our team

I grew up in Lake Stevens and have spent most of my life in Snohomish County. I’m a CPA, investment advisor, and partner at Madrona Financial Services/Bauer Evans in Everett, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for Mountain Pacific Bank. I joined the Community Foundation as a Board Member in 2017, motivated by a desire to give back to the community that has given me so much. I served as Treasurer until 2022, and my current involvement is focused on the finance committee.

In the little free time I have, I’m often on the go, keeping up with my two kids’ busy schedules of sporting events.

I’m from Eastern Washington and happy to call Everett home now. I’ve worked a wide array of jobs, from teaching English as a Second Language in France, to being an administrative assistant, to being our Director of Human Resources. 

I’m the go-to-person for HR needs, which is actually similar to the support I provide our local non-profits! I’m here for HR questions, such as employee benefits, policies, and so much more. I can talk about employee benefits and employee handbooks all day, every day. 

When I’m not working, you may catch me traveling or birding.

After realizing that Wall Street wasn’t the vibe I wanted more than 3 ½ decades ago, I transitioned to nonprofit work and haven’t regretted it for one day. I’ve been in the marketing, fundraising and CEO positions in arts, human services, health, education and library nonprofits.  

I am a philanthropic advisor to our current and potential fund holders, instilling joy in philanthropy for the donor while honoring the work of our community organizations. I also like to say I am the Google of nonprofit administration – meaning organizations can contact me for personalized responses to their questions and designated support to build their capacity.  

When I am not helping donors find their dream organization or nonprofits find the best way to solve a problem, I can be found in the kitchen cooking, on the trails hiking or in the bookstore browsing.

In simple words, my role at CFSC is to find missing pennies and put everything in a spreadsheet—because let’s be honest, everything looks good in a spreadsheet. Kidding aside, I started my career in public accounting, dabbled in corporate/consulting, and eventually found my passion working in the nonprofit sector. I believe that finance can be a powerful tool for creating positive change, and I love being part of advancing impact investing. 

I’m proud to have graduated from the oldest existing university in Asia, University of Santo Tomas (go USTe!) and I currently serve on the board of the Filipino-American Association of CPAs in Seattle. 

I’ve embraced the PNW by enjoying the outdoors and exploring the islands. I’m also a big fan of our wines and believe that we have some of the best wines in the world, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.  Outside of work, you’ll find me playing volleyball, travelling, or being silly with my two fur buddies—Blue (Frenchie) and Oliver (Labrador Retriever).

I have worked in the nonprofit and public sector for more than 30 years. While I grew up in Grays Harbor most of my career has been in Snohomish County. In addition to nonprofits, I’ve worked in K-12 education systems and public libraries. 

I joined the Community Foundation in 2000 to lead the Wiggums Park Renewal Project in north Everett. It was a career highlight and helped me see the power of community in decision making. While I never intended to stay so long, but I was named CEO in 2019. Our board and staff focus on transforming and disrupting systems. Our commitment to community drives our daily work. 

I have a degree in public relations. I live in Lake Stevens with my husband, sons and dogs. I like to read, hike, boat, kayak, and cook.

I am originally from The Gambia, where I have spent over 18 years advocating for women and children’s rights. With a background in human rights law and international peace studies, I have worked across Africa and beyond to uplift marginalized communities, focusing on gender justice and policy change.

At CFSC, I lead our fundraising and grants efforts, supporting our mission to create lasting social change. I am passionate about connecting resources to initiatives that uplift the communities we work with.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family. Their unwavering support has been a constant source of strength and inspiration throughout my journey.

I joined the Community Foundation of Snohomish County to combine my passion for empowering communities of color with my extensive experience in nonprofit capacity building. As the Director of Community Coalition, I work to strengthen local organizations by fostering partnerships, providing resources, and advocating for equitable opportunities in Snohomish County. I am also the founder of Project Girl Mentoring Program, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has empowered hundreds of young women of color through life skills training, mentorship, and culturally responsive programming since 2012. The program focuses on building confidence and equipping young women of color with the tools to succeed in every area of life.

In my spare time, I love biking through scenic trails and tending to my impressive collection of over 100 indoor plants. The best advice I’ve ever received? “Listen more than you speak—the key to understanding and connection.”