Our Team
&.
It’s right there in the middle of our name. It’s also at the center of what we do and who we are.
Meet our amazing team:
Meet our amazing team:
Josh Stepherson, Founder & Principal
Get to Know Josh:
When he’s not at work, Josh goes off the grid to go snowboarding or backpacking with his family. But that time away hasn’t kept him from being connected to the pulse of our region: for nearly 20 years, he has engaged communities, key stakeholder groups, and civic leaders around high-profile—and sometimes controversial—issues and projects. His history of proactive project management results in first-rate public involvement outcomes, provided on time and within budget.
Born and raised in Seattle, he attended Garfield High School and Washington State University. He has a vested interest in the growth of our region and the impact that rapid development can have on communities. In his work, he understands the importance of informing and engaging the public and specific stakeholder groups, while at the same time keeping projects moving forward.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good and go for the great.” – Steve Prefontaine
If I weren’t so good at my job, I’d probably be …
Working in government to make a positive difference in the community.
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Curator of Creativity and Results
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
As public involvement specialists, we get the exciting opportunity to engage people from all walks of life in projects that benefit the community. Have fun, enjoy meeting new people, and look to build meaningful connections. Your work will be more enjoyable, and you’ll be amazed at what you’re able to accomplish.
Josh Stepherson
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Andrea Johnson, Director of Business Development and Marketing
Get to Know Andrea:
Andrea’s high-octane and collaborative approach to her work makes her a natural inspirer. A Northwest native with a communications degree from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communications at Washington State University, she brings 20 years of experience designing and implementing successful communications, marketing and business development programs. Whether supporting arts, land use, health, housing or engagement organizations, she’s had her finger on the pulse, helping ensure thoughtful and successful growth. The fast pace she sets is balanced by spending time with her family fishing, crabbing and shrimping in the San Juans.
As part of S&A’s management and leadership team, Andrea leads our business development and marketing efforts. She radiates warmth and is passionate about aligning staff and firm values with goals and new growth opportunities.
Q & A:
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
A member of The West Wing communications team.
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo
- Unlocking Us, Brené Brown (podcast)
- The West Wing Weekly, Radiotopia (podcast)
If you could write the job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Cultivate growth.
What are the values that drive you?
Honesty and integrity, collaboration, generosity, and optimism.
Andrea Johnson
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
AND MARKETING
Marjorie Skotheim, Chief Operations Director
Get to Know Marjorie:
Marjorie’s work on public infrastructure projects began nearly 20 years ago with the Seattle Monorail Project, where she capitalized on her background in communications, project administration, and community outreach in the public affairs arena. Since joining S&A in 2008, she has managed communications and public outreach on a host of transportation projects; directed editing efforts for large technical documents, both internal and public-facing; played a role in the development of messaging and materials for all our clients; and handled operational responsibilities as a member of the firm’s management team.
An accomplished writer, editor, and proofreader, Marjorie also leads S&A’s quality control team to ensure robust communications efforts and the delivery of accurate and effective materials.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
What are the values that drive you?
Connection, compassion, integrity, and excellence
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- The Argument (NYT podcast)
- Stay Tuned with Preet (WNYC podcast)
- To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Start with humility.
Marjorie Skotheim
CHIEF OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Paige Barnes, Chief Financial Officer
Get to Know Paige:
When it comes to financial controls, process and order is in the DNA of our Coast Guard Veteran, Paige Barnes. With her unflappable demeanor, Paige brings more than a decade of experience managing accounting and financial systems for multi-million-dollar companies, budgets and projects.
As CFO, Paige maintains internal control and safeguards for S&A’s financial accounting and reporting systems ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. She oversees all payroll, AR/AP, benefit coordination and contract management. Paige works closely with PMs on scopes and estimates, amendments, budget and spend reports, project invoices and facilitates contract adjustments. As part of S&A’s management and leadership team, Paige administers and reviews all financial plans, profit sharing and develops and implements strong and thoughtful financial strategic plans.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“ Well-behaved women seldom make history.” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- East of Eden, John Steinbeck
- Lore– Podcast
- Couldn’t Keep It to Myself, Wally Lamb
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
A bartender in Grand Caymen.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Hermione Granger, I need that purse.
