The Franklin Pierce Team Work with us
In lieu of traditional bios, our staff would like to tell you about their two favorite nonprofits.
Nouriath Elliott
Director of Accounting
Nouriath's favorite non-profits are two charitable organizations that focus on alleviating poverty and suffering. She supports Children's Hunger Fund, a Christian non-profit that works alongside local churches both in the United States and globally. This organization aims to address the needs of impoverished communities by providing resources and support.
Additionally, Nouriath likes Operation Blessing, a nonprofit humanitarian organization committed to reducing human suffering. For over 40 years, Operation Blessing has been active in providing hunger relief, medical care, clean water, and disaster relief to millions of people in the U.S. and across the world, demonstrating God's love through their actions.
Hannah Victoria Franklin Pierce
Principal
Hannah recently served as the Treasurer and Interim Board Chair of Intiman Theatre, an arts organization she has a long and storied history with as an artist and collaborator. Intiman Theatre uses the power of story and education to activate dialogue, confront inequity and build collective joy.
She also served on the board of Red Eagle Soaring for 11 years and was the Chair for the last three. RES exists to empower American Indian and Alaska Native youth to express themselves with confidence and clarity through traditional and contemporary performing art
Doug McKenzie
Consulting CFO
Doug McKenzie was involved significantly with two major non-profit organizations. His involvement with Habitat for Humanity has been particularly noteworthy. While working with Habitat for Humanity, Doug dedicated his efforts to assisting homeowners in underserved communities by engaging in cleaning, home repairs, and yard work, and enhancing the overall beauty and upkeep of these areas.
Additionally, he has been actively involved with Meals on Wheels, where his role has been pivotal in delivering food to senior citizens. Beyond just food delivery, Doug has also provided essential transportation services for seniors, helping them attend doctor's appointments, visit grocery stores, and participate in various activities, thereby greatly enhancing their quality of life.
Janét Patrice Jones
API & Development Director
Janét holds a deep connection with two non-profit organizations, Kisses for Kyle and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, both of which have had personal impacts on her life. Her dedication to Kisses for Kyle stems from the organization's support during her nephew's battle with leukemia. The organization is known for its comprehensive approach, not only addressing the medical needs associated with childhood cancer but also providing emotional and financial support to the families. They offer a range of services, including financial aid, thoughtful gifts, and special experiences, all aimed at bringing joy and relief to children with cancer and their families. This holistic approach to care significantly eases the stress and challenges faced by these families during such trying times.
Additionally, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is particularly significant to Janét due to her mother's daily struggles with multiple sclerosis (MS). The organization is committed to combating MS through various means, including funding research, advocating for policy change, supporting professional education, and providing essential services and programs. This support extends not just to individuals with MS but also to their families, helping them to progress in their lives despite the challenges posed by the disease. The society's dual focus on advancing scientific understanding and offering practical assistance makes it a vital and hopeful resource for the MS community.
Kat Franco
Tax Lead
Kat is actively engaged with two organizations that support and empower specific groups within the community: Girls on the Run and Hope Place, an extension of The Union Gospel Mission. Her involvement with Girls on the Run reflects her commitment to promoting physical activity and personal growth among preteen girls. This organization is notable for its training sessions that culminate in a 5k run. Kat has taken an active role as a mentor, personally training and running with a grade school girl during the event, showcasing her dedication to fostering a positive and empowering environment for young girls.
In addition to her work with Girls on the Run, Kat also volunteers at Hope Place, which is focused on assisting women and children with histories of abuse and addiction. Her contributions at Hope Place include cooking and serving meals to both residents and staff. This volunteer work highlights Kat's compassion and commitment to supporting those in recovery and providing them with essential care and support in their journey towards healing and rebuilding their lives.
Karlo Briones
Chief Accounting Officer
Karlo actively supports two organizations dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities: Tahanang Walang Hagdanan and Gawad Kalinga. His commitment to Tahanang Walang Hagdanan stems from their mission to assist people with disabilities. This organization offers a range of support, including educational assistance, mobility aid assistance, and livelihood programs. These programs cover various skills such as woodwork, needlecrafts, and the creation of mobility aids, all aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Karlo is also dedicated to the mission of Gawad Kalinga. This organization focuses on building communities for individuals facing poverty and homelessness. Gawad Kalinga's approach extends beyond housing; they also engage in child development and wellness programs, aiming to uplift entire communities and provide a more holistic form of support to those in need. Karlo's support of these organizations reflects his commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those facing significant challenges.
