About Us

Victor Jackson joins Columbia River Mental Health Services with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience. He spent more than half that time developing and managing healthcare systems throughout the world to include the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia. No stranger to forging collaborations across differing cultures, Victor prides himself in providing access to high-quality effective care.

He started his career bedside with a commitment to putting patients first and has never deviated. With an undergraduate degree in Public Health and a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in Healthcare Administration, Victor’s background and experience lends well in building upon CRMHS’s legacy of providing mental health services that promote healthy individuals, families and the community at large.

The father of one son and an English bulldog, Victor divides his time living an active lifestyle completing century bike rides, running, and hiking the Gorge.

Kevin Fischer, M.D., joined the agency in 2019. The third generation of his family to call Clark County home, Dr. Fischer is proud to practice medicine in the community he calls home. Starting off his career as a process engineer, Dr. Fischer is a graduate of the University of Washington (BS) and Oregon Health & Sciences University for his medical degree and Internal Medicine residency.  Board-certified in Addiction Medicine & Internal Medicine, he provides patient care within our NorthStar opiate treatment program, as well as leads the agency’s medical services as Chief Medical Officer.

Anne Willis, PsyD, joined the agency in 2020. She is a Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in community mental health settings from direct service delivery to program development and administration.

As a former Professor and Clinical Supervisor, Dr. Willis has an extensive background in the implementation of evidence-based practices in mental health. She is passionate about advocating for strong clinical training and client outcomes within community mental health systems.

She was drawn to CRMHS because of its long history of serving the community and hearing the positive experiences of her former students who interned at the agency.

She is excited to partner within and outside of the agency to improve the lives of members of our community in innovative ways. A hot springs and fairy garden enthusiast, she has found herself at home in the Pacific Northwest.

Kelly relocated from Southern California to join CRMHS in 2013. While attending Cal State University, Bakersfield, Kelly quickly realized that she wanted to continue pursuing her career in healthcare management rather than teaching U.S. history.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Kelly is excited to be part of an agency that recognizes the importance of integrated health and serving the community.

It is her hope to one day incorporate her love of animals and passion for serving others by training rescue dogs and horses for therapy/companion pet service. In her spare time, she loves to garden and spend time with her family, including her two dogs, Kami and Lily; and four cats, Russell, Wilson, Twix and Ollie.

Casandra Schoenwald comes to us with over 15 years of experience in the Accounting field. After obtaining her undergraduate degree in accounting from Eastern Washington University, she went into public accounting where she worked as both an auditor and tax preparer for her clients and completed her requirements to obtain her CPA licensure.

Although she enjoyed public accounting, Cass wanted to be somewhere she could do more focused good for a single organization, so she moved into private industry, expanding her knowledge into grant accounting, organizational procedures, budget management, strategic planning, and process implementation.

With a unique background that comes with personal experience of the multitude of struggles people face every day, she is excited to be with Columbia River Mental Health Services and roll up her sleeves to support the important work we do every day.

Sarah came to CRMHS in November of 2018. She received her Master of Public Administration from Portland State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Carroll College.

Sarah has dedicated her career to understanding and interpreting federal, state, and local regulations. While her previous employment was focused on homelessness and housing, she realized that she wanted to be more involved in the solution and shifted her focus to healthcare. She is excited to join a nonprofit organization that is passionate about its clients and employees.

Sarah loves to volunteer and is often seeking ways to get her friends and family involved in volunteer opportunities in the community.

Christopher grew up in The Dalles, Oregon, fishing and working in his family’s small-town tackle store business. Christopher is a proud Eagle Scout and was an Oregon Army National Guard medic while attending Eastern Oregon University, where he participated on the rodeo and football teams.

After a short career as a professional rodeo cowboy, Christopher found a passion for the nonprofit arena and fined-tuned his fundraising and volunteer development skill set with the Boy Scouts of America here in the Portland and Vancouver area.

Christopher has over 15 years in nonprofit executive leadership where he developed and enhanced the impacts of the nonprofits he ran. Christopher has a deep passion for community mental health, conservation, and animal welfare.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, Ryan has a deep connection to his hometown, which has shaped his values and commitment to community service. Over the years, he has developed a profound understanding and experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), ensuring that these critical principles are embedded in the fabric of the organizations he works with.

Ryan Bjerke serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Columbia River Mental Health Services, where he leverages his extensive 27-year background in healthcare to foster a positive and productive work environment.

Ryan is dedicated to building cohesive teams, streamlining processes, and cultivating a workplace culture that champions growth and success. His strategic vision is underpinned by a profound commitment to helping each employee thrive, reflecting his broader goal to ensure that everyone he works with has the opportunity to succeed in their roles.

Ryan’s academic achievements, including a Master’s Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, provide a solid theoretical foundation for his practical skills. His educational background equips him with the insights and frameworks necessary to navigate the complex challenges of HR in the healthcare sector, ensuring his approach is both informed and innovative.

His work at Columbia River Mental Health Services not only advances the organization’s mission but also contributes to the broader goal of fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the healthcare industry.

Ryan is a devoted father to three children, balancing his professional responsibilities and spending time with his children. His oldest son is in the Navy at Whidbey Island, WA; his daughter is in Camas, WA; and his youngest son is attending Pepperdine University. Ryan’s interests extend to the basketball court and the football field, where he is an enthusiastic fan, drawing parallels between team sports and team management in his professional life.

Lisa Aarseth, LICSW, is originally from a small rural community in North Dakota. She attended the University of North Dakota where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and later attended Arizona State University where she graduated with her Master’s degree in Social Work.

Lisa has an extensive background in child welfare and community mental health, with a focus on serving children, youth, and families.

Lisa joined CRMHS in 2014 as a clinician in the Child and Family department. She is honored to be a part of an agency that is invested in the well-being of its community.

Lisa is passionate about social justice and is driven to serve, support and advocate for marginalized and underserved community members. Lisa has a love for animals, the outdoors and travel. She enjoys spending her free time with friends and family.