Rachel Sottile | President & CEO
RSottile@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 101
Rachel has over twenty years of executive leadership experience in the non-profit sector and state government. She is a champion of systems reform, with professional experience in foster care and other challenges that impact children and youth. In the last ten years, Rachel’s work centered on advocacy, education, and systems reform, most recently as Senior Vice President of the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) advocating for safe, fair, and effective juvenile and adult pretrial practices. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University and has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Rachel grew up in Seattle, is an avid sports fan, and a mother to three amazing young adults & an English Spring Spaniel named Harley.

Gina Cumbo │ Vice President, Innovation & Impact
GCumbo@ccyj.org │ 206.696.7503 x 117
The center of Gina’s work is her commitment to breaking generational cycles of poverty to make a positive impact in the lives of children and youth. As Vice President of Innovation & Impact, she oversees CCYJ’s programmatic and policy work. With CCYJ since 2008, Gina previously represented adults and children as an attorney for the Snohomish County Public Defender Association and in private Social Security disability practice. She also clerked for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington and lectured at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Gina holds an interdisciplinary BA from Fairhaven College of Western Washington University and a JD and MSW from the University of Michigan.

Catherine Musangi │ Vice President, Mission Support Services
CMusangi@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 108
Catherine is a highly accomplished and driven Finance professional with over twenty years of demonstrated efficiency and process improvements in corporate and private family financial analysis. She is passionate about advancing progress for children and youth and has volunteered with The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Catherine earned her Bachelor of Finance and her MBA from Southern Illinois University and is also PMP (Project Management Professional) certified.

Giannina Ferrera | Program & Policy Assistant
GFerrera@ccyj.org
Giannina has experience in research, administration, and community outreach. She aims to deliver just change within local and state systems through policy work. Giannina has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, and is currently working towards a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Social Policy from the University of Washington.

Karyssa Gonzalez | Development Associate
KGonzalez@ccyj.org
Karyssa developed a passion for working with nonprofits in high school and maintained that passion throughout her time at the University of Miami, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Sociology and Criminology. She first joined CCYJ as the Philanthropy Intern, and was later offered the opportunity to convert her role from internship to a permanent position within the Development team, where she has been able to thrive utilizing her experience in research, development, communications and event planning. In her free time Karyssa loves to spend time with her family, bake, get lost in a good book, and work on her goal of having visited every U.S. state by the time she’s 30!

Katharine Delo Gregg | Contracts & Grants Specialist
KGregg@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 105
Katharine’s driving motivation is working with organizations directly supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. Katharine brings her experience of being both a recipient of federal and foundation grant funding and a grantor of federal funding to CCYJ. Previously, at AmeriCorps, Katharine oversaw the management and policy and regulatory oversight of a portfolio of Senior Corps national federal grant programs. Previous work with end-of-life care organizations Last Acts and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization allowed Katharine the opportunity to educate diverse communities on state and federal policy impacting individuals’ rights at the end of life. Katharine holds a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and a J.D. from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. A recent Seattleite from Washington, DC Katharine is a writer, lover of the ocean, and voracious reader.

Becca Guest | Program Coordinator, LGBTQ+ Focus
BGuest@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 118
Becca’s background is in education, and she has taught in a classroom, managed environmental education programs, and worked alongside many Seattle school communities. She comes to CCYJ from working educational advocacy and support for youth and young adults who are currently experiencing or have experienced foster care. She has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington. Becca is deeply motivated to work towards equitable outcomes for all young people, and does so by centering LGBTQ+ youth, immigrant and refugee youth, and youth of color.

William “Billy” Hairston | Director of Programs, Impact
WHairston@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x120
William Hairston studied at Adams State University in Colorado, where he began what has been almost two decades worth of experience working to support and partner with young people and their families, in several different roles, in both Washington State and in Colorado. He spent the last six years with Seattle Public Schools, first as a Truancy Intervention Specialist in one of the most high-need schools in the Seattle School District and then three years as a District Attendance Representative where he oversaw and partnered with 33 Seattle schools to help with attendance interventions and family engagement. William is also accomplished at developing young people and teams of adults that support young people.

Tiffany Martindale | Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
TMartindale@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 115
Tiffany’s passion is to ensure that the good work of the world creates lasting and positive change for those who seek it. Her diverse 20+ year career led her from structural engineering to international community development to consulting for nonprofits who want to improve their impact. She joined CCYJ in 2021 as a strategic leader and evaluation specialist to support a culture of learning and to help ensure that our efforts bolster the lives of children and youth. Tiffany earned a BS in structural engineering and an MS in international development, with extensive training in monitoring and evaluation. She values connecting with the people, places, and cultures of the world and staying curious through the eyes of her young son.

