Our 2025 Snohomish County Early Learning Leadership Council

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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

 My name is Cheryl Moon. I am a wife, mother to 5, and a veteran (20 + years) preschool teacher.  My passion is being in the classroom facilitating and scaffolding the learning of  preschoolers.  In my spare time, I love to read, camp, and play cards and board games with my family.  

 Chris joins the Early Learning Leadership Council as a City Councilmember from Edmonds, where she has served since November 2023.  Being of service is important for Chris, as shown in her role as official, in her current role as VP of Programs at Volunteers of America Western Washington where she has worked for four years. as well as in her previous role at Cocoon House in Human Resources. Chris has been a Snohomish County Planning Board Commissioner, Chair for the Lynnwood Planning Commission, an Edmonds Citizen Tree Board Member, President of the Human Services Executives of Snohomish County, and a United Way of Snohomish County Board Member 

 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.  

Bio Coming Soon

 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. 

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 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. 

Bio Coming Soon.

 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.  

Bio Coming Soon.