The Board of Directors support the work of because I said I would and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by because I said I would’s Founder, the Board-Founder relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. We are currently seeking board volunteer leaders with professional experience in marketing, law and finance. In addition, business, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. If you are interested in a board position, please fill out the form below.
Current Board Members
Manish Patel – Interim Chair
Manish Patel is a dedicated family man with a deep passion for wellness, helping others and business. After graduating from The University of Texas he went on to start a company with his childhood friend. This company, Nutrabolt, went on to become one of the global market leaders in the CPG market. He then went on to be the Co-Founder of Arrive Logistics, a full-service supply chain services provider that helps businesses around the nation.
As a board member, Manish contributes his leadership, vision, and strategic insight to ensure that because I said I would continues to provide meaningful, evidence-based programs that empower individuals to live healthier, more resilient lives.
Kevin Matthews
Kevin Matthews is the Founder and President of Noble Accounting LLC (www.nobleaccountingllc.com), a firm that specializes in providing accounting and CFO services to nonprofits. Kevin has over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit CFO and combines that with his love of technology to bring the latest cloud-based accounting systems to his clients. Kevin and his entire team are committed to the nonprofit community and strive to provide excellent service to a sector that has traditionally been under-served. Since the inception of Noble Accounting in 2015, the firm has won the Best of Accounting award for 6 consecutive years despite the award being given to less than 1% of firms nationally each year. Kevin is a Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He is a dual citizen of Great Britain and the United States, and considers himself to be fluent in both English and American.
Christa Monte
This is what drew her to because I said I would, as the core of their mission is to help individuals build
the resiliency skills and mental health habits to better adapt and cope to the changing circumstances in
their lives. Building software is rewarding, but not as much as building back a person’s confidence and
hope, so they have the ability to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, their communities,
and even the world.
Betty Garrett
Betty Garrett, CMP, has been a powerhouse in the meetings industry for over four decades, including 31 years as President of Garrett Speaker International—a boutique bureau known for connecting the right speaker with the right audience. Her career began in the skies with Braniff International and quickly took off into meeting planning roles at Mary Kay Cosmetics, YPO, and MPI, where she discovered her talent for building unforgettable events and lasting relationships.
In 2022, she sold her beloved bureau—but retirement wasn’t in the plan. Betty launched Garrett Executive Coaching to help speakers and business leaders clarify their message, amplify their impact, and grow with purpose.
She’s been honored with NSA’s Meeting Partner of the Year, MPI’s Leadership Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from NSA North Texas. Still active, still energized, and still showing up with style—Betty says she’s not retiring anytime soon. (Someone has to keep funding the hair, nails, and facials!)
Vanessa Bongiorno
Vanessa Bongiorno has built an accomplished career in Human Resources, steadily advancing into leadership roles across diverse industries. For the past two decades, she has been deeply engaged in the Food and Beverage Industry, where her passion for developing people-centric solutions has helped organizations achieve their goals. In an era of rapid technological advancements and automation, she firmly believes that people remain the heartbeat of every organization—success is ultimately driven by ingenuity, collaboration, and determination.
Vanessa’s connection with Because I Said I Would began during a pivotal career transition. After hearing Alex speak, she felt an immediate resonance with the organization’s principles and values, which closely align with the code she lives and works by. She believes that honoring commitments not only fosters personal fulfillment but also has a profound impact on others. Through her involvement, she hopes to inspire more people to recognize their own value and the meaningful contributions they bring to the world.
Carl Baldesare
Carl Baldesare is a leadership consultant, executive advisor, and founder of CulturaEthos and CB Advisory Group. With over 15 years of experience leading growth, cultural transformation, and operational excellence across industries, Carl has held senior roles in both national manufacturers and entrepreneurial startups. He has led multi-state operations, developed leadership frameworks used across organizations, and built strong, accountable teams through people-first leadership.
Carl was drawn to Because I Said I Would by its mission to foster integrity and character—values that closely reflect the way he leads and lives.
Lance Layman
Lance graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Marketing Management. He spent more than 35 years of his career in the food industry, working for General Mills, Drackett, Pillsbury, Dominos Pizza, and lastly Campbells. He held several leadership roles within each of these companies, encompassing the disciplines of sales, consumer marketing, trade marketing, and sales training. While in sales leadership he was responsible for multiple teams and businesses that exceeded $300M in sales. Open Board Positions
We are currently seeking volunteer board leaders with professional experience in marketing, law, finance, business, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector.
Job Title: Board Member Location: Rocky River, Ohio/Remote Work hours: 4 Quarterly Board meetings and quarterly calls with Founder.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Leadership, governance and oversight
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Founder as he develops and implements because I said I would’s programs, campaigns and initiatives.
- Review outcomes and metrics for the organization’s impact and effectiveness.
- Approve because I said I would annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Contribute to an annual performance evaluation of the Founder.
- Assist the Founder/CEO and board chair in identifying and recruiting other board members.
- Partner with the Founder and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are accomplished.
- Serve on committees or task forces and take on special assignments.
- Represent because I said I would to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization.
- Ensure because I said I would’s responsibility to a diverse and well-rounded Board of Directors and Associate Board, reflecting the various populations that the organization serves.
Fundraising
- Board members will consider because I said I would a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority.
- Assist with soliciting contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals.
- Board members make a firm commitment to an annual contribution of at least $3,000 and commit to fundraising for an additional $3,000.
Recruiting New Board Members
- Through networking opportunities, board members should be on the lookout for potential new board members who would bring additional knowledge, talent, experiences, and perspective to the board.
- They should educate and inform prospective board members about the work of the board and invite them to board meetings and other organizational activities.
- Board members should suggest possible candidates to the board as openings arise.
BOARD TERMS/PARTICIPATION
Because I said I would’s Board Members will serve a three-year term and can be eligible for one additional three-year term. Board meetings will be held quarterly and committee meetings (when applicable) will be held in coordination with full board meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about because I said I would’s mission and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected members will have achieved leadership stature in a business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing board members. Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional finance, marketing or law experience in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
- A commitment to and understanding of because I said I would’s beneficiaries, preferably based on experience.
- Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
- Personal qualities of accountability integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of because I said I would’s beneficiaries.
- Ability to make and keep a promise.
If you are interested in a board position, please fill out the form below. SUBJECT LINE:Application: Board Member – [Insert Your Name Here]
Board of Directors
If you are interested in a board position, please fill out the form below.