Meet The Team

Karen provides strategic leadership and board-level oversight of the organization’s direction, partnering with executive leadership to ensure alignment across operations, programs, partnerships, fundraising, and long-term goals in accordance with the Foundation’s mission and values.

A decorated strategic leader, she has served within the Pentagon, been instrumental in major U.S. Army programs, and worked extensively with the counseling community as a civilian, while continually pouring into her community through mentorship, advocacy, and service.

Rochelle serves as Grief Mentorship Director of Northern Star Foundation, leading the development of structured, relationship-centered grief support for youth and families. She is passionate about creating compassionate, consistent spaces where young people can express their grief, feel understood, and find hope as they navigate life after loss.

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Rochelle holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and certificates in youth leadership and counseling. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children and families, including grief programming, behavioral health, and academy leadership. Her lived experience as a former foster youth deepens her understanding of the importance of belonging, stability, and trusted relationships. Through thoughtful guidance and meaningful activities, she helps young people develop tools to process grief and move forward, reflecting Northern Star’s commitment to ensuring that no one navigates life alone.

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Jason serves as Mentorship Program Director of Northern Star Foundation, leading the development of structured, relationship-centered mentorship for youth in foster and kinship care. He is passionate about creating consistent spaces where young people feel seen, build trust, and develop confidence in who they are and where they are headed.

With certificates in emotional intelligence and mentorship, Jason brings practical tools and thoughtful guidance to help youth understand their emotions, strengthen relationships, and make purposeful decisions.

An experienced organizational leader and Creative Director, he holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and a Bachelor’s degree in Film. He combines storytelling and creativity to help young people recognize their strengths and understand that their experiences may shape their story but never define their identity. His work reflects Northern Star’s commitment to ensuring that no one navigates life alone.

Harry “Chip” Chipchase serves as Director of Program Operations & Training at Northern Star Foundation, helping ensure our programs are well-prepared, our teams are equipped, and youth and families experience consistent, dependable support. He works alongside program leadership to strengthen daily operations, coordinate training, and uphold clear standards of safety and accountability.

Drawing on a distinguished military career and extensive experience in personnel leadership, human resources, and operational training, Chip brings a disciplined, people-centered approach to developing teams. His background in curriculum implementation, community involvement, and nonprofit board service strengthens his ability to turn program plans into thoughtful, reliable practice—supporting the people who carry Northern Star’s mission forward.

Karen provides strategic leadership and board-level oversight of the organization’s direction, partnering with executive leadership to ensure alignment across operations, programs, partnerships, fundraising, and long-term goals in accordance with the Foundation’s mission and values.

A decorated strategic leader, she has served within the Pentagon, been instrumental in major U.S. Army programs, and worked extensively with the counseling community as a civilian, while continually pouring into her community through mentorship, advocacy, and service.

Chelsea oversees the financial health and stewardship of the organization, including budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, and fiscal accountability, ensuring transparency, integrity, and long-term financial sustainability.

She brings multiple years of experience in accounts payable and administration for nonprofit organizations, and as a current nonprofit founder, she actively serves the community through local ministry, grounding financial leadership in mission-driven impact and trust.

Nicole serves as Board Secretary and Governance Operations Lead, stewarding governance with integrity, clarity, and excellence. She manages board and committee operations, maintains governance records, ensures compliance, and supports effective communication between the board and executive leadership. In partnership with board leadership, she safeguards institutional memory and supports strong board continuity.

Grounded in her faith, Nicole loves God and is deeply family-oriented. She brings humility, diligence, and purpose to her work, striving to make a lasting impact that reflects both professional excellence and her faith-driven values.