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Staff
Foundation for Early Learning
615 Second Avenue, Suite 525
Seattle, WA 98104
P. 206.525.4801
F. 206.525.4822
General Information: info@earlylearning.org
Staff Directory
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Vaughnetta J. Barton
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
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 served state and federal governments, non-profits and corporations. Joel has a Masters in Digital Media Communication 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 is a co-chair of Seattle's LGBT Commission. He also sits on the board of the local non-profits Powerful Schools and ReallyGive, and has lectured on online marketing and judged competitions for the national high school marketing organization DECA.
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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.
Joel Ballezza serves the Foundation for Early Learning as the Communications Manager. His responsibilities include managing both traditional and new media communication efforts.|
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.
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Sarah Borgida serves as Program Officer with the 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 provides, parents, parents’ groups, officials, and other stakeholders.
Sarah has dedicated her career to the academic and social success of underserved 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
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 is the Development Manager for the 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.
Evette Jasper
Communications & Community Engagement Intern
Evette Jasper serves as the Communications and Community Engagement Intern for Winter and Spring of 2010. She earned her B.A. in Art History and Political Science and is currently a Masters student in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Washington.
Evette’s passion for early education began when she started working in a Head Start classroom five years ago. She is very excited to contribute to the Foundation for Early Learning’s efforts to support high-quality early learning and care.
Evette is also an executive board member of United Auto Workers, Local 4121 and has worked with other social justice organizations to promote equitable educational and economic opportunities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working on crafts and being with family and friends.
Mary Mulholland is very excited to join the Foundation for Early Learning as their Development Intern for Fall 2009. An MPA student at Seattle University, Mary looks forward to learning more about the nonprofit sector in her role assisting the Foundation with fundraising and project coordination.
After receiving her B.A. in Art History from New York University in 2005, Mary spent time as an art director in New York City and working at an independent record label in Omaha prior to landing in Seattle. Strongly committed to social justice and public service, Mary volunteers as an assistant coach for Girls on the Run Puget Sound as well as at the Tibetan Nuns' Project. She also enjoys running, swimming, reading and listening to the Pixies.
Program Manager
Erin Okuno comes to the 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 Manager at the Foundation, where she believes that all children should be given the chance to excel, be nurtured, and loved in their lives.
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. In addition to her role with the Foundation, Erin also serves as a volunteer board member for the Downtown Seattle YMCA and as Brainerd Fellow with Social Venture Partners.
Erin holds both a bachelor and master degree in Public Administration from Seattle University.
Elana Sims
Program Intern
Elana Sims is interning with Foundation for Early Learning during the 2009/2010 school year. Elana graduated from the University of Washington in 2009 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Social Welfare (BASW). She is currently pursuing her MSW (Master of Social Work), with a concentration of Administration, in the Advanced Standing Masters Program in the School of Social Work, also at the University of Washington. Elana will graduate with her MSW in June 2010.
Elana has a passion for improving the lives of youth. For almost 9 years, she worked as a childcare counselor and eventually Assistant Director at a school age childcare center in north Seattle. 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 Foundation for Early Learning, Elana will work closely with staff to learn about the many aspects that go into operating the Foundation. She will also work on various projects, some that directly tie into school work. Elana is very excited about this great opportunity!