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Women's Funding Alliance

Justice, health and opportunity for women and girls.

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Women's Funding Alliance Board of Directors

Board Officers

  • Linda Marzano
    Linda Marzano joined the board in 2008 and currently serves as President. Throughout Linda Marzano’s extensive career in healthcare, she has focused on improving the lives of the patients she serves and improving the systems and processes in the organizations she works for. Whether as a hands-on nurse or an executive in a large health care organization, she has focused on what it takes to improve access to care, improve the care delivery system and improve the community in which she lives.
  • Currently Linda is Chief Operating Officer of Pacific Medical Centers, a nine clinic system serving the Puget Sound region. She also serves as the Executive Director of the US Family Health Plan, a Department of Defense health plan for retired military at Pacific Medical Centers. Linda is responsible for clinic and health plan operations, facility design, supply chain, ancillary services, marketing/PR, compliance and community outreach.
  • Linda is a founding member of Project Access Northwest, a ground breaking non-profit organization that has significantly improved access to healthcare for underserved populations in the region. Under her leadership, Project Access brought together the major providers of care in the region to develop solutions to the challenges of providing specialty care to the underinsured and uninsured populations in the community.
  • Linda has over 25 years of healthcare experience in a variety of settings. She has extensive experience in process redesign, revenue cycle, business development, strategic implementations and health plan operations. Prior to joining Pacific Medical Centers, she worked in a multi-hospital system with a focus on patient access, revenue cycle and international business development and at a children’s hospital where she was responsible for the Patient-Family Services and Decision Support Departments. Linda has also worked in clinical research as a Protocol Coordinator for studies that focused on breast and colo-rectal cancers.
  • Linda holds a B.S. in Nursing from University of Miami and an M.H.A. from Barry University. She is also an alumnus of Leadership Tomorrow of Seattle, a prestigious program designed to develop and connect the best young leaders in the region.
  • As a volunteer, along with serving as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Women's Funding Alliance Linda also serves on the board of Project Access Northwest.
  • Amanda DuBois
    Amanda DuBois joined the board in 2010 and currently serves as Vice President. She is a local Seattle domestic relations attorney of The DuBois Cary Law Group PLLC. The attorneys at DuBois Cary Law Group pride themselves on providing compassionate representation to individuals making the transition from marriage or partnership to their new lives as single people. Amanda has recently embarked on a new adventure as the publisher of Civil Survival; a book and online educational series that teaches basic legal skills to ordinary people. Amanda has served on a number of boards and civic organizations including the Board of Governors of the Washington State Trial Lawyer’s Association (WSTLA) where she chaired the Women’s Section, the Medical Negligence Section, and the Family Law Section; Washington Women Lawyers; The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation; The Stevens Hospital Foundation; and The Center for Spiritual Living. On most of the boards for which she has served, she chaired either fundraising, special events, or development committees. Amanda is a long time Seattle resident and lives on Queen Anne with her husband, Philip and Labradoodle, Avi. When she isn’t at her office, Amanda can often be found cooking and entertaining at her cabin on Decatur Island in the San Juans.
  • Susan Swartz
    Susan Swartz joined the board in 2012 and currently serves as Treasurer. Susan is the Seattle Office Managing Partner for WTAS, a national tax consulting firm. She provides a broad range of tax planning and compliance services to high net worth individuals, family groups and closely held businesses with sophisticated business, personal and investment objectives. Susan opened the Seattle office of WTAS in 2006, after 24 years with one of the “Big 4” international accounting firms. Susan is Chairperson for the Central Washington University College of Business Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Directors for the Golden Gate University Tax Advisory Board. Susan is a past Board Member of Legal Voice (formerly the Northwest Women’s Law Center), the Attorney-CPA Tax Clinic, and the Central Washington University Foundation. She is also a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. Susan received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance in 1981 from Central Washington University, and a Master of Business Administration in Taxation in 1983 from Golden Gate University. She is married and has two wonderful independent teen-age daughters.
  • Jodi Nishioka
    Jodi Nishioka joined the board in 2011 and currently serves as Secretary. Jodi has worked for over 20 years on behalf of women and children. She started her career as an attorney advocating for battered immigrant women and single mothers fighting for child support in legal aid organizations in Boston and Honolulu. Jodi continued her work on issues involving women and children within state and city governments in Hawaii and Seattle and later with grassroots nonprofit organizations. Currently, Jodi works for Washington Attorneys Assisting Community Organizations to pursue their mission of increasing community development and capacity in the nonprofit sector. Jodi enjoys practicing yoga, golfing and spending time with her husband, three children and dog.

