Who We Are

Kymberli Olsen

Executive Director
Kym became aware of Friends of Aphasia (FOA) through her sister-in-law who joined FOA as a client in 2024. Kym moved to Tucson in 2025 from San Francisco and has over 20 years working in the nonprofit world. Kym’s work has focused mainly in social services and the arts. She has a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kym is committed to reaching more individuals experiencing aphasia, educating the community on what aphasia is, and to lead the way to innovative options for our Aphasia Groups.

Clare McNamara MS, CCC-SLP

Clinical Director/Speech-Language Pathologist
Clare McNamara is a Speech Language Pathologist with a strong passion for supporting individuals with aphasia. In her five-year journey as a travel SLP, she had the opportunity to work with and learn from multiple healthcare professionals with a variety of perspectives and experiences across diverse environments and patient populations. It was through this work with a wide range of patient populations that she found her true calling in serving those with aphasia. When not working, Clare enjoys adventuring with her husband, yoga, playing soccer, learning new skills, reading, and cuddling with her pug.

Becca Bommersbach

Operations & Administrative Coordinator
Becca is Tucson born and raised, and has no plans to go anywhere else! She has worked for the Pima County Public Library and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona before coming to Friends of Aphasia. Becca plays viola with 2 local groups: the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra and the Fantasy Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys spending time with her family and cats. Becca did not use ChatGPT to write this bio but seriously considered it because this is awkward.

Joni Jones

Board President
Joni Jones lives in Tucson Arizona where she was born. She taught school in TUSD and continued her teaching career in Quito Ecuador, and Bogota Colombia. After being away for almost 26 years she moved back home to Tucson in 2006. In 2007, she became Congresswoman Giffords’ Tucson office manager and subsequently for Congressman Ron Barber. She is now retired and enjoys volunteering to facilitate aphasia groups for Friends of Aphasia.

Jen Boice, MBA

Treasurer
A native Tucsonan, Jennifer Boice recently retired as program coordinator at the Institute on Science for Global Policy (ISGP). The ISGP organizes and facilitates a series of dialogues and critical debates examining the role of science and technology in advancing effective domestic and international policy decisions. Before joining the ISGP, she worked for 25 years at the Tucson Citizen in a variety of capacities, including as business writer and columnist, business news editor, editor of the online department and senior editor. She was the editor of the Tucson Citizen when it was closed in 2009. She received an M.B.A. from the University of Arizona and graduated from Pomona College in California with a degree in economics.

Mindy Blake

Secretary

Mindy has a background in media and community relations. She is retired from her 30-year broadcast journalism career; 25 years at KOLD-TV in Tucson. Her second career brought her into the world of public education where she served as Community Relations Director at Amphitheater Public Schools. Then, it was on to Pima Association of Governments as Outreach Coordinator for the Regional Transportation Authority. Mindy and her husband now have a fire service consulting company.

She loves spending time with her two grandchildren, along with biking, hiking and reading. She recently completed her first sprint triathlon!

Mindy has been a volunteer at Friends of Aphasia since Fall 2025. “Within the first five minutes volunteering at Friends of Aphasia, I knew this was a special place,” she says. “The staff and volunteers are so capable and caring, and the members – well, they are just fun to be around and work very hard to improve their communication skills. It is a privilege to be part of this organization.”

Gabby Giffords

Co-founder
Gabby Giffords served in the US Congress from 2007 to 2012. On January 8, 2011, at a “Congress On Your Corner” event with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, she was shot in the head from near point-blank range. She has first-hand experience with the struggles of aphasia and is determined to help others live successfully with this disorder.

Donna Mabry

Donna Mabry, founder of Pathfinder Travel, has been in the travel business for over 35 years. She specializes in custom travel planning for individuals and groups. In addition, she manages travel for musicians including the Modern West Band, headlined by Kevin Costner. Her musical connections inspired her to create a Music Program for Aphasia members working with singer/songwriter John Coinman. Her friendship with Gabby dates back more than 20 years, and includes working as a volunteer and on events for Gabby’s campaigns. Donna is a board member and volunteers with the aphasia groups.

Bethany Neumann

Bethany Neumann is the Director of Development & Communications at Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a local Tucson nonprofit dedicated to helping youth experiencing homelessness graduate from high school. As a part of the YOTO team, Bethany leads the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts. Originally from the Midwest, Bethany grew up in Cleveland and studied Anthropology at the University of Chicago. She spent most of her 20s and 30s living and working abroad, both as a teacher and as a nonprofit fundraising professional. In 2018, she moved back to Tucson and was lucky enough to start working with Youth On Their Own. In addition to her work with YOTO, she is a graduate of Greater Tucson Leadership’s 2022 Class and serves as a board member with the local nonprofit Friends of Aphasia.

Amy McClure Kirch

I was born and raised in Guatemala and moved to Tucson when I was 15 years old. I got my high school degree at Salpointe Catholic, earned a scholarship to Concordia Irvine, California where I earned my B.A. in Behavioral Science. I worked in the fields of social work and counseling for over 25 years until a car accident in 2018 rendered me disabled. I married my college sweetheart and we are blessed with two awesome children. Both of our children graduated from University of Arizona. Our son is living in New York City and our daughter is in Tucson, living on her own, and working for Pima County. I am bilingual and bicultural. I love to work with people. I work to make the world a better place.

Barbara Homan

Barbara Homan attended the University of Arizona where she earned a master’s degree in speech and hearing sciences. She started her career as a speech/language pathologist at Tucson Medical Center and then went on to practice in the Sunnyside School District. She retired from there after 27 years. In retirement, Barbara has pursued her personal interests—quilting, traveling with her husband and spending time with her family. Barbara volunteered for 3 years with Literacy Connects where she taught adults language and literacy skills. She is involved as a member of the Tucson Quilter’s Guild and is currently on the board of Quilt for a Cause. In January, Barb started as a volunteer at Friends of Aphasia. She believes in strong commitments and caring about her community.

M. Emily Nottingham

Emily Nottingham, now happily retired, has lived and worked in Tucson for 45 years. She loves this desert community of caring people. Much of her work life was spent at the City of Tucson managing affordable housing, community development and social service programs. She also shared her knowledge by teaching at the University of Arizona, and by consultancies and training nationwide.

She has served on a variety of community boards, but is especially pleased to be a new member of the Board for Friends of Aphasia.

Ron Barber

Ron attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 1967. Before becoming a Member of Congress, Barber was the Director of a five-country Head Start agency in Southern Arizona and later had a 32-year career with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities, serving as Regional Administrator and as State Director. In 2007, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appointed Barber her District Director. He managed services for constituents and was the Congresswoman’s liaison to leadership of military installations in the District. He was also Giffords’ policy advisor on border security and immigration reform issues.

On January 8, 2011, Barber was standing beside Congresswoman Giffords at her 21st Congress on Your Corner when an assassin shot the congresswoman, Barber and 17 others. Six people were killed. Giffords and Barber were both critically wounded. Shortly after the shooting, Barber established a non-profit organization, The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding. The Fund focused on promoting civil political discourse, preventing bullying in schools and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. In January 2012, Giffords resigned from office to focus on her recovery. She asked Barber to run for her seat. He won the special election and was sworn into office in June of 2012. He won re-election in November 2012.

Dorothy (Dot) Kret

Dorothy (Dot) Kret is president of DK Advocates, a company that has provided motivated, well-trained and qualified employees to businesses in Arizona for more than 20 years.

Born in Newark, N.J., Kret’s family came to Phoenix when she was 3 years old. Kret lived in the Phoenix area until she attended the University of Arizona in 1972.