Founders

Meet the dedicated founders of the Blake Memorial Foundation, each bringing their unique experiences and passion to support children with dyslexia and those who educate and support them.

Blake Bottarini sitting on a boat with a fishing rod.
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Julie Bottarini, Founder

Julie’s vision for this foundation began not long after her son Blake’s passing. During the 5 years following her loss she worked to understand the kind of foundation she would build to honor her son and determine who it would best serve. With the love and support of her family and community, Blake Memorial Foundation came to fruition in 2023. The official launch was their first fundraising auction on February 3, 2024. It was only weeks after that the programs implemented by BMF began to have a positive impact on the lives of children struggling with dyslexia and those who educate and support them. We all believe that Blake would be proud of what we have accomplished already.

Julie is a Bay Area native and although she too struggled in school due to learning differences, she graduated from University of the Pacific with a BA in Sports Medicine and went on to earn a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Chapman University. She has been a practicing physical therapist in the area for 30 years. Her dyslexic thinking helped her create innovative programs for Women’s Health in the 2000’s and she started her private physical therapy practice in 2008 specializing in pelvic health. Julie resides in Redwood City with her son Evan, a talented electrician, and their beloved pets King and Stella.

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Michelle Puckett, Co-Founder

Michelle has worked in the construction industry for over 34 years. Her unique expertise and extensive portfolio of fast-track, phased, and large corporate accounts is the basis of her current role as Project Executive, where she provides leadership and resources to the construction process, and supports a collaborative project approach among all team members.

Michelle is the proud aunt of Blake Bottarini and sister Julie Bottarini, founder of BMF. She is passionate about supporting children with learning differences and wants parents and teachers to have the resources to better the lives of their children.

Her goal is to support the Foundation and it’s growth for years to come in order to make a difference in this world of education.

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Cheryl Raffetto, Co-Founder

Cheryl is an educator with over 30 years of experience in the field of education. Throughout her career, Cheryl has served in educational roles as a K-8 resource teacher, elementary classroom teacher, administrator and tutor. She is dedicated to early intervention with students and to providing engaging high-impact classrooms. Cheryl is a Dyslexia Practitioner with Wilson Reading Level I certification and Orton- Gillingham training. Cheryl is an advocate of early intervention and has a heart for making a difference in the lives of students.

Cheryl’s path crossed with Julie when her boys and Cheryl’s son started Kindergarten together. Over time they formed a lasting connection, as they shared memories and supported one another and their sons. Through the years, Cheryl and Julie have shared similar hopes for the future of support for students with dyslexia.

Cheryl’s goal is to help the Blake Memorial Foundation establish programs that will impact support for dyslexic students.

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Lauren Schott, Co-Founder

Lauren is Blake’s older cousin. She and her sister, McKenna, and grew up in Redwood City alongside Blake and his twin brother, Evan, and share many childhood memories together. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance and has worked in the commercial real estate industry since graduating from SDSU in 2019. She is a Bay Area native and currently lives in San Diego, CA.

Lauren is passionate about BMF’s mission to help children with learning differences and hopes her work with the foundation will provide students in need with the same opportunities and support that she and Blake were fortunate enough to have during their education.

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McKenna Schott, Co-Founder

McKenna has spent the last 7 years working in marketing and business development in commercial real estate and construction in the Bay Area. She is passionate about giving back to her community and spending time with family and friends.

McKenna is Blake’s cousin and grew up with him in Redwood City, CA. She would often drop off and pick up Blake from school, witnessing his struggles, but also his successes in school. Once he discovered his learning difference and was able to get the right support, she watched Blake flourish at life, one of her proudest experiences. She is excited about the success BMF has had thus far, and looks forward to the bright future ahead. BMF will allow other children the opportunity to discover their learning differences and will give them access to the right resources, so they can thrive just like Blake.

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Caroline Raffetto, Content & Marketing Coordinator

Caroline is a content creator who was raised in the Bay Area. She holds a B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Humanities from San Francisco State University. Caroline has always been passionate about storytelling and creating content that is not only informative, but also resonates on an emotional level. She strives to make a difference with her work, and loves to give a voice to others.

Caroline served as Editor-in-Chief for San Francisco State's student run-publication, Xpress Magazine, and has a keen eye for design. Caroline has worked as a teacher's aide for 2 years at Catholic schools on the Peninsula, and loves being a part of her students' educational journey. She believes that each child takes their own unique path, and should each be supported differently. There is no one size fits all when it comes to education.

Caroline met Blake, and the Bottarinis through her brother, Jeremy, who attended and became fast friends with the boys in Elementary School.

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