Meet the Give Hope Board

The Give Hope Northern Nevada Board of Directors is a dedicated team of community leaders, professionals, and advocates united by one mission—supporting local families facing childhood medical challenges. Together, they provide the vision, guidance, and heart behind Give Hope’s work across Northern Nevada.

Amanda Flangas

President & Founder

Amanda Flangas

President & Founder

Amanda is the driving force behind the Give Hope Foundation and a constant source of motivation for the other volunteer board members. Amanda leads the event planning and fundraising efforts for Give Hope that will surpass $1 million in 2019. As a visionary, Amanda continues to find new avenues of fundraising and ways to support more and more families experiencing child illness-related traumas.

Shanlee Waters

Family Navigator

Shanlee Waters

Family Navigator

Shanlee manages all incoming applications and serves as a liaison between the families and the Give Hope board. Shanlee’s commitment and passion come from her experience of having a child with cancer. Despite her son’s diagnosis, she is passionate about not limiting assistance to children with a specific diagnosis, enabling Give Hope to help more Reno families who may not qualify for other assistance offered.

Elisabeth Hadler

Marketing Director

Elisabeth Hadler

Marketing Director

Elisabeth joined the volunteer board of The Give Hope Foundation in 2013 as a means to “pay it forward” after receiving assistance from the foundation when her son Henry was born with acute myeloid leukemia and required treatment at Children’s Hospital Oakland. Elisabeth believes she can honor Henry’s short life by helping provide hope and assistance to other local families through volunteering with Give Hope.

Dr. Courtney Garrett

Medical Director

Dr. Courtney Garrett

Medical Director

Dr. Garrett has been involved with Give Hope for more than ten years and a Reno resident for 15. She was first invited to a Give Hope Gala and realized that she knew a lot of the kids being helped by the foundation. After starting out as a supporter, she then became a board member because she felt strongly that Give Hope helps families in a way no other organization does. Dr. Garrett is inspired by the way the foundation fills unrecognized burdens on families that desperately need support such as rent and food. As the Give Hope Medical Director, she gets to see the impact Give Hope’s assistance has on families, decreasing their burden in difficult times.

Alex Flangas

Legal Counsel

Alex Flangas

Legal Counsel

Alex believes that you help because you can, and if you can, you should. As one of the founders of The Give Hope Foundation, Alex’s vision is to be a part of something bigger than himself and to help others in need. Formally, Alex is legal counsel for Give Hope, providing any legal support and advice necessary to the foundation. His contributions reach far beyond his official duties. Alex has contributed countless volunteer hours and many monetary donations to Give Hope because he truly believes in the mission and loves to help those in his community who need it most.

Susane Berger

Board Member

Susane Berger

Board Member

Susane joined our board in 2026 and has been a key sponsor and donor for the past two years. With more than 35 years of experience supporting Bay Area nonprofits, she has served as an early volunteer, sponsor, and donor to the Taylor Family Foundation (now ReflectKindness.org) and other philanthropic organizations. Her commitment to children facing serious health challenges is deeply personal; a crisis in her own family inspired her 16-year-old granddaughter to start a nonprofit for critically and terminally ill children. With a background in software and technology, Susane brings valuable resources, connections, and expertise to help Give Hope grow and expand its impact.

December Watts

Board Member

December Watts

Board Member

December Watts serves on the Board of Directors for the Give Hope Foundation of Northern Nevada and is dedicated to supporting families facing life-changing childhood medical diagnoses. With over a decade of experience in special education, early intervention, and statewide advocacy, she is the Director of Special Education at Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada, where she leads inclusive programs and supports families through complex challenges. As both an educator and a parent, December understands the emotional and financial strain of medical crises and is passionate about raising funds and resources so families can focus on their child’s care and healing.

Michele Davis

Board Member

Michele Davis

Board Member

I have lived in Northern Nevada for over 30 years and enjoy calling Reno my home. I have been in the title and escrow business for over 40 years and love helping people achieve their dream of home ownership. When I am not busy closing escrows, I enjoy golf, traveling, wine tasting and spending time with my friends and family. Giving back to the community is always on the forefront and I support our local charities such as the Give Hope Foundation.

David Silverman

Director

David Silverman

Director

David Silverman is a member of the Give Hope Board and offers his input and perspective in assisting decisions the board makes on family applications and fundraising. David is passionate about the mission of Give Hope and especially loves that it is a local organization run by a 100% volunteer board. David has lived in Reno for 45 years and has been involved with Give Hope for 19 years.

Angel Bain

Board Member

Angel Bain

Board Member

Coming Soon!

Adam Hoppe

Board Member

Community supporter of Give Hope Nevada wearing glasses

Adam Hoppe

Board Member

Adam has been a part of Give Hope since 2019. He was brought into the organization because of his digital marketing expertise and his passion for helping local families at the times they need assistance most. Adam is aware what it is like to be presented with a dire situation involving children and isolation and desperation it can feel. After receiving assistance in his time of need from organizations like Ronald McDonald and Northern Nevada Mothers of Twins Club, Adam truly hopes to make an impact in supporting families in Northern Nevada.

How You Can Help

Child enjoying outdoor activity supported by nonprofit

Make a Donation

Donations of any size are welcome. Your donation helps provide hope for local families.

Donate

Family with children supported by Give Hope Nevada

Sponsor or Volunteer

We rely on the support of sponsors and volunteers to help more families in our community.

Sponsor Or Volunteer

Sponsor
Volunteer

Young child supported by Give Hope Nevada smiling

Apply For Assistance

Are you a part of a family in need, or do you know one who needs help? Apply today.

Apply For Hope