Chau Nguyen
Finance and Payroll Director
Chau has a diverse background in accounting, with experience at both the Chief Seattle Club and the City of Seattle's accounting department. Since entering the accounting field in 2016, Chau has specialized in accounts payable (AP) and payroll. While Chau finds it challenging to choose a favorite non-profit organization due to the multitude of incredible options, she deeply appreciates the impact these organizations have on communities. Her experiences have fostered a strong admiration for the role non-profits play in bettering society. Chau's enthusiasm for her work at FPNW stems from the opportunity it provides to connect with clients who are actively contributing to making the world a better place. This connection underscores her commitment to supporting those who strive to create positive change in the community.
I.C. Pearl Bartolo
Senior Accountant
I.C. Pearl has a profound connection with two organizations that significantly impact communities: Caritas Manila and Kidszone, a ministry of Citylight Baptist Church. Caritas Manila is deeply personal, as the organization played a crucial role in her education by granting her a scholarship during her college years. Caritas Manila's mission is to alleviate poverty by providing educational opportunities to deserving youths from impoverished backgrounds. Additionally, the organization is actively involved in disaster recovery and rehabilitation, offering vital support to communities in need. This multifaceted approach to poverty alleviation through education and community support reflects Pearl's appreciation for initiatives that offer long-term solutions to systemic issues.
Pearl's involvement with Kidszone at Citylight Baptist Church further illustrates her commitment to community service and youth development. As a former Kidszone teacher, she focused on bringing children closer to Jesus while helping them discover their potential and become more Christ-like over time. The ministry's objective is not merely to expand the children's ministry but to foster growth and development in the children themselves. Her efforts via Kidszone demonstrate a commitment to nurturing and guiding young lives towards positive paths and self-discovery.
Rizzalene Angeles
Senior Accountant
Rizzalene's favorite non-profit organizations are both based in the Philippines: Kababaihan Gabay ng Bayan (KAGABAY) and Likhaan. Kababaihan Gabay ng Bayan, a non-governmental, non-profit social development organization, underscores her commitment to empowering women in urban poor and resettlement communities. KAGABAY focuses on poverty reduction through the social, political, and economic empowerment of women. With the motto “Kababaihan Para Sa Kababaihan” (Women for Women), the organization aligns with the country’s Millennium Development Goals, aiming to enable women to address various dimensions of poverty within their communities. This initiative reflects Rizzalene's dedication to supporting initiatives that uplift and empower women to be active agents in their own development and in the betterment of their communities.
Rizzalene is also supports Likhaan, a non-government organization dedicated to providing direct health care services to women in marginalized communities. Likhaan, which means "A Place for the Honing or Development of Women," primarily focuses on reproductive health and rights. This organization's work includes clinical services, education, and advocacy, aiming to improve women's health outcomes and rights. Likhaan's approach of combining direct health care services with grassroots organizing and advocacy in health care reflects a comprehensive strategy to empower women in their health and social well-being.
Giemelle Gavina
Senior Accountant
Giemelle supports two vital organizations in the Philippines, Home For Girls and Kanlungan ni Maria Home For The Aged, each addressing critical needs within vulnerable populations. Home For Girls highlights her commitment to protecting and supporting children in dire situations. This temporary shelter offers a safe haven for children at risk of sexual and physical abuse, as well as forced prostitution. The shelter not only provides basic needs but also extends comprehensive rehabilitation services, including educational, health, psychological, and psychiatric support. This multifaceted approach ensures a nurturing environment for the rehabilitation and protection of these children, addressing their complex needs in a caring and supportive manner.
Additionally, Giemelle is very supportive of Kanlungan ni Maria Home For The Aged, an organization dedicated to caring for the elderly who are poor, abandoned, neglected, or sick. This home does more than just provide shelter and meet basic needs; it fosters a sense of community and belonging. The elderly residents receive love, attention, affection, and support, encompassing all aspects of their lives. This holistic approach to elder care ensures that the residents not only have their physical needs met but also experience emotional and social support, greatly enhancing their quality of life in their later years. Giemelle's involvement with these organizations reflects her deep commitment to supporting and uplifting the most vulnerable members of society.
