Our Executive Board
The Majority of Our Board Members Have Either Been CHWs or Are Currently CHWs
Charlye Hahn
Chair
Charlye Hahn worked as a Youth Advocate for at-risk children in New Jersey for several years, connecting families to resources to support children remaining in original homes and communities. She has also been a Resource Peer Mentor for the foster community in Idaho, helping locate and refer families to community resources. She now works as a Kinship Resource Coordinator for the Area 3 Agency on Aging where she helps run a support group for Idaho Relatives to help locate, recruit, and list community resources for their kinship families. She is passionate about keeping health training available to provide resources to those that serve the health of Idaho communities. She is currently a co-trainer with FIRST for incoming foster families, and an instructor for Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC), and Fit and Fall Proof classes to ensure the safety of senior citizens. She enjoys teaching training that promotes health and safety.
Connect with Charlye! ||
Jenni Rodriguez
Vice Chair
Jenni has dedicated her entire adult life to serving as a Community Health Worker (CHW), driven by a deep passion for helping others. Her professional journey began in 1996, supporting underserved communities in the housing sector in Washington. Later, they continued this work in Ontario, Oregon, assisting unhoused populations and earning their first CHW certification through Oregon State University.
Since joining Weiser Memorial Hospital in April 2023, Jenni has completed the Advanced CHW Course and the CHW Apprenticeship Program through Idaho State University. She remains committed to ongoing professional development, regularly participating in training and education to better advocate for patients and the broader community.
With support from the Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation, Jenni recently helped secure funding to launch a transportation program designed to address critical barriers to care. This initiative provides transportation for patients to medical appointments, pharmacies, dental visits, and grocery stores—ensuring access for those who might otherwise go without.
Connect with Jenni!
Shari Kuther, DNP, RN
Treasurer
Shari Kuther, DNP, RN is the Chief Operating/Nursing Officer at Clearwater Valley Health, a critical access hospital in Orofino, Idaho. With a background in clinic operations and population health at St. Mary’s Health, Shari has been a driving force in advancing patient-centered care models, particularly through her advocacy for Community Health Workers (CHWs). She is a founding member and current Treasurer of the Idaho Community Health Workers Association, where she serves as a CHW Ally/Advocate. Deeply committed to her community, she volunteers as an EMT in Nezperce and is passionate about supporting farm families’ health and safety. Shari and her husband, Dave, are proud parents of three grown children and enjoy spending time with their six grandchildren.
Connect with Shari!
Gale Kennedy
Secretary
With over 20 years of experience in aging services, Gale Kennedy has dedicated her
career to supporting older adults and their caregivers through community-based care.
Currently serving as a Community Health Advocate with the Community Care Program
at the Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging, Gale specializes in providing support
services and resources to caregivers of individuals living with memory loss, Alzheimer’s
disease, and other forms of dementia.
Gale is a certified Community Health Worker through Idaho State University and
regularly presents to community groups and facilitates Powerful Tools for Caregivers
workshops. Her training sessions empower caregivers to manage stress, communicate
effectively, practice self-care, and navigate complex caregiving decisions.
Previously, Gale served as In-Home Service Director at Metro Community Services,
where she provided leadership and training for Homemaker and Respite Care staff.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a Case Management Technician at the Southwest
Idaho Area Agency on Aging, conducting eligibility assessments and coordinating
supportive services for older adults.
Gale is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life for seniors and caregivers by
promoting informed, person-centered care throughout the region.
Connect with Gale!
