Board of Directors

Markéta Vorel, founder

Markéta grew up under russian oppression in Czechoslovakia, escaped her homeland as a teen and settled in the US. Her childhood nightmares came to life as russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She traveled to Ukraine in 2023 on a humanitarian mission and founded the Sunflower F.U.N.D. in May of 2023 to continue delivering humanitarian support to Ukrainian organizations. Markéta is a graduate of University of Washington School of Law and founded Vorel Law, a boutique estate planning practice in Anacortes. She has served on several nonprofit organizations since 2002. She lives in Anacortes with her husband and daughter, loves to be outdoors and remains committed to Ukraine until all of its people are free.

Marjie entered humanitarian work early in life when her mother co-founded a non-profit organization to support children affected by congenital defects from Agent Orange and missing limbs from accidental landmine detonations.  Marjie spent the last 30 years raising her sons, volunteering in her community and working in healthcare administration. She and her husband moved to Anacortes, where she manages a local manufacturer of emergency response equipment. Having traveled extensively and seeing firsthand the pervasive, destructive remnants of war, Marjie joined the Sunflower F.U.N.D. to support the resilient people of Ukraine.

Marjie Lines, vice president

Tor Fleming, treasurer

Tor earned his MBA at the University of Chicago and spent a 30 year career in finance and management, providing business strategy and organizational management as the Chief Financial Officer to several international and regional corporations. He served in the US Army (reconnaissance) during the Cold War era, volunteered as treasurer for multiple local and regional nonprofit organizations and remains active in local efforts to promote nature conservation, affordable housing and economic growth. His admiration for Ukrainian self-determination led him to join the Sunflower F.U.N.D. Tor lives in Anacortes with his wife and son and enjoys the outdoors, martial arts and travel.

Neli Espe, secretary

Neli is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. She is the founder of Olympic Legal, a Skagit law firm focused on estate and business planning. She has worked for years in legal education and has served as a board member of local organizations. Her current volunteer work includes community water system building in Nicaragua, where she has served several missions.  She lives in Anacortes with her husband and three daughters and enjoys hiking, biking, music, astronomy and travel. 

Laurence Reay, member at-large

Laurence has spent the last 30 years as an aviator. He first served in the US Navy as a fighter pilot, later joining a global cargo airline as pilot and flight instructor. His years of global travel and several deployments to foreign countries and war zones have confirmed his belief that our planet is too small to ignore conflict in other regions. His belief that aggression against civilians must not be tolerated underpins his support for the Sunflower F.U.N.D. Laurence lives in Anacortes with his wife and youngest daughter. He enjoys visiting his eldest daughter and baby grandson, spending time with his mom, skiing at Mt. Baker and boating in the San Juan Islands with his family.

Volunteers

Colton Hong

Colton is a student at Anacortes High School who loves policy and international relations. In his free time, he leads the school debate team as a champion Lincoln-Douglas debater and plays varsity tennis!

Larry Lesser

Larry is a doctor of chiropractic medicine and spent the last 30 years in a shared private practice with his late wife. After spending most of his life on the east coast, Larry retired in Anacortes, where he actively volunteers for several local nonprofits. He enjoys music, art, photography, reading and hiking.

Michelle Miller

Michelle is a physician assistant with overseas experience providing medical care in remote and austere environments. She has served on numerous overseas deployments, currently provides urgent medical care in the Skagit Valley and is doing her best to support Ukraine by picking up extra shifts to fund humanitarian aid.

Trish Rodriguez

Trish has made Anacortes her home for over 30 years. Trish has raised her children, owned and operated her own business, participated in a number of community building projects and volunteered with several nonprofits as a Soroptimist, NAMI trainer and a support group facilitator.

James Schaffner

Jim has spent over 30 years in public service as a public school teacher and principal. He holds a BA in Education and a Masters in School Administration. Jim has traveled the world with his wife and retired in 2002 in Anacortes, where he continues to support charitable organizations and efforts to deliver humanitarian relief to the Ukrainian people.