Paige Barnes
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Alexander Stapnes, Associate
Get to Know Alex:
In elementary school, you could always find Alex mediating conflict and solving problems on the playground and in the classroom. This early interest in facilitation led him to study participatory democracy throughout his academic career: he has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington. His academic background and his past work in community development and local government come in handy in his current work at S&A, where his attentive listening skills and political know-how make him a valuable member of our team.
At S&A, Alex has a can-do attitude about new projects and tasks. He supports projects by designing and reporting on surveys; managing correspondence; conducting door-to-door outreach; and developing materials.
Q & A:
If I weren’t so darn good at my job, I’d probably be…
A chauffeur for an important politician…I just like driving and I’m a good listener.
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Cosmos by Carl Sagan
- A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Captain Picard of the USS Enterprise…who doesn’t want to travel the universe in a spaceship?!
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
The public and the government are teammates working toward a better society; treat each other like teammates.
Alexander Stapnes
ASSOCIATE
Allan Vann, Associate
Get to Know Allan:
Born in Tenino, Washington, Allan is a natural problem solver with a knack for interpreting construction lingo. With a background in Community, Environment, and Planning from the University of Washington, Allan helps communities understand projects and influence changes to the built environment.
An experienced communications and public involvement project manager, at S&A Allan specializes in construction outreach and engaging communities who haven’t always benefited from infrastructure improvements. He skillfully manages transit, corridor improvement and energy projects, ensuring communities are equitably and thoughtfully engaged.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“The journey is part of the experience — an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.” – Anthony Bourdain
If you could write the job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Community Problem Solver and Expert Construction Lingo Interpreter
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Starting up my own home décor store. You can never have too many shops to buy candles from.
Allan Vann
ASSOCIATE
Bob Derry, Associate
Get to Know Bob:
Bob is an avid world traveler and incredible photographer. He’s most aptly described as the Rick Steves of the office—able to provide travel recommendations from New York to Uzbekistan.
Bob’s background in communications, his commitment to public participation, and his longtime interest in public infrastructure have helped power S&A since 2007. In his 20 years of experience in the field, beginning with the legendary Seattle Monorail Project, he has worked with multiple agencies and contractors conducting outreach and communications around high-profile, often controversial issues and infrastructure projects. He is especially proud of his work securing pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented zoning changes and drafting and successfully advocating for an amendment to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan.
At S&A, Bob has managed construction communications for complex mega projects, such as the First Hill Streetcar, the Denny Substation Program, and the SR 520 Montlake Project.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” – from Il Gattopardo, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
1. The Invention of Nature: Alexander Von Humboldt’s New World, Andrea Wulf
2. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
3. Stay Tuned with Preet (WNYC podcast)
If I weren’t so good at my job, I’d probably be…
An itinerant portrait photographer
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Talk less, listen more.
Bob Derry
ASSOCIATE
Colleen Toomey, Associate
Get to Know Colleen:
Colleen’s childhood ambition was to win the National Geography Bee. Although she fell short of that dream, her ability to remember hilariously specific trivia helps to inform her outreach work and knowledge about our greater community. A graduate of Western Washington University’s journalism program and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, she has 10 years of experience in executive communications and campaign planning for agencies, public institutions, and economic development organizations throughout Washington state.
At S&A, Colleen develops open houses, online open houses, and community surveys, as well as multilingual and multicultural outreach materials. Her dedication to succinct storytelling, demographic research, and data analysis creates meaningful public engagement opportunities and gives decision-makers the right information to achieve community buy-in. She is passionate about sustainable and beautiful urban design, multimodal travel, and using active voice in all writing endeavors.
Q & A:
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
It’s the unseen work that often makes the biggest difference.
What is your favorite quote?
“The only time I set the bar low is for limbo.” – Michael Scott
If I weren’t so good at my job, I’d probably be…
A foreign correspondent
My least favorite word in the English language is …
Literally
Colleen Toomey
ASSOCIATE
Darcy Edmunds, Associate
Get to Know Darcy:
In architecture school, Darcy quickly learned that it doesn’t matter how great an idea is if you can’t effectively communicate it to others. That insight led her to pursue communications and outreach work, first with nonprofits and later as a public involvement consultant for agencies throughout the Pacific Northwest. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darcy also holds certificates from the International Association of Public Participation and has been planning and implementing community engagement and communications programs for over 10 years.