    • Board Members

  • Chris Alston
    Chris Alston joined the board in 2012. Chris is a lawyer with Foster Pepper PLLC where he chairs the Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy group. He is regularly recognized in publications such as The Best Lawyers in America® and Chambers USA legal directory for his experience in Chapter 11 reorganizations and bankruptcy litigation. Chris has significant nonprofit leadership experience, having most recently served on the Board of Directors of Global Partnerships, a non-profit that invests in microfinance organizations and cooperatives in Central and South America. Chris also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of King County for ten years where he was the Chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Executive Committee, and received the United Way of King County’s Volunteer of the Year award for 2007. Chris previously served on the Board of Directors of Wellspring Family Services, King County Bar Association, Planned Parenthood of Western Washington (now Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest), Intiman Theater and Pratt Fine Arts Center. Chris is also a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. Chris received his J.D. from the University of Michigan in 1989 and received his A.B. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University in 1985. Between college and law school, he was on the staff of U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ), serving as Special Projects Assistant.
  • Kelli Carroll
    Kelli Carroll joined the board in 2012. Kelli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Western Washington University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Seattle University’s Institute of Public Service, where she was a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for excellence in the study and practice of public affairs and administration. Kelli is a Senior Principal Legislative Analyst for the King County Council and lead staffer for the Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee. She develops and analyzes public policy for the Council, specializing in human service and criminal justice policy, including matters related to mental health and chemical dependency, homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault, youth and families, veterans, and therapeutic courts. As an alumna of the Hadassah Leadership Academy and volunteer for several community based organizations, Kelli has been working on behalf of girls and women for over twenty years. Her greatest achievement is raising a powerful, confident daughter as a single parent.
  • Cathy Gaspar
    Cathy Gaspar joined the board in 2012. Cathy has a long history of commitment to volunteering in the Seattle area. She began working with WFA five years ago as a member of the auction procurement committee for Art of Dining, and last year she joined one of our grant committees. Cathy was a volunteer for ten years with the Seattle AIDS Support Group, leading groups for people who had lost their spouses. Cathy has served on the board of directors of Seattle AIDS Support Group and the Women’s Business Exchange. Cathy is a co-owner of Gaspar’s Construction Inc. She is an award winning interior designer and the lead saleswoman for her company. The company has provided design and build remodeling services to the Seattle area for over 35 years. Cathy has a B.A. in Community Services and Interior Design. She is a member of the Rainier Club, and also served on their membership committee. Cathy spends much of her spare time these days caring for her two grandchildren.
  • Christy Kunin
    Christy Kunin joined the board in 2011 and currently serves as chair of the Board Development Committee. She is currently a Senior Corportate Counsel at T-Mobile. Christy has worked with technology firms for over 25 years as a consultant and attorney. She moved from Washington, D.C. to Seattle in 2005 to work at Microsoft. In D.C., Christy was active with several volunteer organizations and joined the board of trustees for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership foundation in 2005, where she served for five years. Christy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Bates College, a Masters of Communications Management from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California and a law degree from the Catholic University of America. Christy is married to John and has two teenage sons. She loves to read, cook, and share a glass of wine with friends.
  • Kristina L Mayer
    Kristina L. Mayer joined the board in 2013. She is a specialist in the fields of philanthropy and education. She leads the KLMayer Consulting Group in Port Townsend, helping leaders build organizational capacity and focus on results. She has degrees from Seattle University, Gonzaga University, and the Fielding Graduate Institute. Before launching her consulting career in 2004, Dr. Mayer was a program officer for nearly a decade at both the Stuart Foundation and the Washington Mutual Foundation. Prior to that, she spent 20 years working in education as a school reformer, teacher and principal. In 2006, Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Dr. Mayer to the Washington State Board of Education. She is currently a member of the executive committee and a leader in developing the state accountability system. Kristina serves on the advisory board for the UW Nonprofit Management Certificate Program and teaches in the UW Tacoma program. She has also served on the board of Philanthropy NW where she was Volunteer of the Year in 2001, Grantmakers for Education where she was program chair, and Dollars for Scholars and Books for Kids (Page Ahead). Kristina is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow.
  • JoAnn Mills
    JoAnn Mills joined the board in 2007 and is the past board President. She assists with strategic planning and development. She has over thirty years experience consulting with individuals, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Her first career was as a psychotherapist in Seattle treating adults. JoAnn's second career as a fundraising professional began ten years ago with The Collins Group. She left her position as a principal with The Collins Group for the opportunity to be Campaign Project Director for the public phase of a $300 million campaign for Seattle Children's Hospital. Currently, JoAnn is the Senior Director of Development for Group Health Foundation. In addition to WFA, JoAnn is on the board of the Wing Luke Asian Museum. In her spare time she recently took up scuba diving and skiing.
