Our Team

Whatcom Center for Early Learning’s dedicated, mission-driven team of professionals believes every child should have access to early support services and the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Our staff are passionate about our work with children and families with developmental delays and disabilities and aim to actively contribute to a culture of appreciation.


Our work and culture are guided by our commitment to our WCEL values. As a staff, we are dedicated to partnerships, quality, understanding, and accountability. We seek to always assume the best intent and be gracious to one another.

Admin & Directors
Early Learning Team
Family Resource Coordinators
Primary Service Providers
Board of Directors

Admin & Leadership

  • Amelia Bacon

    B.A. Ed.
    Director of Programs

  • Amy Blackwood

    Development & Communications Manager

  • Andres Sierra

    Language Access Specialist

  • Ann-Marie Sather

    Facilities Maintenance Specialist

  • Danavyn Ferrell

    Office Cleaner

  • Eleanor Peterson

    Executive & Grant Assistant

  • Gabriela (Ella) Cardona

    Equity & Community Impact Director

  • Heidi Sechrengost

    Billing & Insurance Specialist

  • Helena Schiling

    MBA-HRM
    People & Operations Director

  • Imanat Kang

    Program Administrative Coordinator

  • Ilona Karashchuk

    Language Resource Navigator

  • Irfan Khan

    Systems Administrator

  • Jacquee Sovereign

    Events & Engagement Manager

  • Jenna Depew

    Jenna Depew

    Office Administrator

  • Joseph Garcia

    EdD
    Philanthropy Specialist

  • Mae Gagnon

    Bookkeeping Support Specialist

  • Paige Morris

    M.Ed.
    Operations Manager

  • Sierra James

    M.A.
    Executive Director

  • Stephanie Schmitt

    Finance & Development Director

Early Learning Team

  • Aki Yada

    B.S. M.Ed.
    Early Learning Program Teacher, Japanese Interpreter

  • Anna Brim

    Early Learning Program Assistant

  • Anne Moore

    Early Learning Program Assistant

  • Bonnie Rose

    Early Learning Program Assistant

  • Mayumi Paluh

    Early Learning Program Assistant

  • Mary Melloh

    Early Learning Program Teacher - Substitute

  • Michael Haycock

    M.Ed.
    Early Learning Program Manager

  • Rebecca Pelton

    Early Learning Program Assistant

  • Susan Hemingson

    B.A., M.S.
    Early Learning Program Teacher

  • Taylor Mastre

    Early Learning Program Teacher

Family Resource Coordinators

  • Becky Kendall

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Britta Hensley

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Elvira Mares-Obrey

    B.A. Ed.
    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Grace Green

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Jennifer Enger

    M.S.
    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Julia Renner

    Family Resources Coordinator & FRC Lead

  • Kris Buettner

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Leire Garcia Zamora

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Mattea Beeson

    Family Resources Coordinator & FRC Lead

  • Megan Jefferies

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Midi Thomas

    B.A. Ed
    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Stephanie Fischer

    M.Ed.
    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Sydney Piepereit

    Family Resources Coordinator

  • Torrance Nelson

    Family Resources Coordinator

Primary Service Providers

  • Alex Bruce

    M.S., OTR/L
    Occupational Therapist

  • Alex Kypuros

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Alis Tortorelli 

    PT, DPT
    Physical Therapist

  • Amanda Waters

    LICSW
    Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

  • Andrea Bartel

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Ariel Soria

    B.A. Ed.
    Developmental Specialist

  • Beverly Pressy

    M.S., R.D., C.D.
    Registered Dietician

  • Bryn Burge

    M.S., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Carolyn Whipple

    M.A.Ed.
    Developmental Specialist

  • Catherine Strong

    M.S., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Ciara Ray

    M.S., OTR/L
    Occupational Therapist

  • Christine Wasserman

    B.A. Ed., NBCT
    Developmental Specialist & PSP Lead

  • Chuan Kuzin

    PhD, IMH-E® 
    Developmental Specialist

  • Coco Breen

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Grace Christie

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Jennifer Kurtz

    M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Kathryn Hammond

    PT
    Physical Therapist

  • Kayla Gagnon

    LSWAIC
    Infant/Early Support Mental Health Specialist

  • Kristin Clements

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist & PSP Lead

  • Lauren Sanderson

    M.S., OTR/L
    Occupational Therapist

  • Liz Steensland

    M.A., CCC-SLP
    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Lydia Lindahl

    M.S.
    Developmental Specialist 

  • Megan Stewart

    MOT, OTR/L
    Occupational Therapist & FRC Lead

  • Sarah Robinson Dudley

    PT, MPT 
    Physical Therapist & Early Support Program Manager

  • Tasha Farabee

    M.A., CCC-SLP, M.Ed., ECSE/ES, CLC 
    Speech Language Pathologist

Board of Directors

  • Gabriela Montenegro

    President

  • Dani Harris

    Vice President

  • Andy Wheeler

    Secretary

  • Cally Cass

    Treasurer

  • Ken Bronstein

    Past President

  • Amar Parekh

  • Carmela Carrasco, MD

  • Christine Biernacki

  • Elaine Peterson, DO

  • Julie Mauermann

  • Marty Jimmy-Phillips