About
The Because Foundation exists to create opportunities and resources to enrich academic growth and workforce development for Salem-Keizer students and their educators.
About the Because Foundation
We work specifically with the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), a capstone program for Juniors and Seniors in the Salem-Keizer School District. We develop and procure financial, human, and capital resources; engage community and industry partners to support the 12 programs CTEC offers.
The founder of The Because Foundation, Krina Lee has been extensively involved in CTEC since its inception in 2013. Her husband, Chuck Lee was a co-founder of CTEC, representing the private side of the public-private partnership.
Krina has served on the advisory council to CTEC since its inception and is currently engaged in the formation of two new programs, Aviation and Behavioral Health and Human Services.
“Every single teacher, every single year for 20 years, had a note waiting for them on their desk on the first day of school.”
Krina Lee
Board of Directors
Krina Lee
President
Krina Lee has been a passionate advocate for public education and community philanthropy her entire career. Krina has founded and volunteered for non-profit organizations since 1984, while operating her own for-profit company in Oregon. She was elected to the Salem-Keizer School Board, Oregon’s second largest district in 2002 and served as Chair, Budget Committee Chair and Chamber of Commerce liaison. She served on the Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors for five years. In 2005 Krina was hired as the first executive director of the then 22 year old local education foundation, charged with growing them into a relevant partner with the local school district. In 14 years, under her leadership the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation grew from a one event, grant making organization with a $60,000 annual budget, to a full service organization providing after school programs, professional development and three events with a $2.4 million annual budget.
Krina’s unique blend of experience and skills with strategic planning, fund development, event planning and for-profit management is well suited for her signature vision and energy. Krina is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program for Executive Education from Harvard University and is a recipient of the March of Dimes White Rose Award, YWCA Woman of the Year Honoree, Rod Miles Community Service Award, and past board member of the National Schools Foundation Association and Oregon Community Foundation Leadership team. Krina has served on the Marion County Children and Families Commission, Senator Winters Diabetes Task Force, Oregon’s ambassador to the National Afterschool Alliance, and Reading for All Leadership Team.
Her current role is as President of The Because Foundation and works closely with CTEC and the communities it serves.
Krina lives in Keizer, Oregon.
Patrick Sieng
Treasurer
Patrick Sieng is the President and Director at Sieng Strategies, a registered lobbying advocate. His expertise and talent are developing relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state agency leaders, and stakeholders. He has represented a diverse field of over 50 clients. He has done association/event management, financial management, and fundraising; strategic planning, and leadership development.
Patrick is also the owner and Principal Broker and Realtor for Capitol Real Estate, working in both residential and commercial properties. He trains and manages a full team of agents.
Patrick has also been the supervisory leadership instructor/facilitator for the Oregon Dept. of Public Safety Standards and Training.
He has been a poly analyst for Business Oregon, Chief of Staff for State Representative Jean Cowan, and Campaign Manager for multiple elected officials and candidates.
He has an extensive resume of awards and activities including from Portland Police Bureau, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. He is perfectly suited to be the treasurer of TBF and has already spent numerous hours assisting with developing stakeholders for the new programs at CTEC coming online in 2024.
Patrick, his wife, Kristi, and their two children live in Keizer, Oregon.
Avery Lemons-Crawford
Secretary
Avery Lemons-Crawford is a seasoned event and program director. She is currently the Director of Events for the Portland Opera where she manages and executes an annual events calendar of over 100 donor and community events. The Flora and Fauna Fall Ball raised over $1 million in one evening. She also contributes to grant applications, program design, corporate branding, and financial development.
At Social Enterprises in Portland, she managed over 20 national and international conferences, events, and individual teams specializing in nonprofit, sustainable, and social cause client-based events. She has also been the Public Relations and Event Coordinator for Once Extraordinary Events in Florence Italy. There her client work included Fashion NXT, National Geographic, the Vatican, and the Accademia Delle Arti del Disegno.
Her resume highlights extensive fund and stakeholder development experience including grant writing, web design, and newsletter creation.
Avery and her husband Johnny reside in Portland, Oregon.
Derik Milton
Board Member
Coming Soon