YouthCare is grateful to the following individuals for committing their time and energy to serving on our Board of Directors and leading us in our mission to end the youth housing crisis.

Interested in joining the Board of Directors? Read the Board of Directors Description and Apply here!

Board of Directors

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Erin is a YouthCare staff member turned longtime supporter, and has always had YouthCare staff and clients at front of mind when wanting to give back to her community. She is a mother to two boys, and her work experience is in social service non-profit administration, by way of working at Habitat for Humanity, YouthCare, and the Center for Children and Youth Justice prior to starting a family. She has also served on the Board of Directors at Summer Search Seattle and currently volunteers at University Child Development School and Common Power, a local organization working to provide voter equity nationwide. When she’s not volunteering, she spends time with her spouse, two boys, and two dogs, and also enjoys music, hiking, mountaineering, and gardening.

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When Farron first attended a YouthCare luncheon and served a meal at The Orion Center, she knew she wanted to be part of it. A lifelong Washingtonian, Farron has witnessed the devastating effects addiction, family conflict, and homelessness can have. Too many young lives, including Farron’s beloved sister-in-law Kristen, have been lost too soon – which drives Farron’s commitment to YouthCare’s mission. Farron is an Attorney who practices employment and business litigation, usually on behalf of clients in the manufacturing, retail, and nonprofits. She has always been passionate about young people and devotes volunteer time accordingly, including at Childhaven, through Gonzaga focused on the impacts of youth “aging out” of the system, at the University of Oregon as its first Child Advocacy Fellow, and today with YouthCare. Farron is married to Calvin and has two kids, Leni and Finn. They love spending time together, especially in, on, or near water (which makes West Seattle the perfect spot for them to live and explore).

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Lindsay found YouthCare when she embarked on a search for an organization focused on addressing barriers that prevent young people from reaching their full potential. She hoped to bring the skills and experience she gained working in healthcare leadership roles to bear in service to young people and an organization committed to helping them thrive. YouthCare was a perfect fit. YouthCare’s mission – to end homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential – is audacious and necessary. Lindsay is ready to roll up her sleeves to help YouthCare achieve in service to its goals. Lindsay has held several volunteer and board roles throughout her career and is active in supporting organizations committed to health equity. She is also the President and CEO of HMA, a third party administrator that serve northwest employers and their employees. Lindsay enjoys skiing and traveling with her family. She also enjoys running with her lovable golden retriever whenever she can.

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Early in her career Shawli first learned about YouthCare when she was working with youth and young adults aging out of the foster care system. YouthCare provided a critical lifeline to vulnerable youth during one of the most important yet daunting times of their lives. Later on Shawli managed a team of AmeriCorps members and placed members at YouthCare. Through these experiences Shawli learned more about YouthCare and grew to deeply respect the positive impact the agency has in the community. Currently Shawli serves as the Interim Director of Resident Services at King County Housing Authority and joined YouthCare’s board to pursue her passion of ending youth homelessness. In her free time Shawli enjoys playing competitive tennis and immersing herself in a good book.

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Jennifer noticed YouthCare’s Orion Center driving from teaching and seeing patients as a family doctor at Kaiser. Shortly after, she collaborated with YouthCare staff for a needs assessment, and found that youth wanted to “learn about health” and have a “clinic onsite.” Thus began “Doc Talks,” and later, Kaiser added a clinic (2016) which has grown to be part of the Kaiser clinical care system, also now including a to treat youth struggling with substance use disorders. She runs the Community Medicine training for the residents and sees patients at the “Orion Clinic” and NeighborCare’s Rainier Beach Clinic. While at YouthCare, Jennifer has come to appreciate the challenges faced by youth as they move successfully into adulthood without the supports most of us take for granted: functional, supportive family, a place to live, education, and access to health and mental health care. Jennifer is amazed by the resilience and determination seen in youth and the staff; YouthCare’s “care” makes a difference, and now, Jennifer has joined the Board to get more deeply involved and ensure support continues to be equitably available to all who need it.

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Carmen first learned about YouthCare through a former board member who invited Carmen to YouthCare’s Annual Luncheon at about the same time she became very interested in how to decrease homelessness in Seattle. That Luncheon invite became an invite to volunteer serving dinner at the Orion Center, an invite to another YouthCare event, and eventually an invitation to join the board. After a long career in corporate recruiting at big tech companies, Carmen became a consultant for a six-person company called Recruiting Toolbox and now helps organizations design and improve their candidate sourcing, interview and selection processes. She contributes these skills now to YouthCare’s various board efforts while also enjoying her hobbies of reading, writing, and seeing the world with her husband, William, the HR Director for SEIU and a longtime YouthCare supporter as well.