At S&A, Darcy is a skilled and enthusiastic project manager, keeping projects running smoothly and clients and team members happy. She has a passion for infrastructure, handles tough community conversations with ease, and approaches every fire with a sense of calm and focused action. No matter the project, she prioritizes building trust with communities through transparency, authentic relationship-building, and meaningful opportunities to make a difference.
Q & A:
What’s your favorite quote?
“Connection, not perfection.”
What are the values that drive you?
Curiosity, integrity, grit, humor
My least favorite word in the English language is:
Should
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager
Darcy Edmunds
ASSOCIATE
David Gitlin, Senior Associate
Get to Know David:
David’s a Northeasterner at heart, hailing from Upstate New York, where he dreamed of playing point guard for the New York Knicks but happily settled for a degree in journalism from Ithaca College. But when he came to the Pacific Northwest for a master’s from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, he stayed to help grow and build his adopted community.
At S&A, David uses his 15+ years of experience as a strategic, relationship-driven community engagement and communications manager to support a variety of projects in transportation, energy, and other sectors. David’s passion is creating a relational team dynamic to bring out and elevate the skills of all team members while championing intentional, equitable, and authentic communication and engagement strategies. He’s also an excellent writer and editor, making him an invaluable member of our internal quality control team.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Hope reminds us great things are possible,
Accountability ensures we know how to get there,
Patience reminds us the journey is as important as the destination.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?Spider-Man. All those superpowers, yet he still keeps a day job.
If you could write the job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Guy Who Helps Make Things Happen
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Go slow to go fast! Community members deserve space and time to consider changes to their neighborhoods, and when we work together, we achieve more.
David Gitlin
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Deanna Ferguson, Administrative Coordinator
Get to Know Deanna:
Originally from Toppenish, Washington, Deanna has travelled all over the U.S. A graduate from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Deanna is the ultimate multi-tasker – whether that’s recruiting for one of the Northwest’s largest employers or managing the daily operations of a major technology firm.
As S&A’s Administrative Coordinator, Deanna helps ensure our team has everything we need to do our best work. She supports hiring and onboarding, benefit and finance administration, events and volunteer efforts, and coordinates our IT and equipment needs.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Family, integrity, loyalty, fun, interpersonal connections.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Wonder Woman
If I weren’t so darn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Social Activist
Deanna Ferguson
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Derek Pierce, Associate
Get to Know Derek:
Derek is goal-oriented—not surprising for a former sports reporter! Originally from Seattle, Derek is a graduate of Washington State University, where he studied both broadcast journalism and business administration. Between his career in sports journalism and his time at S&A, Derek also worked in communications for a local school district.
At S&A, Derek supports projects by developing materials, managing correspondence, conducting door-to-door outreach, conducting research, and coordinating events. He also uses his background in visual communications to photo-document progress on our many projects around the region.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Hard work, ethics, goal orientation.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Ron Swanson
What’s your favorite quote?
“Failing doesn’t give you a reason to give up as long as you believe.” – Naruto Uzumaki
What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars?
Be able to be adaptive.
Derek Pierce
ASSOCIATE
Frana Milan, Senior Associate
Get to Know Frana:
Frana is a natural-born policy wonk who also happens to be an accidental polyglot and project manager. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Frana has made western Washington her home for more than two decades. An eternal learner, she has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and French from The Ohio State University, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Washington. Frana managed communications, engagement, partnerships, and grantwriting at King County Parks for more than 14 years, and worked in community organizing and fund development at environmental non-profit organizations prior to that.
As a Senior Associate at S&A, Frana designs and implements comprehensive communications and equitable engagement programs for parks, land use, environmental, climate change, and other infrastructure projects to help ensure our public spaces are welcoming, accessible and resilient. A skilled communicator and facilitator, Frana expertly navigates complex situations involving government, private sector, and community stakeholders to build coalitions and bring people together for the common good.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“If you’ve come here to help me, you’re wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” Lilia Watson, Indigenous Australian, UN Decade of Women Conference, 1985
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Writing the New York Times Spelling Bee.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Everyone has something valuable to contribute; it’s your job to unlock and open the door to welcome in their participation.
