Karen Fabiano, MPAff, NCG – President

Karen has been a professional fiduciary since 2010 and has led Avanti as President since 2014. She serves as Guardian, Conservator, Trustee, Attorney-in-Fact, Personal Representative, and care manager. Advocacy for vulnerable persons makes Karen’s work meaningful, especially protecting people from financial fraud.

Karen is a board member of the Oregon Guardian-Conservator Association and a member of the National Guardianship Association and is a National Certified Guardian. She has offered many public presentations and continuing education classes, and she is available as a speaker or consultant on fiduciary topics, especially ethically complex decision making and special advance instructions for cognitive impairment.

Karen previously worked for the Joint Budget Committee of the Arizona Legislature as a Senior Fiscal Analyst. Additionally, she renovated distressed properties for ten years, and was a foster-mom to youth with mental health challenges. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from U.C. San Diego in Cultural Anthropology (focus in cross-cultural psychology) and a Master of Public Affairs degree from U. T. Austin (focus in fiscal administration). Outside the office, Karen devotes many hours to the practice and teaching of Ki-Aikido at the Oregon Ki Society. She also volunteers through her church, and enjoys whitewater kayaking and back-country skiing with her family.

“I enjoy finding ways to communicate with alter-abled persons. It’s like using a unique language for each person. I use all kinds of tools to understand each person’s values and needs. I believe that everyone has the right to have their own values and wishes carried out. In making difficult choices on behalf of persons under guardianship and conservatorship, I analyze the situation, then listen from the heart.”

Giselle Fuller, NCG, CDP – Care Manager/Fiduciary – Vice President

Giselle is a fiduciary serving as Guardian, Trustee, Personal Representative and care manager. Being a family caregiver at a young age for her mother who had Multiple Sclerosis helped Giselle learn compassion, patience, kindness and encouragement. She has a special talent for relating well to people and for explaining complex health matters so that they can be easily understood. Giselle has more than 13 years’ experience in patient care, having worked as a certified medical assistant, patient advocate, wellness coordinator, and in-home staffing coordinator before joining ElderCare Resources/Avanti in 2014. Giselle has an Associates Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is a Notary Public and Certified Dementia Practitioner, and National Certified Guardian. She serves on the board of the Oregon Guardian-Conservator Association. Outside the office, Giselle enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and working on her mini-farm which features kune-kune pigs, laying hens, dogs, cats, and seasonal vegetables. Alpacas may be in her near future.

“Maya Angelou said it best: “People will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” I am very gratified to see our clients feel good again after getting help from our team. Working for Avanti allows me to use my natural and acquired skills to advocate for others and give back to them in unexpected ways.”

Jackie Fosback, NCG – Care Manager/Fiduciary

Jackie serves as a guardian of the person and as a care manager and advocate, easily building rapport and a mutual trust relationship with her clients. She also administers estates. Jackie has a degree in Human Services with a focus on Adult Development and Aging. She started at Avanti in 2014 and is now a National Certified Guardian. Her prior work experience includes customer service, research, and problem resolution. Jackie grew up in a Navy family, residing in and visiting different regions of the U.S. While working for the US Navy, Jackie met her husband, then moved to Eugene to raise their family. She has been a powerful health-care advocate for her husband and for their parents during several complex medical procedures and ongoing after-care. These experiences created a passion to help others during health crises that can feel overwhelming. She has expertise in post-transplant care, Veterans benefits, and general governmental benefits.  At home, Jackie volunteers for Donate Life NW and as a board member of the Association of NW Steelheaders. Her travels have taken her to Canada, Puerto Rico, and Norway. She enjoys fishing, reading, sewing, and playing with her vivacious granddaughter.

“Personal experiences have really shaped and influenced the person I am today. The health challenges of my husband and our parents have opened doors that I never knew I wanted to open or explore. My ability to look at situations from different perspectives has helped me to find solutions that work. Looking at the whole person has helped me to understand the “why” of a person’s response. I am excited to utilize my unique skill set to meet the needs of others.”