coordinator in October, 2023.
He believes in the power of community, and the importance of uplifting marginalized and BIPOC communities. He knows firsthand the importance of having supportive adults in your life. He works to provide a space where youth feel seen, heard, and supported. Outside of work, he spends his time skateboarding, art and working on my motorcycles
Freddy Banda
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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I was born in Northern California, and raised in Mexico for most of my childhood. I moved back to the U.S. by the age of 9, and I have been living in the Rogue Valley for the past 23 years. I’m bilingual, but Spanish is my first language. I graduated from South Medford High School in 2009. Shortly after graduating, I became a part owner of my family’s restaurant, where I’ve managed to build many relationships with families in the Rogue Valley.
After working for 17 years with my family business, I decided to make a career change to have more family time of my own. I recently joined RVM and look forward to this new journey and mentoring the youth. In my free time I enjoy going on runs, hikes, playing video games, and spending time with my kids having adventures.
Ken Adamson
1:1 Match Mentor
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Ken came to RV Mentoring from Santa Rosa, CA; he has been mentoring young men for over 30 years. His career was in juvenile probation, where he worked as a Counselor in a county residential program for boys and girls in trouble with the law. A particular 12-year-old boy was having an especially hard time, and Ken’s supervisor asked if he would want to spend extra time mentoring him: that young man turned 43-years-old this year. Mentoring became a lifelong passion for Ken that has not diminished with time.
Sayuri Pineda
LEAD MENTOR
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Sayuri moved to Medford from Mexico with her family at the age of 6, and has lived in the valley since. Before becoming a mentor, she was a caregiver. She enjoys helping people of all ages, and is looking forward to her new journey mentoring and making memories with the youth. When she is not working, she likes to volunteer to share what she has learned about the Bible with others, offering and providing free Bible courses. She enjoys being outdoors, especially fishing with her husband and her two yorkies, Java and Canela.
She calls herself a “plant mom”; as she likes to collect different indoor plants. Other things she likes are calligraphy, painting, drawing, and cooking recipes from different countries.
Chelly Ignacio
LEAD MENTOR
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I officially began working with kids in 2021, and ever since, I’ve been deeply inspired by the experience. Mentoring 6th graders at Rogue Valley Mentoring has been incredibly rewarding and has confirmed my passion for guiding and inspiring the youth. I aim to help young people realize that life is what you make of it and to empower them to shape their own positive paths forward.
Jimena Franco
LEAD MENTOR
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Hi! My name is Jimena Franco; I was born in Mexico and lived there for most of my life, until I moved to the U.S when I was 16. I have been living in the Rogue Valley for the last 5 years. I graduated from Eagle Point High School in 2020 with the Oregon Biliteracy Seal, and since then I have been developing and growing my own small business, creating handmade crafts and jewelry.
I recently joined Rogue Valley Mentoring to pursue another of my interests: working with youth and the community. In my free time, I enjoy going to the library to read, watching weird movies, cooking for my family, and my favorite, making arts and crafts.