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 Wellspring Family Services. They make us proud.
Board of Directors
Chair: Richard Wagner, Baylis Architects
Rich Wagner is managing principal of Baylis Architects, a mid-size, full service, planning and architectural design firm with offices in both Bellevue and Seattle. He has been with the firm for more than 30 years, helping groom it into one of the most prestigious design practices in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009 he was named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.
Rich has served on the board of Wellspring Family Services since September 2005. He has served on the Site Selection and Building Committees, bringing his architectural expertise to our capital campaign project. He was elected Board Secretary for 2007-08 and Board Chair-Elect for 2008-09. He began his term as Board Chair in April 2009.
Rich and his wife Andee Jorgensen live in Renton, WA.
- Chair-Elect: Pamela Cone, Milliman
- Ex Officio: Ruthann Howell, CEO/President, Wellspring Family Services
- Past Board Chair: Mimi Lee Menenberg, Corporate Attorney/Community Involved Citizen
- Secretary: Kevin Osborne, Waldron & Company
- Treasurer: Brad McKeown, Lynden Incorporated
- Chris Aggerholm, Grousemont Associates
- Brian Buckley, Fenwick& West LLP
- Jessica Cantlin, Attorney at Law
- Jeff Christianson, F5 Networks
- Jeff Cordick, Microsoft/aQuantive Inc.
- Kevin Fisher, Intercare Insurance Services
- Jill Mackie, The Seattle Times
- Tracy McPhee, Community Involved Citizen
- Geoffrey Melrose, Duff & Phelps LLC
- Mark Metcalf, Perkins Coie LLP
- Anne Nielsen, Community Involved Citizen
- George Reynolds, Columbia Bank
- Lynnette Richmann, Community Involved Citizen
- Christian Schiller, Cascadia Capital
- Scott Shapiro, Eagle Rock Ventures LLC
- William Weigand, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Russell Young, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Executive Team
Lauren Thomas, Chief Operating Officer
Lauren joined the Wellspring Family Services administrative team in April 2002. She has 20 years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit accounting and management. At Wellspring Family Services she manages human resources, finance, facilities and information technology staff as well as the agency's entrepreneurial enterprises. Before coming to Wellspring 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 Wellspring 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 Wellspring 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.
R. Keith Myers, Vice President, Clinical and Training Services
Keith has been with Wellspring 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.
Ruthann Howell, CEO/President
Ruthann became CEO of Wellspring 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 Wellspring Family Services locations throughout King County. Before coming to Wellspring 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.
Sandy Lowe, Vice President, Community Services
Sandy has been with Wellspring Family Services since August 1990 and in her present position since 1992. She has worked in human services for 25 years. At Wellspring 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.
Capital Campaign Team
Building Committee
- Chair: Larry Almeleh, Washington Partners
- Aaron Alhadeff, Elltaes Enterprises
- Aggie Sweeney, The Collins Group
- Chris Aggerholm, Grousemont Associates
- Doug Powell, GGLO
- Emily Hine, The Collins Group
- George Reynolds, Columbia Bank
- Jan Dalrymple, Dalrymple & Associates
- Jan Gleason, Environmental Works
- Rich Wagner, Baylis Architects
- Scott Shapiro, Eagle Rock Ventures LLC
- Steve Schwartz, Pacific Real Estate Partners
- 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
