People’s preferences, perspectives, and priorities are respected throughout the work of N4. From the board of directors to N4 team members, the organizational culture is one that supports the belief that everyone has talents to share with their community.
Our Values.
Assets
Everyone has talents and strengths. All members are assets. Every human being has something of value to contribute.
Equality
At the heart of every exchange of time is equality. All people are valued equally at N4. One hour of service equals one time credit regardless of the service.
Respect
Everyone matters. N4 members must respect where people are in the moment, not where they hope people will be at some future point.
Redefining Work
Work is beyond price. Work must be redefined to include all of the activities it takes to sustain families, neighborhoods, and communities, to sustain democracy, and advance social justice. This kind of work needs to be honored and rewarded.
Reciprocity
Helping works better as a two-way street. The question “How can I help you?” needs to be changed to, “How can we help each other build the world we both want to live in?” At N4, members are encouraged to both give and receive.
Our Staff
AMY DEWITT-SMITH
Executive Director
Amy Dewitt-Smith is the founder and executive director of the Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada. She grew up in Gardnerville before moving to Reno to attend the University of Nevada, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, she studied applied behavior analysis and worked with children with autism and elders with dementia. Amy earned a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado, Denver. She enjoys teaching as well as learning, designing effective program evaluation strategies, and collaborating with local community organizations.
Amy holds a position on the Nevada Lifespan Respite Care Coalition advisory board and enthusiastically participates in many other state and local initiatives. She has more than 20 years of experience working in state aging and disability services and Medicaid Waiver programs.
When Amy is not serving her community, she enjoys spending time with her husband, six children, and many fur babies, too. Amy and her family love hiking on local trails, camping, and getting away to the beach!
BRIANNA MORFETT
Operations Manager
Brianna grew up in Reno, NV and completed her grade school education in Truckee, CA, returning to Reno to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. All through college, Brianna worked in developmental services with children with autism and other developmental disabilities before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
Brianna has worked in many different capacities within the Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada, which has built her passion for building a stronger community with sustainable, quality programs and services, and to ensure equitable access for all members of the community to be able participate.
In her free time, Brianna enjoys spending time with her family, cooking big family meals, baking sweet treats and taking care of her cat, George.
HANNAH MYERS
Program Coordinator
Hannah Myers was born in the Houston, TX area and grew up in Douglas County, NV. She moved to Reno to study at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and minored in Sociology.
She joined the Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada in August 2021 and serves as the Northwest Nevada program coordinator.
GEORGIA NEAL
Program Coordinator
As a Texan and world traveler, Georgia would not have expected to be living in rural Northern Nevada if you had asked her several years ago, but here she is! Following her husband’s work led Georgia’s little family to Winnemucca, where she became N4’s Rural Program Coordinator for Northeastern Nevada.
Georgia’s main goal is to make this huge place feel a little bit smaller by connecting communities and individuals with the resources they need. Ten years of experience working with people with diverse physical and intellectual needs and a background in education have prepared Georgia for this role. She loves combining the knowledge that comes from her BA in English Language Learner Education Studies and new experiences as a Program Coordinator to ensure the needs of Northern Nevadans are met.
Georgia is a lover of languages and speaks conversational Spanish alongside English. Having lived in Texas, Mexico and Spain, she has had plenty of practice, but always wants to grow her abilities! She is happy to speak Spanish whenever needed. The next language Georgia aims to learn is Hebrew, though that one is proving to be a bit more challenging. When Georgia is not driving on I-80 from one town to the other, she can be found hiking in the mountains or getting her hands dirty in her garden with her two cats close by.
MICHAEL ZACHARIA
Fiscal Coordinator
Originally from Southern California, Michael is a recent arrival to Reno from the San Francisco Bay Area where he had lived for the last seven years. In the Bay Area, he worked as a small business bookkeeper as well as contract bookkeeper for a couple of local non-profits, one of which he still works for remotely. His background in non-profit accounting serves N4 well.
In his free time, Michael likes keeping abreast of world news and enjoys reading about history and other cultures. He also enjoys backpacking, watching soccer games and experimenting with vegan recipes in the kitchen. As a new resident in Reno, he looks forward to exploring the great outdoors nearby as he also likes hiking in nature followed by a refreshing splash-about in a natural body of water.
Our Board of Directors
JOHN KUCERA
President
John Kucera was born in California but grew up and graduated high school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He spent a year as a political science major at Boise State University, then transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno, to complete his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in economics.
Early in his professional career, John found a home in public service and was exposed to programs supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities while working for the regional centers in Northern Nevada for the state Aging and Disability Services Division. John has also held positions within the state Division of Health Care Financing and Policy as well as the Washoe County Human Services Agency. During this time, he returned to the University of Nevada, Reno, and completed a Master of Public Health program with an emphasis in epidemiology. John currently serves as a Principal Program Analyst within the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau.
In his spare time John enjoys traveling, spending time with his friends and family, as well as collecting (and enjoying) interesting bourbon and whiskey.
JOEL NELSON
Vice President
Joel has spent most of his professional career in higher education where he has served as an Instructor, Director of Student Services, Dean, and is currently Vice President of Academic Operations for Charter College. What he loves best about education is seeing the growth in the students and helping them to achieve their goals.
In his free time Joel still prefers to be outdoors and can be found all around Northern Nevada fishing, kayaking, camping, off roading or hiking with his family and two dogs.
STEPHANIE TADDER
Secretary
Stephanie Tadder was born and raised in Southern California in a large family with seven siblings. She also lived in Arizona and Texas before moving to Northern Nevada in the Fall of 1999, where she continues her career in recruiting and human resources.
Stephanie first became involved in the non-profit world as a Wish Granter for Make-a-Wish. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Cub Scout Den Leader when her children were young, and she enjoyed their many activities. She is currently the N4 Board Secretary, as well as being involved with the National Federation of the Blind.
Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, crafting, and reading. She also has interests in home organizing, and has volunteered her time to help neighbors with their own organizing projects.