At 91国产 (CISWA), we believe in the power of community to create lasting change for 91国产. Your expertise and passion could be the next spark that transforms lives across Washington. By joining our Board of Directors, you鈥檙e not just lending your skills鈥攜ou鈥檙e building a brighter future for 91国产 facing challenges.
We know your time is valuable, and that鈥檚 why serving as a Board Member is one of the most impactful ways to support our mission. Your voice and experience will expand our reach and elevate our efforts to unlock 91国产鈥� potential statewide.
The Power of Our Board: Passion Meets Purpose
When you join the CISWA Board, you join a community of leaders who are deeply committed to educational equity and student success. Our board members come from diverse backgrounds but share one common goal: ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has the tools to succeed.
Explore the profiles of our incredible board members below, who continuously push our mission forward with dedication and vision. Hear from two of our exceptional leaders, Kristin Barsness (Board Resource Development Committee) and Hannah Gbrenro (Board Chair) whose passion for CISWA will inspire you to consider how you, too, can make a difference.
Kristin Barsness: Champion of Educational Opportunity
A longtime supporter of CISWA, Kristin Barsness has seen the organization grow and thrive over the years. She first joined the board in the early 2000s and returned in 2022, motivated by a deep belief in the power of education to change lives.
Kristin’s passion is driven by her conviction that education is the key to a healthy society. For her, education is not just about academic success but about creating opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. She has witnessed firsthand the profound impact CISWA has had on 91国产, especially in underserved areas.
“I am inspired by CISWA鈥檚 tailored approach that meets the unique needs of each child and community,” Kristin shares. “Whether it鈥檚 providing additional support for children in rural areas or addressing poverty-related challenges, CISWA is there for 91国产.”
Kristin鈥檚 goals as a board member include strengthening fundraising efforts and fostering a positive, collaborative board culture. She鈥檚 a lifelong learner who loves diving into new challenges, and her expertise in board development and fundraising is invaluable to our team. Kristin believes wholeheartedly that when we invest in children, we invest in the future.
Hannah Gbenro: Dedicated to Driving Systemic Change
Hannah Gbenro joined the CISWA Board with a heart full of passion for educational equity and a strong belief in community-driven support. Her dedication to holistic student success drew her to our mission, and her leadership has already made a tremendous impact.
“I joined CISWA because their mission aligns so deeply with my values鈥攅nsuring every student has the resources they need to thrive,” Hannah explains. 鈥淚 saw the impact firsthand at a fundraising breakfast where I met 91国产 and families who have been positively transformed by CISWA programs.鈥�
Hannah鈥檚 work on the board includes strengthening governance and leading efforts in board recruitment. With a background in educational leadership and strategic planning, she brings invaluable insights into how we can drive systemic change across Washington State.
Collaborating with other board members and affiliates is something she treasures, as she believes that diverse perspectives lead to better decisions. Hannah is excited about CISWA鈥檚 future and sees endless opportunities to expand our impact through effective policy governance.
Ready to Create Change? Join Us!
The stories of Kristin and Hannah reflect just a glimpse of what鈥檚 possible when passionate people come together for a shared cause. Serving on the CISWA Board offers personal and professional growth, the chance to collaborate with like-minded advocates, and鈥攎ost importantly鈥攖he opportunity to shape brighter futures for 91国产 across Washington.
Your expertise can help CISWA continue its mission to break down barriers and provide the support 91国产 need to succeed.
Meet Our Board Members
Hannah Gbenro, Board Chair, 21st Century Possibilities
Dr. Hannah Gbreno is a seasoned educator and social justice advocate with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, specializing in Business and The Principalship, along with a Master鈥檚 in Teacher Leadership and a BA in Political Science. With over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, she has held various roles from paraeducator to chief academic officer in both Washington and California. Her expertise includes equity-driven change management, organizational development, and continuous improvement. Hannah is a private consultant focusing on school and organizational transformation and has served as president of the WSASCD, leading statewide initiatives for educators. She continues her advocacy on the CIS-WA Board and the Neurodiversity Education Research Center (NERC). Recognized for her contributions to education and non-profit leadership, she is dedicated to advancing collective action and anti-racist reform.