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YouthCare’s mission combines several things that Becka deeply cares about: equity and social justice, mental health, homelessness, and supporting the young people in our communities. Over the last decade, Becka has managed budgets and led policy analysis for some of the region’s largest government agencies. Currently, Becka oversees half of King County’s budget and works to advance environmental, mobility, equity, and social justice priorities. Previously, at the University of Washington, she promoted equitable access to higher education and led the UW’s analysis of state policy and budget proposals. Becka regularly volunteers for a number of local organizations, including on the Board of Doney Coe Pet Clinic, which provides care to the animal companions of people experiencing homelessness. She previously worked in mental health research for Stanford University and has mentored students from low-income communities over the last two decades. Becka is excited to support YouthCare in ensuring that all young people can thrive and is committed to centering and amplifying the voices of those who have lived experiences with homelessness. Outside of work and volunteering, Becka enjoys adventuring with her spouse and their cat, Edgar, as well as spending time outdoors and cheering on the Mariners.

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Michelle is a business owner and advisor to financially successful families and nonprofits. She is enthusiastically devoted to creating transformative change as a philanthropist, nonprofit board leader, and social impact investor. Michelle lives in North Seattle with her husband, Jim, and dog Linus. She is a fan of car races, rock music, and the oxford comma; hobbies include hiking, skiing, and dancing Brazilian Samba.

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Jonelle was introduced to YouthCare in the 1980s when she utilized their services in her youth. Upon returning home to the Seattle area from Los Angeles, Jonelle was looking for a way to reconnect and give back to the agency that had helped her many years ago, leading her to a seat on the Board. She has a strong passion for issues involving our children and youth. Jonelle is an RN and for the last decade has been working both clinically and administratively in leadership roles for non-profit agencies serving indigenous, underserved, and marginalized communities. She is a strong proponent for providing holistic, integrative, and trauma-informed care to all and actively advocates for health equity. In her work, she tries to bridge the health care gaps she encounters. Jonelle has two teenage boys, Asa and Luke. They love animals, road tripping, going to concerts, and trying new vegan restaurants wherever they go.

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Bio coming soon

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Bart learned of YouthCare through his wife’s volunteer work. His own passion for the mission came after attending a YouthCare luncheon, which came at the same time as an opportunity to serve on the Board while in a senior leadership role at Boeing. Bart served on the Board for 12 years and was a founding member of the Real Estate Committee. After a 3-year break on the Board, in which he continued to serve on the Real Estate Committee, Bart rejoined in 2021. After retirement from 36 years at Boeing he deepened his commitment to helping young people fulfill their potential by joining the Western Washington University Foundation Board, with which he is actively involved by pursuing public-private partnerships that generate revenue to support students and programs. Bart and his wife, Randi, live in the north end and have an adult daughter and son, both of whom live locally. Outside interests include tennis, gardening, live music, travel, and mentoring young people.

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Mark learned about YouthCare when he was working on Youth-Police Relations improvement efforts. He has been a Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Seattle Police Department for 30 years and is a resource for residents, community groups, businesses, faith-based entities, advocacy groups and public agencies in formulating crime prevention and public safety strategies. Additionally, Mark served in the United States Air Force, for a total of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mark has a long history of community and volunteer work, and currently serves as the Vice President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Washington State Chapter and the President of Washington State Crime Prevention Association. Mark’s family includes his spouse, Suzanne, a high school art teacher, his three adult stepchildren, and his child, Alanna. Mark is a self-described comic book and science fiction nerd. He also loves to travel and he recently gotten hooked on Words with Friends.

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Cecilia learned of YouthCare from a former board member who invited her to a fundraising event. YouthCare’s mission of ensuring young people feel empowered to reach their potential aligns with Cecilia’s belief that every young person deserves an opportunity to thrive. Currently, Cecilia is Vice President of Communications at Pacific Public Affairs. Prior to joining YouthCare’s Board, Cecilia served on the Pro-Choice Washington Board, including two years as C4 Board Chair. Cecilia enjoys cooking, yoga, Pilates and spending time with her husband, daughter and cat Mr. Mittens.

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Nick is a long-time resident of Seattle where he lives with his wife and two teenage children. Nick works for Columbia Legal Services as an attorney where his practice focuses on protecting the rights of justice involved individual and families. His work includes advocacy on behalf of children and youth caught up in the criminal legal system. Throughout his career, Nick has witnessed YouthCare’s commitment to working with youth to reach their full potential. Nick is proud to continue a Straley family connection with YouthCare dating back to his grandfather, Walter Straley, and more recently his father, Hugh Straley.

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Stefani was introduced to YouthCare through the Seattle Kraken, where she currently serves as the Sr. Manager of People & Culture. As part of this partnership, she heads the workforce development program that focuses on providing youth with job opportunities within the sports & entertainment industry. Seeing how excited, passionate, and hardworking these young people are when given the opportunity encouraged her to play a bigger role in furthering YouthCare’s mission as a Board Member. When not volunteering, Stefani and her partner, Bobby, enjoy traveling, going to hockey games, and spending time with their 130lb Great Dane, Livy.

as of January, 2023