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Meet the Board

Executive Co-Chairs

board co-chair Ashley Ford

Ashley Ford

Ashley Ford (she/they) is a fundraising professional currently working as an Engagement Officer at United Way of King County. Originally from NC, where they received their Bachelors of Science in Public Health from NC State University (Go Pack!), Ashley moved to Seattle in July 2019 and has been living in the Lake City neighborhood with their partner and two cats, Prim & Rue, ever since. Ashley has been a musician for over 15 years and has a passion for serving the arts community, serving three years in national office for Mu Beta Psi, National Honorary Musical Fraternity and currently volunteering for the organization as the Philanthropy Chair of their Alumni Association. They are in their third year of board service to YNPN Seattle, previously serving in the National Liaison role. In their free time, you can find Ashley on a local hiking trail or trying to find the best lavender latte in town. They enjoy connecting over coffee and meeting new people that love to go on new adventures!

Mikala Lain

Mikala is the Assistant Director & Director of DEI for Alexander Hamilton Scholars, a national nonprofit that supports high-achieving, underserved youth during the transition from high school to college and college to beyond. She recently earned a Master’s of Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. When she isn’t reading research articles or attempting to not kill her house plants, you can typically find her somewhere outside. She loves hiking, kayaking, and all things nature. Mikala firmly believes that if she doesn’t end up living in a tent in the woods someday, she will continue turning her passion into profession via the nonprofit sector.

Communications and Marketing

Marketing and Communication Co-Chair Katie

Katie Adams

Katie (she/her) is currently the Content & PR Manager at Treehouse, which supports youth in foster care across Washington state. She has been in marketing and communications for 15+ years, first starting with music photojournalism in the Seattle music scene. She has an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Visual Communications and Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management. Outside of work and volunteering, Katie is a proud plant mom, always trying new recipes and purposely getting lost in the mountains.

Karen Andrew

Karen (she/her) is a California girl who has called Seattle “home” for almost 20 years. Karen is a nonprofit leader, small business owner, and fundraising consultant in Seattle who graduated in 2022 with a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University.  In her free time Karen hangs out with family, friends, and her sweet pitty, Hugpaws. She loves to road trip all over the West Coast and PNW but her favorite place to be is home with a good book and cup of tea.

Operations

Membership Co-Chair Elias

Elias Olson

Elias (they/them/theirs) is a nonprofit and advocacy communications problem-solver who loves building trustworthy brands. They are currently serving as the Communications & Data Manager at Alexander Hamilton Scholars, empowering under-served youth through college access. With experience in communications, political organizing, and marketing, as well as a degree in Public Relations and Journalism from Western Washington University, Elias thrives when transforming vision into action. Their mission is to build authentic bridges of respect and trust, helping others feel seen and heard. Outside of work and volunteering as Membership – Stewardship Co-Chair at YNPN Seattle, Elias loves playing video games, reading up on their hometown newspaper The Washington Post, and spending time with their German Shepard Pete (or Peter when he’s in trouble)!