Brenda Martinez | Human Resources Business Partner
BMartinez@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 102
Brenda has several years of experience in the HR field and administration.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Communications Science Disorders, and a minor in Psychology from Western Washington University. She is currently working towards her SHRM-CP certificate. Brenda has worked in positions from entry level to executive. Her experience includes working in large and small public organizations and startups. She has worked and supported organizations in several areas including compensation and benefits, talent acquisition development, employee relations, leadership teams and HR operations. Brenda is passionate in supporting organizations that have a meaningful mission for the community.

Chelsea McElroy | Pathwaves WA Early Childhood Policy Fellow
CMcElroy@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 116
Chelsea McElroy is a lifelong learner, who has dedicated her energy towards teaching others. As a preschool teacher she empowered students and parents in self-advocacy and skill building. Chelsea founded and operates a local small business, Vision Step Team that empowers youth to find their voice. Her passion for empowering others landed her as a member of the bargaining team for her union Local SEIU925 the family childcare chapter, the Vice Chair of the Board of Ethics for the city of Tacoma, the Chair of South Tacoma Neighborhood Council and elected to Tacoma Public School Board in 2021. Chelsea lives by the practice of ‘Ubuntu’, “I am because we are”. Understanding that she is a teammate who uses interdependency to reach shared goals. Her favorite color is pink, her hair is purple and she drinks a lot of water. She is excited to begin this journey with the team at CCYJ.

Emily Nicewonger | Associate Director of Innovation
ENicewonger@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 111
Emily’s background includes working directly with young people and families within a variety of systems, including nonprofit, schools, and juvenile court, and leading homelessness prevention initiatives. Emily is passionate about working alongside the community to develop programs and systems that truly center the humanity, experiences, and voices of children and families. Emily holds a BA in Human Development from Washington State University.

Nicholas Oakley │ Director of Public Policy, Strategy & Alignment
NOakley@ccyj.org │ 206.696.7503 x 113
For Nicholas, doing youth justice work for a living is a privilege. He empowers CCYJ’s efforts for LGBTQ and CSEC youth by bringing together groups of stakeholders to implement groundbreaking protocols. Prior to joining CCYJ, Nicholas represented youth and families in dependency, juvenile offender, education, family and criminal law matters as an associate attorney at Carey & Lillevik, PLLC. He holds a BA from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a JD from the University of Washington School of Law. Nicholas is also a volunteer mentor with If Project, which provides support to incarcerated women as they prepare to re-enter the community.

Fredricka Pie | Program Manager, Impact
FPie@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 112
Fredricka “Freddie” Pie is a born Seattlelite and mother to 2 beautiful children. She has a love for coffee, Japanese anime, audiobooks, and music. She has been working in world of nonprofit since 2009 in the areas of youth housing, gang/juvenile justice involved youth and varies administrative roles. With a degree in Social and Human Services, Freddie hopes to continue combining her education and personal life experiences to provide an authentic voice when advocating for the community she serves and comes from.

Liz Semke | Administrative Coordinator
LSemke@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x100

Welcome Liz, to CCYJ ~ Bio Coming Soon!

Morgan Silverman | Director of Programs, Innovation
MSilverman@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 110
Trained as a clinical social worker, Morgan has worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years, with the majority of that time in direct service, providing both long-term counseling and short-term crisis intervention in a variety of settings, including foster care, an emergency department, and housing programs. Working with individuals and families in different situations, but often experiencing similar barriers, led to Morgan’s desire to work on a macro level, addressing systemic issues and assisting in development of programs that equitably serve children, young people, and families in crisis. Morgan holds a BA from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University.

Ana Sneed | Program Coordinator, Impact
ASneed@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 119
Ana deems herself a “rebel with a cause” when it comes to her work. Her passion for youth development, education, and racial equity within the sensitive systems of our community began when she was a teen, working as a coordinator of the diversity outreach program at her high school. Her personal experience has always driven her passion for serving others. After studying at Seattle University, Ana’s passion led her to programs like City Year, working as a liaison in various Seattle Public Schools between students, teachers, and families. Now, with 6 years of administrative, legal, and education experience, Ana hopes to continue using her passion as a guide to advocating for her community in the non-profit world. In her free time, Ana is a singer and mega foodie. She enjoys anime, yoga & any activity in the sun.

Gina Terada | Program Coordinator, Impact
GTerada@ccyj.org | 206.696.7503 x 109
Gina Terada has been an administrator for over seven years in for profit and nonprofit work and brings a data driven focus to supporting her team to further the impact of their work. A Chicago native and newly minted Seattleite, Gina is committed to bringing her experience to a new landscape with unique needs. Gina has a BA in International Politics and Japanese from North Central College and can be found most weekends reading a good book on the couch with her two cats.