Frana Milan
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Harrison Price, Associate
Get to Know Harrison:
At age 10, Harrison won the top prize for the 10-and-under category at the International Accordion Championships in Leavenworth, WA. Ever since, he has prided himself on tackling big challenges, whether that’s climbing a mountain, biking up the steepest hill he can find, or taking on a 4-page recipe that means being in the kitchen all day. Born and raised on Whidbey Island and with a degree in environmental studies from Santa Clara University, Harrison enjoys bringing his can-do attitude to support projects that benefit the community he calls home.
At S&A, Harrison manages teams and projects ranging from neighborhood multimodal transportation to major multi-year construction efforts. Harrison fosters collaborative partnerships with teams, developing and implementing engagement opportunities that connect people to projects in meaningful ways.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Understanding leads to better decisions
Appreciation brings out the best in people
Positivity is a constant choice
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Salt Fat Acid Heat, Samin Nosrat
- How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell
- Still Processing, with Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham
If I weren’t so darn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Learning everything there is to know about food and cooking.
My least favorite word in the English language is:
Pinch, as in pinch of salt. No one knows how much that is.
Harrison Price
ASSOCIATE
Kiki Bell, Marketing & Proposal Coordinator
Get to Know Kiki:
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kiki has a passion for history and loves working with people from all walks of life – whether it’s from her days as a massage therapist or as a volunteer historical interpreter. Her calm-under-pressure demeanor, ingenuity, and foraging skills surely make her someone we’d want with us if stranded on an island.
At S&A, Kiki brings her background in marketing and communications to ensure our marketing and proposal efforts are in alignment with company and client goals. Her insightful approach to problem-solving, coupled with her organizational and graphic design skills, allows her to handle the many facets of S&A’s marketing efforts with grace.
Q & A:
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Sabriel, Garth Nix
- A Deadly Education, Naomi Novak
- Welcome to Night Vale (Podcast)
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
A full-time historical interpreter.
What are the values that drive you?
Curiosity, Excitement, Passion, Empathy, and Wonder
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
One of the witches in Macbeth! I love the idea of hanging out with my friends on dark and stormy nights, saying cryptic and foreboding prophecies to passing people just to cause drama.
Kiki Bell
MARKETING & PROPOSAL COORDINATOR
Kristin Anderson, Senior Associate
Get to Know Kristin:
Kristin’s public involvement expertise is vast, as is her appreciation for the great outdoors! Kristin’s deep knowledge of the parks and trails of the Northwest is matched only by her expertise in public involvement. This avid hiker and skier also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Norbert College and a master’s in recreational resources management from the University of Montana.
At S&A, Kristin has supported federal, state, and local clients to engage people in decisions about public services and projects throughout the Puget Sound region. As a senior project manager, she has led outreach efforts for many regional transportation, mass transit, land use, public utilities, and community development projects. With her 15-plus years of project management experience, Kristin has developed engagement strategies that keep groups focused and projects moving forward. Inspired by collaborative efforts that improve our communities, she is also an accomplished facilitator who helps participants identify common goals, build respectful working relationships, and reach consensus.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Live well, learn plenty, laugh often, love much.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
If I weren’t so good at my job, I’d probably be …
Hiking in the mountains
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
List-Maker and Detail-Tracker
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Be open and flexible. People care strongly, and that’s a good thing.
Kristin Anderson
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Lynn Pasley, Senior Graphic Designer
Get to Know Lynn:
By way of Kansas, Indiana, Maryland, and upstate New York, Lynn landed in Seattle in 1989 and made it her home. She has been with S&A since fall 2016 and brings 40 years of design and production experience at creative studios, print shops, and corporate in-house creative departments. Her portfolio reflects in-depth experience producing print and web projects for clients ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 100 companies.
Lynn has excellent design sensibilities and a discriminating eye for detail and typographic excellence. As the S&A senior graphic designer, Lynn is well-versed in the needs of community outreach for infrastructure projects, and creates attractive and easily understood infographics, websites, online open houses, mailers, posters, brochures, fact sheets, display boards, presentations, and maps.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“So whatever you want to do, just do it … Making a damn fool of yourself is absolutely essential.” – Gloria Steinem
What are the values that drive you?
Honesty, and attempting to live the change I want to see in the world.
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- To Be of Use, Marge Piercy
- The Museum of Extraordinary Things, Alice Hoffman
- A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Another quote from Ms. Steinem: ”Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.”
