Board, Executive Staff and Volunteer Committees
Our board and staff are made up of individuals committed to helping families in our community. They exemplify leadership and dedication with the many hours they spend as advocates and ambassadors for Family Services. They make us proud.
Board of Directors
Chair: Brian Buckley, DLA Piper
Brian Buckley has served on the Family Services Board of Directors since January 2002 in a variety of leadership capacities. Brian is serving a two-year term as Board Chair to see Family Services through its Capital Campaign. Brian is passionate about the work Family Services does, especially changing the future for at-risk children. He values Family Services' comprehensive approach because he knows "you have to look at everything that's going on" in order to understand and help a child.
- Chair-Elect: Mimi Lee Menenberg, Corporate Attorney/Community Volunteer
- Ex Officio: Ruthann Howell, CEO/President, Family Services
- Immediate Past Chair: Geoff Melrose, Duff & Phelps LLC
- Secretary: Richard Wagner, Baylis Architects
- Treasurer: George Reynolds, Columbia Bank
- Chris Aggerholm, Grousemont Associates
- Larry Almeleh, Washington Partners, Inc.
- Vere Bryan, Community Volunteer
- Jessica Cantlin, Attorney at Law
- Pamela Cone, Milliman
- Tracy Hamblin, Mercer Health & Benefits
- Brad McKeown, Lynden Incorporated
- Julie Newell, Community Involved Citizen
- Jill Mackie, The Seattle Times
- Holly Moore, Workforce & Education Policy Consultant
- Kevin Osborne, Waldron & Company
- Jeremy Raaen, The Boeing Company
- Scott Shapiro, Eagle Rock Ventures LLC
- Nancy Shimizu, Marketing Consultant
- Russell Young, The Boeing Company
- Jeff Christianson, F5 Networks
- Kevin Fisher, Intercare Insurance
- Lynnette Richmann, KPMG
- Michelle Brown, Laird Norton Tyee
- William Weigand, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Executive Team
Ruthann Howell, CEO/President
Ruthann became CEO of Family Services in 1990, bringing a wealth of experience in managing human service agencies. As CEO/President she manages 120+ staff and 200+ volunteers at Family Services locations throughout King County. Before coming to Family Services, Ruthann was the director of the Salvation Army's Catherine Booth House and director of Salvation Army social services. She also has direct service experience working with battered women and their children.
Ruthann was a co-chair of the Coalition for the Homeless, a member of the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness and a United Way Campaign Cabinet Member. She is a founding board member of the Executive Alliance of local non-profit organization leaders. Ruthann holds a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.
Lauren Thomas, Chief Operating Officer
Lauren joined the Family Services administrative team in April 2002. She has 20 years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit accounting and management. At Family Services she manages human resources, finance, facilities and information technology staff as well as the agency's entrepreneurial enterprises. Before coming to Family Services, Lauren was an independent financial and human resources consultant with a wide range of non-profit clients. She was Managing Director of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. Lauren is a Certified Public Accountant and a Professional in Human Resources with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Montana.
Lillian Hochstein, Vice President of Development and Communications
Lillian came to Family Services in April 2006 and manages fund-raising, friend-raising, events, community relations and other public-awareness activities. Lillian is responsible for the capital campaign which will create the new Rotary Support Center for Families, enhance our programs and services, and establish an endowment fund. Lillian came to Family Services after being Development and Marketing Director at FareStart, where she led a successful $8 million capital campaign. In addition, she has worked in development and communications at The Market Foundation, Food Lifeline, and a variety of volunteer leadership positions. Lillian holds a Master's in Public Administration degree (with a focus on non-profit leadership) from Seattle University.
Sandy Lowe, Vice President, Community Services
Sandy has been with Family Services since August 1990 and in her present position since 1992. She has worked in human services for 25 years. At Family Services, Sandy oversees the domestic violence intervention services; homeless children's services (including specialized homeless childcare); and family stabilization services for homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. She has been instrumental in implementing the "housing first" program model for ending family homelessness. Sandy currently serves on the United Way of King County's Impact Council on Older Adults. Sandy holds a Master's degree in Human Development from the School of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago.
R. Keith Myers, Vice President, Clinical and Training Services
Keith has been with Family Services since April 1986. As VP of Clinical and Training Services he is responsible for approximately 65 staff in four branches offering a full range of individual, couples and family counseling services. He has been central in developing the agency's new focus on infant mental health.
Keith has taught extensively on the subject of adolescent treatment and suicide and is an affiliate instructor for the UW School of Social Work. He is a leader in local, state and national professional societies in clinical social work. Keith is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.
Capital Campaign Team
Building Committee
- Chair: Larry Almeleh, Washington Partners
- Chris Aggerholm, Grousemont Associates
- Aaron Alhadeff, Elltaes Enterprises
- Jan Dalrymple, Dalrymple & Associates
- Jan Gleason, Environmental Works
- Emily Hine, The Collins Group
- Doug Powell, GGLO
- Steve Schwartz, Pacific Real Estate Partners
- Scott Shapiro, Eagle Rock Ventures LLC
- Aggie Sweeney, The Collins Group
- Rich Wagner, Baylis Architects
- George Reynolds, Columbia Bank
- Tom Bordner, Community Volunteer
Building and Capital Campaign Partners
- Architects: Lesley Bain & Rumi Takahashi, Weinstein AU
- Fundraising Counsel: The Collins Group
- General Contractor: Ferguson Construction
- Legal Counsel: Davis Wright Tremaine
- Project Manager: Russ Woodruff, Olympic Associates
Luncheon Team
- Chair: Jessica Cantlin
- Special Events Manager: Vickielee Wohlbach, Family Services
- Sponsorship Lead: Tracy McPhee
- Michelle Brown
- Marie Gill
- Kathy Lower
- Holly Moore
- Julie Newell
- Rena Nofsinger
- Rhonda Watson
