CAS Advisory Board

Ashton, BA ’10 (Psychology), is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon and Innovation Engineer at Nike. Born in Portland and raised in Central Oregon, he became a professional athlete after graduating from the University of Oregon and retired from competition in 2017. He now serves as Innovation Engineer at Nike. Ashton is also on the board of Sport Oregon, and serves as a Sport Advisor to the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. In 2025, he earned a Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at Portland State University. “The foundation for my future was made at UO's College of Arts and Sciences. It’s an honor to be on the board and contribute back.”

Steve, MBA ’87, brings more than three decades of leadership experience in financial services, innovation, and organizational strategy, along with a long-standing dedication to the UO and CAS, where he is actively involved with the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) as a donor and committed advocate for its mission. Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Penn State in ’76, and in ‘87 completed his MBA at the UO, where he focused on quantitative analysis and was recognized as one of Oregon’s top ten business students in 1986. Over his 31-year career at Wells Fargo, Steve held several senior executive roles, including leading the Treasury Management business and spearheading the development of the Wholesale Bank’s first digital strategies and platform. Steve also played a central role in the integration of Wachovia, guiding the wholesale banking side of what became the largest bank merger in U.S. history. In his final three years with the company, he served as Head of Innovation, advancing new technologies and approaches across the enterprise. Before entering the financial sector, Steve co owned and operated the Produce Row Café in Portland from 1976 to 1984, helping shape the early craft beer movement in the Pacific Northwest.

 

A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, Steve competed on Ultimate Frisbee teams at both Penn State and the UO and remains an avid snowboarder. He has been deeply engaged in environmental stewardship for many years and contributes to conservation efforts through organizations such as The Nature Conservancy. He also championed environmental priorities during his tenure at Wells Fargo. Now retired, Steve and his wife, Nicole Ficarra, have made their home on Kauai, where Steve continues to pursue his commitment to community, conservation, and innovation. Steve has two sons: Tyler, who lives in Eugene, and Tony, who resides in Santa Cruz.

Jeff, BA ’91 (psychology), is an independent tech and marketing consultant. Jeff spent 30+ years at Microsoft where he served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Sponsorships prior to launching his consulting firm in 2025. The consistent theme in Jeff’s work at Microsoft was creating change with lasting impact on how Microsoft plans and executes marketing globally. Jeff and his wife Susie, BA ’92 (Art History), live in Bellevue, WA.

Tom, PhD ’74 (chemistry), has had an extensive career in the pharmaceutical industry assisting early-stage biotech companies with drug development and regulatory submissions to the FDA. His wife Lindsey also attended the UO. Tom and Lindsey have three sons, Chad (JD ’09), Tucker, and Brandon.

Michael, BS ’83 (political science), earned his JD at Lewis and Clark law school in 1988. He is an active alumnus at both institutions. Michael is married to Libby Keller who earned her BA from Stanford (’83 English) and received her JD from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1987. They are parents of three children who all have their master’s degrees from Clairmont McKenna, University of Texas and Columbia University, but no Ducks!

Betsy, BA ’68 (mathematics), is the owner and designer of Designs by Betsy. She is a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of the International Interior Designer Association. Betsy serves as chairman emeritus of the Sharp Health Care Foundation, founder of Lead San Diego, and founder of La Jolla Community Church. Betsy and her late husband, Scott, have one grown child, Philip, who resides in Kansas City with his wife and three adopted children.

Marianne McDonald, BA ’98 (English), is the Creative Director of Citizens of Humanity, where she shapes a considered, design-led approach to denim and ready to wear. In 2013, she co-founded McGuire Denim and served as president, guiding the label from its earliest chapters through a period of meaningful growth. She also serves on the board of Skin Laundry.
Her husband, Coby McDonald, BA ’96 (Political Science), is a real estate broker with Compass Real Estate. The McDonalds live in Los Angeles with their four children. 

Natalie, BA ’80 (political science), is senior vice president for Wells Fargo Capital Finance, where she is responsible for risk management for the treasury management activities of Wells Fargo Capital Finance customers. Her more than 25 years at Wells Fargo include various wholesale banking areas. She serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Council of Capital Finance and is on the boards of Methodist Hospital of Southern California and Family Promise of the San Gabriel Valley. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Gary Hackney.

Douglas Ramsthel, CFP - BS ’86 (Economics), is a Senior Partner at the Baldwin Group, a national employee benefits and health insurance consulting firm.  He splits his time between Laguna Beach and Seattle, WA. Outside of his professional work, Doug has three adult children of which one daughter and one son are Oregon Alumni, and the other a PSU graduate.  He also has a younger daughter who he is grooming to be a future Duck. He is also an active real estate investor and Duck supporter.

Stephanie, BA ’99 (political science), is principal of Daily Consulting, a political consulting company that oversees all finance and budget strategy for political campaigns. Daily Consulting represents more than 40 clients in California, and nationally, primarily focusing on west coast strategies for gubernatorial, US Senate, congressional, state senate, and assembly members. She is a mother of two and married to Justin Smith, BA ’98 (economics).