Lynn Pasley
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Maddie McCort, Associate
Get to Know Maddie:
If there’s one thing Maddie loves more than backpacking, beer and coffee – it’s her plants. Originally from Boulder, Colorado the Pacific Northwest was a natural fit for her to study Community, Environment and Planning at the University of Washington. Her love of the outdoors and water translates into a passion for green stormwater infrastructure.
At S&A, Maddie supports equitable engagement through direct communication with community members, manages project correspondence, drafts engagement materials and reports on public feedback.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Enjoyment appears at the boundary between boredom and anxiety, when the challenges are just balanced with the person’s capacity to act.” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
What are the values that drive you?
Creativity, honesty, compassion and connection.
Unbeknownst
Maddie McCort
ASSOCIATE
Natalie Graves, Senior Associate
Get to Know Natalie:
Natalie and her husband first met on the RapidRide C line and bonded over their mutual interest in environmental studies—in fact, Natalie holds an undergraduate degree in environmental studies and a graduate degree in marine affairs from the University of Washington. Now, their dinner hours are filled with talk of wastewater, environmental policies, transportation, and cool nature facts.
As one of S&A’s longest-serving team members, Natalie has more than 10 years of experience in community outreach and stakeholder engagement on local and regional projects. She excels at translating highly technical information into approachable and easy-to-understand content for the public. Always thinking ahead, Natalie has strong planning skills and attention to detail that have led to a multitude of successful community events, open houses, and stakeholder briefings. With a work background that spans multiple sectors, Natalie values the individual interactions with community members that our work requires.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
What are the values that drive you?
Empathy, compassion, and family
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
- My Year with Eleanor, Noelle Hancock
- The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
It’s all about your relationships. Be authentic and genuine.
Natalie Graves
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Nia Liggings, Associate
Get to Know Nia:
Nia wants to save the planet! Hailing from sunny Los Angeles, Nia studied sustainable engineering at Seattle Pacific University. Naturally inquisitive and never bored, Nia seeks out new experiences and ideas. Her background in activism makes her an active, empathetic listener who easily develops connections within communities.
At S&A, Nia has a passion for equity and inclusion and helping ensure all voices are heard. She develops a range of communication and engagement materials, supports stakeholder meetings and events, and supports social media implementation.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Understanding, equity, accessibility, peace, and environmental justice.
What are the values that drive you?
Authenticity, creativity, equity, and shared purpose
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- No Name in the Street, James Baldwin
- How to Build a Happy Life, The Atlantic (podcast)
- The Homecoming Podcast, Dr. Thema (podcast)
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Meme Page Admin
Domino from Deadpool 2
Nia Liggins
ASSOCIATE
Nicole Phaysith, Associate
Get to Know Nicole:
In fourth grade, Nicole was awarded the superlative “most thorough,” while fellow classmates received decidedly more fun awards. Yet today, Nicole’s thoughtful ability to look at problems from many different angles is her superpower. Nicole grew up in Seattle and holds a bachelor’s in communications from Washington State University, and she honed her communication skills at nonprofits working to end youth homelessness.
At S&A, Nicole is a highly collaborative teammate who brings out the best in everyone. She develops materials and coordinates events that educate, inspire, and bring people together around projects affecting their communities, with a particular focus on the most marginalized. She also supports direct communication with community members, coordinates translation and interpretation, develops compelling content, and manages social media campaigns.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
What are the values that drive you?
Authenticity, creativity, equity, and shared purpose
My least favorite word in the English language is:
Worcestershire sauce. I struggle every time I have to say it.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Help people see the “big picture” of what we’re trying to do while honoring people’s individual stories and experience.
Nicole Phaysith
ASSOCIATE
Rebecca Gehring, Associate
Get to Know Rebecca:
Rebecca loves spending time in the kitchen making cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls. She says that the organizational, planning, and process-based approach she takes to baking is also what she loves about working as a professional communicator.
After graduating with her bachelor’s from Marietta College and a stint in the Peace Corps in Morocco, Rebecca went back to school for a master’s in public health. As a public health professional for ten years in New Mexico, Ohio, and Washington, DC, she realized that her real passion was clear, accessible language that can reach communities where they are.
At S&A, Rebecca brings her compassion, plain language writing, community education, and program management skills to our projects. She conducts background research, plans successful outreach, and writes engaging and equitable materials.
