Meet Our Team
Ashley Thomasson
she/her
Executive Director
Ashley has dedicated her career to housing advocacy. Hired in 2008 after receiving her BA in Human Services, she piloted the first Rapid Rehousing Program in Whatcom County, supporting hundreds of households in sustaining housing. As our Housing Director, Ashley received her Non-Profit Management certificate from the University of Washington and oversaw rapid growth while maintaining high-quality services.
Ashley took the helm as Executive Director in 2023 and is poised to lead Lydia Place through strategic planning and vision building to meet the growing and changing needs of our community’s most vulnerable families.
Sara Wilson
she/her
Director of Learning & Operations
Sara grew up on the east coast and moved to Bellingham in 2010. She has had an extensive career in higher education supporting student success initiatives, running employee training and development programs, and advocating for basic needs, including food and housing security. She joined the Lydia Place team in 2026 and is excited to support the team’s learning and operational needs.
Amanda Blomquist
Employee Resource & Learning Manager
Becca Chanik
she/her
Operations Manager
James Kozanitis
he/him
Property Manager
Brooke Murphy
Finance Director
Brooke joined Lydia Place in 2025 as Finance Director, bringing both professional expertise and personal passion to her work. With a sibling adopted out of Washington State’s foster care system, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges children face when housing is unstable. That experience, paired with a deep commitment to service in her community, drives her belief that every family deserves a safe home and the opportunity to thrive. Brooke earned her accounting degree from the University of San Diego and has worked as a CPA for more than 20 years.
Tim O’Donnell
he/him
Finance & Revenue Manager
Dee Dee Chapman
she/her
Accounting Coordinator
Kayla Valentino
she/her
Community Engagement Director
Kayla joined Lydia Place in 2025, bringing 10 years of experience in the field of Education, where she served as both a school-based administrative professional and a 4th grade teacher, before transitioning to directing operations for a Special Education staffing organization. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a deep commitment to supporting others and building strong, authentic relationships within her community. Kayla is passionate about connecting people to the mission and work of Lydia Place, and fostering meaningful partnerships that support families on their path to stability and opportunity.
Meredith Stamey
she/her
Development & Impact Manager
Kayly Rubio
they/them
Community Involvement Coordinator
Lacey Stewart
she/her
Event Coordinator
Tiffini Ayala
she/her
Housing Program Director
Tiffini grew up in a Mexican American, multi-generational household in northern Nevada. After graduate school, where she focused her education on Mexican immigration and its impacts on families, she worked as a housing case manager in our Rapid Rehousing Program here at Lydia Place, before eventually moving on to manage our Permanent Supportive Housing Program, DVSAS and Engedi partnerships. Tiffini became Housing Program Director in 2023 and is excited to invest in larger conversations and actions around ensuring families in Whatcom County have the opportunity to thrive in safe and stable housing.
Heidi Chandonnet
she/her/hers
Program Manager
Katy Tolles
she/her
Case Manager
Katie Chandler
she/her
Case Manager
Eve Chamberlain
she/her
Case Manager
Allison Vita
she/her
Case Manager
Louis Walbrek
he/him
Program Manager
Sol Montalvo Caraballo
she/her/hers
Case Manager
Olivia Jackman
she/her/hers
Case Manager
Steven Boldt
he/him
Housing Data Coordinator
Jovie Anderson
she/her
Case Manager
Gabe Graves
he/him
Program Manager
Christal Seitz
she/her
Case Manager
Jess Lopez Kumar
she/her
Case Manager
(Spanish Bilingual)
Kate Phillips
she/her
Program Manager
Haley Orr
she/they
Intake Coordinator
Gladis Ramos
she/her
Case Manager
(Spanish Bilingual)
Joohee Choi
she/her
Case Manager
Erin Smith
she/her
Clinical Program Director
Erin has a career of serving children and families that spans more than 25 years and numerous countries and states before landing here at Lydia Place as our Clinical Director. Erin is a licensed independent clinical social worker and has created an innovative and responsive Mental Health Program at Lydia Place where providers are able to re-imagine mental health outside the box of traditional clinical settings. In her current role, Erin blends her passion for mental health, social justice, relationship-building, and healing-centered work.
Jennifer Hooper
she/her
Program Manager
Amber Oldham
she/her
Family Support Specialist
Sarah Kidd
she/her
Family Support Specialist
Porcia Juchmes
she/her
Family Support Specialist
Yesenia Avelar
she/her
Family Support Specialist
(Spanish Bilingual)
Nicolle Juarez
she/her
Family Support Specialist
(Spanish Bilingual)
Holly Martinsen
she/her
Clinical Supervisor
Diana Meeks
she/her
Mental Health Clinician & Program Coordinator
Tristan Quan
he/him
Mental Health Clinician
Sadie Townsby
she/her
Mental Health Clinician
Tonani McBride
she/her
Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Clinician
Katie Rohwer
she/her
Mental Health Intern
Frankie
he/him
Therapy Support Animal (Canine)