Our Board of Directors

Amanda Santee

President

“My passion for serving with the Friday Food Bag Foundation comes from a simple belief: no child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. I am honored to be part of a mission that supports children with nutritious food over the weekend.”

Amanda Santee joined the Friday Food Bag Foundation Board in 2021 after initially serving as a volunteer filling food bags and seeing firsthand the impact the program has on children’s lives. That experience sparked a lasting commitment to advocating for children facing food insecurity.

Amanda brings a background in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and volunteer engagement. She values a hands-on approach and is passionate about building strong relationships with volunteers, donors, schools, and community partners.

Professionally, Amanda is proud to be part of the Wyoming Department of Administration team. Both personally and professionally, she believes in the power of collective action to create meaningful, lasting change.

Amanda lives in Cheyenne with her husband and two children. As a devoted wife and mother, she enjoys spending time outdoors and creating memorable family adventures both near and far. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve an organization that reflects the generosity, compassion, and heart of the community she calls home.

Isaac Sutphin

Co-Vice President

Isaac has been a dedicated board member of the Friday Food Bag Foundation since January 2022. He is passionate about supporting local children and helping ensure that no child goes hungry. Through his service, Isaac is proud to give back to the community and help the foundation provide nutritious food to children and families in need.

Tammy Bauman

Co-Vice President

“I firmly believe that everyone has the ability to give, as we all possess the capacity to love, and love is something we can give freely.”

I am deeply committed to addressing the needs within our community and I am especially committed to addressing food insecurity. The Friday Food Bag Foundation spoke to my heart as I believe that no child should ever go hungry. My community-minded approach inspires me to give back, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for everyone. Having been married for 40 years, I’ve raised my family in this
community, cultivating strong local connections and a deep sense of belonging.

Wendy Ross

Secretary

Wendy Ross is originally from California and moved to Wyoming in 2007 to attend law school at the University of Wyoming. After graduating from law school in 2010, Wendy moved to Cheyenne where she has remained. Wendy began her legal career with a general practice firm and represented clients in family law, criminal defense, and bankruptcy matters. She joined the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office in 2014 and began working exclusively in child welfare law. Through her work in child welfare law, Wendy saw food insecurity for local children continuing to grow. She started volunteering at Friday Food Bag Foundation in 2022 to help serve food insecure children in Laramie County. Wendy joined the foundation’s board of directors in January 2023.

Carla Bankes

Board Member

She is a devoted professional with over 25 years of experience in improving child nutrition through her work with USDA Child Nutrition Programs. As a passionate Registered Dietitian, she has had the privilege of serving in various capacities across Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming, enriching her understanding of regional nutritional needs. Carla finds immense fulfillment in nurturing children’s health and well-being through her work. When Carla is not focused on nutrition, she cherishes moments spent with her family, creating culinary delights in the kitchen, and embarking on enriching travel experiences.

Johnna Lissman

Board Member

Volunteering has always been an important part of my life. From my early days in 4-H as a child to my role as a government teacher at Carey Jr. High, I have consistently sought out opportunities to serve others. As part of my teaching, I encouraged my students to complete 10 hours of community service, and in my search for meaningful organizations, I discovered the Friday Food Bag Foundation.
I began volunteering with the Foundation around 20 years ago when it was still located downtown at Halladay Motors garage. Since then, I’ve made it a priority to help fill the Friday Food Bags a couple of times a month. However, like many, I’ve faced periods where my busy family life made it difficult to keep up with this commitment. Still, no matter how hectic things got, the Friday Food Bag Foundation has remained a vital part of my life.
Having taught at Carey Jr. High for 31 years, I saw firsthand the impact of this organization on my students. Every Friday afternoon, students would eagerly wait for their pass to the office to collect their food bags, and seeing their excitement reinforced the importance of this initiative. It was clear that Friday Food Bags was more than just a service—it was a lifeline for many families.
Now, having recently retired from teaching and with my youngest son starting college at UW this fall, my life has slowed down a bit, and I’m eager to devote more time to this incredible organization. I look forward to contributing in greater ways and continuing to be part of the Friday Food Bag Foundation’s mission to support our community.

Keavy Burkart

Board Member

“‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’ I feel so honored to be able to serve the Friday Food Bag Foundation and share the importance of the mission and impact with others, especially my kids. When my elder son started school, he came home one day to say his friend didn’t have snacks at home. That moment was my proverbial “eye opening” and I came to realize that there are families in small-town Cheyenne who struggle, and children that might not eat well at home right in my neighborhood. I was given the opportunity to volunteer as a bag driver for my son’s school shortly after and have just grown in my involvement, as well as in my care for the mission.”

Keavy is Cheyenne-born and raised, with generational roots in the community. She is a UW alumna and has a rewarding career with the State of Wyoming. When not working, she enjoys being a mom to two little boys, spending time with her husband, and catering to their beloved golden retriever, Lucy. Keavy also volunteers as a recreational soccer coach.

Carrisa Salcines

Board Member

Carrisa is passionate about family, community, and giving back. She loves being a mom to her boys and spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains. In her free time, you can find her wake surfing or snowboarding. She also has a creative passion for floral design, growing flowers, and creating beautiful arrangements for large events. Carrisa is proud to give back to her community and is excited to be part of the Friday Food Bag Foundation and its mission to support local children and families.

Matt Hubbs

Board Member

Matt joined the Friday Food Bag Foundation Board because he believes in the simple but important mission of helping address food insecurity among children in our community. He is passionate about supporting a cause that makes a tangible difference in the lives of local kids and families while providing hope, encouragement, and a stronger foundation for our community.

Mary Knox

Board Member

“I am a proud mom of four and have always had a heart for helping children.”

With both my husband and my mom being local teachers, I have heard countless first hand stories about students who come to school hungry and the extra snacks teachers store for children who need them. As a mom, I was always happy to donate extra snacks when my children’s teachers asked for help, but over time I realized I wanted to make a difference on a bigger level. That led me to the Friday Food Bag Foundation, where I am honored to serve on the board and help ensure local children have nutritious food to take home on the weekends. I believe no child should ever have to worry about hunger pains, and I am proud to be part of an organization making a difference right here in my community.

Phyllis Jones

Board Member

“I am passionate about making sure no child ever goes hungry.”

After 37 years as an educator, I have seen firsthand the impact hunger can have on children, their well-being, and their ability to learn. I volunteered with the Friday Food Bag Foundation for several years before joining the board, and I’m proud to continue supporting its mission. My husband, Perry, and I have been married for 45 years. We have three adult children and seven grandchildren who keep us busy and grateful. Outside of volunteering, I enjoy spending time with family, camping, boating, and cooking.

Linda Johnson

Board Member

“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ I am very grateful to be a part of this wonderful program.”

Upon retiring from the State of Wyoming after 31 years, I was looking for volunteer opportunities within the community. A neighbor told me about the Friday Food Bag Foundation so I started helping fill food bags a couple of years ago. I was amazed at how many food bags are filled each week and the dedication of the board members and the many volunteers who show up every Tuesday for this important cause. It breaks my heart that so many children in our community don’t have access to adequate nutrition on the weekends so I wanted to do whatever I could to help.

Thank you to our Visionary Sponsors!