Q & A:
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Hot Time in the Old Town – The Great Heat Wave of 1896 and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt, Edward P. Kohn
- BackStory, a podcast from Virginia Humanities
- Cabinet of Curiosities, a podcast by Grim & Mild
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Traveling and making my dog an Instagram influencer
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Sookie St. James from Gilmore Girls
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone about conducting public engagement?
Invest in relationship building before you may need to work with a group of people or community. Take the time to listen, follow up, and set clear roles and expectations.
Rebecca Gehring
ASSOCIATE
Roslyn Hower, Associate
Get to Know Roslyn:
Roslyn says her favorite thing about our work is that enables us to build connections with community members. A former sociology major, she’s focused on the relationships we build between projects and people! With a bachelor’s degree from Scripps College and a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington, Roslyn combines her academic background, people skills, and experience working in the nonprofit and public sectors to bring a unique perspective to each project.
At S&A, Roslyn develops materials and surveys, coordinates events, and reports on community feedback. She also supports direct communication with community members and manages social media campaigns.
Q & A:
What’s your favorite quote?
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anais Nin
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- Hunger, Roxanne Gay
- Circe, Madeline Miller
- Code Switch, NPR (podcast)
If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be…
A pastry chef
My least favorite word in the English language is:
Utilize—just say ‘use’!
Roslyn Hower
ASSOCIATE
Shelley Morgan, Associate
Get to Know Shelley:
A third-generation Seattleite, Shelley knows the city well. Name any park in the city or ask her how a neighborhood has changed, and she’ll run through a brief oral history. Before she joined S&A, Shelley got her bachelor’s in sociology from Western Washington University, which led to a career working for nonprofits on child welfare issues.
At S&A, she keeps everyone on track and keeps things running smoothly. A logistical wizard, she supports a range of projects with her event-planning, public outreach, and coordination skills. She also manages our staff volunteer programs, partnering with nonprofits such as Plymouth Housing and Food Lifeline. Thanks to Shelley’s efforts, S&A is on track to prepare and/or serve thousands of meals to low-income folks in our community by the end of 2020.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“I intend to live forever. So far, so good.” – Steven Wright
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Cruise Director
If I weren’t so good at my job, I’d probably be …
A personal chef
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Thelma
Shelley Morgan
ASSOCIATE
Tyler Cohen, Associate
Get to Know Tyler:
Tyler has a knack for finding unique ways to connect with people on complex topics – whether that’s tutoring students in math and chemistry or teaching English abroad in Italy and Spain. A graduate of Western Washington University’s Environmental Science program, Tyler has a passion for working with people and engaging communities on projects that impact our community and environment.
A skilled writer and communicator, at S&A Tyler supports the planning and implementation of equitable engagement on a range of transportation and infrastructure projects. She develops compelling communications and engagement materials, supports stakeholder meetings and brings a depth of experience using digital engagement tools.
Q & A:
What is your favorite quote?
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – Kurt Cobain
If I weren’t so darn good at my job, I’d probably be…
Writing my own memoir in comic book format.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Lisa Simpson, due to our shared interest in “music, science, justice, animals, shapes, (and) feelings”.
Tyler Cohen
ASSOCIATE
Yasmeen Elkordy, Associate
Get to Know Yasmeen:
If there’s one thing to know about Yasmeen, it’s that she loves to go deep—she’s a certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver with over 70 dives under her belt! Hailing from the greater Seattle area, she holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington with a major in Communications (and another in Medical Anthropology & Global Health). While in college, she put her communication and planning skills to good use on a trip to visit family in Egypt: recognizing that local residents lacked easy access to fresh produce, she developed and successfully implemented a plan for a centrally located farmers market.
At S&A, Yasmeen helps keep things running smoothly with her knack for organization and attention to detail. Committed to a holistic and inclusive approach to community engagement, she supports projects by managing correspondence; conducting door-to-door outreach; planning, staffing and reporting on events; developing materials; and ensuring that her teams are on track and having fun.
Q & A:
What are the values that drive you?
Equity and social justice, creativity, hard work, passion, and doing everything with love.
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
- The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
- The Four Agreements, Noelle Hancock
- Crime Junkie (podcast)
If I weren’t so darn good at my job, I’d probably be…
A horseback rider!
What’s your favorite quote?
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
Yasmeen Elkordy
ASSOCIATE