Events

Dr. Karin Lightfoot is a Registered Nurse who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Cal State Bakersfield, her Master of Science degree in Nursing at Chico State, and her PhD in Public Health at Walden University. She also holds a Nurse Leadership Certification from Duke University.

Throughout her nursing career, she worked in obstetrics and public health nursing, specializing in maternal-child health and communicable disease control. She began teaching Nursing at Chico State in 2007 and served as Director of the School of Nursing for 6 years.

She retired in 2023 as Professor Emeritus and now volunteers as District 5160 End Polio Chair. Karin and her husband, Robb have four adult children and they have hosted exchange students from around the world, including a young lady from Taiwan last year through Rotary Youth Exchange. In their retirement, they also became Travel Advisors.

Kayla Rushing is the Fundraising and Communications Manager at Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT), where she builds relationships with donors, community partners, and supporters who believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. With a background in communications, marketing, and community engagement, Kayla is passionate about bringing people together to find practical solutions to housing and homelessness in Chico. She is grateful to be part of the Chico community and to work alongside the people and organizations helping make it stronger.

Captain David Jinsung Kim serves as the Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Chico Corps & Community Center alongside his wife, Captain Sharon Kim. With nearly 15 years of ministry experience, David has served in youth ministry, leadership development, and community outreach in both Korea and the United States. Since arriving in Chico in July 2025, David and Sharon have been leading the Chico Corps in its mission to share the love of Jesus Christ and serve the community through programs such as the food pantry, youth programs, and community outreach initiatives. David is passionate about building relationships, developing leaders, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.

Josh Dulay is a Captain and officer with The Salvation Army who currently serves as Administrator of the Chico Adult Rehabilitation Program. After struggling with addiction for 30 years, Josh entered The Salvation Army's rehabilitation program in 2012 seeking a new direction in life. His recovery journey led to a career of service, and over the past seven years as an officer, he has dedicated himself to helping others overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. What makes Josh's work especially meaningful is his lived experience. Having faced the challenges of addiction and recovery firsthand, he brings understanding, credibility, and compassion to the men and women he serves. Today, he leads the same type of program that helped transform his own life, offering guidance, support, and hope to individuals seeking freedom from drug and alcohol addiction and a path toward a healthier future.

Melissa Schuster is a longtime Paradise resident, community advocate, former Town Council Member, occasional troublemaker, and — somewhat unexpectedly — a distiller. 

In what she cheerfully calls her “twilight-years career,” Melissa has become a self-described Distillerista at Burnt Barn Distilling Co., the Paradise craft distillery she founded with her husband, Cliff, following the Camp Fire. She’ll share the unlikely story of how fire, reinvention, a little stubbornness, and a whole lot of learning led to a new chapter — one that, fortunately, comes with bourbon.

Holly is a Regional Manager for the Lassen Region of California Trout, a nonprofit organization working to revitalize waters for resilient wild fish and a better California. Holly has a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Planning and Resource Management, both from Chico State.  One of her current projects is located on Big Chico Creek, restoring fish passage in Iron Canyon.  Holly has lived in Chico for 24 years and has strong ties to the local and surrounding communities. In her spare time, she enjoys backpacking, canoeing the Sacramento River, and dreaming of her next international trip.

Gayland received a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries from Humboldt State in 1970. He began working for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife soon after graduating.  Gayland worked as a warden for 30 years before retiring.  For the past 15+ years he has served as a legislative appointee for the California Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead. Gayland’s many years working in Butte County and the North Valley on salmon protection and restoration has guided him to be a lifelong advocate for actions in Butte County that protect or restore salmon and steelhead populations.