Next Step PRC Board Members
Vonda and her husband moved to La Grande in the summer of 2018. shortly afterward, Vonda joined Next step as both a board member and as Executive Director. Vonda is passionate about serving, equipping, and encouraging Next Step clients. In her spare time Vonda enjoys spending time with family and friends, beautifying her home, doing woodworking crafts, and reading.
Vonda Billman, Executive Director
Vicki has been serving at next step long enough to be doing pregnancy tests for the daughters of former clients! Vicki has served as director and now serves as a client advocate. She and her husband have three children. at next step she loves making new friends and connecting with old friends. Vicki is impressed by the courage and sacrifices of young parents who are determined to succeed no matter what cards they’ve been dealt.
Vicki Grove, Secretary
Saty joined the Next Step family in Spring of 2022 as a board member, and almost exactly a year later, she became Director of Development. She loves writing and design, and is excited about using these passions within the Next Step mission. Saty grew up in a family who fostered many children, and wrote a novel based on the true stories of kids she knew. She loves to travel, spends lots of time outside with her husband and young son, and enjoys fixing up old houses with her family.
Saty Cornelius, Director of Development
Laura joined the next step board as treasurer in 2015. She and her husband moved to la grande in 2010 and have two children. Laura worked as a registered nurse before choosing to stay home and care for her kids. at Next step, She is passionate about helping individuals learn how to foster and develop healthy relationships in both dating and family life. in her free time she enjoys working with fearful or traumatized horses to give them new confidence.
Laura Pearson, Treasurer
Tami was initially a client at Next Step over 30 years ago. After experiencing her own healing, she became passionate about coming alongside others so they can experience this healing and freedom as well. Tami has served at Next Step in the Post Abortion Healing program for several years and is now excited to have the opportunity to support Next Step as a board member
Tami Hurd, Member
Anne has served at next step for 25 years as both a client advocate and as a board member. Her passion is volunteering and encouraging clients. In her spare time anne loves being with her grandchildren, meeting new people, flower gardening, cooking, and sewing. she loves our earn while you learn program, saying, “there’s many topics and classes to choose from… I have been taking some of them myself and I recommend them highly!”
Anne Johnson, Member
Irwin smutz, member
irwin has been with next step from the beginning. before next step opened in 1992 he participated on the panel that turned next step from an idea into a reality. he has served on the board since it was founded shortly after we opened. irwin has been a preaching pastor for over 50 years and serves as the spiritual advisor for next step. He said goodbye to his wife, carol, in june of 2012. their house is known for its beautiful porch view of the grande ronde valley.
Irwin Smutz, Member
Next Step PRC Directors
Vonda Billman, Executive Director
Vonda joined Next Step PRC as both a board member and as Executive Director in the fall of 2018 after moving to La Grande with her husband. Vonda is passionate about seeing lives changed by serving, equipping, and encouraging Next Step clients. In her spare time Vonda enjoys spending time with family and friends, beautifying her home and yard, working on woodworking crafts, and cozying up by the fireplace with a good book!
Merri Lee Williams, Director of Client Services
Merri answered the call to join Next Step in 2020, because of our annual Baby Bottle Boomerang fundraiser. She is a client advocate, a co-member of the Post Abortion Healing team and Director of Client Services. She loves the warmth and love that is felt within the Next Step team. Merri likes to sew and work in her yard. She loves spending time with her family and especially enjoys her grand kids, Ella and Grant. Her home is often the meeting place of extended family and friends.
Saty Cornelius, Director of Development
Saty joined the Next Step family in Spring of 2022 as a board member, and almost exactly a year later, she became Director of Development. She loves writing and design, and is excited about using these passions within the Next Step mission. Saty grew up in a family who fostered many children, and wrote a novel based on the true stories of kids she knew. She loves to travel, spends lots of time outside with her husband and young son, and enjoys fixing up old houses with her family.