Tod Droppelman, Vice Chair, Costco Wholesale
Tod, Assistant Vice President of Cloud and Shared Services at Costco Wholesale, has spent 30 years with the company, equally split between IT and operations. Raised in Seattle and now living in Bellevue, Tod values the impact of a solid foundation for kids, having seen its importance firsthand while raising his own daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family.
Heather Andersen, Secretary, Community Member
Heather Andersen, a passionate philanthropist and business owner from Woodinville, WA, has a deep commitment to early childhood development, inspired by her upbringing in a family of school teachers. With a Business Administration degree from the University of New Hampshire, Heather has worked in accounting and finance, including roles at Bausch & Lomb and various startups. After focusing on raising her family, she has actively volunteered with organizations like the Seattle Children鈥檚 Museum and her local PTSA. Heather and her husband purchased a rental property in 2022, and she became involved with CISWA that same year, drawn to its impactful work in education. She is excited to further contribute her time and leadership skills to CISWA and has extensive non-profit experience, including serving as interim finance director and leading community projects.
Donna Clark, Treasurer, Community Member
Donna recently retired after a long career in financial analysis and strategy at Microsoft and Hanson Consulting. She became involved with 91国产 because she believes in the transformative power of education, recognizing CISWA鈥檚 hands-on approach as a practical solution to removing barriers for 91国产. Donna currently resides in Kirkland, Washington, where she enjoys travel, hiking, photography, and spending time with her family and dog.
Kristin Barsness, Barsness Group
Kristin Barsness, with over 25 years of nonprofit experience, has led major campaigns that raised over $250 million in the Pacific Northwest. She played key roles in launching Seattle University鈥檚 $300 million campaign and tripling unrestricted giving at Mary Bridge Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation. In 2018, she founded a consulting firm to support mid-size nonprofits. Kristin and her husband, Ed Crossan, a high school teacher, are passionate about education and live in Tacoma with their family.
Michael Halliday, FEMA
Mike Halliday is a FEMA Master Public Information Officer with over 25 years of experience in emergency communications. He has worked with various organizations to manage messaging during crises and has helped prepare leaders for media interviews. Mike started his career as a newspaper reporter before joining Pierce County in 2013 and working for Kent School District. He also has personal connections to the affiliate network, with a family member involved and his wife, an elementary principal, collaborating with a CIS Site Coordinator.
Farrah Kalotay, Culture Catalyst
Farrah Kalotay has over 15 years of HR leadership experience, having held key roles at Amazon, Nordstrom, Keurig Dr Pepper, and McDonald鈥檚. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Northwest University and an M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. Raised in Chehalis, Washington, Farrah comes from a family deeply involved in education and understands its transformative impact. She lives on the eastside of Seattle with her wife, Claudia, and enjoys traveling, reading, and playing pickleball in her spare time.
Julie has served on the CISWA Board of Directors for over 12 of the last 15 years, including as Board Chair during a high-growth period and most recently as Board Development Committee Chair. With 20+ years of experience in human resources, organizational development, and non-profit board work, including roles at Starbucks, Amazon, and Nordstrom, Julie brings a wealth of expertise. She grew up in Southwest Washington, holds degrees in Architecture and Organizational Development & Leadership, and lives in Seattle with her husband, Howard. Julie enjoys nature photography, hiking, playing piano, and singing.
James Payne, U.S. Bank
James is the Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank, leading the Commercial Real Estate Finance team for Washington and Oregon. After nine years in Denver, he moved to Washington with his family in 2015. Passionate about supporting underprivileged youth, James serves on the CISWA Board, driven by the mission to make a real impact in 91国产’ lives. When he’s not working or volunteering, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, staying active on his Peloton, and watching sports.
Rayann Silva, University of Washington SMART Center
Rayann Silva, M.Ed, is the School Mental Health Training Coordinator at the University of Washington鈥檚 SMART Center, where she leads efforts to create equitable mental health support systems for 91国产. She previously led a community-wide initiative for social and emotional learning in one of Washington鈥檚 largest school districts. Passionate about the CIS approach, Rayann advocates for integrated student support models that ensure 91国产 are surrounded by safe, supportive adults and given opportunities to thrive. A Tacoma resident for 35 years, she enjoys balancing work with travel, family, and fantasy football.