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, seven children, and many fur babies, too. Amy and her family love hiking on local trails, camping, and getting away to the beach!
HEATHER PACE
Operations Manager
Heather is a native Nevadan and has spent most of her life in Sparks. She had an opportunity to move to Boise, Idaho, for a few years but that turned into 16 years. Both areas are quite similar and although Heather is happy to be home, Boise holds a special place in her heart.
Heather has spent 25 years in management throughout the corporate world, specializing in team building and management. She is very excited to join N4 and work with so many talented and amazing people.
In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, hiking, running, listening to music, road trips, and taking her best little (100 pound) four-legged buddy, Brody, for walks and to the lake in the summertime.
RAIN FERNANDEZ
Fiscal Manager
Rain grew up in the Philippines and immigrated to the Los Angeles area, where she attended Long Beach City College and the University of Southern California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting with an emphasis in Information Systems.
She volunteered more than 400 hours with multiple organizations throughout her college career. After graduating, she applied for the Mental Health America Los Angeles Jump Start Fellowship, where she learned about person-centered wraparound services, housing first approach, and gained a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist certification.
Rain comes to N4 with a passion for connecting others with resources. She has seven years of managing multi-million dollar grants from various funding agencies, and she was recognized as an Alice 96.5 Heroes in Heels for her mutual aid efforts. She enjoys connecting with other community builders and supporting local businesses. She likes to go on road trips and explore whenever she has the opportunity.
JAZZLYN JACKSON
Transportation Program Coordinator
Jazzlyn grew up in Sacramento, California and came to the greater Reno area to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, pursuing a bachelors degree in Community Health Science. Throughout her undergraduate studies she, gained experience with the community by participating in a variety of volunteer programs, customer service, and being a caregiver for various families.
Jazzlyn’s career has since developed from being a care coordinator for a local home health company to becoming a health resource analyst and grant evaluator for the State of Nevada, allowing her to contribute to her role as the Transportation Program Coordinator at N4 through a multifaceted lens.
In her free time Jazzlyn likes to contribute and attend local art events, try new recipes, travel, and stay active.
BRIANNA MORFETT
Community Care Program Coordinator
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-COOMER
Community Care 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 a northwest Community Care Program Coordinator.
ALISSA HYZER
Community Care Program Coordinator
Alissa is local to the Elko area, where she has lived for more than 30 years. She has a passion for serving others in her community and assisting where she can, and she’s excited about serving people in Elko and surrounding areas to make their and their family’s lives better.
She has worked in the Elko School District as a substitute teacher and with the Special Education Department, teaching children with autism, dyslexia and down syndrome, to name a few. She has also worked with persons with dementia, in both her personal life and professional life. She is currently working towards a BS in Psychology, with a focus in Behavioural Analysis.
She has been married for more than 17 years and has three children. She loves sewing, arts and crafts, embroidery, cooking, baking, gardening, playing board and card games, refurbishing furniture, remodeling homes, and spending time with her family.
KACIE LAWRENCE
Community Care Program Coordinator
Kacie has been drawn toward helping others since she was a child, and she’s excited about the opportunity to continue doing so as a Project Coordinator with N4.
She previously worked for the Humboldt County School District in a variety of roles, assisting educators and administrators, while also working with students both one-on-one and in groups.
Kacie has lived in Winnemucca with her husband and two daughters for the last 14 years. Before that, she lived in California, graduating from Modoc Charter School in Alturas, and then attending Great Basin College. She enjoys spending time with her family, working in the garden, reading and enjoying the outdoors.
YAJAIRA BENITEZ
Community Care Program Coordinator
Yajaira has many years of experience working with underserved communities, including her time as a case manager and program writer for companies that provided services for people with developmental disabilities.
She grew up in Los Angeles, where she earned her associate’s degree in Natural Science. She then moved to Reno where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Developmental Disabilities. In addition to her responsibilities with N4, she is also a part-time research assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno.
When she’s not working to improve her community, Yajaira enjoys spending time with her family.
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.
MATTHEW VAN NESS
Treasurer
Matthew was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska in a family of five boys. He attended the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.
Early in his professional career, Matthew worked in public accounting where he earned his CPA license. For the last 11 years, he has worked in the tax department at IGT and is currently a Senior Tax Manager overseeing domestic compliance.
Matthew enjoys spending time with his friends and family, as well as playing sports, including hockey and golf.
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.