Vaughnetta J. Barton
Executive Director, ext. 22

As Executive Director, Vaughnetta J. Barton is responsible for Foundation for Early Learning's overall management including programmatic opportunities, collaborations, grantmaking, staff development, budgeting, and fund-raising. Prior to joining the Foundation, Vaughnetta worked as Philanthropy Northwest's Advancement Director, where her responsibilities included increasing membership and revenue. Prior to Philanthropy Northwest, Vaughnetta held senior leadership positions in mentoring, welfare-to-work, and banking.

Vaughnetta co-chairs Philanthropy Northwest's Early Childhood Learning Affinity Group and serves on the board of Express Credit Union. Vaughnetta is also a member of Minority Executive Directors Coalition, and Social Justice Fund Northwest. Vaughnetta is a former American Marshall Fellow of the German Marshall Fund and an alumnus of Leadership Tomorrow.

Vaughnetta earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Washington with a concentration in Administration, focusing on Children, Youth, and Families. Vaughnetta graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Joel Christian Ballezza
Communications Manager, ext. 25

Joel Ballezza serves Foundation for Early Learning as the Communications Manager. Within this role, Joel develops and launches traditional and new media communication campaigns to support children birth through age five.

In addition to his core assignment, Joel also provides technical assistance to partner agencies through a monthly conference call and during 1-on-1 consultation sessions. Previous to joining the Foundation, Ballezza worked in communications with state and federal government, non-profits and corporations.

Joel has a Masters in Communications in Digital Media from the University of Washington and a Bachelors in Liberal Arts with a focus in New Media from Purchase College. In addition to his work with the Foundation, Joel sits on the Seattle LGBT Commission. Ballezza is a board member with the local non-profit Powerful Schools, and has lectured on online marketing and judged competitions for the national high school marketing organization DECA.

In his free time, Joel enjoys hiking, photography, and authors a blog on running.

Jenna Barrett
Office Manager, ext. 26

Jenna Barrett joined the Foundation for Early Learning as Office Manager in mid-May of 2007. Jenna brings her organizational, technical and composition skills to contribute to the Foundation staff, along with a strong sense of social justice and community involvement. 

Jenna is inspired and motivated by the objectives, work, and successes of The Foundation for Early Learning. She continually cultivates her own commitment to education and is extremely excited to contribute to our community in this way. Jenna is a volunteer and junior performer in the growing Seattle circus arts community, and is very happy to work at a place where she can ride her bike to the office.

Sarah Borgida
Program Officer, ext. 28

Sarah Borgida serves as Program Officer with Foundation for Early Learning.  As part of her role, Sarah is responsible for managing the Foundation’s grant-making strategy and portfolio of grantees; developing new programs, policies, and processes related to collaborative grant making in Washington State; and builds relationships with providers, parents, parents’ groups, officials, and other stakeholders.

Sarah has dedicated her career to the academic and social success of under-served children pre-kindergarten through high school. Prior to joining the Foundation she served as the grants, personnel, finance manager for the Center for Native Education. Sarah also developed and managed academic enrichment projects and literacy intervention programs for school-based and nonprofit organizations, including the Seattle-based Community Schools Collaboration and Youth Tutoring Program. She began her career as a teacher and alternative school leader. She holds a master's degree in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Oregon.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys exploring the Northwest’s hiking trails, ski slopes, museums, bookshops, and taking care of her son, Jonas.

Doug Coleman
Finance Manager, ext. 24

Doug Coleman serves as Finance Manager with the Foundation for Early Learning.  His role is to oversee the day to day financial operation and ensure the accounting records are maintained in accordance with all generally accepted accounting procedures.  The Foundation’s investment program is also a part of his responsibilities with the goal of ensuring the long term financial stability of the organization.  This is to be achieved through prudent investment strategies.  He is also committed to enhancing the accounting system to accommodate growth over the next several years.

Doug has spent 38 years in various accounting and financial management positions, both in the private and the nonprofit sectors.  He began his career in public accounting as senior audit manager for two local accounting firms.  The focus of his past 26 years has been in the nonprofit world as Chief Financial Officer and Controller with several social service and affordable housing organizations.

Doug graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with 2 years as an engineering student before changing to the Business School.  In his spare time, Doug enjoys entertaining his 6 year old grandson and driving his Corvette on weekends.  He also is currently serving as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the State’s largest nonprofit organization providing residential and social services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Jessica Cothran 
Development Manager, ext. 30

Jessica Cothran is the Development Manager for  Foundation for Early Learning and carries an extensive background in fundraising and event planning. Prior to joining the staff, Jessica led fundraising efforts with Equal Rights Advocates of San Francisco and the Atlanta Women’s Foundation. She has been successful in developing large donor bases and grant-based fundraising campaigns.

Jessica is committed to supporting social justice organizations – both in her work and volunteer positions. She volunteers with various organizations including Big Brother Big Sisters.

Jessica carries a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from Georgia State University.

Erin Okuno
Program Associate, ext. 23

Erin Okuno comes to Foundation for Early Learning with a zeal for early education. As a child she enjoyed tricycle racing, water gun fights, and trips to the public library. Erin now serves as the Program Associate. She believes that all children should be given the chance to excel, be nurtured, and loved in their lives.

Erin manages the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, oversees the sponsorship and Community Action Project grantmaking programs, outreach and distribution of Getting School Ready and Ten Simple Ways publications, and supports the Foundation's advocacy efforts.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Erin worked for the Alliance for Education as an event coordinator and fundraiser. She also has experience working with volunteers, child abuse and neglect treatment and prevention programs, the K-12 education system, and other community programs. Erin also serves as a volunteer board member for the Downtown Seattle YMCA and as a Brainerd Fellow with Social Venture Partners. Recently she served as a community peer reviewer for a US Deptartment of Education grant program.

Erin holds both a bachelor and master degree in Public Administration from Seattle University.

Elana Sims
Program Assistant

Elana Sims is working part-time with Foundation for Early Learning as the Program Assistant. Elana graduated from the University of Washington in 2009 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Social Welfare (BASW). In June 2010, she received her MSW (Master of Social Work) with a concentration in Administrative Practice in the Advanced Standing Master Program, also at the University of Washington.

Elana has a passion for improving the lives of youth. For almost 10 years, she has worked as a childcare counselor and eventually Assistant Director at a school age childcare center in north Seattle. She is currently working as a Teen Leader for the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department. While pursuing her BASW, she interned for the Department of Social and Health Services-Children’s Administration, ROOTS Young Adults Shelter, and also volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).

At the Foundation for Early Learning, Elana will assist with the duties of the Program Officer while she is on maternity leave, as well as support the Program Associate with various projects and events.