Pamela Gallardo
Senior Accountant
Pamela feels most aligned with a unique and impactful initiative: the MCGI Free Store by the Members Church of God International. The MCGI Free Store operates on a simple yet profound concept – a store where everything is available at no cost. The shelves of these stores are typically filled with essential grocery items such as rice, bread, canned goods, snacks, coffee, milk packets, condiments, instant noodles, and toiletries, including soap. Additionally, most branches offer an array of items like new or used clothes, footwear, bags, and toys. In certain locations, fresh fruits, vegetables, and raw meat are also available to those in need. As of April 2021, MCGI Free Stores globally have distributed around 1.4 million items, demonstrating the extensive reach and significant impact of this initiative. Pamela is most impressed by the MCGI Free Store's dedication to initiatives that directly contribute to alleviating the challenges faced by many in accessing basic necessities, thus playing a vital role in community support and upliftment.
Jessica Heck
Grants and Development Lead
Jessica supports two organizations that are making significant strides in community development and social justice: Kulshan Community Land Trust and Community to Community (C2C). Her support of Kulshan Community Land Trust is driven by the organization's mission to assist middle-income individuals (those earning 80% of the Area Median Income and below) in purchasing quality homes affordably in Whatcom County. This initiative not only facilitates home ownership for essential community members like mail carriers, police officers, grocery clerks, social workers, teachers, and non-profit employees, but also ensures that these homes remain affordable for future buyers. This approach provides stability, equity, and community roots for families who are integral to maintaining the vitality of their community.
Jessica is also committed to the work of Community to Community (C2C), an organization that aims to redefine power structures to end settler colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy in both their external and internalized forms. At the heart of C2C's work is a commitment to eco-feminism, which is reflected in their major program areas: Participatory Democracy, Food Justice, and Movement Building. These programs are interconnected and circular, reinforcing each other and the core principles of eco-feminism. Through hands-on, community-based, and led projects, C2C strives to reclaim humanity and promote social justice. Jessica's support for these organizations highlights her dedication to initiatives that not only provide tangible assistance but also work towards systemic change in society.
Mara Hahn
Client Engagement Lead
Mara Hahn is very fond of two pioneering organizations, Brave Space Alliance and Ethos, each serving unique and vital roles in their communities. Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center on the South Side of Chicago, is a testament to her commitment to supporting diverse communities. This center is renowned for its culturally competent resources, programs, and services, specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. By focusing on creating spaces that are affirming and developed "for-us by-us," Brave Space Alliance plays a crucial role in serving and uplifting LGBTQ+ individuals in these communities.
Mara also supports Ethos, an organization founded in 1998, that makes a significant impact in music education across Oregon. Ethos is dedicated to ensuring that all youth have access to music education, irrespective of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. They offer a wide array of musical learning opportunities, including group classes, private lessons, summer camps, and outreach programs, reaching over 7,000 youth annually. Mara believes Ethos underscores her dedication to promoting arts education and ensuring it is accessible to all young people, fostering their talents and enriching their lives through music.
Rose Waterstone Organizational Development Lead
Rose (all pronouns) is an organizational consultant, facilitator & coach with over twenty years of experience in organizational creation, management, and leadership. They are the founder of the nonprofit Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), and over the course of fourteen years as its Co-Executive Director, they grew the organization from one program for forty young women into a thriving organization that serves thousands of girls, women, and gender expansive community members annually.
Y-WE is a collaborative organization that strives for justice and liberation. Their programming supports young people from all backgrounds – centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth who often experience society’s greatest inequities. Y-WE is a safe place for youth to be themselves as they learn, grow, and thrive in community. In Y-WE's work towards a more equitable world, they provide an environment for young women to find their voice, and therefore – their power.
Rosa is also invested in Kadima Reconstructionist Community and AbrazoPaz.
Kadima Reconstructionist Community is building a progressive community of inclusion, social justice, and Jewish tradition for Jews and our allies. Committed to racial, economic and gender justice, we bridge spirituality and social justice through Shabbat and holiday celebration, intergenerational learning, and solidarity work with #blacklivesmatter, immigration justice organizations, and movements to end the Israeli occupation.
AbrazoPaz is a dynamic social development for leadership and violence prevention program that encourages Mexican youth to embrace peaceful solutions in their daily interpersonal relationships. They seek to counter the attraction of street gangs and criminal activities that pose a serious risk to Mexican youth and their communities. The program achieves this objective by developing leadership skills and nonviolence mindsets in youth through carefully structured activities designed to promote resilience and empowerment.
