About FREE TO BE
Free to Be is a non-profit organization that serves Sonoma County youth by empowering them with tools to make healthy decisions, navigate the ever-changing virtual world, and understand their worth and value.
We address the emotional health crisis in our community by partnering with schools and youth-serving organizations to provide engaging and dynamic programs that build resilience and teach life-skills.
Our Story
In 1992, our program was founded to equip teens with life skills to build healthy relationships. Since those early years, Free to Be has reached more than 100,000 young people. We have since developed and expanded our educational materials and leadership program to address additional social-emotional issues facing preteens and teens today.
Leslie Bisbee Jordan
Executive Director
Leslie is a professional multi-tasker, balancing her professional work, volunteer work, and the many duties around being a mother of three. Leslie brings 20 years of marketing experience to Free to Be. Leslie also has experience working in non-profit and co-founded a non-profit that supports creativity local children. Leslie was born and raised in Sonoma County and moved back in 2009 to start her family. Leslie is the daughter of Free to Be Founder, Sue Bisbee! Leslie stepped into her new role as Executive Director in Fall 2022 with the excitement and motivation to catapult the organization into the next legacy phase.
Jenean Thom
Program Director
Jenean Thom joined Free to Be as Executive Director in April 2017. Jenean has worked with teens for more than 20 years as a high school and junior high vocal music teacher, youth leader, and mentor. Seeing the potential in youth is something that Jenean feels deeply about. She brings a passion for healthy choices and positive self-image for the teens of Sonoma County. Jenean is an energetic, detailed, and enthusiastic leader and is eager to add that to the Free to Be team. She brings with her, experience in program management, teaching, graphic design, communications, and volunteer coordination.
Jenean has been a resident of Santa Rosa since 2007 and in her spare time you can find her on the sports fields cheering on her two sons, riding bikes as a family, and spending time with her husband, Jason.
Sheila Walker
Development Coordinator
Sheila has a background in destination leadership and in marketing and public relations in both the private and public sectors. She was instrumental in the success of Sonoma County’s countywide tourism organization. She established the foundations, implemented the leadership process and managed a team that grew and developed from the ground up. As a mother of a teen, she wants kids to know their value and be confident in themselves as individuals. She holds a Mass Communications and Graphic Design degree from New Mexico Highlands University. Sheila enjoys volunteering at school and in the community. She also appreciates live music with her husband, Eric and especially when her son is performing playing the trumpet or keyboard.
BRIAN
REED
Treasurer
President and CEO of Summit State Bank
SUE
BISBEE
Secretary
Founder of Free to Be
Janelle
Baker
Board Member
Transformational Coach
sandy
bader
Board Member
Former, Teacher at Cardinal Newman High School
Courtney
comer
Board Member
Former, Director of Development UCSD Health Sciences
Katherine Gallagher
Board Member
Executive Director at Gostrategic