2025 Early Learning Leadership Council of Snohomish County

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Bio Coming Soon

 Anna Gibson joined Sherwood Community Services in 2006 as a Family Resource Coordinator and Infant Educator.   She has a Degree in Human Development specializing in early childhood education, Preschool to grade 5 from Washington State University. Anna has been an active participant in Snohomish County early learning communities including United Way Core Collaborations, Co-Chair of Snohomish County Family and Interagency coordinating council, Snohomish County Autism Network and various local early learning coalitions.  

 Bio Coming Soon

 Deborah Brandi is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District (FESD). She has over 22 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector and has led organizations large and small through periods of growth and expansion.  Deborah serves on the Housing Hope South Snohomish County Advisory Board.  She was formerly Washington State Liaison to the board of the National Schools Foundation Association, on Snohomish County’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery committee, Providence Institute for Healthy Living, City of Lynnwood Economic Development Committee, City of Edmonds Salary Commission for Elected Officials; and a former Rotarian.  

 Stilly Valley Chamber Executive Director,  Mother, Grandmother, Volunteer and Farmers Market Director,  Diane Krieg loves creating connections in our community. Previously an Early Childhood Educator, with a Bachelors in Communications from BYUI and Film Studies from Montana State University, our communities especially our youth are an important part of Diane’s life.  

  Hannah Meier is a parent, community member, and speech-language pathologist who serves children in South Snohomish County.

 Heather Thompson is a bilingual mental health therapist and business owner based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. She specializes in working with women and teen girls (14+), offering a person-centered approach to support healing and self-discovery. Heather is the founder of Mar & Sol Mental Health Services, where she provides individual and group therapy in both English and Spanish. 

In addition to her private practice, Heather co-facilitates Caminemos Juntos, a free support group for Spanish-speaking Latine women in the community. Passionate about creating accessible mental health resources, Heather’s work is rooted in fostering empowerment and connection within her community. 

Jennifer has worked with children for over 14 years. She founded Close Reach Academy which combines the best elements of various educational philosophies, focusing on hands-on experiences in all subjects. This learning model fosters engagement, deep understanding, independence and accommodates a wide range of learning styles. 

 Jill McDaniel is the Clinical Manager of the Providence Boyden Family Autism Center in Everett, WA.  She holds a doctorate in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, has been a BCBA since 2007, and has worked in the autism field for almost 25 years.  She has served across a wide range of contexts, including home, school, clinic, and community settings.  Her previous leadership positions include Director of Autism Services for an autism program embedded in a K – 12 private school setting in the midwest and Executive Director of a specialized school for children with autism in Sydney, Australia.  Jill has a long career in providing early intervention and school-age services, implementing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, with a focus on neurodiversity affirming and assent based care.  Since starting her position with Providence, Jill has overseen significant growth and expansion of the clinic, both in terms of size and capacity for patient care.   

Rep. Julio Cortes, a native of Mexico City, immigrated to Washington with his family at the age of five. Raised by hardworking parents employed in the fields and fruit warehouses, Cortes overcame challenges to graduate from Wapato High School and commenced his college journey at Walla Walla Community College. Eventually, he earned his four-year degree from Western Washington University. Following his college years, Rep. Cortes dedicated almost a decade of his life to working at Oasis Teen Shelter and Cocoon House, directly assisting at-risk and homeless youth along with their families. More recently, he has been contributing to the City of Everett as the Economic Development and Marketing Manager, with a focus on economic equity and expansion, particularly serving as the liaison for small and medium-sized businesses and aerospace. In the Legislature, his committee assignments include serving as the Vice Chair for Early Learning & Human Services, Technology and Economic Development, & Veterans and is part of the Appropriations Committee. Rep. Cortes remains committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those he serves. 

 My name Is Kristen Bowler Marere.  I have been working for 25+ years in Elementary Education, with most of that time in Early Learning Education.  I’ve worked in before and after school care, in a Preschool Center for 13 years (as a teacher, lead, and Program Administrator), and currently as a lead for the Early Achievers Quality Recognition System part of Child Care Aware NW and the Opportunity Council.  