  • Dawn Rains
    Dawn Rains rejoined the board in 2012 and currently is serving as chair of the Fund Development Committee. Dawn served on the WFA board of directors from 2003 to 2009. During her time with WFA, Dawn served on the Executive Committee and Finance Committee, co-chaired Art of Dining, and served on the Executive Director Search Committee. Dawn is Director of Development and Marketing for Treehouse, an organization that gives foster kids a childhood and a future. Dawn holds a Master of Public Affairs and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Service Administration from The Evergreen State College. Dawn also volunteers her time with one of WFA’s grantees, The If Project. Dawn and her partner live in Columbia City, and in her spare time, you can find her organizing a social event, attending theater, or engrossed in a good book.
  • Jennifer Sik
    Jennifer Sik joined the board in 2013. She is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. Jennifer has over 20 years of diverse experience across the fields of banking and finance, internet technologies and public relations in various places across the globe, including United States, Australia and Hong Kong. Jennifer is an active community member. Currently, she is Communications Director of the board of Mercer Island Rotary Club, and a board member of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation. She has been and active member of Washington Women's Foundation for 4 years. She was a group leader in their grant committee in 2011, a steering committee member on Discovery Day 2012 and Impact Assessment committee member 2012. Jennifer previously served on the Advisory Board of Seattle University, Albers School of Business and Economics, Entrepeneurship Centre for 3 years. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. Jennifer is married with one 12 year old son. She is passionate about issues facing women and girls, in particular, women and girls' leadership and entrepeneureship.
  • Amy Wales
    Amy Wales joined the WFA board in 2012. Amy is the Advocacy & Communications Officer for Vaccine Technologies within the Technology Solutions Global Program at PATH, an international nonprofit organization that envisions a world where innovation ensures that health is within reach for everyone. She holds a dual B.A. in Spanish Language and Latin American Studies from Middlebury College, a Master’s in Comparative Health Policy from Oxford University, and a post-graduate certificate in Participatory Development Approaches to Women’s Health Advocacy from the International Institute of Social Studies. She is also an alumna of Leadership Tomorrow and the Metrocenter YMCA's Get Engaged leadership development program. After living abroad for more than six years, Amy returned home to Seattle in 2005. Since then, she has served on the Visiting Committee for Seattle University’s Executive Master of Nonprofit Leadership Program, the City of Seattle Women’s Commission, and the Board of Directors of the Thomas C. Wales Foundation for Civic Leadership. In addition, she has served as a mentor with the Seattle Girls’ School and is known for driving long distances to doorbell on behalf of progressive candidates running for public office. Amy and her husband, Erik, live in Edmonds.
  • Sam Whiting
    Sam Whiting joined the board in 2013. He is a Community Investor at The Boeing Company. Prior to his work at Boeing, Sam was Director of Foundation Projects for The Seattle Foundation. He spent almost two decades in nonprofit management in the arts, education, and human services fields. He directed early childhood programs for Children's Home Society, including leading Head Start, family mental health, and maternal/child health programs. Sam spent six years as Executive Director of Page Ahead, a statewide children's literacy nonprofit, serving more than 50,000 children in need.
  • Sam has volunteered on the boards for several nonprofits, including United Way of King County where he served on the executive committee as a vice-chair of Community Building, and Three Dollar Bill Cinema, where he was a co-founder. Sam received his master's degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University in 1997 and is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership Doctorate Program at Seattle University. His studies are in the area of Philanthropy, focused on funding organizations and measurement of goal attainment.
  • Kimber Woods
    Kimber Woods joind the board in 2007 and currently is serving as chair of the Program Impact Committee. She began working with the Women's Funding Alliance in 2006 after a friend introduced her to the organization. She currently serves on the Program Impact committee. Kimber is also active with Soroptimist International, a professional women's service organization and has served in both local and regional leadership positions. She is committed to improving the lives of women and girls in order to create positive social change and has been inspired by the individuals she's met during the course of her efforts. Kimber is currently an investment executive at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. She lives happily in North Seattle and loves to cycle, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
  • Amy Zimerman
    Amy Zimerman joined the board in 2010 to change the status of women in Washington State. She is excited to join WFA’s Fund Development Committee after serving on the Finance and Grant Committees and chairing the E.D. Selection Committee. Amy is a former investment banker whose finance career has spanned 3 continents and 2 now infamous firms: Lehman Brothers and Barclays. After transitioning into the nonprofit sector, she worked as an ED, finance director, and grants manager. Today, as founder of Leaping Dolphins, LLC, Amy consults on issues of nonprofit finance, strategy and governance. She is also an active member of the Washington Women’s Foundation, currently serving on the Finance and Impact Assessment Committees and previously involved in the Pooled Fund and International Grants processes. She is an Adjunct Professor in the MNPL program at Seattle U and teaches in the Nonprofit Management Certificate program at the UW. Amy lived overseas for 12 years and has traveled extensively throughout the developing world. It was during this period that she met her husband, Miki, with whom she resides in Bellevue.