Nonprofit Board Members
President: Lynn Renken
Lynn Renken is the Executive Director for Mercy Corps Northwest, a non-profit that supports and grows small businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to working domestically, she held several management and leadership positions with Mercy Corps including Kenya Country Director, Youth and Conflict Management Director and Program Director in Indonesia. Whether working domestically or internationally, Lynn works with underserved and low-income populations to realize their potential. She received her M.A. from the University of Oregon and was a Fulbright recipient in Pakistan. Lynn lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children.
Vice President, Gretchen Cole
Gretchen Cole is a financial advisor in Portland Oregon. Her soccer dreams peaked in high school, but she continued playing deep into her 40’s. She now finds running with friends and team relays to fill her personal sport bucket. Her favorite soccer teams are Bayern Munich, Manchester United, the USWNT and the Portland Thorns. She is also a fan of all sport. If she can find down time, all sports are acceptable to watch or play.
Treasurer, Shelby Walker
Shelby Walker serves on the board at Soccer Chance Academy. She is employed at a boutique Investment Management firm as an equity trader and director. She and her husband are both Portland natives and have two children. Her youngest daughter (previous 06 player) has been playing soccer since the age of four and was one of the first players to join SCA. Outside of work,Shelby is actively involved in the community with a local non-profit and various volunteering opportunities. She enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.
Secretary, Marc Poris
Marc Poris started playing soccer at 6 because he was too young to sign up for baseball. 50 years later, he’s having a lot of fun learning to play goalkeeper on his coed neighborhood futsal team. As volunteer Director of Coaching at Hollywood Soccer Club of Portland Youth Soccer Association, Marc led the effort to form a partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance. He is grateful for the many lessons he learned while coaching, and being coached by, his kids and their friends. The best parenting advice he learned and took to heart is that, on the bike ride home afterwards, you don’t need to rehash the game with your kids; just tell them that you love watching them play. Marc’s favorite professional teams are Thorns FC, for whom he is overjoyed that they have new ownership, and Southampton FC, who he would love to see get themselves promoted back to the Premier League.
Board Member, Sarah Benson
Sarah Benson is an environmental scientist in New Orleans. She played soccer for University of Maryland, LSU, and Belhaven University, and also coached for Baton Rouge Soccer Club. Her favorite soccer teams are Bayern Munich and Brighton & Hove Albion. Her favorite former player is Ronaldinho and her favorite current players are Messi and Thomas Müller. She is also a fan of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
Board Member, Tyson Whiteside
Tyson Whiteside is a small business owner who has been operating as a custom home theater contractor since 2008. Beyond that, his time has largely been monopolized by his wife and 2 children, and sports.
Tyson has coached football (American) at levels spanning from 5 year olds to high school varsity, and flag to 11 man tackle. Coming to soccer later in life, he has adopted Chelsea and AC Milan as his home sides, along with the Timbers, Thorns, and US Soccer.
Tyson can often be found loitering at trainings or random sidelines, providing unsolicited opinions to anyone unfortunate enough to have said “hello”.
Board Member, Mark Walker
Bio Coming Soon