 Mary Cline-Stively is the CEO of ChildStrive. Prior to her current role she supported ChildStrive as the Chief Strategy and Programs Officer and the Director of Programs. She began her career in mental health supporting individuals, but after 15 years she transitioned to supporting organizations as a consultant.  Mary supports early learning for all children and families in our community. She is a longtime leader in early intervention services locally and statewide, and partners with many community groups and organizations to ensure that the youngest among us are supported. 

She is the Early Learning representative on the Snohomish County Partnership to End Homelessness and was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families. 

 Megan Dunn, Snohomish County Council Member, has a 25-year work and volunteer background improving lives for working families and communities through thoughtful policy change. As a community leader and environmental health advocate, she has spent her career collaborating with community members to address complex issues facing Snohomish County. Megan has a bachelor’s degree in Biology-Geology from University of Rochester and a Master of Arts in Policy Studies from University of Washington-Bothell. Prior to public service, Megan started her own small business as a postpartum doula for new families and has worked for Rainforest Action Network, Earth Island projects and even taught sign language to gorillas. 

  Pa Ousman Joof is the founder and Executive Director of the Washington West African Center (WAWAC). Since starting WAWAC in 2017 as a volunteer-run organization, he has expanded its capacity to serve over 5,000 community members annually through 10 programs with a staff of six and a program center in Lynnwood. WAWAC offers culturally relevant services such as after-school programs, food drives, case management, and advocacy for the West African community.

In 2022, Pa was named African Non-Profit Executive Director of the Year and, in 2023, received the Community Catalyst Award from the University of Washington.

 Rosario Reyes, a Peruvian native who migrated to the United States over forty-five years ago, is the founder and CEO of the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) a Non-profit organization established in South Snohomish County twenty-five years ago.  As a result of her own immigrant journey that paralleled the path most newcomers must take to become fully integrated and successful in their new lives; her thirty-three years of being a small business owner and seventeen plus years of work in social services with Latinos with limited resources, language barriers, lack of information and other seemingly difficulties she passionately embraced the commitment to work on the advancement of first-generation immigrants.  

 Stephanie Sarantos has worked as an educator and healing professional for over forty years. She is an RN and an educational psychologist specializing in individual differences and special needs of children, holistic care of critically ill children and families, community well being and hospice. She co-founded The Clearwater School, a democratically governed school that supports diversity in learning styles and champions children’s rights in 1996. She co-founded the Well Being Family Resource Center in 2022 and continues to work in both settings. She applies an expansive skillset to her eclectic worklife. She is skilled at, and feels fulfilled by: supporting children of all ages with instructional, emotional and play related needs; managing organizations; grant writing; supporting and teaching parents; and playing. 

 Tanya Laskelle (she/her) has had a 20 year career with Center for Human Services serving families with young children providing programs and services that intersects early learning, parent education and mental health wellness. She is a firm believer in equitable access to supports that strengthen protective factors so all children and families can thrive in school and life.  

Lacey Harper has committed her life to service, a leader in government and her community, having an impact at the federal, state, and local levels. A Pacific Northwest native and graduate of the University of Washington, she has risen to positions of responsibility and trust early in her career. Lacey was appointed as an Executive Director to Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in 2021. Her current responsibilities include managing the county’s Conservation and Natural Resources, Emergency Management, Human Services, Health, Medical Examiner Departments, Offices of Social Justice and Recovery and Resiliency, as well as the county’s government affairs. Lacey began working for Executive Somers’s Administration in 2016 as the External Affairs Manager and served as his Chief of Staff from 2018 until 2020. Lacey began her career at the Washington State Legislature in 2005, serving as a Senior Legislative Aide. In 2013 she was appointed by Washington’s Governor as the Governor’s Northwest Regional Representative. In her tenure at the Governor’s Office, she was promoted to Deputy Director of External Affairs and then to Director of Outreach, managing the Governor’s statewide outreach team. During her time in the Governor’s Office, Lacey was the Governor’s point person handling the state response to the Oso Landslide. In 2018, Lacey received the Snohomish County “Emerging Leader Award” for her commitment to service and exemplary leadership. Lacey has served as the Board President for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, on the Snohomish County YMCA Board of Trustees, and on Economic Alliance’s advocacy committee and STEM Council.