Our Team
A Labor of Love
The TDDF Team is comprised of people who loved Tammy.
She was our Daughter, Sister, Aunt, and Friend.
In the wake of her loss we wanted to create something that would bring good to the world. The Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation is our way of keeping her memory alive, and honoring her legacy.
Ben Douglas
President, Founder
Board Member
My name is Ben, and I am Tammy’s youngest sibling. I grew up with her love of books as a constant influence in my life. She read to me when I was younger, helping to spark a lifelong love of reading that I carry with me to this day. When Tammy passed away, I knew that I had to find a way to honor her memory and continue her important work.
That's why I helped found the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation, which aims to provide children with the tools they need to achieve their full potential through literacy and education. Our organization works to bring books, technology, and other resources to children in need, and we partner with schools and community organizations to make our mission a reality.
As for me, I have always been a voracious reader, and I developed a particular love of fantasy novels starting in elementary school. I can trace my love and passion for many of my hobbies (Movies, Video & Board games) back to their roots in the genre of books I read from childhood through my teenage years. Books have been a constant source of comfort and inspiration for me throughout my life, and I am honored to be able to give back to others through the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation. Everyone deserves to have the same opportunity to grow, curate, and learn from reading as I did!
Mike Douglas
CFO, Founder
Board Member
I am Michael Douglas, or Mike to my friends and family. I am the oldest of the Douglas siblings, Tammy's older brother. Tammy always loved books, and wanted to be a librarian at an early age. She would take all of our books and loan them back out to us, using actual check out cards. She took late fees very seriously.
She loved to give recommendations for books she thought we would like, which is how I got wrapped up in the Bunnicula series one summer. (I highly recommend it if you haven't read it!) She would read to our younger siblings, and as we got older, to all of our kids when they came along.
Tammy would encourage me to stay up past bedtime when we were kids, so we could read books using flashlights under the covers so we wouldn't get caught. Dad could never figure out why those batteries died so quickly! She always wanted an accomplice, but if I was doing something else, she would stay up and read anyway.
She instilled a love of books into those around her, even if we were older than her. I loved the idea of a Foundation in her honor, to continue to spread her love of books and reading. When our brother Ben suggested it, I knew it just had to happen. I am glad to be on the Board and to help spread Tammy's light and love of reading!
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Samantha Douglas Gwilliam
COO, Founder
Board Member
As children my big sister Tammy had a lending library of books at home that my siblings and I could borrow from. Tammy's passion for books and literacy inspired me to pursue my own passion for education and the performing arts. Now I teach high school Drama and have helped lead the local Community Theatre program.
I have dedicated my career to promoting literacy and the performing arts. With the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation, I am deeply committed to continuing Tammy's lifework. Through working with schools, libraries, and community organizations, we can ensure that everyone in our community has access to the resources they need to succeed.
I am honored to be part of an organization that continues to carry on my sister's legacy and our shared passion for literacy.
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Sarah Ferrin
Operations Liasion
Board Member
I attended college at both Boise State University and Brigham Young University. After the birth of my first child, I spent the next 18 years as a stay-at-home mom.
During those years, I gave countless hours serving the students in my local schools as a volunteer and several years as a member/leader in local PTAs. I am currently employed by the Nebo School District and work at the High School in Springville.
I have always been an avid reader, in fact, my one goal as a child was to grow up and be able to buy as many books as I wanted. Children’s literacy has always been important to me, but became even more so, as I raised two children with special learning needs.
Tammy and I lived in the same community and local neighborhoods. In fact, Tammy is the one who convinced me to start serving in the PTA in the first place. I feel honored to be helping fulfill her goals of literacy and service.
Nicole Walden
Secretary
Board Member
As a previous neighbor and friend of Tammy's, I am honored to serve on the TDD Foundation Board. Like Tammy, I have had a lifelong love of reading and enjoy opportunities to share my love of the written word with others, especially children.
I've participated in and led several book clubs including one centering on children's books. I have also been active in scholarship programs, service dog training, and am currently training one of my dogs to become a reading dog, assisting students who struggle with reading aloud to gain confidence and a love of literature.
I have worked in the digital elementary curriculum industry for the last 8 years which allows me to influence the education of thousands of children across the country.
I keep a rubber duck on my desk which reminds me of Tammy.
Brooke Douglas Unti
Media Director
Growing up, I was devoted to books. I’d always sneak a little reading in after bedtime, and somehow the batteries in my flashlight never died. Now my house has a charger for the Kindle in every room.
I collect beautifully illustrated fairy tales, never met a book club I didn’t want to join, and think everyone should be lucky enough to have a library card in their pocket. I write poetry and short stories, am currently working on my first children’s book, and beta read for romance authors in my spare time.
One of my favorite childhood photos is of my aunt Tammy reading to Ben and I. I think taking the time to read to children is a great gift of love. I always adored my aunt. As soon as I heard about the idea for a foundation I wanted to be part of it. Her legacy was that she lit a fire for reading under everyone she met. I’m proud to be honoring that.
Honorary Members
Ronald & Phyllis Douglas
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