Our Staff
After 80 years of service, we’ve made the painful decision to discontinue programs and reduce staff to retain only one Co-Director while we work to secure sustainable revenue. Without your immediate support, our doors will close and the Kearney House, our longtime home, will be lost.
We are grateful to the countless staff over the years who have made us who we are today.
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Alli joined the YWCA Olympia in January 2023. She is a mom, a facilitator, a trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and really loves baking chocolate chip cookies. From being a facilitator and trainer for the Center for Trauma and Embodiment to working as a Program Director with youth and staff in a residential treatment facility for youth in foster care, Alli orients towards ways of being that bring people together in healing and community. After graduating from the University of Kansas, Alli served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania then worked with the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative in Mwanza, TZ. Her favorite YWCA Olympia organizational norm is "no one knows everything, but together we know a lot".
Connect with Alli: aewing@ywcaofolympia.org
Our Board of Directors
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Amelia Watson (She/Her)
Board Chair
Amelia is the board chair for the YWCA Olympia Board of Directors. She is a Co-Supervising Attorney with the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Parents Representation Program (PRP) since 2006. Amelia received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Women Studies and her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. She is a founding member and Co-Chair of the National Alliance for Parent Representation of the ABA Center of Children and the Law, an executive team member for the Family Justice Initiative, and a founding participant advisor for the Washington State Parent Ally Committee. Amelia’s article Family Is in a Child’s Best Interest was published in the Fall 2022 Volume of the Family, Integrity and Justice Quarterly.
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Jay Banks (He/They)
Secretary
Jay Banks joined the YWCA board in Fall 2023 and is passionate about making spaces for marginalized people to feel hopeful and empowered in their own advocacy. They work as the Director of Equity Programs and People Projects at Accelerate Change.
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Angela Jefferson (She/Her)
Board Member
Angela Jefferson is a combat veteran and retired Army Commissioned Officer, who served 25 years on active duty. She is a fearless advocate for Justice, Social Justice, Equality, democracy, and the pursuit of liberty and freedom for all people. Angela was re-elected in November of 2023 and currently serves Council Member for the city of Tumwater, WA. They hold an MBA in Human Resources from SUNY.
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Malika Lamont (She/Her)
Board Member
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Ryan Patterson (He/Him)
Board Member