Our Board and Staff
Leland Koble
President
Leland Koble is a 62 year old bio-female, stuck in the grey area of transitioning and had top surgery in December of 2011. Leland is the co-founder of New Beginnings TLC - a surgical recovery retreat in Florida. Created in December of 2011, New Beginnings has served over 950 patients from around the world during their journey. Leland has been a nurse for over 20 years with his last 12 years in surgery.
Bonnie Lazarus
Vice President/CEO
Bonnie Lazarus has been in a wonderful, healthy, strong relationship with Leland since 2002, and together they have been presenting relationship workshops around the country since 2004. Bonnie is the co-founder of New Beginnings Retreat, a surgical recovery retreat for gender surgery. She is a transformational life coach and has been a pain management therapist since 1989.
Bonnie has a generous way of being, with her heart centered on taking care of others and inspiring everyone she meets to be present and fully self-expressed.
Staff
Cameron Mathews
Finance Director
Cameron Mathews is currently the Finance Director for Basic Rights Oregon, the state’s largest LGBTQ nonprofit organization. He has been working in finance and operations management for-profit and nonprofit sectors since 2008. With a Bachelor's in Public Policy and Administration and a Master's in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, Cameron brings a broad skillset and love of information to his work, ensuring that all financial processes are efficient, effective, and strategic.
Ethan Emerson
Code Wrangler and Marketing Specialist
Ethan Emerson has spent seventeen years developing websites, with the last few years focused on non-profit organizations and working directly with artists. As an author, Ethan embodies a unique ability to express ideas and concepts in ways that touch, move and inspire people to take action toward achieving their dreams. These skills have enabled Ethan to create his own system for helping organizations reach their intended audience, and form partnerships that make a difference in their community.
Gidget & Molly
Gidget and Molly are two playful, sweet, hypoallergenic yorkies, who provide comfort and love to our guests when they are at New Beginnings. Their sweet demeanor brings an abundance of joy to the retreat.
Daisy
Daisy is an active and social Senegal Parrot who loves peanut butter and long walks on your shoulder (while you do the walking). When she is at New Beginnings, she loves to whistle well-known tunes.