Yalonda Latifa Allen-Sinde
Nonprofit and Grant Writing Consultant
Yalonda's two favorite non-profits are the Washington Multicultural Services Link (WMSL) and the Global African Community.
Washington Multicultural Services Link (WMSL) is a Black, refugee, woman-led organization that serves the African Diaspora and African American communities with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Their founder started this journey because of her own painful experiences navigating the disability system for her daughter who was diagnosed with multiple disabilities at 14 months old. For seventeen years, she worked tirelessly to ensure that her daughter received the services she needed.
Today, WMSL is a key player in the disability advocacy arena and the go-to organization for underrepresented families of children with disabilities.
The Global African Community Initiative was formed in 2020 by a group of Kenyan and African American community leaders concerned with the lack of resources available to improve the health of communities in the African Diaspora. GACI was formed for the primary purpose of alleviating the suffering of people of African descent worldwide. Exploitation of African people and their land and resources has long been the root cause of poverty in Africa. On a global scale, historical bias has been at the root of disparities in health, wealth, environmental quality and education among people of African descent.
Caira Joyce Bernales
Associate
Caira has a strong affinity for two non-profit organizations that make substantial impacts in the Philippines: the ICanServe Foundation and Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc. Her support for the ICanServe Foundation, Inc., a group predominantly comprised of breast cancer survivors and volunteers in the Philippines, reflects her commitment to health advocacy and support for cancer patients. This foundation collaborates with local governments to create comprehensive breast cancer control programs. Their initiatives focus on promoting early detection of breast cancer, ensuring access to accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, and providing survivorship care, palliative care, hospice care, and patient navigation. This multi-faceted approach aims to enhance the care and support available to individuals battling breast cancer.
In addition to her support of the ICanServe Foundation, Caira is also dedicated to the mission of Childhope Philippines, a non-governmental organization focused on the welfare of street children. This organization works tirelessly to promote, uphold, and protect the rights of children, especially those in street situations. The foundation was established in response to the critical need to protect vulnerable children living on the streets. The team at Childhope Philippines is driven by values such as compassion, commitment, integrity, and teamwork, focusing on improving the lives and conditions of street children. Caira supports these organizations because they underscore her passion for initiatives that not only address immediate needs but also strive for long-term improvements in health and child welfare in the Philippines.
Ivy Jewel Laurente
Associate
Ivy's favorite non-profit is Ma-Ma’s Hope Haven of Norway, Inc., a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to serving the poor in the Philippines. Ivy thinks Ma-Ma's Hope Haven stands out for its comprehensive approach to aiding the community. This organization not only provides a holistic ministry but also extends tangible support through various initiatives. They operate a hospital, conduct medical missions, and offer educational support, addressing a wide range of needs within the community. Additionally, Ma-Ma’s Hope Haven provides a crucial service by offering shelter to children who have suffered from various forms of violence. This multifaceted approach to community aid, ranging from healthcare and education to providing a safe haven for vulnerable children, highlights the organization's commitment to nurturing and supporting those in need.
Dylan Thomas Elwood
Business Development Lead
Dylan (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) has been involved in Urban Native non-profits for four years, serving as Development Coordinator for Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre. He has worked side by side with Chief Seattle Club, Seattle Indian Health Board, Native Action Network, and Eastside Indian Education Program. His focus is bringing traditional arts, dance, and cultural education to Indigenous youth throughout Washington and beyond.
Will Meyers
Fund Development Lead
Will comes to FPNW primarily through his work with Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit dedicated to physically and spiritually supporting American Indian and Alaskan Native people. For over 50 years CSC has served the AI/AK community in King County, growing their capacity to support the community with hot meals, vocational rehabilitation, temporary and permanent housing, community arts, and more. Chief Seattle Club currently operates eight housing sites in and around Seattle, along with their day center in Pioneer Square. They provide life-saving culturally appropriate and trauma-informed support 365 days a year.
Will is also a longtime supporter of Scarecrow Video, the largest publicly accessible video collection in the United States. Scarecrow is dedicated to championing the essential art of cinematic storytelling as well as the vital importance of physical media. Their collection offers 147,000+ titles representing 128 years of cultural history from 138 countries, and over 126 languages. Scarecrow ensures that their special programs and initiatives celebrate works by LGBTQIA+, minority, and women storytellers along with other underrepresented populations.