Allison Wherry | Interim Executive Director

With over 25 years as a leader in the non-profit, human service and educational fields, Allison Wherry believes all people should have the right to be whomever they want to be without biased obstacles placed in their way regardless of where they live, who they are and/or what they look like. She is committed to improving the well-being of young people, families and communities by ensuring resources are available and by championing efforts that advance equity and social justice in policies and systems. Ms. Wherry previously was an Executive Director for a non-profit in the Federal Way - Highline communities, partnering with two school districts and supporting students needing additional academic assistance. Prior to this opportunity, she taught high school math in the Oakland Unified School District. Preceding her work with the school district she was an Executive Director for ten years with YMCA of Greater Seattle, Senior Program Officer with Urban Libraries Council/King County Library System for a combined five years of service, a Planner with Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council and started her career as an educator within in the Highline School District. Ms. Wherry obtained her degree at the University of Washington, is a proud member of the Divine Nine as a Zeta Phi Beta, and Vice-Chair of an independent girls school in Seattle called The Hatch School.

Anne Powell Arias | Director of Programs & Partnerships

Anne Powell Arias (she/her) has roots deeply embedded in youth development, starting as a volunteer at the YWCA Family Village in 1997. For more than a decade, she built and managed programs and teams for organizations including the YMCA of Greater Seattle and Good Shepherd Services in New York City. She is passionate about working with youth of all ages from a strengths-based perspective, creating innovative school-community partnerships and programs, and developing anti-racist leadership within the field of youth development and education. She served as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs with the Coro New York Leadership Center and is a proud graduate of Occidental College.

Doria Nelson | Operations and Database Coordinator

Doria Nelson (she/her) graduated from University of Washington with a Bachelor’s in International Studies in 2019. She previously worked in fundraising and marketing at a youth development non-profit in the Seattle area. She believes strongly in increasing access to the outdoors for all children and families. She believes that outdoor education should be available to everyone so that all families can confidently explore the beautiful nature of the Pacific Northwest and benefit from the social-emotional learning that comes with being outside. Doria is a Seattle Public Schools graduate.